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.

Saralyn Norkus

I often feel like “defining success” can be a bit of a trap. Too often, we measure success by tangible goals or comparisons to others, especially in creative fields, and end up equating our worth with output or visibility. But to me, success has never been just about hitting metrics or crossing off goals. It’s so much more than that. Read More>>

Denerio Watkins

Picking up my camera again felt like a risk I didn’t know if I was ready or if I still had it in me. I didn’t have a plan, just a feeling that I needed to create again. But that one step led me back to myself. It reminded me that taking a chance, even when you’re unsure, can lead to something meaningful. Now, every time I hold my camera, I’m reminded that trusting myself was the best risk I ever took. Read More>>

Weirder Wonderland

This is a great question, and kind of hilarious, because we talk about risk a lot in our household. For the longest time, Chafe wanted to leave his job to start the business we now have, but felt like it was too much risk to take on. We always joked that he was looking for the “safest risk,” and quitting a job with a salary and benefits didn’t feel like that safest risk.  Read More>>

Gejuan Campbell

Being a mortgage broker allows me to educate and guide the people of my community through the financing process associated with either purchasing a home for the first time or looking for ways to use their home as a financial tool as a current homeowner. Homeownership is one of the mort important financial investments that can be made so having a mortgage professional that is knowledgeable on what financing options are available and also which options work the best for each specific situation is very important.  Read More>>

Reid Kaminski

Persistence. Continuous hard work is something that’s been instilled in me growing up in athletics. There are always difficulties, hills to climb, and set backs both in personal and professional life. Continuing to push through, work hard and focus on the core tenants of my business allows me to stay focused and keep my patients and their healthcare outcomes at the forefront. Read More>>

Duane Harlick

I don’t think anything can make a person happy. I believe being happy is a choice, and can be a difficult one. There are many things that bring me joy, like the closeness with my wife, or a hug from my kids or grandkids, or seeing my sons becoming such great husbands and fathers. Having a great show, or having someone reach out to me regarding a song of mine that has touched them deeply brings me immense joy. Read More>>

Daniel Gaglio

I’d say that the most important lesson is to be patient. Like most worthwhile endeavors, delayed gratification is essential. were likely not going to get rich overnight or blow up. staying down and consistantly working on your craft and the other things it takes to make it is the only way to longevity and success. what that looks like for me is late nights in the studio or traveling i might not see a dime for some of my work up front. i might get songs done that never get published. so i gotta keep making beats everyday sending them out and be in the studio making new songs. eventually something will stick. Read More>>

Lyndsey Boyd

The most important factor behind Sol Luna Photography that has led us to success is finding a work-life balance that allows me to fulfil the needs of my clients as well as my loved ones. Owning a business is hard. It’s a lot of time consuming (often unpaid) work that we pour into our business and faith alone is the only things that keeps everything going. If I didn’t have faith in something bigger and a deeper purpose calling me to photographer, Read More>>

Denzel Early

In this world we have to learn to work together and become each other’s biggest supporters. Helping a person achieve a goal or an accomplishment should be your priority and benefit to others. I’m focused on this now and have been since I was 23 partnering with Arts and Crafts neighborhood organization. Right now I am participating in international initiatives to help get children and families resources for school, health and nutrition. So far me and MWIMPP have raised $116,000 to help countries in Africa continue their rebuilding models. This makes me encouraged and not only happy. Read More>>

Michael Waidelich

Black Wolf Flag Company began as a favor to a friend of mine from Basic Training who asked me to create a wood flag for him as a present for his soldiers who was leaving. During our time together my friend was very aware of my love of woodworking and was looking to help me after I was discharged due to injury which left me in a difficult place. I struggled as I did not want to leave the Army due to an injury so he reached out. Read More>>

Tia Williams

When I was 16 years old, I took my annual trip to Arizona to see some family members. During that trip I remember my aunt taking my mom and I to tour some new construction model homes, and I was such in awe of how beautiful these homes were! And right at that moment, I thought “How can I make this a career?”. At the time I had no clue what a real estate agent was and what they do but once I found out they tour homes for a living, I was like that’s it, that is what I want to do! Once senior year came I had this whole idea of going to college, because, at the time, society taught only about the “traditional route” to success, so much so that the following year I went back to Arizona after getting accepted to ASU and toured the campus and met my roommate! Read More>>

Joe Morsello

Starting Graze Marketing was really a mix of timing, opportunity, and purpose. I was working as a marketing director for a not-for-profit trade association representing the local marketing industry, which gave me great insight into the tools, trends, and challenges related to how businesses market themselves locally. From small business, to large, national chains, I learned a ton about the digital marketing space during this time. Read More>>

Jeff Scott

I was a lucky, or unlucky, person, depending how you look at it. I didn’t choose to pursue a creative career, it chose me. I was creative from a very early age, reading and writing stories starting at about 6 years old, and beginning to learn music starting around the same time. My passion for writing and music only grew over time, and those loves have defined my whole life. My writing abilities turned into a career in advertising, which continues, and at the same time, I pursued my music, which I’m also recognized for. For the record, I count myself among the lucky ones. I’ve never had to guess at what I’m supposed to be doing here. Read More>>

Preston True

The concept of “work-life” balance is an interesting one. I actually don’t believe in it. When we put these two ideas on a “balance”, we’re actually creating a conflict between the two.

We do that as we hold “work” and “life” as totally separate worlds. That’s impossible and is a myth. We only have ONE life.

In the “work/life balance” context, we believe we need to reduce one to spend more time in the other. That’s just not a useful way to look at it. Read More>>

Maria Dismondy

Metro Detroit has many pockets deemed book deserts. This means homes in those areas do not have age appropriate books for children to read. If chilren learn to read and they do not have books at home to practice their literacy skills, it will be more challenging for them to be succesful in reading. Detroit needed a book bank and that is what Making Spirits Bright is, a place where books come in and go back out to those who need them! Read More>>

Jovahna Marie

I think the most important factor to my success is my ability to keep going in the face of adversity. As a woman in what many may consider a male dominated industry, determination and resilience have definitely been a focal point for me. I think that there is a level of mental fortitude one must possess in order to be successful in the entertainment industry. As creatives, we open ourselves up in the most vulnerable of ways.  Reead More>>

Kristan Green

Initially, I was looking for a way to transition from my office job to running my own business. In the past, I have done this a couple of times, but usually out of desperation in finding a way to do something I enjoy as a way to make income. I want to say I do not think this is an impossible task; however, when it is forced, in my experience, it is never fruitful, resulting in a loss of something I once really loved doing. When I started The Natural Dye Company (NDCo.), the idea of making it into a profitable business didn’t feel right. What was not only a creative outlet for me, was also a way to understand and cope with the illnesses I have been dealt, finding healing and alignment through nature and community while entertaining curiosity, discovery and connection. Read More>>

Megan Love

I have always loved working with food/coffee/and community. I went to WMU for Food Service Administration/Minor in Business. I worked in HS/College for a local grocery store as well as SBUX. I always new that one day I would run my own. Read More>>