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.

Kerstin Rao

For years, I had this quote posted in my classroom for middle school gifted kids:

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – John Shedd

As their teacher, I focused on possibilities for my students.

But during the pandemic lockdown, it was suddenly time for me to leave my harbor. Read More>>

Travis Hall

I believe that “giving up” and “keep going” can both be good choices—it all depends on the context.

A few years ago, I made a Facebook post that said, “If my younger self asked, ‘How do I know if I’m on the right track?’ I would say: PAY ATTENTION!” I still believe that. We’re constantly being spiritually nudged toward the path that’s meant for us. So the answer is: you know when to keep going when your spirit confirms the journey you’re on. But you can only recognize that confirmation if you’re paying attention. Read More>>

Frances Byrd

I am most inspired by things in nature that bring me joy. Unlike most artists, I do not confine my practice to a specific media, but prefer to align my materials and techniques with the process I envision for creating a piece of art. The concepts for my portraits are often based on a color scheme or element from nature. I enjoy outdoor activities, including hiking and kayaking, where the seeds of an idea often sprout. I find joy in the color and texture of moss, ephemeral wildflowers, acorns, mushrooms, and bird feathers along the paths I travel. Read More>>

Rhonda Spratt

I’m inspired by resilience; the quiet, powerful kind that reveals itself when life is at its hardest. Losing my mother to metastatic breast cancer at just 50 years old changed everything for me. It taught me that while grief is deeply personal, it also holds the potential to awaken something greater: purpose. For me, that purpose became Bella Luve’ Goes Pink, Inc., a nonprofit I founded in her honor. Through this journey, I’ve learned how faith and compassion can carry you through grief and ultimately transform pain into purpose. Read More>>

Jeff Puryear

The most important factor to the success of our brand is connection. Everything we do is built on the power of truly listening to people—their stories, their dreams, their culture—and translating that into wearable art that speaks volumes. We don’t just design sneakers; we design expressions of identity. That human-centered approach is what sets us apart. Read More>>

Jessica Calderon

Integrity — being true to yourself. I define integrity as the alignment between your values, your words, your energy, and your actions. It’s the state of wholeness that comes from living and leading in truth — not just saying the “right things”, but being the truth of who you are.

For me, integrity means honoring my boundaries, listening to my intuition, and walking my walk — especially as someone who guides others in doing the same. It’s being honest with yourself even when it’s uncomfortable, choosing alignment over approval, and trusting your inner guidance more than the noise around you. Read More>>

Robert Westmoreland

“Take your time healing.” Nah. You can take your time, but most people are just stalling. Healing is a decision, not a schedule. When you’re ready to face the truth without flinching, you move fast. The rest is avoidance dressed up as self-care Read More>>

Caroline Milby

I spent my whole life believing I needed to listen to experts and take their advice, until I realized that no two people find success in the same way.

Now I will occasionally seek guidance or ask for advice, but never take it unless my gut agrees. It has the final say.
I believe that everyone has a gut response or an internal guidance system that will continually direct and redirect us towards our unique path. Too many people get caught in the trap of trying to follow a prescripted path to achieve the success or recognition that we want, but all we really need to do is have the courage to listen to our bodies’ and carve our own. Read More>>

Wesley Gaither

I am from Georgia I’ve moved between Douglasville and Atlanta all my life so just growing up in walking distance from places like the Legendary Turner Field and just being at the right areas and right time growing up gave me the connections I needed today to be an independent artist and Record Label Read More>>