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.

Heather Sharpe

When I started The Editor’s Touch, I wanted to fill a ‘hole’ I saw in the website designing industry (at the time, this was 2015) … there were a lot of tech minded website designers, but I wanted to create websites that looked like editorial magazines; something that wowed people upon first clicking into the website they were visiting. A lot of my connections (hopeful clients) came from the wedding and style blog I was an editor of for 8 years, and I wanted the websites I designed to exemplify the gorgeous weddings and events my clients were creating for their clients. I wanted to be known for creating gorgeous websites that wedding and event industry business owners would want for themselves. Read More>>

Mili Shah

I think the single most important decision that contributed to my success was making sure that my practice aligned with my values. There are so many ways to do business nowadays, but if they don’t align with how you want to view and interact with the world, you’ll end up facing a lot of resistance.

I have found the balance where I feel the integrity of everything I do, and that spills over into my practice, my teaching and my personal life. Read More>>

Barbara Aguilar

The End of Food, by Thomas Pawlick

This book is so impactful and full of knowledge that it should be in the basic curriculum for every American to read. Most people have not one clue, nor seem to care what they are putting in their bodies, where it comes from, how it gets there or what was put into it. We have a severe epidemic of all sorts on the horizon because of what the normal every day American diet has become. Such diseases as dementia and cancer, to mental illness and the list goes on.  Read More>>

Codi Hale

I am inspired first and foremost by nature, in all its wildness and imperfection, and the farmers and land stewards who learn how to tend the Earth with respect. Read More>>

Lauryn Duncan

At our two sister restaurants Local Tap House & Kitchen (LTH) and Ryes & Grind, our legacy is deeply rooted in fostering a familial atmosphere that extends beyond our team and into our community. We pride ourselves on being more than just establishments; we are gathering places where relationships are nurtured, and every guest feels at home. Read More>>

Shalene Thomas

I want my legacy to be one of kindness, empathy, and positive impact. I hope that people will remember me for how I made them feel—whether it was through offering support, listening, or helping them grow. I’d like to be remembered as someone who made a difference in the lives of others, even in small ways, and who always tried to make the world a little bit better through my actions and words. Ultimately, I hope that my legacy encourages others to live authentically, care deeply, and be mindful of the impact they have on the world around them. Read More>>

Susie Feirich

I keep empathy at the heart of everything I do. By taking the time to understand and care for others and appreciating the unique value each person brings, we can help create a stronger, more connected, and kinder community. Community comes in different forms, it’s our families, our friends, our co-workers, and our neighborhoods. If we can nurture those communities, small & large we can build an environment of trust, connection and support. It’s about seeing the unique worth in everyone and understanding that we all have something to give. Read More>>

Mel Mason

That you just need the right systems in place and you’ll be able to stay organized. Read More>>

Ilima Kam Martinez

One piece of conventional advice I strongly disagree with is the notion that artists and cultural practitioners should pursue ‘safe’ careers while keeping their passions or practices as side pursuits. Iʻm not arguing that ʻsafeʻ careers arenʻt necessary, but that they shouldnʻt be necessary. Read More>>

Francesca Bankovich

I love this question! I think most brides assume that getting in shape is just about following a strict workout plan and diet but reaching your fitness goals can be far more nuanced – especially for women. A worthwhile strategy doesn’t force the individual into a rigid program – it tailors the plan to fit into the individual’s unique lifestyle, not the other way around. Read More>>

De Leon Boudreaux

A lot of the industry is built off of people that want the power that music gives but doesn’t want the responsibility of the art form itself.

In growing up in studio’s as a kid, especially in san Diego, keeping a studio open and making money is the biggest things on peoples minds rather than the actual art of music itself. I’ve seen a lot of engineers prioritize clients that don’t have an interest in the music as an art form but have a bag and want the fame & respect that people in the art form have. Even though thats how business works in certain cases, i feel that this idea is what cause’s the industry to prioritize a person that will spend their bag on the idea that they do have talent rather than give actual talent a chance. Read More>>

Leila Offner

My most difficult and scariest decision I had to make is quitting my W-2 jobs. I was working for multiple employers while growing my business and when I got busy enough to where I had to make a decision to quit my W-2 jobs It was scary because I had to solely rely on myself. If I didn’t work I didn’t make money and I was my own boss so I really had to hold myself accountable. Read More>>

Teona Yamanidze

Starting my PhD at Melbourne University and being away from family and stepping into an environment with a very different culture and mindset was a challenge. As a Georgian artist and researcher, adjusting to these differences wasn’t easy. But, in hindsight, I realize that it’s exactly these kinds of challenges that push me to grow and evolve. I believe that artistic practice thrives when it’s exposed to change and new perspectives, and this experience has been essential in shaping my work and my journey. Read More>>