We were fortunate to catch up with some brilliant artists, creatives and entrepreneurs from throughout the Houston area and they share the wisdom with us below.

Dana Vanderlugt | Writer and Literacy Consultant

In the Acknowledgement section at the end of my book, Enemies in the Orchard, I conclude with this quote from Frederick Buechner: “My story is important not because it is mine, God knows, but because if I tell it anything like right, the chances are you will recognize that in many ways it is also yours.” Read more>>

Maryanna Cavazos | Growth Mindset Coach

Oh gosh, I have so many favorite affirmations. lol I guess if I had to choose one, it would be, “Sometimes , later becomes never. Do it Now”! Because after 50 years of being on this earth, I realize that time goes by so fast. I blinked and my kids grew up. I blinked again and my eldest Grand son is almost 10. There is no better time than the present. I like this affirmation because so many people will tell themselves they will invest in their own dreams when the time is right. But when is that? Nothing is ever going to feel like the perfect anything. Read more>>

Kevin Kamis | Small Business Marketing

Making the decision to build a team rather than remain a solo entrepreneur. During college, I was known as “the creative guy.” I did basic website design, photography, and graphic design for friends and family. I loved seeing how these marketing services positively impacted small businesses. However, I soon realized that artistic work like designing and editing actually drained my energy. Instead, I felt energized by business development and project management. Read more>>

Shuhrat Choudhury | Michigan Wedding Photographer

A book that had a big impact on me as a business owner is Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. I think every business owner should read it because it offers a simple yet transformative approach to managing finances. The system emphasizes putting profit first, ensuring your business is financially healthy before anything else. It helped me shift my mindset from focusing on just revenue to prioritizing sustainable profitability. This has allowed me to make smarter decisions and feel more in control of my business finances. It’s really helped me balance the creative side of my photography business with solid financial management. Read more>>

Bethany Grayson | Hair Stylist | Wellness

Being in the beauty industry, you have no idea how many times I hear, “Your feet must hurt from standing all day.” And yes, sometimes they do, but something more real and not often talked about is how powerful this industry is. We are all influenced by it every day, whether we choose to be or not. It’s my job to pay attention to the perceptions, dialogues, and impacts of this very pervasive industry while also being aware of which parts are unhealthy. So, in my day-to-day, I get to help people feel beautiful about themselves in a healthy and meaningful way, which is so empowering. Read more>>

Ren Willow | Disability Advocate

I was born with two fingers and I still have lots of goals. I was in a film that hasn’t been released yet and that awakened my heart to try and bring disability to film, but not in a comedic way or used as a monster in a film but more as a bystander or even the main role and avoiding any discussion about that person’s disability in the film. I would love to help the world see disability as normal and include us more in movies and modeling. Read more>>

Sarah Huff | Salon owner and hair stylist

In 2020, the world was in turmoil as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives and businesses everywhere. For many small business owners, the choices were stark: close your doors and risk losing everything or push back against the mandates in an effort to survive. As the owner of Ardor+Grit Salon in Holland, Michigan, I found myself at a crossroads that would test my resolve, my values, and my commitment to both my team and my clients. Read more>>

Jeff Munroe | Author and Editor

I grew up on the east side of the state of Michigan and when I was a kid, I dreamed of being a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. As my lack of actual baseball ability made that unlikely, I dreamed of being someone who wrote about baseball players. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and have always written. I was the editor of my high school newspaper in Flint, Michigan, but then, while a journalism student at Michigan State University, I felt a call to into ministry. After Michigan State, I attended Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Read more>>

Jessie Berkshires | Songwriter and Independent Artist

I’ve lived in Southeast Michigan for most of my life, although I was born on the East Coast and moved around the Midwest during my teenage years and for college. Despite the moving, I proudly identify as a Michigander. Read more>>