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.

Pamela Abdelnour | Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Being risk averse and an entrepreneur don’t usually go hand-in-hand and for good reason. Owning a business is all about opening yourself up to risk of every variety imaginable. As I get older the ‘risks’ I face associated with entrepreneurship have evolved. Many risks I started with haven’t been totally eliminated but new ones have been added to the mix, ones that make the originals seem rather trivial. Read more>>

Jhayla Mosley | Screenwriter and Director

My mother 100% My mother always made sure that, when I was younger, I was involved in everything you could imagine. I was acting in New York on Off-Off-Broadway at sixteen years old. I was on an AAU swim team. I played Alto and Baritone Saxophone in my high school jazz band. I was a collegiate athlete. My mother pushed me to do all of those things, which helped shape who I am today. I score films because I was in music. I write films because I did theater. I direct films because I was in sports, which taught me discipline and leadership. Her support made me who I am. One day, she said, “You need to pick something and focus on it.” I put all of my energy into track and earned a full-ride scholarship. This taught me that I have no limits, which is exactly how I would describe my success. Read more>>

Itanise Aeolione | Master Braider

My thought process behind starting my own business was inspired by a mix of personal experiences and my passion for creativity and connection. When I was 19, I visited my dad and had the opportunity to help him bring his vision to life. Witnessing his passion, determination, and ability to turn an idea into something tangible left a lasting impression on me. It showed me what was possible when you believe in your vision and commit to it wholeheartedly. Read more>>

Mystique | Recording Artist/Performer/Singer/Songwriter

The end goal is to become a touring artist who writes songs for myself and others. I want to continue to put my music out there and inspire individuals with my creativity. Read more>>

Duke&sol | Musical Duo

It seems as though an artistic/creative career was written in the stars for us. We grew up in, and around music and went on to collegiate level degrees in our perspective crafts. There were times when we have given up and have chosen to go other routes, but the path of the artist has always called us back home.

I would say however it took us both quite a while to own this path. It can be a very daunting path to take depending on what one wants for themselves. But ultimately when it’s who you are a career transforms into simply your journey. Read more>>

Andreia Stirbu | Wedding Photographer & Mother of 3

I love this question because it addresses such a real issue in so many working mothers’ lives. When I first started photographing weddings, I had one baby. Over time as my business grew so did my family and along with those, my responsibilities. It was mentally tolling for a few years and both my work and my home responsibilities were less than perfect. I had to re-evaluate my priorities. First and foremost my role in life is not to work as hard as I can, it’s not to be the best I can be for someone else while my family just gets a shell of me. Putting my family and my home first had to be my priority. I would be trying to work during the day, not being able to give my all because my house was a mess and my kids were watching their 3rd movie of the day, or I would be present in my home and be guilty because I had 3 weddings and 6 shoots to edit and I had all of that work sitting there making no progress. Read more>>