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.

Sabrina Manriquez

One of the most inspirational quotes was said to me by my friend and fellow therapist, Jazmin Llerenas, which is “you deserve to meet the best version of yourself”. This quote always reminds me that regardless of what may have happened in our pasts, there is always potential to create change and growth. Our growth is not only for the benefit of those around us, it is for ourselves so that we can enjoy each day and have inner peace. Read More>>

Dasha Pirela

This are questions that come to mind every once in a while and I think of many ways to respond them but there’s never a definite one. At the end of the day I just keep going, not sure why but it’s in my nature to keep going, there’s in innate drive that pushes me to create and continuously learn with a unclear end goal other than feeling a sense of purpose and belonging and that’s how I know I should keep going. Read More>>

Karina Centeno

Risk-taking has been woven into the fabric of my life for as long as I can remember. As a proud second-generation Latina, I was raised in a home where expectations were high, yet the unspoken rule was to stay close to the nest. But I knew that to truly grow, I had to take risks—starting with moving away for college, despite the uncertainty. Since then, every major decision I’ve made has involved stepping into the unknown, from relocating to different cities and even Puerto Rico, to meeting people who have profoundly shaped my career and life. Read More>>

Lara Langdon

What inspires me is the extraordinary complexity of the human body and its innate ability to adapt, heal, and thrive. That spark of wonder – first ignited when I discovered how movement could reshape my scoliosis-curved spine as a teenage athlete – grew into a lifelong passion for understanding what makes us feel truly “alive”. Read More>>

Brian Ferrari

As canned a response as it sounds the habit of constant forward movement – despite any and all set backs – is probably the single largest contributor to where I am today. This goes hand-in-hand with not being afraid to fail (or at least learning from it when it happens), getting outside of your comfort zone, and being forever a student throughout the process. Of course there is a shoutout to all the tangential habits that have helped maintain the progress such as a focus on health, diet and exercise along with a balance of time with family and friends. Read More>>

Chakra Khan

Empathy is the basis of my business. As a root doctor and psychic surgeon and I need to operate from a place of non judgement when it comes to my clients and customers. People often become mired in shame for certain behaviors may have exhibited been during difficult times of our lives. I believe it is important to learn to forgive ourselves for our past behaviors so we can move forward without the burden and shame of guilt. It is critical for us to learn to see the beauty in our shadow selves and recognize what a gift shadow work is. We cannot do that without having empathy in our hearts for others and for ourselves. Read More>>

Gabi Kass

As a therapist who specializes in the perinatal period (the time frame of trying to conceive through the first year of giving birth), I find that empathy and compassion matter a great deal. Empathy and compassion are crucial since the perinatal period can be a vulnerable time for new or repeat parents, especially in a society that reinforces “the perfect parent”.  Read More>>

Shamananda Lee

The one thing most outsiders don’t realize about the spiritual and transformational industry is how much true integrity lives behind the scenes. The real work isn’t the content, the offerings, or the stage presence — it’s the relentless inner purification and self-inquiry that those of us in this space walk through constantly, often in complete silence. The transmissions that seem effortless are born from initiations that most people will never see. True spiritual leadership isn’t performance — it’s the choice to burn, evolve, and live in total alignment with truth, even when no one is watching. Read More>>

Eli Carrillo

The most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make as an entrepreneur was choosing between the security of a steady 9-5 income or chasing my dreams—uncertain of when my next paycheck would come but trusting and having faith that everything would fall into place. It meant sacrificing family time and holidays, working long hours, and pushing forward even when I didn’t see immediate results. But in the end, perseverance and belief in my vision made it all worthwhile. Read More>>

Mikey Kettinger

Sincerity and thoughtfulness lead to the most potent business relationships. Read More>>

Marieke Mertz

I was born and raised in the Netherlands, about an hour south of Amsterdam. I had the opportunity to go to college here in the U.S. and even though I’d never visited here (not even on vacation), I was excited for this grand adventure! I learned so much from living in another culture and have been so grateful for this experience. Read More>>

Dominika Oppl Meza

I was born and raised in Czech Republic in a humble family, which shaped my resilience and deep appreciation for life’s journey. I started working at the age of 13, learning the value of independence and perseverance early on. My path eventually led me across North and South America, where I immersed myself in the study of self-awareness, healing, and spirituality. Read More>>

Crystal

Since I was young, I’ve always been drawn to the artistic and creative side of life. I have a distinct memory from elementary school when instead of focusing on my schoolwork, I found myself experimenting with my glitter pencil, using it as a eyeshadow. My love for makeup has remained constant, shaping my path into adulthood. Read More>>

Miao Zhao

My impetus was to reawaken and explore the intrinsic, primitive dialogue between humans and nature. I seek to capture and celebrate the unrefined, untamed auditory expressions of the natural world, allowing each element its own authentic voice. Read More>>

Ahzahdeh Neshat

When I first started this business, I was very much a parent first, entrepreneur second. I said no to a lot of things that didn’t make sense for me as I was a stay-at-home mom, and my little one was only 2 years old at the time. As my business grew, I steadily took on more and more, and my paradigm shifted to work first, family second. I felt the strains this placed on myself and my family, and looking back, I wish I had not let work take up so much of my life. My house was constantly full of balloons or projects, I was barely home on the weekends, my weekdays were spent stressed about the upcoming events— and I missed a lot of time with my daughter. Read More>>

Annette Casillas

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a book I highly recommend to anyone. I wish I had read it sooner. It has helped me in many ways, in my personal and professional life. Read More>>