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.

James Kelleher

There have definitely been moments when I’ve thought about giving up.

After being on two national TV shows and becoming more visible on social media, I started to experience a lot of negativity. There were trolls, harsh comments, and the emotional ups and downs that come with trying to grow your platform. I found myself getting caught in the trap of watching numbers/likes, views, followers and letting that affect how I felt about the work I was doing. Read more>>

Keiko

My business exists to spread understanding and respect. Through creative work, I actively cultivate a community where people support one another, embrace differences, and connect through empathy and shared values. Read more>>

Anisha Robinson

At the core of everything I do is community and education. My businesses were built to create safe, honest, and inclusive spaces where people, especially women, can learn about their bodies, their boundaries, and their power without shame. Read more>>

Jazmine Frazier Swint

As Executive Director of Eternal Reign (eternalreign4girls.org) and host of the HT Advocates Podcast, I’m fighting on the front lines of one of Georgia’s fastest-growing crises: human trafficking. With cases rising across the state especially among young teens. The need for prevention has never been more urgent. Georgia is a prime target for traffickers, but Eternal Reign steps in long before danger reaches a child. Through powerful workshops, podcast episodes, community partnerships, the organization teaches Youth how to recognize red flags, trust their voice, and understand their worth. Eternal Reign gives them tools that can literally save their lives. But the impact doesn’t stop with education. Eternal Reign works hand-in-hand with statewide task force and community partners to strengthen Georgia’s safety net for vulnerable youth. Every podcast episode, event, training, and conversation creates a ripple that protects another child. My leadership is helping communities wake up, take action, and stand together. Eternal Reign is preventing trafficking as it helps a generation of empowered youth who know they are valued, protected, and destined for more. Read more>>

India Lee

Being able to help others, putting a smile on a person’s face, most importantly being about to sell products that everyone can afford. I love to give back, I am a people’s person, so I love to connect with my community. Being able to leave a legacy for my daughter Zion is the most important thing that makes me happy, my main focus is setting my daughter up mentally, spiritually and finically so she does not have to go through some of the things that I went through, Read more>>

Tiffanie Bacon

The most challenging yet essential decision I’ve ever made was to heal. Healing demands that we confront our past, face our inner battles, and take accountability for our lives. Read more>>

Hannah Nichols

I chose to pursue a creative career, because I have always been an artistic individual. I am a hands on person who has always had a love for art. Growing up, I would draw for hours and create my own crafts like wall hangings, paintings, and decor. Creating art can be exciting, relaxing, and sometimes frustrating, but I love to see the beauty that one can create with their hands and imagination. Read more>>

Shravya Raghupathy

My creative journey started when I was a kid growing up surrounded by stories. I really loved anime and comics – not just the art, but the way those visuals could make you feel something so deeply. I would spend hours sketching characters and imagining worlds, completely fascinated by how design could bring ideas to life. 
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Niyah Imani Jean-Pierre

“I chose a creative career because it feels natural to me. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved performing, being in front of the camera, and expressing myself through modeling, acting, and content creation. Creativity is where I feel the most confident and happy. I love being able to inspire other kids, share positive messages, and show that you can chase your dreams no matter how young you are. For me, this isn’t just something I do — it’s who I am.” Read more>>

Gail Everett Smith

In Entertainment it can be extremely difficult to balance work life experiences. Partly because time is definitely money in this business where your arriving late to set or unprepared to deliver the work in an impactful way may cause time delays where you have cast and crew standing by which is definitely costing production money. It won’t be well received for sure.. I always tell new actors if you’re on time to set you are already late. Set life is busy life and delays create residual problems. Many times families are enjoying barbecues, celebrating holidays or special family events, while we may not be able to join in because we are away or on set.  Read more>>

Erich Janzen

I’ve always had a passion for self defense, as a child I was severely bullied at a local baseball/softball program. I was drug behind bleachers and beat up, they would throw rocks, one kid hit me in the head with a baseball bat so hard that I was concussed and I still have a large scar under my eyebrow. My friend suggested I try a martial arts class with them, and the rest is history. I was able to gain the confidence to defend myself and avoid those situations. Everyone deserves to be confident in themselves. Especially that small boy on the ball field. Read more>>