We believe that success can mean different things to different people – not everyone wants the same thing, what drives happiness and fulfillment for one person doesn’t necessarily predict what will for another. That said – if we simply think of success as being effective at achieving one’s goal – whatever those goals might be – then we can set a sort of common

Judy Fort Brenneman

The question you asked via email was a story of a risk I’ve taken — this prompt (what do you think it takes to be successful) is the closest match on the list. Story of a risk I’ve taken: Risk-taking is a hard question for me, because I rarely think in terms of “risk.” People have told me I’m brave, which always surprises me, and puzzles me a bit, because in the moment, it doesn’t (and didn’t) feel risky to me. For example, after presenting at conferences, audience members would admire how brave I was to launch and run my own business, certain that it took enormous courage. But it didn’t; being my own boss felt safer than working for someone else. Some of that was familiarity—I grew up in a small, family-owned business—but a lot of it was wanting flexibility, variety, and control. Read more>>

Cheniera Roberts

Hard work, clear goals, a resilient mindset Read more>>

Jehdiah Graham

To be successful, I believe it requires a certain level of what I call “intentional stupidity.” Here’s what I mean by that: When I first started boxing, it became my passion. Over the years, I was coached by two men I still consider father figures today. Through teaching me the sport, they also came to understand my mindset—how I approach decisions, both in life and in the ring. They gave me a piece of advice that, though it was about boxing, has become a core principle in how I live: “Be more stupid when you fight.” Read more>>

Demaude Dawkins

1. **Clear Goals**: Having specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals helps to maintain focus and direction. 2. **Passion and Persistence**: Passion fuels motivation, and persistence helps overcome obstacles. Staying committed to your goals, even when faced with challenges, is key. 3. **Continuous Learning**: Being open to learning new things and adapting to change is crucial. This can involve reading books, attending courses, or learning from others. 4. **Hard Work and Dedication**: Consistently putting in effort and staying dedicated to your tasks can lead to success over time. 5. **Strong Work Ethic**: Being disciplined, reliable, and having integrity in everything you do is important. 6. **Good Relationships and Networking**: Building a strong support network and surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded people can provide support and open opportunities. Read more>>

Cindy Lee

To be successful, I think it’s important to stay curious, to never stop learning. Read more>>

Jenny Cretacci

I’ve recently been diving deeper into this question of success because it’s broad. Being successful looks different for each person. I believe to truly be successful in life, one must be aligned with their core values and goals. If you are achieving those goals while staying in alignment with yourself, then that’s success. The best way to illustrate this view is that we can’t compare apples to apples because we are all unique. For some success is being the first in their family to go to college. While others it’s having a family or dedicating their life to service. In terms of action, one needs to be successful, it takes focus, knowing when to pivot, consistency, patience and not being afraid to fail. No matter what your definition of success is these actions are needed. Read more>>

Anastasiia Lisenko

For me, success is first and foremost about being able to stay true to myself in any situation, to express my creativity from a place of pure vision, and to earn a living from it. True success also means that my work and my view of the world can bring positive change to people’s lives — whether through art, communication, or influence. When the war in Ukraine started, I moved to New York, and it was a particularly tough time for me. I started shooting a lot because creativity was my way of coping with stress. It became the one thing that helped me stay grounded. Read more>>

Nori Mcneal

Success is accomplishing goals that you set for yourself. I believe the most successful people have a unrelenting desire to constantly complete goal after goal. They never become stagnant or overzealous because of one win or achievement they continue to make the goal bigger or higher. At the beginning of my career as a Nail tech and artist. It was difficult building clientele because it was something new for me and most pple go to pple they trust. Soo many times i questioned should i stop and get a 9-5, afraid that it may not work out. But i didnt and i couldnt. I knew that if i continued stayed focused and market myself i could sustain my business and build my brand so thats what i did. And here we are. Read more>>

Kevin Bernard

The essence of success lies in the satisfaction derived from passionate endeavors. Observing customers revel in the flavors of our expertly crafted sauces, seasonings, and chutneys fills me with pride, knowing I’ve brought my great-grandparents’ vision to fruition. Before his passing, my great-grandfather imparted wisdom, saying, ‘Success is not solely reserved for the brilliant, but for those who endure.’ This phrase remains etched in my memory as a testament to the importance of resilience and loyalty to one’s heritage. His teachings continue to inspire me to infuse every product with love and dedication, and I’m confident he would be proud of the realization of his dream. Read more>>

