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.

Jay James | Immortality Projects | Lead Singer

Life has no end. It goes on with or without you. You were given this once in a moment opportunity, the greatest opportunity in existence, and it’s here right now, it’s consciousness, you hold it, you hold it right now in your hands, it’s yours, it yours to do with it what you will. You can either squander that and waste it or you can give it your best shot. Read more>>

Maura Trice | Photographer and artist

We all reach a point sometimes where our dreams may feel too big and unachievable. Should I continue investing time and money, juggling my physical and mental energy between family, business, household chores, and perhaps more than one job to pursue my aspirations? Read more>>

Naila Waddell | Entrepreneur

Being an entrepreneur is not for the weak and it requires not only taking risks in opening and owning a business, but taking a risk by betting on yourself! We risk our lives driving to work daily or trying a new medication, risk taking is a part of our lives but I had never taken any type of risk before opening up a business where I had to bet on and believe in myself. My husband and I decided to open a New York style deli 8 years ago and the Unicorn Charcuterie Boutique was born 4 years ago when I started creating boards and teaching classes, but it was my husband who was the true risk taker. He taught me how to bet on myself. I lost him last year but I have continued on in both businesses still betting on myself. I can say that I have a successful business that’s continuing to grow and flourish. If I didn’t take the risk, where would I be today? The risk has to be worth the reward. That’s my motto. Read more>>

Jamaal Matters | Hip Hop Artist

I’m big on risk taking because I believe that without a risk, you’ll never obtain success. When I made the decision to get back into the music space in my late 30’s, I often questioned if I was too old to be an artist. It’s been almost a year since I started Dope Oasis Music and I’m glad that I took the risk. Read more>>

Kiswanna Battle | Executive Director & Inclusion Specialist

Currently, Ruth’s Promises 4 Youth, Inc. (RP4Y) is currently providing private sessions for mentoring and tutoring for youth in the RDU and surrounding areas. More specifically, we are branching out and providing services to agencies and small-groups in the form of consultancy services that focus on special education and inclusion. Since starting in 2018, we have had our share of pivotal moments in order to best fit the needs of our community and the world. Read more>>

Stephanie Alston | CEO of BGG Enterprises

My ultimate aspiration is to leave a lasting legacy that uplifts and empowers women and men of racially diverse backgrounds aspects of their lives. I want people to remember me as a visionary leader who was dedicated to creating opportunities, breaking barriers, and fostering a sense of community and support within the BIPOC community. Read more>>

Cam Malone | Photographer

The most important factor I would say is consistency. Now don’t get me wrong I by no means have it all put together, but consistency has been proven to be one of the best tools used to get closer to your goals: success. When you are consistent in your craft you experience different outcomes, obstacles, even strategies within the journey. It breeds an unbreakable habit. It almost becomes second nature when you steadily work at something consistently. Read more>>

Eli Rainwater | Author

Everyone is different, and everyone has a different process. I know writers who sit down and write for four hours at a time a few times a week and others who write thirty minutes a day. Yes, there’s science behind some advice like getting up and moving around after sitting at a desk for about 25 minutes, but if you force yourself to stick to a formula that makes you feel stifled or burned out, then how exactly are you benefitting yourself and your craft? Read more>>

Quincy Jones | Personal Chef & Caterer

Well I believe the behind the scenes process to having a catered event is what gets over looked. Pulling off a successful catering event starts with the initial customer interaction. Thats a process in itself. Then from talking and planning with a potential client about their vision all the way through to shopping, prepping, cooking delivery setup, service and then cleanup. Many often just see your face and the food not the many things that took place in order to serve a consistent great tasting quality product. Read more>>

Adriane Clark | 193514453

The most important lesson my business/career has taught me is to keep going. It doesn’t matter how many times you have to start over, just don’t quit and KEEP GOING. Your audience is YOUR audience, which means the people who are supposed to support you, WILL support you. Don’t pay attention too much to the likes, shares, etc., because it will reach the right people eventually. Read more>>

Paul Bomar | Jazz guitarist

It’s all I’ve ever been good at, and all I’ve ever been passionate about. I feel the most alive when I’m being creative. Read more>>

Samantha Boyd | Mentor and Artist

From a young age, being creative and artistic was always a part of who I was, and still am. Creating for myself and for others gives me joy and a lot of fulfillment. Creation comes in many forms, as many of us know, and sometimes that creation also comes from creating new life paths for ourselves. Creation can also be a great tool of expression, of allowing someone the open and safe space to work through something as well, which I do this myself a lot too. So pursuing an artistic/creative path in life just came naturally to me. Read more>>