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.

Wes Hamilton | Pastor

“We should avoid complicating the path for those seeking God,” paraphrases a sentiment found in Acts 15:19. As a Christian, I recognize a tendency among believers, myself included, to either actively create or passively tolerate unnecessary barriers that hinder individuals from considering Jesus. These barriers may stem from cherished traditions or certain expectations, leading us to impose additional requirements on the message of Jesus. This inclination can unintentionally position us as gatekeepers, determining who is deemed worthy or unworthy. In my role as a pastor, one of my responsibilities is to guide our church in identifying and eliminating any unnecessary obstacles that could impede someone’s journey of faith.” Read more>>

Deb Tamez | Founder & Owner

I provide a program that offers children ages 3-5 opportunities to play, explore, and learn about nature while focusing on child development milestones. We are in the business of helping children grow in their development and meet their milestones. Offering a research-based and student-centered early childhood program in a rural community is unique. Read more>>

Carren Allen | Singer/Songwriter & Healing Artist

I’m inspired often by the ability to create change within myself. I know that no matter what is going on, change will always be happening. and I want to play apart in that creative process the most. Change can look like a lot of this things, but i want to embrace change with open arms especially when it elevates and improves my life! Read more>>

Kayln Bruington | Owner/ Head Dance Instructor and Director

I would love to be remembered by the students I teach that not only did they learn a lot about dancing or theatre but they made memories and relationships that will surpass their “dancing career” and into life. I am all about creating the relationship and making better people! Read more>>

Shawn Blaze Ealy | Owner & Chef

The time and effort that behind everything that is prepared. Yes customers enjoy the finished product and that is where I get total fulfillment, but the the time and love that goes into every item can be tedious. Making sure everything is made correctly without flaw can be a challenge. For example making my cheese sauce for macaroni and blending it properly so it won’t burn in the time given can be nerve racking because if I burn it I have to trash it and start again. Also the prep work. Cutting the veggies & washing everything that needs to be washed is very time consuming because right now I’m doing the majority by myself but it will all pay off soon Read more>>

Victoria Hagen | Chef

What’s one thing about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of? This industry is all about self-motivation. You’ll never make it if you can’t be introspective and have clear goals. While I have had mentors and people in my career who have helped me, no one has ever held my hand and given me what I want. I’ve had to work hard, teach myself many things, from cooking techniques to administrative responsibilities, and I think all great chefs can say the same. Read more>>

Tyann Marie | Serial Entrepreneur

I am from Memphis, Tennessee. Growing up in Memphis was an intriguing experience. I grew up in the church but I’ve seen a lot of things and experienced different people. The impact that my city made on me was to make it and never stop. Memphis is like grind city. Everyone wants a come up and sometimes you had to be in the streets to get that. Luckily, I was blessed to be around individuals who saw my potential and pushed me to work with my gifts. So instead of being in the streets, I took that street hustle culture and I put it into business ideas. Read more>>

Amy Ziff | Founder of MADE SAFE

Growing up, when I was 9 years old, I developed migraine headaches and uncontrollable shaking in my hands. I was in 4th grade and it had become hard to hold a pencil. Back then we took a lot of handwritten notes and tests. School was getting increasingly difficult. The headaches were inconvenient and unpredictable. They would take me out of commission for hours and hours while I needed to be in a dark room, barely able to function, alternating between fever and chills until I would heave everything in my body. Then I could sleep off the remainder of the headache. I just wanted to be a normal kid, like all of my peers. Read more>>

Riley Chance | Author

How do you make a positive difference to the world around you? That was the question I used to ask my university students – how can we, as citizens, change the world? Read more>>

Shaunta D. Scroggins | Author, Leadership Researcher, & Idea Developer

In previous times, work life balance was only for me. It amounted to time, money, skill, and purpose management. I was responsible for changing the math on how much of my time, money, skill, and purpose I spent on or with whatever focus. Over time, my work life balance considerations increased to include my octogenarian parents. Learning to serve as an aide-caregiver adds dimension to life planning. Because the lives of others cannot be balanced into mine, I think, I look toward harmony. Where is the peaceful blend? Where is the boundary line for certain things? What will be my response to the unpredictability of some situations? Read more>>

Tori DuBose | Interior Designer

I’m still working on my work-life balance. I have a fiancé and an 11-month-old and trying to navigate my new family while starting a business and still working is a new challenge for me. It’s hard because I feel guilty for being away from my baby because I’m trying to make a living, but I know once my business takes off, it’ll all be worth it. I just hope my son is proud of me for all the hard work and sacrifices I made to give him a fulfilling life. Overall, work-life balance is important to me, and I want to be able to have a strong home life. I want more kids, so I want the flexibility to be with them for all the games, recitals, plays, and everything else they are in. I have always been the type to never want her life to be dedicated to work and work only and I’m even more determined now that I have my son. Read more>>