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.

Crystal Taylor

That question has followed me through every chapter of my career. I’ve had moments where I felt stuck or unsure if I was in the right place professionally. I’ve moved around a lot trying to find the right fit in my 9 to 5, and each transition taught me something new about what I value, what I’m good at, and what kind of environment allows me to grow. But one thing that has always helped me find clarity is leaning into my passion projects. Read More>>

Monica Kovach

I started Hold Space Creative in 2017, after working as an art therapist and mental health counselor. Friends and family would always ask me, “How do I find a therapist? When I search online, I can never tell which ones are right for me.” After several challenging therapist searches of my own over the years, I felt their pain. Even with my knowledge and experience in the mental health field, I found myself struggling to help my loved ones find their best-fit therapist online. Read More>>

Sophia Espinoza

I try and make my nail services more affordable so that fellow college students, or non-college students, are able to treat themselves without worrying about breaking the bank. Sometimes just having your nails done can make someone feel more put together and I want to make that a more accessible option for people. Read More>>

Cat Lockman

I’m a big believer in planning, persistence, and the power of baby steps. I’ve always been drawn to frameworks like Franklin Covey’s—tools that help turn big dreams into daily actions. Whether it’s a major life change or a long-term goal, breaking it down into manageable steps has been my compass. Progress isn’t always dramatic, and inspiration doesn’t always show up on schedule—but discipline does. I’ve learned that even when motivation wavers, showing up and sticking to the plan moves the needle. Over time, those small, consistent efforts compound into something meaningful. We can climb mountains with baby steps. Read More>>

Umelo Onyejiaka

DevOps Detroit empowers the local tech community through mentorship, workshops,, meetups and networking events that foster skill development, career growth, and innovation—helping individuals thrive and driving positive change in the industry.

Risk is uncertainty, but it can be a good thing—especially when it’s calculated. By identifying risks, you uncover your biggest concerns, which helps you think through practical solutions. This solution-oriented mindset, paired with adaptability, can take you far both in life and career. Read More>>

Tommie Green

My success hasn’t come from having all the answers—
It’s come from the courage to move before the world understands the vision.

I study patterns. I move with logic.
But the decisions that changed my life weren’t always calculated.
I take risks when they matter.

Some of my most defining moves—founding WhiteWood Entertainment,
creating viral content before YouTube was even taken seriously—
were driven by nothing but pure faith and instinct. Read More>>

Kiana Montgomery

My decision to start my own business was deeply rooted in my personal journey and the experiences I gained while working with top corporate agencies and national brands. These years provided me with a firsthand understanding of the power of strategic communications and storytelling in building success. I cherished the role I played in these partnerships, witnessing brands grow, campaigns come to life, and the profound impact of a well-told story. Read More>>

Jackie Spencer

The thought process behind starting our business was about solving a problem that would help many people. Being included with those who dealt with this problem, for us, it was about how to change it, how to help, and how to build up our community all in the same process. Read More>>

MOMO BOOSAMRA

I realized very early on in my personal development and in my career path that without the magic that fuels our souls, there is suffering. Suffering is felt in hiding what brings out your spark, dimming your light for the comfort of those darkened by the cruel reality of society, and the life that is adulthood. I cannot say I understand much for the “real world” as much as I do the common thread that most if not all of us share – a love for art. A love for creativity and imagination that many think of as childish, and as something we cannot keep hold of for long. Read More>>

Melvin Parson

When I first started, I didn’t know anything about balance. Because the work felt so good to me internally, it actually became a way to run from myself. I poured everything into it without leaving space for self-care or nurturing real connections. That lack of balance eventually caught up with me—I crashed my truck and fractured my neck in three places. That traumatic experience became a turning point. As painful as it was, it taught me just how vital a healthy work/life balance really is. Read More>>

Kendra (Klein) Gagnie

I’ve always been a little creative and after combing the shorelines of Lake Huron for weeks in March of 2020, during the Covid 19 lockdown and unexpectantly stumbling upon lots of Great Lakes beach glass, I decided to put my imagination to work. Read More>>

Nicole Parker

My entrepreneurial journey began from a place of profound adversity. At just 14 years old, I became a mother while living in a group home, facing daily struggles with homelessness and hunger. Yet even in those darkest moments, I felt an unshakeable resolve—a deep hunger for success far stronger than my circumstances. Read More>>

Cierra Mooney

My thought process behind starting CEtheMOON Productions was that I wanted to cultivate a new level of confidence and trust in myself and my creativity, frankly speaking. In my previous roles, my bosses appreciated having me on their teams because I shared their vision wholeheartedly. Read More>>

Blake Upston

My mentor from Battle Creek, MI really believed in me. He pushed me into starting my own and not going to work for someone else. I also wanted to practice chiropractic my way and the way I thought it was right for my community and patients. It has been almost 14 years now and am glad I took that chance all those years ago. Read More>>

Brad Stuart

I have worked in the music industry in some capacity for the better part of 20 years now. It was a natural evolution to get to where it is today. Early on, plain and simple… I wanted to be a “Rockstar.” That dream shifted for me. I fell in love with songwriting… production… and forming a genuine connection with a small fanbase. Read More>>

Elijah Earnest

You can’t pour from a empty cup. Read More>>

Tricia Horne

Moved to a new city starting from scratch as a single mom. I wanted more for them and to show them there’s more to life and that you can always rebuild. You just have to show up daily and put in the work. Read More>>

Pria Dee

Being there for my children and listening to them was always important to me. I also feel that allowing them room to explore and grow at their own pace, while also teaching them right from wrong, is probably the most important aspect of my parenting. Children need to be loved, heard, accepted, and nurtured to become good people. Read More>>

Julia

Our National Assessment of Educational Progress has consistently reported that since 1992, only about 30% of 4th and 8th-grade students read at or above proficiency. This means that approximately 70% of students struggle with reading—an alarming statistic with lifelong consequences. Read More>>

Brett Dierolf

We just saw a desire and a need for punk, hardcore and indie shows in the Muskegon area. The music scene here used to thrive but has seen a decline in recent years without a solid venue. Partnering with Rake Beer Project has given us the freedom and ability to book shows with some regularity.

We really don’t view SF Shows as a business. It’s more of a passion project for us. A way to give back to the scene in which we grew up. Read More>>

Matthew Rose

I feel like I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset. I never really settled or felt comfortable in the regular 9-5 type of deal. I like being the boss and having the freedom to work as much or as little as I want to. That also allows me to have time with my family. So with that said when I lost my job in January of this year, I decided it was time to start my own business and dive in head first. There was a void in the Michigan music industry and I decided to be the person to fill it. That’s why I started the Michigan Music Awards. Read More>>