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.

Dari Palkovic | Hair stylist

I’ve actually loved to draw and sketch since I was a kid! I come from a long line of artists on both sides of my family. Also, my mom was a stylist in the 90s and her dad & brothers were barbers. It just seemed like it was written in the stars for me. Read more>>

Reyna Puente | Business Owner | Creator

Over the years I have come to realize that having a good work-life balance is key to maintaining my sanity. I’ve always been the type of person to throw myself 100% into whatever I was focused on, and if there happened to be 2 or more things, then I was spreading myself extremely thin. Within the last year I have made it a point to plan way in advance and that allows me time to schedule and focus on one thing at a time. Read more>>

Aundrea Lustig | Married for 23 years, mom of 4 boys, community worker & home baker

As a parent to four boys, I believe that the most important thing I have done in terms of impact on my children, is show them that even when life gets tough, there is always something to be grateful for. I always remind them that each moment in life is a season and can always get better. Even if life is good….it can still get better. Read more>>

Amber McCalden | Vintage Store Owner

“What have you got to lose?”. Thats normally the first thought I have when placed in front of risky business. I’m a very “go with your gut” type of person, so if it feels right to me, I trust that intuition and jump in feet first. If it belly’s up, I take those lessons learned and carry it with me to the next venture. I just opened up my first brick and mortor, Desert Dreamin’ Outpost, in 29 Palms, California at the beginning of June. Most would say it would be a risk to open a storefront in the midst of the summer heat, but I look at it as an opportunity to suss out the kinks and be ready to have a well oiled machine by the time tourist season hits in September. Read more>>

Olivia Stober | Artist & Small Business Owner

I’m pretty sure anybody who has decided to pursue creative work professionally has taken their fair share of risks – myself included! It can be really scary investing time, energy, and – in my case – your own money into a creative venture. I had to bolster my own confidence before I even saw myself as somebody worthy of taking a risk for my own sake, because creating art can feel really gratuitous at times. Do I deserve to make money off of my art? Is this a selfish journey I’ve decided to take? Am I setting myself up for financial ruin?
We’re not encouraged to take risks. It’s also an impossible task for many. Read more>>

Sascha & Sibylle Ploder | The Cheese Guys

From our point of view the most important factor behind the success of our brand The Raclette Stand is that we are serving the most traditional and delicious melted cheese dish from Switzerland in a very authentic and personable way. The appearance of our food stand set-up is truly unique with our catchy logo and design and we are proudly representing a small artisan Swiss creamery which produces extraordinary Raclette cheese. Read more>>

Elizabeth Incrocci

For me, my greatest legacy lies in the images I create for my clients. I believe photography is more than just capturing a moment; it’s about preserving memories for generations to come. I take immense pride in knowing that the photos I capture will serve as a timeless reminder of precious moments in my clients’ lives. Much like the cherished family photos I hold dear, I hope that my work will serve as a ‘time machine’ for future generations, allowing them to relive and appreciate the moments that might otherwise fade with time. Ultimately, I want to be remembered as someone who dedicated their craft to immortalizing the beauty and significance of life’s fleeting moments. Read more>>