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.

Ryan Hennessee

Everyone’s heard of the golden rule “Treat others as you want to be treated,” but I like to push things to the next level. Specifically in this instance, it’s the platinum rule: “Treat others as they want to be treated”. This forces me to think differently and strive to understand each person I meet such that I can treat them in the way they deserve. Everyone has their own unique story. Hearing first and second hand accounts of little things that have been received positively has given me hope in the world, but also ideas on how to spread optimism and generate an open environment that is a cornerstone of Social Push Detroit. Read more>>

Shaylin Cota | Photographer & Social Media Strategist

While deciding to work for myself was a pivotal moment, the single most important decision that contributed to my success was my commitment to collaboration. My personal and business mission revolves around “Creating & Collaborating,” and I’ve found that the most rewarding experiences have come from working with others. Read more>>

Mike Bawden | Coffee roaster and educator

I’ve thought a lot about risk over the last two years. I left my secure job in the civil service in Germany teaching at university to come to the USA and start a coffee roastery, cafe and coffee education business. While many people have taken bigger risks, for me this is arguably the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. How do you weigh up the known against the unknown? My life in Germany at university compared to the potential of living my dream here in the USA working with coffee? Read more>>

Gretchen Woods | Founder of The Kitchen Loft, Artist & Nature Lover

That’s a good question! I look at risk as a necessary part of growth, just like change is necessary. I have taken many risks in my career, both for professional advancement and for personal quality of life. In my mind, understanding the scope of the risk, and the potential benefits, are important before committing to anything that would be difficult to step back from. Read more>>

Mia | Visual Artist and curator of 813 Microgallery

A book I often think about is Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. I like reading books about the creative process and inspiration and this title combines those things with, as the name implies, a sense of magic. Something that stayed with me, after reading this book, is the concept of ideas as their own living entity. The author writes about how an idea, if not explored or executed by someone, may find its way to another person and I find this fascinating. It’s not unusual for me to discover artists whose work is exploring something I have been thinking about, or already sketched out. Read more>>

Crown Jewelz

Well first and foremost, I’m an artist and a dreamer but I’m also chronically ill so this question means a lot to me. I want to leave behind a legacy of genuine appreciation for the human spirit. I want people to embrace the essence of what it means to be a human with all of our flaws and silly perceived shortcomings. Read more>>

Meg Six | Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

The most important factor behind my success is balancing caring for myself and caring for others. The two things are deeply interconnected: when I help my community, in the future or in my time of need they’ll help me, I also need to be advocating for myself in the midst of being in community. I think often people miss the step of advocating for themselves, which can lead to feeling isolated or resentful. It’s not self to ask for your needs to be met, it just means that you can keep going. Read more>>

Ryan Suender | Founder & Owner

WebDyno Developers aims to protect website design agencies and eventually evolve into a global leader in cybersecurity across all industries. We aim to build strong, long-lasting relationships with clients by consistently exceeding expectations and delivering superior value. We strive to foster a culture of innovation and excellence, attracting and developing top cybersecurity talent. By expanding our global presence, we aim to serve a diverse clientele and solidify our position as a trusted partner in the cybersecurity industry. Read more>> 

Denzel Early | Farmer, Content Creator, Owner

Many reasons and one was because when you’re young you have express your insecurities in more than just what language you may know. You express love and compassion, also what makes you feel without. Read more>>

Na’ziya Lewis | Fashion designer, Model & Music artist

I chose to pursue this career simply because it’s always been exactly what I wanted for myself. Of course, there were times I had my doubts, and times that I wasn’t too certain, thinking that maybe my dreams were “too big” or that maybe I should just stick to something more simple…easier to reach. People would tell me to choose a job that’s “garunteed” or something more “important” but to me, this was important….so that’s the route I decided to go. I’ve always been creative, and tried to keep my mind as open as possible to continue allowing that creativity to flow. Read more>>

Kelly Mendenhall | Dynamically Disabled Author & Artist, Creator of Affordable Art Revolution

This is a great question, especially in my case, because I am the poster child for what happens when you lack work-life balance. I often refer to myself as a recovering nonprofit professional. If you’ve worked in the sector, you’ll know that staff usually do the work of 2-3 employees, and the salaries almost universally hardly support the life and livelihood of a single person, let alone anyone with a family. Read more>>

Dave Behm | Senior Art Director

The older I get, the more I see how important it is to have a balance between work and life. I care more about spending time on things that really matter, like family, friends, and taking care of myself. Read more>>