We’ve been fortunate to connect with so many brilliant artists, business owners and leaders over the years and so we reached out to some of these talented folks to discuss what it takes to be successful.

Erika Gilmandinova

Taking a leap of faith. Because what if it works exactly as you planned? As humans, we often fear the unknown, hesitant to take a step when faced with uncertainty. It’s natural. The trick is to embrace the fear and do it afraid—in other words, take the leap anyway. In my experience, the moment you step off the edge, the fear dissipates. You realize you’re capable of more than you imagined. You begin to thrive in what once felt uncertain. Suddenly, the unknown becomes known, the fear fades, and you find yourself actually doing it. ;) The reward? The chance to create a life closer to the one you’ve envisioned. Read more>>

Mashaun Hirschler

Success, for me, is rooted in resilience, faith, and the courage to transform your life no matter how far off track it might feel. It’s about acknowledging where you are, envisioning where you want to be, and taking steps—however small—toward that vision every day. Along the way, you need community, mentors, and a sense of purpose that’s bigger than yourself. Read more>>

Matthew De Miglio

Success in the event production business, especially in a competitive city like Los Angeles, requires a combination of traits, skills, and values. Here’s what I believe it takes to succeed: Hard Work: The long hours and attention to detail are essential. In event production, it’s the effort you put in that ensures every aspect is executed flawlessly. Networking and Relationships: Building strong connections is key—whether it’s with vendors, clients, or your team. Relationships are the foundation of success, and it’s the people you surround yourself with that help you deliver exceptional experiences. When you have reliable people who share your vision, it makes the entire process smoother and more enjoyable. Read more>>

Haro Istamboulian

There is no fear in the presence of faith. And there is no faith in the presence of fear. Both can’t coexist. If you believe in what you do, there’s only one single thing you need to do in order to succeed. That is to never give up and never stop. The only reason things don’t reach their success is because they dissolved eventually. Usually, that giving up happens because the person behind the idea is too much of a realist. Maybe they’d look at the statistics and probabilities of what they’re doing and compare it to others before. Or maybe they had families or other personal endeavors that they took more seriously. Whatever the case, it’s always because they gave up. Just keep doing what you’re doing and believe in it and you’ll succeed. You won’t know when, but you will. Read more>>

Sofia Paloma

To be successful, you need to be fearless—ready to take risks and act even when you’re scared. You need faith—faith in yourself, in your vision, and in the process. Success doesn’t come without challenges, but it comes to those who persevere, adapt, and stay focused on their goals, no matter the obstacles. Remember, the most successful people are often the ones who keep going when everyone else gives up. So, trust yourself, stay consistent, and don’t let fear or criticism hold you back. The journey might be tough, but the rewards will be worth it. Read more>>

Diana Cigarroa

My own story of success? I always have associate this phrase to myself: “Small town girl, big city dreams”. Back in 2020, I was a 24yo with a normal, regular, super comfortable life in a small town in the south of Mexico and one day, just decided to leave everything I love the most – family, friends and a 7 years boyfriend to persuade a better quality of life and a better future for me and my family. Trying to chase bigger dreams, even bigger than me. Read more>>

Marty Rush

To me, success is defined by the trust clients place in your vision and creativity. Working with high-profile brands or celebrities is, in itself, a sign of success because it represents a significant level of trust in your ability to deliver results. These projects require more than technical skills—they demand a clear vision, strong leadership, and the ability to collaborate seamlessly with a team. To achieve success, it’s essential to approach every project with a sense of responsibility, no matter its scale. Each project is an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the client, ensuring they walk away with a positive experience. This builds trust and generates word-of-mouth recommendations—the kind of PR money can’t buy. Read more>>

Michelle Marcuse

My workspace is where I am engaged in transforming and shaping my surroundings into something personal and meaningful. It reflects my values, interests, and impulses, and it empowers me. Read more>>

Leah Murtagh

Success to me equals persistence. Successful business owners know how to manage slow seasons and quell the inevitable panic that comes with them. We continually tell ourselves we can DO this. And then we keep going on the simple actions that fuel our businesses: —planning and responsiveness with regard to budgets and expenses —controlling expenses where possible and making hard choices sometimes —spending money where it makes sense, on expenses and investments that grow your revenue or increase your skills Read more>>

Psyrille Mcleod

You know what I really believe it takes to be successful? It’s all about knowing yourself inside and out – like, really knowing yourself. And I can tell you this firsthand because I’ve lived it! Back in 2020, I hit a pretty low point in my life, and that’s when everything changed. I discovered the world of self-development, and let me tell you, it was like someone turned the lights on! I realized that all these limiting beliefs I’d picked up growing up were basically running the show in my life, and not in a good way. Read more>>

Harry Tran

Success in feng shui isn’t just about material wealth or accolades—it’s about achieving a harmonious balance in all aspects of life: health, relationships, career, and personal growth. As a certified feng shui master, success means living authentically, empowering others, and helping people align their environments with their goals and aspirations. I do this by spreading the wisdom and word about feng shui. What It Means to Be Successful as a Feng Shui Master Read more>>