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.

Mystic Rainn | Author, Psychic Medium & Spiritual Advisor

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
― C.G. Jung

To me, it’s a reminder that the parts of ourselves we ignore – the fears, the limiting beliefs, the habits we don’t even realize we have are running the show behind the scenes. And if we don’t call them out, we’ll keep blaming “fate” for things we actually have the power to change. Read more>>

Gabe & Kianee Lawrence | Marriage, Parenting, and Lifestyle Content Creators

We’ve always seemed to have a pretty packed life! Between work, church, traveling, or hanging out with friends/family, life just always seems to keep on going. As you could imagine with all of that on our plate, we were feeling pretty burnt out! We both come from creative backgrounds being that Kianee majored in musical theatre and Gabe is a self taught videographer as well as runs his own media production company. We always talked about how if we had a camera to follow us around and capture all of our funny moments, we wouldn’t need any other entertainment, plus Gabe needed something to get him out of a creative funk. So we decided to do it ourselves! Life Gives You Lawrence was a way for us to share our lives as young parents taking everyday life one moment at a time. Read more>>

Tiekeria Wilkins | Retired Army Veteran, Author, Mindfulness & Accountability Instructor

The most important thing I’ve done as a parent, in terms of impacting my children, is to ensure they know their thoughts, opinions, and emotions truly matter. I remember what it felt like to be a child and feel as if I had no control over myself, my choices, or the world around me. So, I strive to create an environment where my children feel empowered and heard. Read more>>

Nubia Younge | Founder & CEO of Black In Travel and Black In Tulum

Travel isn’t just about snapping pictures for the ’Gram, It’s about creating experiences that matter. Black In Tulum isn’t just a community; it’s a movement where BIPOC travelers feel seen, celebrated, and completely at home. I’m out here building bridges, not the kind you drive over, but the kind that connect hearts and cultures. I organize events, retreats, and experiences that bring people together, promote wellness, and support personal growth, particularly for women of color. I also collaborate with many local businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs in Tulum to keep the economy thriving. When we win, everyone wins. My mission is simple: make the world a little more inclusive, one passport stamp at a time. Read more>>

Yuxin Wu | Children’s Book Illustrator

The most significant part of my inspiration for drawing comes from observing daily life. For example, when I walk the streets, I notice how the flowers blossom and fade and the sun rises and sets. The seasons show different sceneries, and I enjoy capturing the changes in nature and incorporating them into my creations. I also find inspiration in books, movies, and fairy tales, as well as in discussions with other people. Read more>>

Claudia Mcdivitt | Health & Mindset Coach For Women | Health & Mindset Coach For Women

Embracing consistency over perfection has been huge in my journey toward a healthier and more fulfilling life. By focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes, I’ve formed habits that are both manageable and effective. This consistent approach has helped me to maintain my health goals, boost my energy levels, and enhance my confidence, allowing me to thrive as a business owner, wife, and mom. Read more>>

Efe Iriogbe | Visual and UI Designer

Doing what i love and brings me comfort which is designing on my computer and being around with loved ones also make me happy. Read more>>

Jada Dickson | Loctician

Keeping God first is the foundation of my life and everything I do. It shapes my decisions, guides my actions, and keeps me grounded in both my personal and professional endeavors. This principle reminds me to approach every situation with faith, integrity, and gratitude, knowing that my purpose is bigger than myself. By prioritizing my relationship with God, I am able to remain focused, humble, and aligned with my values, no matter the challenges I face. Read more>>

Robbie Matley | Lead Vocalist & Creator

I’ve heard a lot that concerts don’t help you grow as an artist/band etc and the main focus is to release music and to promote that only and that’s were you should put all our time and effort into and shows are a small factor. personally for me that is 100% false, shows have been the main success for my band, we connected with so many bands, fans and have made so many connections this way and grew our band faster in one year then the 6 years of dogwood and 4 of those just only releasing music. Read more>>

David Belser | Owner / Entrepreneur

That you can put a bed swing in just about any location of your house as long as their is a roof or ceiling joist above it. Read more>>

Ronak Vairamohan | Industrial Designer

Many people often overlook that industrial design isn’t just about creating visually appealing products. At its core, industrial design is deeply rooted in research, understanding, and empathy for the user. While aesthetics might capture initial attention, they rarely sustain long-term engagement without thoughtful consideration of functionality and purpose. A product’s true value lies in the experience it deliver, how seamlessly it integrates into the user’s life, solves problems, and enhances daily interactions. Good design balances form and function, ensuring it not only looks great but also works effectively and leaves a lasting positive impact. Read more>>

Ethan Paul | founder and ceo of Redd 13 Productions

There isn’t an “end goal”. There are definitely goals that I want my business to accomplish, but I want my business to transform and adapt to whatever the people need it to be as the times change, giving my business its own immortal life that continually services the culture and the community. A few of the current business goals are to produce a successful short film, feature film, TV show, and internet show. I’m focusing on these goals one at a time, but every one of these goals will be fulfilled sooner or later. Read more>>

Lillian Charles | Holistic Personal Stylist + Embodiment Coach

We are in constant evolution.

I’m in awe of the businesses that have had one product, one offer for 10+ years and have succeeded. For me, that just hasn’t been the case. While I would never tell an entrepreneur to change their course or their offers every year, one absolutely has to adapt with the landscape and the times. Read more>>

Derrick D. Thomas-mckinney | Entertainment Executive, Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Husband, Father, Son

Honestly, I don’t really believe in the idea of work-life balance—at least not in the traditional sense. I think if you want to be truly successful, you have to be obsessed with your goals. Balance isn’t something you achieve at the start; it’s something you earn when you’ve reached a level of success that you determine. Read more>>