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.

Kamal Smith | Filmmaker

Taking risk is almost mandatory when you think about becoming an entrepreneur. You can’t be timid or afraid to fail. Failing is apart of the process. Many people don’t take risks
because they think about “what if” it doesn’t happen. Operating with a scared mentality will never get you far in life. Read more>>

Lashanta & Errin Mitchell | Holistic Healers, Momtrepreneurs

1. Starting a business has been a lifelong dream for us. Since childhood, we’ve envisioned various entrepreneurial ventures, from our first idea of running a candy store hangout to eventually creating and managing a marketing and event planning business together for several years. Throughout this journey, we’ve remained deeply committed to serving and healing our community while refining our creative skills. Read more>>

Kendra Mcclaine | Photographer & Entrepreneur

I feel that staying consistent has helped me succeed. Posting on social media, photographing multiple times a week, and staying in touch with clients show my dedication. In return, my clients continue to come back and/or recommend me to others. I also believe continually learning how I do has helped me reach my goals. I am always looking for more education to better myself and my business. Read more>>

Perfect Strangers | Detroit Band

Community! We really believe the supporters, friends, fans, family, so on and so forth, are the strongest backbone a band can have. It can be tough to go out there and play for an empty room. It can be tough to get people interested. Having a supportive community makes more people want to be involved. Read more>>

Olivia Schenkel | Founder and Owner of All In Fit

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset and knew one day I wanted to be my own boss while impacting the world in some way. While the idea of creating a business is fun, it also takes a lot of work and has many challenges. I researched and spoke with other business owners to find my path. I took the money saved during Covid and invested all of it into this brand, All In Fit. At first All In Fit started as a small dream to show others they can create their own definition of success and their dream life, you just have to be “all in”. Soon it became more than that by creating sustainable, eco-friendly products. All In Fit now empowers active lifestyles with sustainable, affordable, and high-performance activewear while minimizing environmental impact. Read more>>

Racquel Smith

Well I had my first child at 17 years old and I always tried to keep a job going but it was hard for me. My family at the time every one was working a full time job as well and daycare wasn’t a option I wasn’t even done with high school so years down the road I had finally had about 6 years into a 9-5 job and I really still didn’t care for not being able to be near my kids when they needed me. So I thought about what I could do to make money and spend time with my family as need be. Read more>>

Madhurima Ganguly

It is an inner call. I really don’t know why. I am good at it is not my reason. I feel like it is what I am supposed to do. It’s like breathing. You don’t question why you know it’s important to survive, to be alive you have to breathe. Like that I knew I have to create, make art. Read more>>

Jaden Lazar | Mother, Chiropractic Tech, and Chiropractic Student

I would always say I had a good work ethic because I like everything perfect! As a kid it was mostly play but sometimes I would stay up late helping my mom paint or set up garage sales. As I got older I began working and I again wanted everything perfect. I graduated high school a year early and because I was dual enrolled I almost had my bachelor’s. I worked full time, had high school full time, and college. Now, as a mom, my balance has changed a bit. I still work full time and have school but my very first priority is my son. Before, I could work as much as I wanted and make plans with friends whenever but now I focus on my son and his days even if that means I do school when he’s sleeping. Read more>>