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.

Ashley Orlando | Vocalist, Ukulele Artist, Charisma Coach

The million-dollar question! In the world of music and speaking, it’s easy to equate success with winning awards, becoming rich and famous, etc. But defining success that way means you’re always chasing the next thing. I’ve learned that a healthier definition of success for me is daily taking steps toward deepening my skills as a vocalist and ukulele artist, along with presence, communication and leadership development. I love connecting with interesting people and stepping out of my comfort zone to do projects and shows that I’m passionate about. For me, life is about focusing on the process, not the payoff. There will ALWAYS be a bigger show or stage to aspire to, but how can I be truly present in the moment and connect to make THIS day, THIS conversation, THIS instance a powerful one. Read more>>

Paulina Splechta | On-Call Birth Photographer in South Florida

Birth is incredibly unpredictable, even with my scheduled c-sections and scheduled inductions in Boca Hospitals, I get calls at 3am in the middle of the night from women saying they are having contractions, or their water broke, days and sometimes weeks before their scheduled delivery date, making it absolutely impossible to say that someone’s birth is scheduled, which means that I have absolutely no schedule when it comes to my work. I am always “on” when it comes to my Birth Photography clients. When I want a break, I wait until I am no longer “on-call” for any client and then quickly take a couple day trip with my family or simply turn off my cell phone’s volume. Otherwise, I am absolutely always on-call for my Birth Photography clients here in South Florida. Read more>>

Viridiana Rosas | Founder & CEO, Everest Janitorial Inc.

The most significant decision I ever made was to leave my old job and start a new business. I had to be sure that my new business would generate enough income to cover all my expenses, including vacations and retirement. I had to build a network of clients and partners and learn new skills to grow my business. It was tough, but now my business is my primary source of income, and it covers all my expenses. I feel proud of what I’ve accomplished. Read more>>

laurie miller | Owner of Crown Hill Ranch and Conservation Center and Founder of Nani Pua Skin Care

I have always been inspired by nature. Being in nature gives me a sense of peace, and clarity when moving forward on my vision. Read more>>

ReBecca Heckl, PhD | Psychologist and Loveologist

Many things, such as nature, art, and other people inspire me. I am inspired constantly by celebrating the success, talent, beauty and more of everything in this world. If someone is motivated to achieve something, watching them set a goal, apply a timeline, and live their dream is instantly inspiring. Enjoying their celebrations is also an emotional elevation to continue with my personal path of aimed achievements and aspirations. Also, sitting in nature always inspires me. Seeing the beauty of the sky, the landscape, the water, and the animals always provides an opportunity for reflection. Witnessing beauty in its natural element showcases a natural rhythm of life. This provides space for me to also see what is and isn’t working for me, to not force my life, but find my natural flow again, the rhythm of happiness, joy, and inspiration. Read more>>

Kiara Bouyea | Homemaker and Artist

I want people to remember my love for community, food, and art. All of these things come up in my creative work and daily life. As a homemaker and artist, community is at the forefront of my life. Community to me is showing up for others, even a friend of a friend or a stranger. Community is a warm home cooked meal for someone grieving. Community is gathering with my fellow artists and working on different projects in a shared space. Community is love, care, and stewardship of the land you’re on and the people who are in it. I want my legacy to be fun, colorful, silly, and delicious. Read more>>

Sarah Prince, CEBS | CBIZ Employee Benefits Insurance President, CA

There are a million ways to answer this question, and likely an equal number of ways to be ‘successful’ in life. For me, the fundamental starting point has always been simple: Show up. Put another way, as I tell my children: Say YES to life. A long time ago when I was early on in my career, I was invited to join a board for a nonprofit. After the first meeting I was speaking to a long-term board member, asking for advice. I had a million questions- what should I be doing? How can I help? What can I contribute? (Unspoken: How do I overcome this imposter syndrome?) As he walked away, he said the least profound thing I ever heard: “Just show up to every meeting.” At the time I was non-plussed. I thought he was blowing me off, and maybe he was. However, I continued to do just that, and ever since then I have thought over and over about how much of life is about ‘showing up’. Whether it’s showing up at the gym every day to maintain your health, showing up for your family and friends, and of course showing up for your job. The consistency inherent in that phrase is the key. When we make the commitment to ourselves to say yes to things, and then follow through on those commitments, whether we love it all of the time or not, we exhibit who we are to those around us: someone to be trusted and counted on. Success starts with showing up. The opportunities to grow, learn, fail AND succeed, begin with that commitment. Read more>>

