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.

Ilenia Vidili | Customer Experience Keynote Speaker | Author | Trainer

Taking risks is part of my DNA, and I believe that risk-taking is strongly tied to courage. When I was 19, I left my home in Italy and moved on my own to Spain, and then to the UK, where I lived for nine years. Starting fresh in new countries, learning the language, and adapting to different cultures wasn’t easy, but it was essential for my personal growth.

Over the years, I worked for some of the most successful organizations, but when everything seemed stable on paper, I took another bold risk—I quit my corporate career. What followed was two transformative years of solo travel in Southeast Asia. That time gave me the clarity and courage I needed to start my own business during the second year of my journey. Read more>>

Lauren Czarniecki | Principal Designer and Owner

I went to school for Interior Design and had worked with multiple different firms in different locations and with different aesthetics and felt that I was coming up with my own personal, unique style with my clients. I was getting push back from my current employer on that aesthetic because it was changing from his own and I knew it was time for me to leave and start my own path.
I had established some great relationships with clients and received multiple referrals and had the opportunity to express my design aesthetic with my client’s personal needs to create beautiful interiors I’m proud of. Read more>>

Noah Lazar | High school students, Starbucks barista, and nonprofit website creator

My thought process behind raise10.org was wanting teens to go meet God and view him in a different way other then a person and a book to follow. Read more>>

Britt & Hannah | Podcast Co-Hosts

When we first took on the podcast, we had zero clue what we were doing. We dove headfirst into something by just watching YouTube videos, reading articles, and figuring it out as we went. This led to us having extremely long hours of recording episodes (we’re talking 6-8 hours for one book), editing for 12-14+ hours, losing sleep and not seeing a return on investment. Every episode we were reading a book, recording an episode for hours, and then pouring ourselves into the edit. It was exhausting, but we learned so much about planning and how we can move forward. Read more>>

Emily O’brien | Writer & Magazine Editor & Author of Things I Heard While Dating

Risks are what keep life exciting. They’re that secret sauce. To me, that’s been an essential part of growth. It’s never been about being reckless; it’s been about trusting my instincts, being prepared, and believing in my ability to adapt. Every major step in my career—transitioning to full-time writing, moving both cross-country and abroad, building new connections, and publishing a book—came with a level of uncertainty. Yet each decision was guided by a clear vision of what I wanted to create and the impact I hoped to make. Read more>>

Black Lion Society | Black Lion Society | Hip Hop Duo | Community Activist

We’re inspired by good eating habits as it has a better impact on overall health. We’re also inspired by music as well as family because both play a key role in the reason why we do what we do as music artist. Read more>>

Renika Mcqueen-echols | Writer, Producer, Director

My inspiration comes from many different things but one thing that really inspires me is music. Music sets the tone for me .The right song can pull so many different emotions from me and inspires me to write some of the most genuine things that I could ever write. I’m also inspired by love and emotions. Sometime’s I just let my thoughts about life take me on an emotional rollercoaster and it gets me right where I need to be. I am a very passionate person and sometime’s I feel like I don’t get to be as loving as I’d like to be so in those moments that I feel suppressed physically, I find it to be my most creative moments in writing. I can just let it all out in my writings. Read more>>

Gerrard Allen | Edpreneur

The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is my commitment to focusing on the “what” the vision and purpose behind my work while trusting that the “how” will unfold as a natural extension of that clarity.

When I authored *#50 Things for Black Teens to Experience Before Graduating High School,* my primary goal was to create a resource that empowers, uplifts, and guides young Black students as they navigate their high school years. I was deeply focused on the impact this guide would have on their personal development, academic success, and ability to dream beyond perceived limitations. This clarity of purpose became the driving force behind every decision I made, from the structure of the book to the lessons embedded in it. Read more>>

Katy Carignan | Arts Professional and Attorney Entrepreneur

I have known a number of people in recent years who tell their children to get any kind of degree as long as it’s not liberal arts. A liberal arts education is essential in fostering innovative solutions and connecting people because it emphasizes broad-based learning that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and communication. By studying a variety of disciplines, including literature, philosophy, history, and the sciences, individuals are exposed to diverse perspectives and ideas. This allows them to approach problems from different angles and understand their complexities in a more holistic manner. Read more>>

Mohtashim Mahin | Photographer

Never Give Up!
When my partner and I started our business, things seemed promising—until COVID hit just two months later. Suddenly, we had no business. Every client canceled, and we had to return all the deposits we had received. It was a tough time, but we refused to give up. Read more>>

Christopher Sutton | Cinematographer, Filmmaker, & Storyteller

I pursued my creative career to further expand on the imagination and representation of visionary black LGBT+ narratives. Read more>>

Groovepill | Producers & DJing

We got into music as kids because we loved it and saw it as a way to express ourselves, not thinking about it as a career at first. Growing up, our families was all about music—everything from Detroit techno to early hip-hop and R&B. We started by making our own tracks before we got into DJing, and that eventually led us to create the kind of music we love, which also happened to connect with people. Read more>>

Jodi Lynn Burton | Artist + Illustrator

Truthfully, it was a calling. Before I became an artist, I worked in many different jobs, including retail, a deli, as a hairdresser’s assistant, in landscaping, and even on a farm for a short period. While many of these jobs allowed me to be creative, they were not a great fit for me.

I studied photography in school, but once I started working professionally, I realized that I disliked it. After photographing weddings or events, I would come home feeling drained and find myself sitting on the floor of my room, drawing. My roommates often asked what I planned to do with all my drawings. I initially thought no one would want to see them, but a friend convinced me to try doing an art show. To my surprise, I sold out of nearly everything at my first show! Read more>>