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.

Gina Zapata

I’m inspired by my children, they are the reason why I dream big to give them the life I never had growing up. As a single mom and first time business owner, I wanted to create something that not only allowed me to provide for them but to show them what it means to dream big, work hard, and turn challenges into something beautiful. I’m also inspired by the idea of connection. Life moves so fast, and its easy to forget to slow down and be fully present with the people we love. That’s why I design each picnic as a little escape, a chance to press pause and celebrate togetherness. Turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. Read More>>

Emily Phonhsongkham

I am deeply inspired by the youth. As a second-generation, Lao-American raised in a refugee household, I grew up navigating the realities of cultural barriers, financial challenges, and the pressure of unspoken expectations. A big part of my journey has been unlearning unhealthy mindsets and habits that came from survival-based ways of living. By the time I was 15, I already knew I wanted to dedicate my life to supporting teenagers who come from troubled homes. That calling came from my own experience of having a mentally and emotionally difficult upbringing in a culture that often did not emphasize the importance of mental health. Read More>>

Maiyte Marin

The habits that have helped me succeed are consistency, reflection, and staying grounded. I make sure to show up fully even when things feel difficult because consistency builds trust and momentum. I also take time to reflect, whether through journaling or creative work, which helps me process experiences and make thoughtful decisions. I make it a point to stay grounded by capturing natures healing through photography. These habits keep me balanced, resilient, and motivated to keep growing. Read More>>

Laura Todd

One of the most important habits that has helped me succeed is learning to use ‘compassionate curiosity’ throughout nearly all spheres of my life. Compassionate curiosity has gifted me with a liberating ability to remain intellectually, relationally, and emotionally flexible. In a world of chronic uncertainty, the instinct to cling to rigidity for ‘certainty’ is strong, but I’ve learned that rigidity rarely brings the safety we hope for. Instead, it renders us more likely to break than bend, ultimately pulling us further away from the very control we were reaching for and leaving us feeling more defeated than before. Read More>> 

Brent Humpherys

The success of Humpherys Homes & Estates and our real estate brand has never been about me or us—it’s always been about the people we serve. From day one, our focus has been entirely on understanding and prioritizing our clients’ needs, always putting their goals ahead of our own. Integrity isn’t just a word we use—it’s the foundation of every interaction, every negotiation, and every piece of advice we offer. Read More>>

Stephanie Chen

As I delved further into my creative pursuits and started working with people, I came to find that the main driving factor behind what I do has always been connection. Baking and photography both started as hobbies and eventually became ways to connect with others, whether it’s helping small food businesses make their products shine or relating to others through a shared love of a particular cultural flavor profile. Read More>>

Alex Popplewell

When I opened my own barbershop, I had already spent over a decade in the industry— over 12 years of cutting, learning, grinding, and dreaming. It all started up north, where I got my foot in the door as an apprentice in my hometown. Then, in 2007, I made the move to San Diego, chasing new opportunities and a fresh start. Read More>>

Vivian Merakiz

I don’t see an end to my career, this is my life’s work. My end goal isn’t a title or a position, it’s legacy. The vision I’m building is a world where emotional safety and nervous system awareness are the norm, not the exception.

Much of my work is with people in the most difficult moments of their lives: divorce, grief, and profound loss. These are the times when it feels like everything is falling apart, when you are losing hold of who you want to be, and when it’s hardest to stay steady. In those moments, it can be especially disorienting and difficult to stay aware of the what you’re feeling within you and to notice how you are responding to the stress and loss. Read More>>

Mafer Chica Parrales

That just because things don’t look or follow the exact path you had imagined, that doesn’t mean you haven’t achieved success and that you shouldn’t feel proud of yourself and how far you have come. Read More>>

Michael Crockett

The most important lesson I have learned in both my military career and business career is to treat everyone with dignity and respect. A person who has a reputation of treating everyone they encounter with respect and dignity will have people that are always seeking out that individual, whether to work with them or assist them if needed. Read More>>

Julia Lyons

I pursued my artistic and creative career because I realized my passion for music is what I love to do. I’ve always loved to write since it was a way to get out what I was thinking. I’ve always had a passion for singing, because of that, I’ve made it my career since it’s something I love. Read More>>

Tracy Rogers

My background is rich with creative pursuits, including work as a professional dancer, choreographer, jewelry designer, and sculptor. I have always followed my heart, driven by the conviction that one should do what they love. Plus, my parents were creatives, so it just seemed natural to me. Read More>>

Carrie Shusta

The balance between making and selling my art and being a wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend has changed a lot through the last five years. During quarantine it seemed like everyone was buying art and since we were all sequestered it made sense to just keep making it. I felt like a machine at times but what else was I doing? A lot of nothing since none of my gigs were considered essential. Read More>>

Jennifer Tandarich

Over the years, my perspective on work-life balance has shifted from viewing it as a strict separation to embracing a more fluid and integrated approach. I used to see work and personal life as distinct boundaries that shouldn’t overlap, but now I see them as interconnected streams—like flowing water—where my passions naturally feed into one another. Read More>>

Bri Hepworth

I started Mini Voyager because of one massively overfilled carry-on suitcase full of toys that weighed more than the 8 month old they were for, on a cross country flight from New York City to San Diego.

Long story short, I was SO stressed about flying by myself with my baby on that 6 hr flight that I totally overprepared with tons of research and every toy I could think of to keep her entertained. I used to feel sick before flights with a huge pit of nerves in my stomach because I knew it was going to be all on me to keep her entertained for that long. Read More>>