The Challenges of Entrepreneurship and Keeping Family in Focus

Celesta Ferreira, O.D.

The Challenges of Entrepreneurship and Keeping Family in Focus

Story by Patricia Hudson | Photos by Erica Hernandez with Foxtail Photography

(from left) Celesta, Gabriel, Pedro, and Daniel Life is complicated, especially if you are a busy wife and mother of two young boys. Throw in a fledgling Optometry business, and the challenges begin. Cypress residents Celesta and Pedro Ferreira first met in 2013. “I was a second-year student in Optometry School, and he was working as a consultant for an IT company. It was an unlikely place to meet the love of your life: on the dance floor of a nightclub! Interestingly enough, my parents found each other in the same way,” relates Celesta. “I had just left a long-term relationship and was feeling down, when my good friend asked me to go out dancing. It was 2013, Valentine’s weekend. We went to Red Door Houston, which I don’t even think is still open! I was about to leave to come home, when I spotted the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. I knew I had to meet him, and as I am a very determined person, I walked right up to him and introduced myself. I told him ‘You should take me to dinner sometime!’ Conversation ensued. Three years later, I was finishing optometry school. He proposed within a few weeks of me completing my externship in Dallas,” recalls Celesta. Dr. Ferreira was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, and graduated on the Dean’s List from The University of

Texas at Austin. She acquired her doctorate degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry, and an MBA from The University of Denver. Pedro is employed as a Principal Securities Consultant at Set Solutions, Inc. Dr. Ferreira is an Optometrist and owner of Cypress Optique; she opened her doors for business in the Bridgeland area in February of 2022. “I’ve always known I wanted to be my own boss since I was little. Both my parents are entrepreneurs and extremely hard working. Mom showed me how to put my heart and soul into everything I do. I knew I wanted to be able to care for patients the way I saw fit. I wanted to be able to provide the best care possible, always ensuring each patient that they would have a personalized experience at every exam. I wanted to show my children that mom can do anything she sets her mind to, and hopefully, it will inspire them to always reach for the stars.” Celesta and Pedro have two young children. “Gabriel is three, and Daniel is one. They go to Lycee Montesorri School. Gabe loves soccer and playing outside. He is very creative and is always loving. Daniel is learning how to start kicking the soccer ball with his big brother. He is always smiling and is constantly looking for an adventure,” comments Celesta. From two culturally diverse backgrounds, the couple has definite ideas on how to educate their children. “We always try to immerse them in the culture through food and music,” explains Celeste. “Pedro

speaks to them mostly in Portuguese; we want them to be multilingual. As parents, the most important thing we can teach our sons is for them to always be kind, be brave, and be determined. We want them to know that no dream is too big, as long as they put their hearts and soul into it.” Holiday plans for the family this year may include some international travel. “We normally alternate holidays, as my family lives in Texas and Pedro’s family lives abroad in Holland,” shares Celesta. “We usually do Thanksgiving with my parents; we may even have it in our home this year. For Christmas, we are looking into traveling with the kiddos to Holland to visit my in-laws.” With her hectic schedule, sometimes Celeste shares kitchen duties with her husband. “By far, Pedro is generally better in the kitchen,” she confesses. “His mom and grandma taught him many recipes. I enjoy cooking when I have time and can usually whip up something tasty, if I really try! Our boys love veggies, so we will always do something easy like baked salmon with broccoli and mushrooms. They love rice too, so that’s easy to make and keep for multiple meals throughout the week. We used to meal prep before kids; if time allows, we sometimes try to meal prep for the family.” For Celesta, the biggest challenge of being a parent and a business entrepreneur is finding the balance. “It’s a constant struggle. Some days, I feel I have a better grasp on it and other days, I feel completely torn. I want to put my ‘all’ into my practice and try my best to become the leader and boss I want to be. But I also don’t want to miss memories or special moments with my kids at any age. So trying to find the perfect strategy for time management is definitely a priority and a work in progress,” admits this busy mother and entrepreneur. As parents of two lively young boys, Celesta and Pedro know the importance of making time for one another. “Our favorite form of date night entertainment is a delicious dinner and time to actually talk to each other. When you are a parent, we all know there is not much ‘adult’ conversation. We enjoy just actually talking to each other, undivided attention, and as we are foodies, that’s a must,” asserts Celesta.

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