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.

Emily Bennett | Photographer & Creative Director

I try to measure my success based on the amount of joy in my life and the quality of my relationships. It’s really easy in our society to get caught trying to climb the proverbial ladder, but once you start climbing you realize the ladder is never-ending. It is also lonely and exhausting to climb alone. I want to tear down the ladder and build a communal house instead, where we can take our shoes off and rest. Read more>>

Montrez | Author & Editor

I saw a quote from Maya Angelou that resonated with me. She said, “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” Read more>>

Pearl Fontaine | Writer, Musician, Artist

Most, if not all, of the best things I’ve done in my life, have involved some element of the unknown—the risk of rejection or failure. Many of the risks I’ve taken have led me on to the next pivotal experience in my life, even though I couldn’t have possibly known what would come at the time. Traveling alone and doing some travel blogging as a teenager led me to work in journalism, which led me to move to New York, and so on. Read more>>

Rashaad McNeil | Music artist & Full time Videographer/Photographer

Taking a risk is always going to feel scary. It’s a leap into the unknown, you literally have no way of knowing quite where your feet will land. I’ve always been a big dreamer! Those things that you told yourself you wanted to do as a kid are the most pure thoughts a human being can have. Somewhere along the way a false reality of adulthood is pushed on us. Being an astronaut is cool but what are you going to do for real? Being a singer is nice but how are you going to pay your bills right now? Society at times can become whispers of safe and easy moves. Although I love to operate with strategic and logical thinking my faith is the number one reason I have been able to chase and achieve my dreams! The older I become I realize a lot of the things we dreamed of are far more attainable than we realize. You can become a millionaire, travel the world, be a superstar, or open your own business. Everyone just has different paths to the same destination, sometimes yours may take longer, but with an unwavering drive you’ll reach your goal. Read more>>

Cynthia Barnes | LinkedIn Top Voice | Sales Strategist: Women Sell Better (11% Higher Win Rates) | Retention & Inclusive Team-Building

Boosts female career development: By upscaling women with in-demand sales skills and fostering inclusive work environments, our training directly contributes to women’s advancement and greater financial independence in the workforce. Read more>>

Jen Briel | Owner & Cosmetic Tattoo Artist

At Altered Aesthetics, our success stems from a blend of unique branding, unwavering customer service, and a commitment to excellence. From our distinct business name to our range of high-quality services, we prioritize providing a clean, vibrant, and welcoming environment for our clients. Transparency, ongoing education, and the use of premium products further enhance the experience. Additionally, our support for local businesses and artists strengthens our ties to the community, ensuring that every visit to Altered Aesthetics is not just a beauty treatment but a holistic, empowering experience. Read more>>

Janice Smith | Storyteller & Business Owner

Hands down the biggest thing that’s led to our success and growth as a business is our customer service. In fact, we don’t even talk about it as ‘customer service’, I’ve just always hired people who care as much about building relationships as I do. Yes, part of that is professional, and ensuring every one of our clients is delighted by the final product and it’s always delivered on time, but another part is creating an experience from start to finish that is not only painless, but enjoyable! We as humans like having fun, and when you can hire a creative partner who not only helps you meet your goals but also makes the process joyful from start to finish, well that’s a huge win in our book. It’s a point of pride that so many of our past clients are now friends, and who doesn’t love working with their friends?! Read more>>

Natalie Singletary | Freelance Creative

Authenticity. Growing up and well into my adulthood, I struggled with trying to be what everyone else around me wanted me to be. It was a challenge with how many plates I could spin at one time without any of them dropping. I accomplished a decent amount, but it took me down a path I almost didn’t make it out alive. I had put so many masks on that I didn’t know who I was or what I was doing within myself. When my son was born, I knew I never wanted him to not be himself as fully as he could, but in order for him to have the safety of being himself, he needed to see his mom be herself. Ripping off the masks of who I thought I was was scary and painful at times. I’m still working through some fallout, but I find myself drawn and open with others who are genuinely and authentically themselves. Just be who you are and keep those around that accept who you are. The others will find their own tribe. 

SAIGA | Neo-pointillist and Sculptor

I think creating work that is uniquely my own is most important to me. I know that selling work can be challenging and I’m sure every artist at one point or another is tempted to lean into work that they might view as more sellable, even if it strays from the vision that they have for their own process. Read more>>

John Pence | Venue Manager & Musician

At The Spot on Kirk, my goal has been the same ever since starting as a volunteer back at the venue’s start in 2016. I want to book great shows in Roanoke, VA, in a very special room. While constructing these shows, I strive to forge friendships between touring and local musicians and would like to see cool things come out of those relationships. If it’s done right, our community will strengthen and we can inspire others to make their own art. I guess that’s what I would like to see, and maybe people will think of The Spot on Kirk as a place that inspired them in someway. Read more>>