Our community is comprised of entrepreneurs and artists and creatives – folks who have chosen incredibly difficult professional paths that often don’t offer any safety nets or guarantees. Nonetheless, we regularly hear that being a parent is a far greater challenge and so we asked some of these folks to open up to us about the things they’ve done as parents that they feel will have a meaningful and positive impact on their child.

Lillian B. Ramirez | Sugar Cookie Artist

I am a mother of two little boys and I think the most important thing I’ve done and will continue to do, is show them that work can be fun and something that makes your heart happy. Read more>>

Ashley Longoria | Florist & Business Owner

The most important thing I have done as a parent for my kid is to make sure he believes in himself. I frequently use the phrase, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t–you’re right.” This instills the values that attitude determines success. He may only be 4, but I’ve already seen this in action. Every day, he makes sure to believe that he WILL get it done, which leads to his success. His determination to believe in himself has truly given me the most amount of pride a parent can have for their child. Read more>>

Bella Brown | Actress & Fitness Health Coach

The most important thing I’ve done as a parent is accomplishing my goals! You know still making my dreams a reality. I hear so many stories, especially with women, on how they’ve put their careers and dreams on hold because they’re now mothers. I wanted to do the opposite. I wanted to show my daughter that while it is difficult as a single parent (Her dad lives in Denver but is very involved in her life) that the 2 can coexist! It’s definitely going to take finding the right tribe, being disciplined, having boundaries, and scheduled self-care, but living your career dreams and being a mother can be done. The journey becomes a teacher for both you and your children, and the benefits are priceless! Read more>>

Miguel Chen | Center Director: Dallas Meditation Center, author, musician

I am always trying to lead by example so that my children can see that life doesn’t have to look a certain way. You can do work that you’re passionate about, make a schedule that allows lots of time for self-care, family, and adventure, and help a lot of people along the way. Read more>>

Cat Serna | Artist & Community Servant

A couple mantras come to mind thinking of my most important parenting contribution: “Mistakes are ok, it’s being honest afterwards that matters most.” Or, “You don’t always have to be nice, but you should always be kind.” I espouse these principles constantly and while I do hope they form into my kids’ values, I suppose the actual most important thing has been embracing the kids I have (quirks and all) instead of being rigid to how I imagined parenting would be. Read more>>

Shaun Vasquez | Husband, Father & Owner of Pride Foods

That is such a difficult question if one is to give just one answer. For me and my wife, we feel that its a few things that create such an environment that allows our daughter to grow strong, independent and be the hero of her own life. Those are; Get out of her way. Do not helicopter parent, baby her or do everything for her. Which leads me to the next, be patient with her. Read more>>