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.

Steven Reyes

Risks are essential to get to places and to get stuff done. All great ideas brought into fruition had one or more people willing to risk getting it out there. There are individual battles each of us face to get an idea out. I’m all for risk taking don’t get me wrong, but I will double down on calculated risk taking before anything. Weigh out all the options. Really paint out the decision you’re about to make. “If I do this then this will happen this way, if I don’t do this then this won’t happen at all.” You know it’s a big risk when it’s weighs on you, eats at you a little.  Read More>>

Casey Cosmos

I try to consult with my intuition as often as possible. Therefore when my intuition says go I go. Although there may be reluctance, hesitation or doubt initially, I move forward.

Listening to ones intuition often requires a risk and the reward is ALWAYS greater than the risk. There is no real blueprint to success as an artist so risk taking is paramount in order to keep momentum. Read More>>

Loren Means

I recently read Matt Blum’s ebook, Badass Medocrity: A Guide to Getting Sh*t Done. It’s a self-help style book written with the candor of a best friend and the wisdom of a seasoned mentor. In his book, he encourages the reader to set aside “The three Ps: planning, perfecting and procrastinating” and effectively, just pull the trigger on things. Read More>>

Tanya Mac

I want my legacy to be one of creativity, courage, and connection. As an artist, creative, mother, and leader, I want to be remembered as someone who embraced vulnerability, led with authenticity, and created spaces where people felt truly seen, heard, and valued.

I want people to remember me as someone who was open, non-judgmental, and easy to talk to—a person who made others feel safe enough to be themselves, to express their emotions freely, and to lean into their creativity without fear. Whether through art, conversation, or shared experiences, I want those I encounter to feel like they can let their guard down, return to their childlike curiosity, and rediscover the joy in creating, playing, and embracing life. Read More>>

Meghan Galvez

For me, the value or principle that matters most is my faith in Jesus Christ. Starting The RAQAD Movement (also known as RAQAD School of Dance) was always about helping the next generation see dance as a form of worship and a way to minister the love of Christ to others. The Gospel message is all about the way Christ interacts with us as individuals. He is a one at a time kind of Savior, and we have this amazing opportunity to use dance to help people make that connection. Dance opens a door for us to share the Gospel, especially with people that may never step foot inside a church. At RAQAD, we encourage all of our dancers to find their way of expressing worship and thanks to God through movement.  Read More>>

Teri Carlo

Authenticity!

Going through life, taking on jobs to “make a buck” and always feeling in survival mode is no way to live. After finding Yoga about 15 years ago, I began a journey of uncovering my own authentic self! Feeling better in my own skin, surrounding myself with people I could truly vibe with and only saying “YES” to things that resonated with my soul, started becoming my new way of life. AND, that really became apparent after being diagnosed with an extremely rare autoimmune disorder called EGPA, or Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.  Read More>>

Jesse Rivera

By the end of my career, I (Jesse Rivera) envision Zeretas Studios as a cornerstone in the curly hair community, with locations across the country — each one a sanctuary for education, empowerment, and embracing natural beauty. I want to create an enduring legacy that honors the roots of our journey: my mother’s (Cesy Gonzalez) pioneering spirit, our resilience through life’s storms, and our passion for innovation in the beauty industry. Read More>>

Gary Perrone

Whether to sever completely from my corporate career to pursue my fine art and other personal creative interests. I knew it would be risky at this stage in my life but I was intensely unhappy and I walked away when it became toxic. Read More>>

Lesleigh Jones

While in graduate school, I developed chronic health issues that kept me from pursuing my original career goals. I felt like part of me that I’d always taken for granted was now out of reach and my dreams had been stripped away. Throughout that pain, I found joy and solace in creating art and stories for the people in my life. Health issues kept me largely at home, but online fandom communities gave me a social outlet and support.  Read More>>