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.

Makiko Kobayashi

I started dancing at the age of 7, and I have been continuing it for over 25 years. The reason I have been able to keep going and feel happy about it is because I grow as a person and the tough experiences become lessons and motivation. Being able to continue doing what I love is what makes me happy. Read More>>

Michaela Brown

This is the ever-evolving Michaela Brown. Read More>>

LaTaria Truitt

Yes! I map out all my expenses each month and it gives me an idea of what goal I need to reach. I break it down into 4 and I try to bring in clients within that week to reach my number. Read More>>

Shonareka Hunter

NoRegrets with Shonareka Tiwana. God gave me this name years ago. I never thought that I’ll be quoting it in such remarkable ways. Everything that I have been through in my life. It’s for a purpose. There was so much pain that I had to bear I am an OVERCOMER. It wasn’t easy at all. I’m still learning in every aspect of my life from heartbreak betrayal and grief. Read More>>

Jay Jones

Success is defined in direct proportion to the value you add to those around you. We are successful when we help others succeed. Giving is reciprocated universally. Read More>>

Sonia Zaher

As a parent my main goal is to be a friend to my kids who listen with no judgment, validate their feelings , avoid over reacting, make them feel that I am a safe person to express their emotions , opinions and mistakes. Together we work through challenges to find solutions as a team. It took years of patience and understanding to reach that level of trust but now as we have it, there is no greater reward than knowing that my kids see me as their safe haven . Read More>>

Zach Bobo

Allowing myself to experience the failures fully so that I could receive every victory without any hindrance of self doubt. Read More>>

Marquis Timmons

My happiness comes from fashion, music and all things creative. Fashion allows me to express who I am without saying a word. Music is the soundtrack to my life; it sets the mood, evokes emotion, and gives me a space to be vulnerable or powerful. Creativity as a whole is my freedom. Whether I’m styling, conceptualizing shoots or building my brand, it’s the process of bringing an idea to life that excited me the most. Read More>>

James Aka Swagg

Being I try to wear so many hats, I get told that “A jack of all trades is a master of none” but after hearing the entire saying “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one” I realized that with some people they can’t see your vision how you see it. So limiting yourself and skill to suit their inability to see your path isn’t going to work or make you happy. Validation is only a key to success when you look for it within first and foremost. Read More>>

Intelligent Jelani

Most people I encounter think graphic dresing is about creating atrractive, artistic posters, billboards, logos and other deliverables. But grap[hic design is about solving problems by using design. Companies need to stand out in the marketplace and have a clear identity, so we create brand identity systelms that consist of logos, colors, fonts, etc., so the market can recognize a particular brand. Companies need drivve sales, so we design marketing collateral like ads and brochures that appeal to the target market of brands. At KooziArts, we use graphic design to eleveate brand perception and identity. Read More>>

Nathan Hesse

About 90% of my time is spent working towards the actual job. Most of us are lucky to even get an audition for a feature film or a hit tv show, and even luckier if we actually book the job. The competition is so fierce, even in Atlanta. I’d say even for a seasoned veteran the rejection rate is 80-85%. So, the other 10% of my time is spent on set actually doing the work. You kind of have to fall in love with the process. You have to fall in love with auditioning or else you’ll be sorely disappointed. I try to view my auditions as mini performances that I get to do for the casting directors and my reader. Read More>>

Travis Pruitt

Was leaving my children back home with their mother to purse my dream of being a camera operator for the NFL and NBA. Read More>>

Yolanda ‘Blazia’ Grace

What is the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make? There’s so many difficult decisions I make every day! Off the top of my head I can name countless ones, pertaining to what I’d do with my last couple of dollars on hand, to what task to prioritize, to which career path I should take. But they all boil down to 1 decision. The decision to move forward. What ever the options are, big or small, whether they pan out or not, comes down to the decision to move forward and take action! Read More>>