Pilar Chandler | Doctor of Ayurveda & Holistic Women’s Health Specialist

Honesty and Integrity. I really strive to bring my best self to my work each day, and this process begins at home with my self care and responsibility in how I live my life. Each day that may look completely different, but it’s how I show up that matters most. As a health practitioner it is important for me to practice what I preach, of course with compassion and tolerance. My clinical practice requires me to be fiercely honest with myself. I have to be willing to ask myself the hard questions if I’m going to ask that of my clients. Am I honest with myself in how I move through the world? I use self-reflection practices to support me in this. Honesty and integrity are super important for everyone when they are looking to heal any type of imbalance. We need to be honest with what and how we’re feeling and what we are willing to do or change to create that balance. We also need integrity with our compliance and follow through. Making any changes in our body, mind and health takes real self-reflection, honesty and integrity. Working in this industry there are a LOT of quick trends and buzz words and sometimes there is some value to that, but what I find works the best are the simple truths and values of living in harmony as a being of Earth. We have a saying around our shop… “We’re not new to this. We’re true to this.” It means we’re not going to recommend something or someone that we don’t have experience with. Also, we’ve been at this for a very long time! This principle is super important with the practitioners we have on staff, the referrals we make and the vendors we choose to stock in our store. Our core values are important to us, so we look for people, vendors and affiliates that resonate with that too. Read more>>

Rájná Artesanía Mexicana

Be consistent with our actions. Contribute our grain of sand. When developing a collective or personal project, we have to preach with actions. If we ourselves are not part of the change that is sought, it is of no use to express in words what we seek to change. Read more>>

Jessica Ullyott | Author and founder of Nature Needs SD

First and foremost I am a full-time mom. I have two lovely boys (6) and (4) who are wonderful adventurers and curious thinkers. I really have learned this last year that I need to schedule specific times for me to “work” instead of just doing a little bit of it all day long. I do most of my work on my phone which means I need to turn off notifications and really force myself to stop working when I am with my family. I am very proud of the work I do with Nature Needs SD, but my kids are truly my legacy, so the time I spend with them is infinitely more important. Read more>>

Hiroko Yoshimoto | Teacher-Artist

I always wanted to paint as an artist. But to pursue a painting career was not my option as I had to earn my living. I majored graphic design at UCLA and after receiving MA degree in Art, I got a design job at a Los Angeles advertising agency. Quite soon, however, I realized my personality was not suited as a commercial sales agent. With a Master’s degree, I looked for and attained a teaching job at a So. Cal. community college. I discovered I loved teaching. I taught for 35 years very happily until my retirement as a full-time professor. It was a fitting career for me. Also, all that time I painted. The balancing between the full time teaching career and painting was difficult. I married late and I decided I would not have a child so to maintain my painting career. My husband also did not wish to have more children than the three he already had. I painted during the weekends and semester breaks. After 10 years of marriage, we divorced. After that, what I sacrificed were a family life, pleasure traveling, as well as much of recreational time and socializing. As I look back I do not regret about my decisions. I adjusted myself to my dual careers. I was able to produce artworks although to concentrate on a lengthy series from year to year did not happen until after my retirement when I had consistent blocks of time. During teaching, my serious art-making was done mostly during summer breaks. I am satisfied by my teaching career as I am favorably received by my students. I am also satisfied as a painter. I am producing more work than ever even though I just entered my 8th decade of my life. My belief of success as an artist is longevity– I am able to paint what I want until I am satisfied, and as long as I am able. Read more>>