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.

Jamie Lombardi | Founder and Executive Director

The Autonomy Project is my heart dream that has become a force all on it’s own. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and this org operates the space Wicked Eden. We are entirely volunteer operated. The Autonomy Project is dedicated to fostering empowerment, creativity, and healing for marginalized communities. At its core, our mission is to build a vibrant, inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds—particularly the queer community, GSRM (Gender, Sexuality, and Romantic Minorities), sex workers, and creatives—can find both refuge and a platform for expression. Read more>>

Rebecca Maxwell | Event Planner

She’s Company is completely designed to help women make meaningful friendships as adults. It has created a safe space and community for women to feel welcome and form bonds. Read more>>

Shyann Price | Entrepreneur and Realtor

As a parent I think it is very important for me to show my children that anything is possible. They are able to see how hard working and ambitious their mother is because they are usually at majority of my events for my brands. They see first hand the impact I am making in this world and I hope that they are inspired by it. Having parents who own businesses as well a real estate, creates a learning experience that is very unique and special. I teach my children how to make bath bombs and soaps, so I am teaching them the business in a way that is fun but still a learning experience. Read more>>

Niki Ross | Plus Size Content Creator & Nugget’s Momager

When I started my TikTok account, Inthethiccofitwithnik, I set out to create an open environment of showing a plus size woman, in her 30s, enjoying life, but still being honest about going through it. Social media has always been coined as a highlight reel; and there are people out there that can fool you into believing everything is perfect. I want to highlight for myself and for others that even the little things in life can be a highlight but also that we can be real and vulnerable with each other. When I started posting about my anxiety, my community showed up in waves. Read more>>

Lauren Miller | Artist, Teacher and Healer

My end goal is to be able to continue making and sharing my work the rest of my life. Professionally I would like to be known for my immersive art and for sharing knowledge in workshop settings. Creating more financial stability combining selling work and sharing my knowledge in workshops. Read more>>

Holly Alexander | Licensed Professional Counselor and Life Coach

The resilience I see in my clients inspires me every day. I am a person who is fueled by helping others, so to be able to walk alongside my clients in their worst and darkest moments ignites something in me to keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve found that so many people don’t have one person they can truly confide in or trust and to be that for a person, is truly an honor. Read more>>

Derrek Hoffman | Co-Owner

I take great proud in my store and continue to work like it’s our first day in business. Also, building a team that shares the same vision and taking care of the people around me. Read more>>

Nicole Reagan | Sales Leader & Sustainable Stylist

I regularly set both short-term and long-term goals. This helps me stay focused and motivated, allowing me to measure my progress and celebrate small victories along the way to the large ones. I’ve also learned to view challenges as opportunities for growth. Instead of shying away from difficult tasks, I tackle them head-on, knowing that each experience strengthens my skills and resilience. I also whole heartedly believe in Work-life balance as a crucial aspect of maintaining my overall well-being, allowing me to recharge and reset with strength and determination which ultimately leads to success. Read more>>

Brooklynn Kendrickk | Content Creator

To be very honest, if it wasn’t for the pandemic back in 2020 I would not be where I am today. I had just lost my job due the mandated quarantine, and had no clue what I was going to do, but knew I needed to think fast as I had a baby to support. This is when I turned to social media and realized what exactly digital marketing was. I began building my personal brand by creating content and so many collaborations and networking opportunities followed. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and this career change was very much needed.. I just needed the push to do it. Read more>>

Kirsten Carver | Blogger/ Entrepreneur

Consistency. I started my blog, All That Scrapbook, as a passion project during the pandemic. I was looking for a way to fuel my creative passion, while also earn a little bit of money. Prior to creating my own blog I had seen successful entrepreneurs turn their blogs into full time income. I was confident that I could do the same. Read more>>

Cassandra Harner | Artist & Performer

I value collaboration, or interdependence, within my community. As an artist, I want to make something that I’m proud of, but also that speaks to my audience. I wouldn’t have success if I didn’t integrate with what was already going on in my city, and collaborate with people that are making work that I admire. We don’t exist in a vacuum, and success doesn’t feel like success if there’s nobody to share it with. Read more>>

Mel And Ali | Owners and Creators of Need Want Wear Share – a subscription box for the “every mom”

People always say not to mix business and friendship. We wholeheartedly disagree with that statement. Being best friends and in business together is the reason it works. We trust each other, we know our strengths and weaknesses, always have someone to bounce ideas off of and divide and conquer the workload together. Ying and Yang! Plus who better to spend this much time with then your best friend. Read more>>

Hannah Obremski | Junior Creative Lead for NASA HQ

Navigating the corporate world as a creative has proven challenging at times over the past several years. I’ve noticed that in environments dominated by mathematics, aeronautics, and engineering, some individuals tend to look down on and belittle artists. It often feels as though they do not view art as a legitimate career path. This isn’t a universal sentiment—there are many wonderful colleagues who appreciate my work just as much as they do anyone else’s—the dismissive attitudes of some have taught me a valuable lesson. Read more>>

Bradley Hart | Commercial Photographer

Photography…for me it has always been a vocation, not a job. A true calling is rare, but I knew from the time I was a boy that creativity was going to play a central role in my career. So there really was no choice; I felt compelled to follow this path. A creative career was inevitable for me. Photography, as a medium, has a way of allowing one to capture fleeting moments, but more than that, it provides a unique lens through which to interpret the world. I’ve always been drawn to the challenge of telling stories visually, whether that’s through the elegance of fashion, the precision of product photography, or the complexity of architectural compositions. Read more>>

Sarah Barkley | Social Media Marketing & Content Creator

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always had a knack for photography and video editing. My Dad was a huge influence on this! He used to walk around with his camera and film everything me and my brother did. Whether it was making videos for my cheer team or uploading videos of my brothers high school marching band, he was always there. My curiosity grew and he allowed me to take his camera and start filming my brother. I had to be like 9 years old. That’s where my love grew. Read more>>