Gabrielle Rotinsulu

Success is an interesting conversation because it looks different to everyone. It feels like society measures success by numbers and hours: the more money you have and the more hours you work, the more likely you are to be textbook “successful”. Having a small business and having a career that is not as conventional has taught me to measure success differently. I began focusing on curating vintage full time just over a year ago, and it was not easy at first. In fact, I didn’t feel “successful” in it until just 2 months ago, when I had my best sales month yet. Looking back, this has taught me that success can be measured in moments that required persistence. This past year I found out my husband and I would be moving to a new state, and I decided that I would try my best to make sure my business could survive this move. Read more>>

Haley Sigala

In society, success is often measured by wealth and social media influence, creating a box that many feel pressured to fit into. These societal standards can lead to the misconception that if you don’t meet these goals, you’re a failure. However, I firmly believe that success isn’t a “one size fits all”. It’s personal and can look different for each person. For me, true success is about continuous growth as a photographer and the ability to do what I love every day. It’s about creating meaningful art that resonates with my clients. Art that I’m proud to share. My clients are the heart of my business; their joy and satisfaction are what drive me to keep pushing my creative boundaries. Seeing the happiness my images bring them is the real motivation behind my work! Read more>>

Mary Mccarthy

In 2002, with a passion for flowers and a dream of sharing nature’s beauty with others, I opened the doors to my florist shop. It wasn’t a large team, just myself and a part-time employee, but we had big hopes and were ready to work hard. From arranging flowers to running deliveries, and handling every aspect of the business, it was a hands-on journey from day one. But as with any new business, we quickly realized that customers wouldn’t just walk through the door on their own. We needed to reach out, connect with the community, and let people know we were here. It wasn’t always easy—being a small business owner meant wearing many hats, and marketing felt daunting. Read more>>

Tonya Edwards

To me, success is more than the amount of money in your bank account or the accolades and awards hanging on your wall; it is a mindset. At 30 years old, I stopped waiting for “THE BIG MOMENT”—you know, that moment when you sit back and say, “YES! I HAVE FINALLY DONE IT!” Instead, I began celebrating my small wins. I found that when I acknowledge my current successes while still working toward my goals, my vision for what I want in life becomes much clearer. I stopped dwelling on my past and the various paths I explored in my search for self-discovery, including the so-called “failed” attempts at different careers. Instead, I began to view my journey from a new perspective. I am a renaissance woman, a creative individual with the courage to pursue anything I set my mind to. The true key to success is happiness and the confidence that your big “AHA!” moment is happening right now! Read more>>

Quincy Randolph

Honestly, this is a question I ask myself everyday, as I still don’t consider myself successful, or at least where I want to be. In my industry (restaurant ownership/hospitality) most restaurants close. It’s just a fact. Oftentimes people consider your establishment successful if it can operate for a few years and break even. Restaurateurs who want to survive in the long-term and operate multiple projects have to re-think what success in our industry is, and how to approach it. Many of the heralded successes in our industry (awards, acclaim, nominations) are often the steps that lead to downfall if you chase them too readily. Read more>>

Amanda Rainey

Success looks different for every individual. I view myself as “successful” if I stay true to my values, maintain a positive mindset, and am continuously learning/honing my craft. This type of success brings me deeper satisfaction than material achievements. Read more>>

Terry Ganey

First, I’d like to say many people may think talent is the main ingredient for success in the creative industry, especially for visual artists. Yes, some talent or even that ‘artistic eye’ is fantastic for a person to have, but it’s just the start of a foundation you must build upon. I have learned the hard way, you have to add in perseverance, patience, and some mad determination. In my own career, I have learned that I have to ‘stick it out – through the rough times, the artist’s blocks, the seasons of no-sales, and even the super-busy, stressful times of show seasons. There have been many times, even in my last year, I have questioned if I was doing the right thing with my life and if I should throw in the towel. The truth is – if you want it bad enough, it’s your true calling, your soul’s passion, you just have to hang tough in there. Read more>>

Chigozirim Ibeh

To be successful it takes 3 things. Discipline, empathy and being able to be a student. Discipline, while it sounds cliche, is very important. In everything you do, whether it’s training for a marathon or studying a new course, you have to remain disciplined in your approach and show up everyday with your best (however it looks on that day). Empathy. All of us are dealing with something whether it’s made public or not. A little empathy and compassion will not only garner and retain loyal clients/customers but it also helps you become a better leader and person. Lastly, being able to be a student. This means that for as long as you live, you will always be a student to life. Being able to take constructive criticism, learn from it and apply it to your business is essential. You never want to be a know it all. Read more>>

Kristian Grljevic

I’d say success boils down to a simple yet elusive formula: passion and hard work. Passion is what makes you jump out of bed (or at least roll out with less resistance), and hard work is what makes that passion worth something. Loving what you do is the ultimate cheat code. It’s like life’s way of giving you infinite energy; it keeps you going even on the days when “passion” might just mean “persistent enthusiasm despite exhaustion.” Here’s a story to illustrate. Early in my career, I was asked to work on a project that—let’s just say—wasn’t exactly thrilling. It was data-heavy, monotonous, and far from glamorous. But I was genuinely passionate about what I could learn from it. I approached it like a puzzle, finding ways to make it engaging and seeking out creative solutions. That little project turned into one of the most successful outcomes of the year, and I walked away with more confidence and a knack for problem-solving I hadn’t realized I had. Read more>>

