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.

Yatti Desai-Patel

The idea for Mor was born out of a deep love for celebrations and a desire to keep my South Asian roots alive, especially after becoming a mom. I’ve celebrated festivals across different countries, and I noticed a gap. There weren’t many gifting options that felt both culturally meaningful and beautifully modern. Read More>>

Lyndsi Hawkins

As a parent, I believe the most impactful thing my husband and I have done is to root our family in a deep and active faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith is at the center of everything—shaping our values, guiding our decisions, and surrounding us with a strong, supportive community. Read More>>

Ann Finley

I was working full time at Emory University and taking an accounting class. At the same time, I started learning how to weld, and was resentful of the amount of time class and assignments took away from my artwork. I made a deal with myself – I could take one semester off and focus on the artwork and see if it led to anything. As you may guess, there were no more accounting books in my future. Read More>>

Beyonce Mccrary

My business began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when isolation and mental health struggles were at an all-time high—especially for teens. Like many, I felt alone and disconnected. In that darkness, I turned to art not just as a creative outlet, but as a way to reach others who felt the same. Read More>>

Kiesha Pitter

I’m inspired by the mere fact that doctors told me that I wouldn’t live pass age 20 due to being born with Sickle Cell Anemia but I’m now 31 by the grace of God. I am truly blessed and God is the driver behind it all and I will forever be eternally grateful. Without God I am simply dust but He chose me for a reason because our God is not arbitrary nor is He random. There is a purpose behind Everything and He use our pain and turn it into power for His glory. Read More>>

Shondrae Knight

The most important lesson my business/career has taught me is that faith plus discipline equals success. My faith in Christ has been tried and tested. I have experienced some failures, but just as much success. I have learned to lean on God in everything that I do. I have learned that discipline is the root of all successful plans and the key to long-lasting success. I have learned to tell myself “no”. I don’t deny myself pleasure, but I definitely prioritize everything. Read More>>

Shantrel White

When you’re business hits a rough patch don’t gmbe so quick to quit on yourself/business find another niche/side hustle and capitalize off that until you’re business is back where it needs to be Read More>>

Valerie Bolling

I grew up in Connecticut in an extended family where one of my great-aunts read to me often, and my grandmother taught me how to write. I loved books and writing and learning. In first grade I learned how to read on my own and progressed from writing words to writing sentences; I especially liked writing rhyming sentences, exploring my knowledge of the phonics lesson of the day. Read More>>

Mo Alabi

I’ve been blessed to call three incredible places home, each having lasting influence on my passion for the arts and culture. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Being from the Yoruba tribe, I inherited a penchant for storytelling, and a rich legacy of cultural traditions and cuisines that have influenced the world. I love the poetic nature of my language and though I’m not [yet] fluent, there’s a special sense of home and timelessness I feel when hearing my parents and the aunties and uncles of our community engage with each other. Read More>>

Christine Job

I left behind a traditional legal path years ago, seeking something more aligned with my values. What I’ve built since—an award-winning podcast “Flourish in the Foreign” with over 150 episodes across 6 seasons, a business that supports Black women and women of color in turning their brilliance into sustainable, freedom-based income, and now a forthcoming book—was born from asking better questions about what I actually wanted my life to feel like. Read More>>