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.

Emily Nemeth

Before I can talk about what I think it takes to be successful you have to understand that success looks different to everyone. Sometimes success translates to money. Sometimes it’s a happy family. Read more>>

D. Alexander

In perspective, success is tenacity, consistency, and focus. A result of establishing short-term and long-term goals and applying the necessary agenda as follows. Upholding core values as a person and seeing through one’s individual narration for prosperity, longevity, and connotative achievement. Read more>>

Marissa Taylor

Success comes in many forms. I believe when you’re interested in becoming a full time wedding photographer, you have preconceived notions of what it takes to become successful. From the beginning, I thought being a successful wedding photographer meant having a full calendar and weddings booked across states. Read more>>

Jarvis White

The steps that I take to be successful are as follows: Being BOLD… creating the platform for which I want to share my dreams, accomplish my goals, and help others along the way. Being able to REASON with myself… Understanding that I will have to make some changes in life, personally and professionally to elevate to the next level. Read more>>

Ani Ponce de Leon

It is pretty difficult to pinpoint one, as the failure or success of something is never down to only one factor. “Don’t ask a juggler which ball is the highest priority. Success is to do it all.” Any company’s healthy growth involves great dynamism and therefore flexibility, so the focus for each stage varies accordingly. Read more>>

Cait Kuentzel

Learning to embrace failures and things not going according to plan. Once I shifted my perspective about failing and came to the understanding that failures aren’t fails at all. Failures are learning experiences that the best money can’t buy or greatest college can’t teach. Each learning experience is unique to your journey and if you don’t give up and have a great attitude you are able to add a very valuable tool to your tool box. Read more>>

Moschburg

In my travels as an artist and a young man, I was led to believe that success was only offered to those who study hard. Due to that belief, I had to teach myself what it was that I wanted to pursue. Initially, I did what was expected, and after a year of studying chemistry, I quickly understood that my success would not depend on the scholastic studies of math and science, but instead on the studies of ancient art and philosophy. Read more>>

Ashlie Arones

I think to be successful, you need blind faith. Faith that you will accomplish what you set out to do. Faith that when you fail, you will get right back up. Faith that you are taking the right steps and making the best decisions. I believe if you have blind faith in yourself, in your abilities, and your dreams, you will be successful in all that it is you want to do. Read more>>

Wykia Chisolm-Jackson

To become successful in any business or career, I believe it takes faith, hard work, discipline, sacrifice and dedication. Many people have the idea that you can just come up with a business idea and/or product to sale and instantly start making money. Read more>>

Aaron Ilharreguy

In my eyes there are many unique ways of making your self successful in the hospitality world. The top 3 easiest ways is first putting the right team together, be different and staying on top of what’s relevant in the world. Read more>>

Joseph Johnson

Its simple. Don’t ever GIVE UP. I think the issue is that small business owners encounter alot of obstacles that will stop them from achieving their goal. Every business goes through obstacles and even the most successful fortune 500 companies went through the same. Read more>>

Jen Lowrance

I don’t believe it’s one thing…. Everyone has to have a inner drive, a strong “why”, impeccable work ethic, passion for excellence in their craft and can see the big picture no matter where they are in the hustle to measure “success”. It was shared with me years ago that Read more>>

Stephany Roberts

We’ve all been gifted with something. It’s important for you to find out what your thing is and just go for it. Starting is half the battle and never quitting is the key! My success came from working hard, mastering my craft and being personable with my clients! Read more>>

Ryan The Key” Belcher”

If there was a for sure one track way to achieve “success” it wouldn’t be called success, It’d be called Instructions. The truth of it is, there’s nothing for sure about success. That’s what makes it so attractive, so desirable, but so elusive. Although success can be seen as subjective, we all can agree that “Success” is achievable. So, the question at hand is “What does it take to be successful?”. Read more>>

Darlene Ortega

I believe what it takes to be successful is to be dedicated to your business. You should be motivated and go day by day and grow your business. If it is something you love doing and you want to see it grow the best way is to put effort into your hard work you have built. Read more>>

Dorcas Roman

I think that in order to be successful is by failing. Failing was and is the biggest part of succeeding. With out failing you will never learn how to improve in your both business and life. Read more>>

Dr. Ashley Alayoku

I think it takes a vision lead by dedication and self motivation to become successful. After putting in hard-work, being persistent and having patience, I strongly believe that when success awaits you. Read more>>

Dj Dontey

I personally feel that It takes motivation from with in , faith, and hard work to be successful. Nothing happens over night , as a business owner and dj I’ve learned that without grinding , promoting , and really putting in the work expanding and being successful will be a Challenge. Read more>>

Chris Grum

Four simple concepts can sum up what I think it takes to be successful: Commitment, knowledge, attention to detail, and perseverance. Commitment – You’ve got to give your idea, company, or concept time to grow. It is rare to immediately be successful and most “overnight successes” Read more>>

Liz Atlas

Success means many different things to many different people. When I first started my journey in the automotive space, I thought it was out of my league. I was only 21. Little did I know, I learned the products and sold to Solutions to Managers, General Managers, and dealership Owners. I have been in this business for 15 years. Read more>>