Marzena Castillo

To be successful in my opinion is to never give up. Success doesn’t have to be “materialistic”. It is the feeling of self-confidence, comfort, and self-belief. A lot of people quit too soon before the magic happens. Just like the New Year commitments. After a few weeks in a gym or healthy lifestyle, people quit because they don’t see results. I came to the USA knowing basic English. It was not easy to find a job. And some of my friends suggested I should work in the Polish neighborhoods of Chicago. I never considered even this option because I knew if I worked in a Polish restaurant or store, I would never learn English. Success is self-discipline, it’s repeating the same routines over and over until you see it works. Read more>>

Emily Labdon

I’ve learned that in order to be successful it takes a few key skills…. Discipline – Over the past two years I’ve built my business from the ground up while maintaining a competitive corporate job in IT at a top healthcare company in NJ. I invest my lunch breaks, PTO time, and weekends into working on my business. Even if I can only spend 30 min a day working on businesses tasks, the compounding effect pays off. Fearless – Success doesn’t come without taking risks. Business owner’s shouldn’t be afraid of making mistakes or looking silly. Embarrassment & failure is the entry ticket to success, you have to be willing to be bad at something in order to learn how to be good at it. Anytime something doesn’t go the way I wanted it to with an event, I force myself to be grateful rather than upset because it is an opportunity to be better. If you use your set-backs as stepping stones for success and learn from every mistake, there is a clear path for exponential growth. Read more>>

Ilija Ristic

To be successful, I believe it takes passion, persistence, and adaptability. As a photographer in New York, these qualities have been crucial for me. Passion drives me to improve, persistence helps me overcome setbacks, and adaptability keeps me relevant in a fast-changing industry. One example is when I faced technical issues during a high-profile event shoot. By staying persistent and adapting my techniques, I managed to impress the client and secure more opportunities. In short, success is about loving what you do, never giving up, and always being ready to learn and adjust. Read more>>

Kenya Suncar

But what is success, really? How do we measure this amazing word that we are all chasing after? Do we measure it by the amount of money in our bank account? How fancy our car is? Or how happy we feel on a Tuesday afternoon? When I started my business, I was certain that my success was measured by the revenue I brought in. As a coach, I’m a solopreneur, so I did it all on my own to grow my business. You know the list: marketing, sales, content creation, nurturing warm leads, finding cold leads, leading seminars, etc., etc., etc. Many months, I was doing all this with very little financial return compared to the time I spent working on scaling my business. And so, I considered myself a failure. I almost quit. Read more>>

Matt Workman

100% it’s all about social networking. You don’t even need to be great at what you do or what you represent. If you’re great at talking to people and making relationships, then you will grow and become stronger and more profitable. To me this is the number 1 thing every single person needs to learn. I know many creators who are amazing but can’t land a gig or learn how to upsell or how to sell their services. I know creators who are just starting but have 10-20 clients lined up wanting their services when I know for a fact many others would provide better work. This is why I believe we are successful because we create relationships but we also provide amazing service as well. Read more>>

Vanya M

First of many factors to be successful is courage! Courage to take that step, courage to do something new, courage to be out of your comfort zone. I still think there is a lot of work to do, but during my development, I faced numerous challenges and setbacks. However, I learned from each failure and adapted to overcome obstacles. I think success is a dynamic and ongoing process. Read more>>

Lyly Hoang

I think success essentially boils down to three things: planning and grit. Every success that has come my way appeared in a stroke of luck and coincidence, but the difference was that I was well-prepared to receive the opportunity. People who agree with me feel the same way – they always have a far-reaching goal in mind and stay determined to work towards that goal every single day. Have a big-picture plan and show up every day, even on days you don’t feel like it at all. when I don’t feel very motivated to show up, I would try my best to drag myself out of comfort and just sit with the difficulty of discipline, even just for a minute. And it always works, it always works. Read more>>

Noam Weiss

To be successful, you must maintain professional and exemplary customer service and make a product that’s worth purchasing. Make sure your product is high-quality durable and long lasting. Read more>>

Tracey Gee

One day, I was meeting with a client who truly reshaped my view of success. He was someone who had “made it” by nearly every traditional measure. He’d graduated from one of the world’s best colleges, built a thriving career in finance, and was well-respected in his field and his community. Now, at 65, he was at a crossroads, questioning what his next season of life would hold. Read more>>