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.

Ivan Ng

The most important factor behind my success is staying true to myself and my artistic vision. I believe in capturing the unique color and aura of my clients through my photography. I genuinely connect with each client and understand their individual stories and ambitions, if not expectations, so I create images that not only reflect their personalities but also convey their compelling narratives. My authenticity and attention to detail have been key in building my clients’ trust in being in front of my camera and in establishing my brand. Read more>>

Jennifer Salvetti-kulla | Art Appraiser

One of my favorite quotes is by Vincent van Gogh: “What is done with love is done well.” I love this because it perfectly captures how I feel about my work. When you truly care about what you’re doing—whether it’s appraising a piece of art, helping a client, or just going about your day—you naturally put in the extra effort, and it shows in the results. For me, this quote is a gentle reminder to always bring my passion and love for art into every appraisal I do, making sure each one is handled with the care and attention it deserves. It’s what makes my work so fulfilling! Read more>>

Gina Starbuck | Soul Embodiment Mentor, Speaker, Retreat Facilitator, Spiritual Teacher

One of the most important things I’ve done as a parent is create a space where my child feels truly seen and honored for who she is. I’ve made it a priority to nurture her unique ways of being, giving her the freedom to explore and express herself fully. We’ve approached her with compassion, understanding, and a deep respect for her individuality. By doing this, I believe we’ve empowered her to grow into her own person, confident in her truth and connected to her inner magic. This, to me, is the most impactful gift I can give her—the space to be unapologetically herself. Read more>>

Bruce Golden | Writer

Most of all I’d like to be remembered as a good storyteller. Someone whose writings were not only creative but spanned genres and mediums. I hope my legacy is that I never kept doing the same thing over and over, and that I always strived to create something new–a new world, a unique character, a distinctive situation. Too many writers dwell solely on sequels, revisiting the same plotlines over and over. I’ve written plenty of humor, but also horrific tales. I created new societies and distant worlds with science fiction, and imagined stories that sprang out of fantasy. I’ve always tried to follow my muse wherever it took me–succeed or fail–and I’d like to think I’ll be remembered for that diversity, the audacity to be different, and the tenacity to keep at it. Read more>>

Nada & Nahal Boukabache & Farfardin | NaNa Vogue Stylists & Pharmaceutical

We believe that the driver behind the success of NaNa Vogue is our ability to demonstrate to clients that fashion can be affordable, accessible while being timeless and chic. It can be both uncomplicated and straightforward, or it can boast a more elaborate and vibrant aesthetic. Behind NaNa Vogue, 2 women with different backgrounds: Nada (French Algerian) and Nahal (American Persian), we collaborate and expose each other to a fresh perspective of fashion, one that highlights individuality and personal style. Nahal gravitates more towards neutral tones in wardrobe, while Nada brings more colorful Mediterranean apparel. We both demonstrate confidence to pull off outfits that showcase our unique personality. Read more>>

Yesenia Hernandez | Cake Pop Artist

I think the most important factor behind the success I’ve had is the attention to detail in my work, as well as the products I’ve chosen to create a delicious taste.
Every order I try my best to create an amazing set. I want to have every pop to be eye catching. I have also taken my time picking products that taste good. I have my chocolate shipped from the east coast and it’s completely worth it.
I don’t just want something to look beautiful, I want it to taste delicious where you have to have another. Read more>>

Cariya Breemen | Founder & Owner

Designing for DQD and coming up with new ideas makes me happy! I am getting excited about new products and fine-tuning them and mulling over how to get something just right. It sounds a bit cliche, but it really makes me happy when I see something that just existed in my head turn into a real product that then gets appreciated by our clients. And my horses!! Every day I see them I have to pinch myself that I have the privilege to be with them. They are so majestic and beautiful and strong – it is amazing to have the possibility to have them in my life, I am so grateful for that!! Read more>>

Heidi Van Mastrigt | Barefoot Functional Strength and Conditioning Coach

This is an easy one because the very foundation of my work goes against conventional advice around foot health and footwear. The average podiatrist is recommending very thick, cushioned, rigid, and tapered toe shoes–they’re saying “feet need support”. This couldn’t be further from the truth for someone who wants to have strong conditioned feet. Read more>>

Jennifer Von Stauffenberg | Founder and President of Olive Public Relations

You need to be true to who you are no matter what and what holds people back most in business is usually personal. When I am feeling stuck, it always has to do with an opportunity for personal growth. In order to thrive, we need to keep growing and business gives us a lot of opportunities to continue that journey. Read more>>

Alejandro Juarez | Artist: Invisible Movement

Being a musician and having such a deep passion for creating music is difficult in today’s society. I think all artists, not just musicians, know that difficulty all to know well: having to balance your artistic pursuits while needing to pay the rent and feed yourself; with the cost of living so high these days, it can be daunting and demoralizing. Read more>>