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.

Siddharth Shankar | Tech Entrepreneur

The idea for CloudCores originated from a commitment to addressing educational and economic disparities in underserved communities, inspired by our research revealing significant opportunity gaps. Recognizing that startups often struggle to find affordable digital solutions while talented students from underrepresented backgrounds lack practical experience, we created CloudCores to bridge these needs. By pairing startups with interns, CloudCores fosters a mission-driven approach that empowers both parties, promoting innovation and inclusivity within the tech industry while contributing to long-term social change. Read more>>

James Parks Ii | Writer, Musician, Son, Brother, Father & Grandfather

When I was 20 years old in January of 1991, I was working a Brown & Root job in Ashdown, Arkansas at a Georgia Pacific paper mill. Brown & Root was the industrial contractor and I had been working with them since I turned 18 in 1988. My long time brother Keith Sipes and I worked this particular job together in the pipe department and we were staying in an old box train car that someone had converted into living quarters. My now ex-wife and our children and I lived in Stonewall, Louisiana wild Keith lived in Crossett, Arkansas. We were renting that box train car to work the job together. Read more>>

Arham Doshi | Researcher, Educator, & Linguist

My inspiration stems from my struggles of connecting with Jain’s identity. Even though I lived in a household motivated by Jain philosophy, I could never connect with the ancient teachings due to language barriers. Thus; I created Jain Enlightened, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aimed to merge culture preservation through technological innovation in the AI space. I used my experience in my research and created podcasts, books, lessons, and blogs. I could not be more proud of the impact my team and I have made worldwide. Read more>>

Marilee Henson | Tattoo Artist

I think I measure my success by how comfortable my clients are. I want to treat my clients the way i would want to be treated by a service professional. Repeat clients and good relationships are the most important to me. I don’t want someone getting tattooed by me to be nervous or scared. Read more>>

Emilia Alza | DivaDance Plano Manager

The most important factor behind our success at DivaDance Plano is our commitment to blending cardio, community, and dance into one empowering experience. DivaDance Plano provides a welcoming space where women of all shapes and sizes can come together, be themselves, and connect through the universal language of dance. It’s about building confidence, fostering community, and celebrating each individual in a supportive, uplifting environment. Read more>>

Ariana Mcweeney | Mural painter & Illustrator

I think the beauty of building a creative business is that I have no idea where I’ll be by the end of my career! Right now I mainly paint murals and create illustrations, but who knows, someone might offer me a job painting grand pianos for concerts or creative directing editorial photoshoots! My end goal for my career is that I can look back and feel like I got to explore different possibilities, meet new people, and connect with others through the work I create. Read more>>

Daniel Kovalsky | Basketball coach

I started my basketball organization when I was 14, driven by a passion for the game and a desire to give others the same opportunity to grow. It began with a group of friends and local players, just a few games on the court, but quickly evolved into something bigger. I reached out to sponsors, organized clinics and tournaments, and learned what it took to run a team and develop talent. Over time, what started as a small, informal group turned into a full-fledged organization, focused on developing young athletes both on and off the court. Read more>>

Qua T (qsroom) | Digital Creator

That’s simple , I’m a thinker. I’m always looking for ways to be creative and outdo what I’ve already executed. When you have something that challenges you to think outside of the box you tend to be open to ideas and get inspired by your own thoughts. Read more>>

Diana Jenkins | Branding, Event and Product Photographer

I’ve always been a creative person, but photography feels like a calling, something the Lord invited me into. My goal is to capture images that reflect the authentic essence of your brand, making each photo feel genuinely you. Read more>>

Payal Patel | Functional Medicine Pharmacist

Work life balance is something we all strive for in a time when hustle culture is considered a norm. Over the course of my life, my perspective has shifted more to the idea of creating work life integration. The fact that this integration changes through the different stages of life is clear. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to pursue a satisfying professional career on a part time basis, as well as embrace a fulfilling family life without guilt and pressure. There are sacrifices which we have made as a family, but as my kids are nearing independence, I feel truly blessed to have been able to be a nurturing presence throughout their childhood. Read more>>