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.

Shanell Penn | Mom, Educator, and Charcuterer

I came up with starting SharcuteriebyShanell from when I made a charcuterie board for some friends of mine visiting from Cincinnati! I bought a board and all this food and told my mom, I’m going to make a board! I didn’t really know what I was doing lol bit watched some videos on Instagram and started following some people who created boards so I said I’ll try it. My mom is a caterer and my older sister and I would help her make meat and cheese trays when we were younger so I figured I could put together a nice board for my friends. Read more>>

Jon Sedlak | Animator//VJ//Designer

Perhaps this is horrible advice for other people; follow it at your own risk. I don’t really have a backup plan. I’ve always been some kinda scavenger. In Highschool, I quit my job at Wendy’s to play Magic the Gathering more. I made more money in 2 months playing Magic than I ever did at Wendy’s. Right before I went to college, I started playing poker online. I was never amazing, but I managed to make enough to pay rent on a couple occasions. One time, I spent half my tuition money gambling on bitcoin. I made 4 months rent. Read more>>

Jasmine Arrington | Mother & COO

The Trash Boys LLC is committed to making a lasting social impact through our wide range of services, including Trash 2 Curb, Trash 2 Bin, and city cleanups. We focus on supporting the most vulnerable members of our community—seniors, disabled individuals, and ill residents—who may face significant challenges in managing waste disposal independently. Our services provide not only convenience but also a critical safety net, helping to reduce the risk of falls and injuries, particularly during winter months when conditions are hazardous. Read more>>

Geoff Collins | owner and founder

The driving force behind 83 Gallery’s success is the collaboration with our artists. Without their contribution, I would be standing alone in a featureless room with blank walls. Our ongoing goal is to continually raise the bar. Witnessing the success of fellow artists inspires us to strive for more. The success behind the 83 brands is that we are selling more than just art; we are selling opportunity, and we want to make that opportunity as unintimidating as possible. Read more>>

Fallon Schwab-davis | DJKrooze Owner of The KrewWay Experience

All the tough trials…lol Weather that’s business partners that didn’t workout, endeavors that flopped, unforeseen turn of events. It all gave me learning lessons on what to do and not do. Or how to go about it better next time to make life more easy and flow. But also learning from others mistakes. Through my 10 year career I have learned so much by just watching and absorbing all the rights and wrongs. The rights, to inspire me, the wrongs to help protect me from those same mistakes. Read more>>

Sabrina Bollinger | Concert Photographer

What makes me happy, is being in places with a sense of belonging. Whether that be in the comfort of mother nature- wandering her vast curves and hills. Or being in the middle of a pit, surrounded by people who connect to music the way I do. I love being in places that give me a sense that I belong, I think everyone does. Read more>>