Kirsten Holliday Doering

This question hit me hard, ’cause I struggled so long with the definition of ‘success’. Growing up my sister and I were always encouraged to chase our dreams and I feel so blessed for that. After working in the hospitality industry for a number of years, I decided to jump off and start my own business, which looking back, was the scariest leap I’ve ever taken. Read more>>

Chef Keon Atwater, CCP

When I think about the question, “what do you think it takes to be successful”…the first thought that comes to mind is a strong sense of self. Yes there are various answers that could be given but this one sticks out to me most because trying to reach for stars that you can barely see surely takes a toll on the dreamer. Read more>>

Brock Barnhart

Merriam-Webster says success is the following: Gaining or having gained success. Sure, gaining something may leave one to believe that’s what it takes to be successful, at least for those who seek to search for the definition in Merriam-Webster. For me, being “successful” Read more>>

Lauren Wheat

I believe that in my industry, the number one aspect to success would be customer service concurrent with communication. We need to be able to openly communicate with our clients about every step in a real estate transaction. We have to be available, understanding, and ready to take on questions and concerns at any given time. Read more>>

 Joseph Capalbo

Since success has a different meaning for everyone, the first step is to define what the big picture looks like to you. From there, you can break your goals down into bite-size tasks. Giving your craft the time it needs is always the foundation for your journey. I’m grateful to have learned music at a young age, so I was progressing toward my big goal without even knowing it. Read more>>

Alphonso Rose

Everyone has there own success story and formula but this is what what worked for me as an entrepreneur. I’d say off top, you have to want success for yourself and at at the same time visualize it in your head, whatever that may look like for you regardless what your current situation is. Read more>>

Kristen Patten

Being successful can mean many things to many people depending on the context. For me it means running, growing a business that you are proud of. To me its not really about money, it’s about the customers. If you see repeat customers time and time again its a sign of success. Read more>>

Derricko Swink

Everyone has a different definition of what success is, but I believe that in order to be successful you have to first believe in yourself and know that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Not to mention, experience is the best teacher and I’ve found that anytime I was successful in anything, it first started with the vision and then putting in the work to make it become a reality. Read more>>

Christopher Trevena

In this industry or all industries for that matter , I think it takes a number of things to be successful.One thing that I really encourage my younger stylists is to not only be kind , but be relatebly kind.When you are providing services , you’re not only selling the service , but you are selling yourself.People have to like you and see you as a person, not just as a service provider. Read more>>

Marija Peshevska

To be successful takes a lot of patience, energy, and a lot of hard work. As a business owner, you don’t only do the things you like. Most of the time we are uncomfortable, when we learn one thing, the next day there is a new subsequent challenge to face. Get comfortable being uncomfortable, be patient, hustle, and focus on what matters the most. Read more>>

Glenn Morris

In order to be successful you have to be ready to serve people. As a business owner you want to make money but you have to love to help people first and foremost. If you put your effort into helping people and enjoying their success, the money will eventually follow. Read more>>

Melissa Krivachek

Success is defined by ones ability to achieve something or feel a sense of accomplishment. It’s not based on time although many people tend to believe this is a factor. Success is based on a sense of urgency to solve a particular problems individuals or markets are facing and create solutions that change the person solving the problem and resolve the problem itself. Read more>>

Angeleta Phipps-Harrison

I think staying focus and driven is what it takes to be successful. You have to continue to find different ways to promote your business. You can’t be afraid to promote and talk to people, networking is a huge part of being successful as people can’t support your brand if they don’t know that you exist. Read more>>

Daria Fennell

I Pray that My Legacy  will be that I became very successful by NEVER GIVING UP ON MYSELF!!! I always had a Vision of what My Dreams were even when My Loved Ones didn’t understand it. Read more>>

Aimee Wera

Success comes from hard work, reframing failures as learning lessons, and being realistically optimistic. Additionally, it requires you to embrace the various seasons of life and flowing with them – not against them. Read more>>

Norma and Gaston Galella

Success doesn’t come without failure, and this is not only true in entrepreneurship, but also in life. Gaston and I have tried and failed at many different things before founding our Interior Design and Construction firm, and we believe this is what gave us the confidence and inspiration to take the leap and quit the corporate world. Read more>>

Tiesha Vassar-Pflum

Success is a practice it has to be something that you do over and over to reach certain levels. If you are a visual person having a visual model of success can act as a guide. Ask yourself questions how do I want to make an impact? Why is it important for me to be successful? Read more>>

Ashley Godette

Being successful means something different to us all. Some people think it boils down to how much you make but for me its so much more than that! Being successful means finding something that brings you joy and doing your very best see that thing thrive. Read more>>

Gary Greenberg

Success is a relative term. Often in the U.S., it seems to be measured in money. That’s the essence of capitalism. Money buys a lot of things, including power. That’s why the type of unbridled capitalism we are now experiencing has led to an income inequality that continues to mushroom as politicians get paid — through campaign contributions and other means — to enact laws that favor the wealthy. Read more>>