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.

Ramon Ray” Nuñez | Founder”

The journey to launching DobleImpact began in the most unassuming of places: the bustling, noisy living room of my family home. Picture a young kid, not yet tall enough to change the TV channel without jumping, but already a seasoned pro at navigating the complexities of two languages. That was me, the go-to translator in a household where English was a guest and Spanish reigned supreme. Each translation, whether for a doctor’s appointment, a parent-teacher meeting, or understanding a utility bill, was more than a language task; it was an exercise in cultural interpretation. This early role as a family interpreter was not just about conveying words but emotions, intentions, and nuances – a complex dance between two cultures. Read more>>

Maria Herman | Comedy Booker and Producer

Our goal was to create a weekly comedy show for people who wanted to laugh but didn’t want the club environment. To that end my partner and I created a niche market for ourselves providing PG13 TV Clean stand up comedy that was open to pretty much all ages and wasn’t geared around having to sell alcohol. It worked. We were the only comedy show willing to be clean, and we were able to stay in business because of our attention to booking comedians who were really funny. Subsequently after more than 12 years we have a loyal following because the formula works. Read more>>

Anat Popetta” Fritz | artist and product creator”

This is my favorite question, because my inspiration does not come from the outside world as it may usually be the case. Most people are inspired by another artist, genre, era, even a hotel or lifestyle. I do not get inspiration by that. There are things that inspire me but that doesn’t give me the kick to run home and start producing. The inspiration for my work or what kind of project I want to start has nothing to do with the outside. It comes solely from inside. And when it comes, it comes strong. It is as if suddenly God turns on a light within me and says: Now go! Create this! And usually I see the finished product, sculpture or recipe in front of me and have to drop everything else and go ahead and do it, That is how my things happen. Or in another case, what could inspire me is a lack of something. I want a thing – lets say a certain sweater shape or a perfume smell I envision to wear, or I have been searching for the perfect lighting object for my living room and just can not find it. That is how my work is born: I will just do it myself. And usually create a whole collection around that topic. Read more>>

George Jackson | Co-founder TG The Gym

Our roots and foundation are grounded in two of the most famous brands in the world of serious fitness – Gold’s Gym and World Gym, which were both founded by Joe Gold. My first gym membership was at the World Gym on Main Street, Santa Monica, CA in 1982. Watching Arnold, Franco, Lou Ferrigno, Frank Zane workout was a great introduction to the world of bodybuilding and one that still resonates with me after all these years. The community vibe that was created then is the same feel we work to create in our gyms every day. Fortunate enough to be the CFO of Gold’s Gym in the 80’s and with different partners opened up Gold’s Gyms starting in 1983 and sold most of them in 1998/1999 when Gold’s Gym was purchased by a private equity group. We changed the two gyms we still owned in San Diego to World Gym since we had a great relationship with Joe Gold and he welcomed us to be part of his brand. Unfortunately, when Joe Gold passed away, World Gym was sold and we now had no connection to that past foundation, so we started our own brand based on the old school foundation of Joe Gold and Gold’s and World Gym. Read more>>

AC Slamet | Reality Television Producer turned Data Analyst living in Los Angeles

The most important factor behind my success has been my willingness to pivot to achieve my primary marker of true success: work-life balance. Working in TV, I quickly learned that there was no such thing within that industry. Instead, there were a lot of 12 hour days, and working weekends and holidays. When the pandemic hit, my mindset started to dramatically change and my goal became to work to live, not to live to work. That is when I decided to take the steps to make the change to work as a Data Analyst. Read more>>

Elizabeth MacBride | Author, business journalist and entrepreneur

“Always be one favor ahead.”

Many great male entrepreneurs and VCs live by this rule, which is great for them. It think it helps them to think in a more community-oriented way. Read more>>

Xochitl Salcido | Founder and Teacher

Business has taught me that relationships are everything. In my line of work it is imperative to continue to cultivate relationships with families, children, mentors and fellow entrepreneurs. Without community we can not survive. It is important to have strong boundaries and an open heart. There will be those who are only out for themselves. You have to be able to recognize those people, maintain a community over competition spirit without being taken advantage of. Read more>>

Anna Zepplin | Founder and Designer

I think for many, myself included, this is always a work in progress. But as a mom I’ve really had to create some boundaries around work as it’s easy to want to work all the time, especially when you really love what you do. One thing that has really helped me was automating most of my social media posts so that I don’t have to hop on my phone first thing in the morning to plan or schedule anything. I try my best to not pick up my phone until after the kids are off to school. This has helped alleviate some stress in the mornings and ensures my focus is on the chaotic morning routine of getting two small kids off to school. Read more>>

Annika Sharma | Author, Podcaster, and Storyteller

I recently became a mother so my entire concept of success and balance had a seismic shift in the last ten months. I used to have regimented time for work on week days across my day job, writing, and my side hustle, plus built-in time for my relationships. Once I had a baby, it all blew up! Read more>>