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.

Christopher Esquilin

I reached my highest weight (350lbs) back in 2017. I wanted to radically transform my health and decided to completely change my diet. I started a keto lifestyle and lost 125lbs.

I documented my food and progress as a way to keep myself accountable on Instagram and had a few people reach out to ask if I would ever consider offering meal prep. Read More>>

Aspen S

Nothing inspires me more than the rich stories that wildlife have, and the lessons they can teach us. Guiding and working around intelligent species like red wolves and black bears has brought me close to them not just physically, but in getting to know their stories, their families, and their struggles. One of my favorite ways to get people interested in red wolf conservation is to tell stories of families, of wolves lost, of how their families rely on each other, and really individualizing each animal while still reminding people that they are still wild. Watching endangered red wolf pups grow up, with those individual stories over the years, and watching people become passionate and love something that’s so dear to my heart, is something I’ll never take for granted. Read More>>

Melanie Kaufman

For as long as I can remember, I have been inspired by nature and the outdoor world. I would rather be outside than in. I am in awe by the growth, color and life of other animals and plants. I am truly fascinated by our natural world. Read More>>

Jennifer Pickering

Keeping healthy mentally and physically is key. A few of my daily rituals…

-I wake up and look at the 4 windows and one big one and listen to 5 of my elders’ wisdom and our bright light Kynzi who left us too soon at 10yrs old last year.
-My mornings start with hot tub with hot tea, meditation then reading from 1-4 inspirational books with my favorite being The Book of Joy with Dali Lama & Desmond Tutu.
-then a walk around Lake Eden with my dog who is my ambassador of happiness. Read More>>

Elena Kacan

Versatility and adaptability have been key to my success — I’m not afraid to pivot if something isn’t working. I understand the importance of being agile and perceptive so I can adjust where it makes sense.

Building identity and social capital is also very important to me. I’m big on building a life not just a resume. I make it a priority to do interesting things so I have great stories to tell, and in turn, that expands my network — especially here in Charlotte. I love working with all types of people, being collaborative, and finding ways to plug in and contribute. Read More>>

Tonya Holmes

The most important lesson my business has taught me is that patience will get you far. Good things come to those who wait; there’s no need to rush toward success. It will come to you if it’s meant for you. Read More>>

Cody Aulidge

I grew up in a small country town just outside of Nashville, TN, where music and the arts were woven into the fabric of everyday life. From a young age, I was drawn to music, singing, and any form of creative expression—I even dreamed of acting and traveling the world as a singer. My early days were filled with creating home movies and taking photos with my mom’s camera, which laid the groundwork for a lifelong passion for storytelling. Read More>>

Sala Menaya

I was born and raised in Southern California, residing there for over 40 years before I was moved by spirit to head east and down south. I am an only child and was raised by a single parent (my mother) up until the age of 11 when my mother married my stepfather. Being an only child I learned to entertain myself and use my imagination. Although I was an only child, my mother had 11 siblings so I have a pretty large extended family. I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s house in Los Angeles. My mother, being a single parent, worked a lot, so I spent much of my time with my grandmother and one of her older sisters, my Auntie Kat. Read More>>

Raven Macfarlane-bradbrook

I feel like I was born into the arts. That it’s just where my heart belonged and what called to my soul. I remember when I was young. My mom used to take me to this lady’s house to pick out ceramics. It was in the early eighties. She would always pick out something for her to paint and then something for us to paint. If I was very good, I got to pick out my own thing to paint on my own. And then she would buy all the paints we need, and we would go home and paint them and then we take them back to the lady’s place and she would fire them. Read More>>