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.

Stille Skygger

I want my legacy to be a constellation—a map of light guiding young artists who feel like they are creating in the dark.

I come from a place where dreams were whispered, not spoken aloud. Where art was not a career, but a quiet rebellion. I was just 9 when I first picked up a pencil and began drawing what I couldn’t yet say. That act—small, almost invisible—became my way of carving out space in a world that didn’t offer me one. Read More>>

Eliana Valerio

The thought process behind starting The Virtual Female Co. came from a deep desire to bridge the gap I kept seeing between talented women—especially mothers and women of color—and the access, structure, or support they needed to thrive in business. After over a decade of supporting mothers in pregnancy, postpartum, and early development, and working behind the scenes in different professional roles, I realized I could combine my experience to create a space that offered strategy, systems, and soul.  Read More>>

Cassandra (Safi Reala) Dearman

Originally in 2011 I wanted to capture the vibe of what today would be called the “earthy girl”aesthetic. It was an act of expression and empowerment. I incorporated perfumed/cologned oils, incense/smudge sticks, colorful clothes, handbags and scarves. I also made beaded spiraled bracelets. The business helped take care of my household for a few years. Read More>>

Ann Poirier

I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio. I grew up with my mom, my dad and three younger siblings. We were always a close family and loved being together. We grew up in church and went to Catholic schools. Beyond necessarily the Catholicism itself, the faith and belief in God is what always stuck out to me growing up. My parents loved God, trusted Him and worked hard to instill that truth of our Lord God in us kids too.  Read More>>

Heather Clark

I think about risk as more of an opportunity. While obviously there is uncertainty when it comes to risk taking, I usually approach it with the thought process of what could happen and how much would it matter if it did. Since high school I have been going against the grain and taking small risks in my personal life and career. I have done things that aren’t considered the safe choice, like entering the workforce instead of college right away and it has paid off in ways that have fulfilled me and made me confident in my choices.  Read More>>

Sara Burks

I started my business when my kids were younger because I wanted more flexibility and freedom in my schedule. As a single mom, it was important to me to create a career where I didn’t have to rely on someone else’s timeline or limitations. I wanted to be in control of my income, offer services I believed in, and build something that truly catered to the needs of my clients. Read More>>

Danielle Litteral

For many years, I struggled to pinpoint exactly what I wanted to do as a long-term career. I changed my major several times in college and even explored the corporate world, but it didn’t take long to realize that the traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle wasn’t for me. Read More>>

Joanie Calem

Truthfully, I am not very good at work-life balance, since my work is my art. It is hard to regulate artistic impulses to any particular schedule. So when I was first starting out as an independent musician, I tended to take every job that came my way. As I have gotten older and more “known”, I am definitely saying no to requests for my music that don’t feel reasonable. And I am realizing, now that I am plain old, that the frantic running around through much of my career didn’t actually contribute to my artistry. Read More>>

Rachelle Yarnell

I started my journey as a young single mom. It was tough. I was trying to figure out adulthood, motherhood, and who I was—all at once. Later, I was married, raising kids as two working parents… until I was single again for 14 years.

In 2007, I opened my first salon. I built this business behind the chair—styling, managing, creating. But I was also raising boys, juggling school, sports, family dinners, and growing a dream. Some days were chaos. Some days, magic. Most days, both. Read More>>

Will Brooks

I’ve found that risk taking, when done in an educated way, can be the catalyst to everything you want in life. Risk can obviously be scary, but it’s an effective vehicle that helps separate yourself from the herd. Once I started taking risk in business, I started walking the path I felt I was meant for. “No risk no reward”. Read More>>

Sandy Booth

Our growth as a yoga studio is a team effort. Without the commitment of our dedicated teachers along with our support staff at the front desk, our business couldn’t exist. We have a vision of providing wellness opportunites for all levels. We offer weekly yoga classes, wellness workshops, reiki sessions and yoga teacher education. Our philosophy of yoga is inclusive of all regardless of ability. Read More>>

Mary Angela Miller

Smart people, even really smart people, don’t understand food safety.
If someone has stomach cramps or other symptoms of “food poisoning,” what we officially call a foodborne illness (FBI) they always think it was caused by the last food they ate… but that they ate outside their home, say at a restaurant.
When I worked as foodservice director at a major Medical Center, a physician would come into my office and say…”I think I got sick from eating at the café salad bar yesterday.” And of course I would take that seriously and ask all the right questions to determine whether further investigations is needed.
But during this conversation I would take the time to educate:
There are over 25 germs or parasites that can cause a foodborne illness. Some make you violently ill within minutes. Others, like a hepatitis virus symptoms, may not show up for more than 6 weeks! Read More>>

Paige Davis

I’ve always had a strong desire for creative freedom and the ability to build something that truly reflects my values and vision. I saw a gap in the market for something more authentic and personal, and I realized I could fill that with my own unique style and approach. It wasn’t just about being my own boss — it was about creating a space where I could push boundaries, connect more deeply with clients, and grow on my own terms. The decision came from a mix of passion, purpose, and the drive to take full ownership of my work and future. Read More>>

Miriam King And Ashley Martin And Christina Navarro

Christina: “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” From William Shakespeare’s “Measure For Measure.”

My biggest belief in art and love is that people need to take more risks. I don’t know exactly where it came from but I’ve always been a “why NOT me?” kind of person. Every single time I’ve taken a chance on myself, especially when others didn’t fully understand, I have walked away with amazing stories and powerful growth. As an artist and a human being. The quote reminds me that fear doesn’t protect us. Read More>> 

Anya Syrkin

Staying one step ahead of the mainstream. I got into Oriental Medicine and traditional healing before it was fully generally excepted.
I have been willing to be an ambassador for my work whenever the opportunity presented itself. Consistently creating a conversation about traditional healing modalities and how they can be utilized. Read More>>

Dyllan Shipley

As a tattoo artist, you take significant creative, and career risks. Tattooing is a field where your work is permanent, personal, and highly visible by so many. Every piece you do carries the weight of trust, creativity, and execution. Getting into an industry where reputation, and consistency matter so much takes risk within itself.

You have to take chances on your style and technique, and being able to develop a personal artistic voice, while still meeting client expectations. Relying on your work to build a reputation without the safety net of a traditional career. Staying adaptable, especially in a field that’s always shifting in trends, tools, and client desires on so many levels. Read More>>

Reece Frame

Many people assume estheticians just “do facials” or that the job is mostly about pampering. In reality, licensed estheticians undergo extensive training in skin biology, ingredient chemistry, sanitation protocols, and even some aspects of dermatology. They need to understand how different skin types react to various treatments, how active ingredients interact with skin at the cellular level, and how to avoid triggering conditions like acne, rosacea, or hyperpigmentation. Read More>>

Allison Day

Work/ life balance is an incredible subject. Being a woman is such a multifaceted subject, as well. In my early years I thought I would just become a mother, and that was good enough. Once I became a mother I was reborn. That’s the most interesting thing about growing up. You realize you are capable of so much more than you could imagine initially. I never thought of the days after my goal of becoming a mom was completed. You never think you’ll one day be past your accomplished dream. Read More>>