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.

Antonio Shell

Watching my mother pass away was an indescribably difficult experience. Seeing her fade slowly, knowing that the cancer was winning, felt like a heartbreak that couldn’t be put into words. The hardest part was telling her that she was dying a conversation that stripped away any illusion of hope and left me feeling powerless. It’s not something anyone should ever have to do, and even as the words left my mouth, i felt heavy and wrong. I wanted to protect her from the truth, but in the end, i knew she deserved honesty. The mixture of pain, love, and helplessness in that moment is something that will stay with me forever. Read more>>

Luvenia White | Playwright and author

My business partner and I produce sketch comedy shows in the Atlanta area. We often reflect on the success and challenges of our business. Every time we put on a show we run into different obstacles that make us want to throw in the towel. Whether it is slow ticket sales, inconsistent rehearsal attendance, facility prices, low attendance, poor weather conditions, etc. However, we love what we do so much that we keep pushing in-spite of the challenges. We understand that we have to keep moving forward in order to reach our destination. After each show we learn form our mistakes and celebrate our wins. The only way to reach the top of the mountain is to keep climbing. So we keep climbing. Read more>>

Kenyada Harper | Family Lifestyle Content Creator

The most important thing I’ve done as a parent is to model faith in action. It’s about more than just teaching my children about Jesus or taking them to church—it’s about living out those values daily. Read more>>

Mia Elder-scott | Makeup Content Creator

As a makeup content creator, I want my legacy to highlight the importance of recognizing the God-given beauty within each of us. I hope to inspire not only the adults I connect with but also encourage kids to embrace who they are, to love their own skin, and not aspire to be like me, but to be confidently themselves. My legacy will emphasize using makeup as a tool for enhancement, not a mask, allowing creativity to shine through makeup or other forms of self-expression. I want to be remembered for how I made people feel—bringing happiness and joy.  Read more>>

Roubens Paul | CEO OF FORTHEKIDSGA 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

The principle that matters most to me is community. Growing up with a single mother who raised four children with the help of our community, I experienced firsthand the power of collective support. That experience shaped my dedication to giving back. I believe that no one succeeds alone, and it’s essential to lift each other up. This principle drives everything we do at Forthekidsga, from supporting local youth to organizing community events. Our focus is on building strong, compassionate connections that empower the next generation to thrive. Read more>>

Latrice Pace | Artist

One thing about my industry that outsiders are probably unaware of is the amount and level of repetition and consistency both acting and singing require. People will hear a professionally recorded song and not realize the number of times the lead and background vocals have to sing the song over and over and over. Many times with a different approach and tone. You can spend weeks recording one song before the artist feels that it’s ready to be heard. Read more>>

Andrea Cano | Lash and Lip PMU artist

There is this phrase that pops into my head every single day and I go by every day. In Spanish, it is “ El sol sale para todos”. Which means the sun shines for everybody. And I firmly believe that. Read more>>

Tara Condon | Travel Advisor

I grew up in Northern Virginia in a very loud and loving Persian family. My parents have been running a camera shop in the area for over 30 years, so to say that I understand the nuances of small business ownership is an understatement. Their grit, resilience, and creative thinking have shaped me into the person I am today, and capturing the same kind of magic that they have would be an absolute dream. One of the core pieces of advice that my dad gave me is to take the opportunity to work for myself, and this is a big part of what led me to working independently in the travel industry. Read more>>

Barbara Wilson | Physical Therapy Assistant & Performance Coach

Whew that’s a very important question as my work life balance has changed as I have matured to truly understand the effects it has. Growing up I was not allowed to watch tv during the school week , or go many places on a school night. Then I didn’t agree and felt it was unfair. While in college I learned how to go to class and enjoy the college fun, sometimes admittedly with too much fun. As an adult I will honestly say the work life balance I have gained has evolved along with me. Read more>>

Blair Linsley | Owner, Cavina Wellness

Owning and operating a business completely transforms your perspective on work-life balance. It shifts from the mindset of clocking out and being done for the day to leaving the office only to begin prepping for the weeks ahead. From handling payroll, social media, and ensuring bills are paid, most of these tasks happen after I’ve seen my last patient for the day. Add to that the need to be fully present in my children’s active lives—whether it’s cheer competitions or school dances—and it’s easy to feel like you’re juggling too much. Read more>>