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.

Anita Sadik | Cosmologist/ Lash Technician

I came up with my business when I had to choose to do everything on my like, acrylic nails, waxing and doing my own eyelash extensions because I was no longer able to afford them so I self thought and did them. Soon after family and friends came to me when they saw my work on myself and created my own business names after my first born son Legend. Read more>>

Chris and Angie Turkett | Owners of Punk Rock Ranch Bee Co.

Punk Rock Ranch Bee Co. started in 2021. We were a chicken farm, hatching up to 300 chicks a week and supplying farms and feed stores with unique chicks, like our favorite breed with Punk Rock Hair feathers; the Polish Chicken. Angie wanted to start beekeeping as a backyard hobbyist, Chris has a commercial beekeeping back ground so when Angie was about to go purchase her first bees, Chris had another idea… We can rescue a hive! We completed out first honeybee rescue and relocation as a couple in 2021 and the rest is history! Angie quickly fell in love with the thrill and devotion of rescuing honeybees, the first year we rescued and rehabilitated roughly 25 honeybee hives, we now rescue and relocate nearly 100 hives a year, mentor new beekeepers, teach the importance of honeybees at local schools, provide pollination services to farms all over California and provide local honey to our community being involved with Farmers Markets in Yucaipa, Redlands and Loma Linda. Read more>>

Opal Singleton | Keeping kids safe from predators.

Social Media Exploitation is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world. There are several driving factors that have caused a major increase in the number of victims being scammed by predators, pedophiles, and organized criminal enterprises. Artificial Intelligence, Mass Audience Live Streaming, Digital Currency, Geo Location Software, Sophisticated Dating Sites and Global Online Gaming Chatrooms all create access to potential victims including an 80 year old grandfather, a middle aged executive or your 9 year old daughter or son. Read more>>

McKenzie Bauer | Entrepreneur

I recently read the book Think Again by Adam Grant. I read it near the beginning of the year and was blown away by the insights Grant provided. There were so many good takeaways. I was impressed by the author’s research and all the anecdotes he shared that helped illustrated how important it is to be rethinking every aspect of our life. From our political views, to the flow of our workday and the relationships we keep, this book is one I want to revisit every year. Read more>>

A.Michelle Blakeley | Artisanal and Future Vintage Designer

Everything is temporary. Unfortunately, we often forget this when experience turbulence in life because a month or a year of suffering can feel like a lifetime. Read more>>

Jen Rodgers | Accidental entrepreneur and founder

My goal is to make people’s lives better one house, one career, one community at a time.

My philosophy is that if I’m not working towards giving back, what’s the point? I was born and raised in this community and I want to make it the best it can be. Read more>>

Rachel Medina | Entrepreneur | Tedx Speaker | Podcast Host | The SHEEO Revolutionizing Entrepreneurship & Redefining Success For Women Building Businesses From Home

Breaking up with Corporate at the age of 40, as a single mother to start my own business from home, was pretty terrifying. However, breaking up with that business after scaling it to 7 figures in order to pursue my purpose and lean towards my passions, is the epitome of “feel the fear – do it any” Read more>>

April Laster | CEO & Founder of Open Heart Leaders & Executive Director of Heart Leaders Academy Charter High School

The most profound lesson my career has imparted upon me is the realization that if I want things accomplished, I must take the reins myself. As a black woman navigating the realms of behavioral health and education, I’ve learned that the path to recognition demands ten times the effort of my counterparts. I’ve come to understand that to merely be considered on par with others, I must stay twenty steps ahead, tirelessly proving my worth. Yet, amidst my achievements, I’ve often found myself standing solo, a testament to the solitary nature of my journey. Read more>>

Ernesto Che Jimenez | Mixed Media Artist & Former Child

I am from East Palo Alto California, it is a small town about an hour away from San Francisco. I grew up with parents that worked a lot of the time and along side a couple of brothers who were 14 & 15 years older than me. Maybe because of that through my teen years I found myself feeling like I needed act older than I was to try and prove myself to whoever would bother to listen. When the pressure of my undiagnosed anxieties would get the best of me I would turn to creativity as a form of Escapism. That crutch I leaned on so heavily off and on for years truly helps me as an adult retain some of that child like creativity. Like most people around my age (32) I am a huge sucker for nostalgia, and that inner child I managed to protect through my creative escapism tends to thrive on that nostalgia. A lot of the art I make today has some sort of connection to pop culture. Read more>>

Meghan Rosko | Artist + Craft Teacher

I did not set out to pursue an artistic career, but external factors helped push me in that direction, and I am so grateful for it. My older brother passed away in my late teens, and it was through experience that I decided to turn away from my original goal to become a nutritionist and follow a more aligned path. I began creating as a way to express myself, process my grief, and heal. After many months of taking time off from my nutrition degree, I realized that my art could provide a new career trajectory, and I have followed that route ever since. Read more>>

Tanya Luna | Mother of Two/ Payroll and Accounting Analyst/ Brand Owner: Thick N Fit/ Offensive Linemen with San Diego Rebellion/

Life balance! As a single mother, full time employment, trying to maintain self image (as my business) and playing a professional sport (Tackle football) balances has to take place. Read more>>

Tanja Schroeder | Burnout Coach

My biggest mistake was not understanding that rest and recovery is part of the balance.

I’ve always worked hard and it’s not until recently that I have learned how productive rest can be. When I first became a manager, I was barely keeping up. I’d sleep with a little notebook next to me and write down ideas to add to my never-ending to-do list. It only grew from there. I was obsessed with work, professional development, networking, and outcomes…to the point of going back to school and pursuing higher education. For the record, I’m not saying personal/ professional development is a bad thing, it’s just that I was running myself headfirst into major burnout. There was no sense of balance. Read more>>