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.

Darinesha Anntoinette Johnson | Event Director & Skincare Formulator

I’ve never believed in the words “give up” although it is an easy thing to say, it’s not always the easiest thing to do. Looking forward to the future of what I’ve promised myself has always kept me from giving up. I give myself something to look forward to everyday.. No matter what I’ve encountered in the past, I’ve found it easy to look forward than backwards. That’s the only thing I can control. I’ve gained strength from not giving up on myself and my dreams. Read more>>

Krystle Lee | Creative Director

To understand why I wear my happiness out loud, you have to first understand how pain hoped to silence me. Cultivating relationship with my Creator, nurtured through daily prayer, meditation, and motivating music, fills my heart with unwavering joy. This joy serves as Happiness’ foundation in every facet of my life, and is amplified by the love shared with family. I appreciate every opportunity that I am blessed to spend with them, whether we are traveling the globe, hosting dinner parties, visiting open mic nights, dominating the spades table as a team, or discussing trending topics on the porch. Read more>>

Jodi Keegan | Small business owner, Jodi’s Elderberry Syrup

Risk taking is necessary if you plan to own your own business. You need to just dive right in, strive to educate yourself and the best business owner you can be. Small business ownership comes with many ups and downs, especially in these times. I took a risk by starting a business backwards. I was making elderberry syrup for friends and family and saw an opportunity to help more people. I put myself out there with absolutely no knowledge of how to start a business or the steps that I would take to get my products in the hands of my customers. Read more>>

Bianca M | Designer and Seamstress

This is a good question because honestly life is about that sometimes with achieving anything you may have never faced before. There is no good or bad way to think about it, you just have to take a stab at it. Nipsey Hussle once said “The game is going to test you, never fold, stay ten toes down”. That quote resonates in my head sometimes when I feel I didn’t take the leap of faith with a particular task, or why I didn’t send an email I’ve been dying to send to a potential client to wear one of my pieces, or just being the shy me, not shoving the camera in my face to model my own pieces. Read more>>

Amy Pruitt | Visual Branding Specialist

I’m inspired by other designers! I truly don’t believe in competition, for a couple of reasons: One, I believe there are enough clients & jobs out there to go around. Two, even if another designer offers the exact same services I do, we’re going to go about it in completely different ways. We communicate differently, our processes are different, and our results (i.e. our styles) are different. Their ideal client isn’t going to be the same as my ideal client, and vice versa. My Instagram account is basically just full of other designers I admire. I love seeing their creativity, and how they approach design briefs. Read more>>

Charlene Williams | Creator & Owner of Integrity IDS Haircare Products

I’m inspired by the under-dog. The ordinary, every day person who doesn’t let their station in life dictate their possibilities. The ordinary person who does extraordinary things with the small tine they have benn giving on this earth. I’m inspired by my husband who beat the odds, my children we push through every single day to come out on top. My Amazing mother who raised 8 wonderful children, my father who taught me to be thoughtful in my actions. Read more>>

Jen Barnard | Director of Communication

Joint Venture Jewelry is your premier family jewelry destination in Cary, NC, focusing on exquisite estate and vintage pieces all on consignment. Unlike traditional shops, our entire collection in store is on consignment, thus bringing the most unique collection from every era at unbeatable prices. In addition, we forego jewelry showcases; instead, a curated, personalized collection is unveiled one-on-one from our secure vault. This allows our customers to experience a fresh approach to jewelry shopping! In the comforts of our cozy store while seated at a conference table, rather than hovering over display cases in a stuffy environment. Read more>>