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.

Sarah Elizabeth Segrest

In early 2025, I had a conversation with a local run club owner that changed everything. They told me they wanted to build a stronger sense of community in their club and asked for my thoughts on the matter. I told them, “You can’t talk about wanting community if you are not going out into the community and identifying what the needs are.” Read More>> 

Tori Whitaker

Honestly, it all started when I was crushing it as a trainer at Equinox and really connecting with moms. I saw that they needed way more than just workouts — they needed real support, and that kind of space didn’t really exist. I understood exactly what they were going through because I had lived it myself. When I left my abusive marriage with a six-month-old baby, I felt completely lost and realized there wasn’t a place for moms like me. Read More>> 

Jim Thomas

I view risk as a necessary investment in growth—calculated, informed, and intentional. In my career, taking strategic risks—like launching new ventures, entering unfamiliar markets, or pivoting business models—has been the catalyst for my biggest breakthroughs. Without risk, there’s no real progress; the key is managing it, not avoiding it. Read More>> 

Thalita May

Old photographs, movies, music and simply human connection. Read More>> 

Yana Simms

I want people to remember how they felt around me. Safe. Seen. Inspired. Whether you supported Petite Eats, sat in my culinary arts classroom, or just followed along from afar, I hope you felt like you were part of something that made space for joy and creativity. Read More>>

Alex And Noemi Cortez

We’d say a coffee cart is 75 percent catering 25 percent coffee. A majority of your time is spent of the logistics of the cart like; getting to and from the event, maintenance on machines, ordering beans, or working with different vendors.

This can be quite a challenge for someone who is passionate about the coffee industry, but not so much about things like organization, scheduling, and event planning. Read More>> 

Valerie Carter

Most people don’t realize that in the fight against human trafficking, the rescue moment is actually just the first step—and often, it’s the easiest part. What comes after is the long, often unseen journey of restoration. Survivors have endured layers of trauma, betrayal, and loss, and while freedom from exploitation is critical, it doesn’t automatically bring healing or stability. Read More>> 

Brandon Salazar

The ultimate goal is to build something that outlives us—both in business and in impact. I grew up poor, and I know firsthand what it feels like to struggle. I never want to go back to that, and I never want my family to experience it. For me, it’s about creating generational wealth—building a foundation strong enough to give our children and future generations opportunities we never had. Read More>> 

Kanchan Shingwekar

Some people are naturally good at sports. Some excel with numbers. I happen to be good at a few things—like computer programming, cooking, raising kids—and I’ve also discovered that I’m truly good at painting. What draws me to art isn’t just the final result, but the slow, honest learning process it demands. In art, there are no shortcuts—only practice, patience, and persistence. And I genuinely love that hard work. Read More>> 

Juan “Sleep-E-J” Valdespino

I can give many reasons for my love of music. I love how it ties to feelings, emotions and memories. Sometimes I think it was inevitable because I heard my grandpa (on my mom’s sides)use to play in a band with friends or my Dad played guitar. I never heard or seen either do so but felt maybe it was something that connected me to them. But I grew up in the 90’s I seen family struggle and hiphop seemed to help many people with similar hardships change their life with their stories and self expression. So naturally I felt like I could do the same. Read More>> 

Aisha Chaudhri

Honestly it’s a constant work in progress. Some weeks I think I have it all down and other times everything that could go wrong, does. I have to set boundaries other wise I would be constantly working. Planning ahead ( the amount of lists I have is insane) really does help. That said I’ve also learned that not everyday is going to be perfect and thats normal. The main thing for me is to go day by day and check in with myself to make sure I’m able to give my work and personal life the best parts and not running on empty Read More>>