We asked some very talented folks to talk to us about success and what it takes to be successful. We’ve shared their responses below.

Tom Miller

To me the definition of being successful is different for everyone. There is no standard for measuring success in life. For some, it could be as simple as having the will to get out of bed each morning. And for others, traveling the world while living off of compound interest. Ultimately I view success as not as how much money or material one has acquired, but the drive and ambition one has in their pursuit of their goals that gets them through failure and after failure. Being able to learn from your mistakes (and other peoples as well) and picking yourself up from rock bottom, only to try again from the ground up. Read more>>

Heather Garrigus

Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who are motivated and driven can have a significant impact on your own growth and accomplishments. It’s true that the people we associate with often influence our energy, mindset, and even our opportunities. Read more>>

MARILENE TENTOMAS

To be successful as women in business, there are several key factors to consider: 1. Confidence: Believe in yourself and your abilities. Confidence is crucial in navigating the business world, making decisions, and taking risks. 2. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with industry trends, sharpen your skills, and invest in your personal and professional development. Seek out mentors, attend workshops, and engage in networking opportunities to expand your knowledge base. Read more>>

Rebekah Knight

To be successful I think it takes discipline and hard, day to day work with the ultimate goal always in the forefront. This applies to each individual painting I create as well as to the overall picture of success as an artist. Each painting starts with an idea, then I must organize and map out the idea onto the blank canvas so that I can begin the process of applying pigment. It takes time and patience, mistakes and corrections, and a disciplined mindset to push through the times when I’m feeling uninspired. The result is the beautiful painting that I had envisioned as well as a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. There are no shortcuts to success and discipline with a goal in the forefront is key. Read more>>

Danielle Demi

There’s been a constant theme in my career and on my entrepreneurial journey and it’s to keep going. Regardless of the obstacles and accomplishments, the calling for success is resilience. It’s not only about hitting goals, it’s about continuing to strive through the wins and losses as a business owner. Read more>>

Jian Huang

Success is one of those measurements that is totally subjective. What is successful to one person can be a total failure to someone else. Some think that making the Forbes 40 Under 40 is success. Others want a million dollars in their bank account. For others, maybe raising a flock of backyard chickens is a success. We’re so different. As Chris Rock said in his 2004 standup Never Scared, “If Bill Gates woke up tomorrow with Oprah’s money, he’d jump out of a window and on the way down saying, ‘I can’t even put gas in my plane!’” Read more>>

Ari Smith

“Lasting success isn’t attained easily” — I believe that wholeheartedly. Success is defined differently based upon who you ask; however, the feeling of accomplishment & happiness, I believe, is common to all. To me, success is attained by originality. With success comes legacy and legacies transcend through generations. As a creative, my outlet is constantly being bombarded with information to cloud my judgment & cause me to shy away from being different. It is in those moments where I find the key to success. Being different is something that’s been ingrained into me from childhood. My grandmother taught me to never follow the crowd & this has followed me through life. Read more>>

Danielle Iman

First, I think it’s important to note that I believe success is a subjective notion. It looks different for everyone, and I believe if someone is on the journey to be successful, it may help to understand how you define success for yourself. For me, I believe being successful requires a few habits. The first is to constantly be in a state of learning. Absorb everything, be curious, and always maintain the capacity and bandwidth to expand your knowledge. Travel, read, watch, taste, explore, experience. That way, you leave room for growth and growth is how you evolve into a better, more refined, more educated version of yourself. Read more>>

Pearl Frazier

Dedication to your set goals. I have learned from growing a social media following from nothing not only once but twice that it takes dedication and continued efforts to achieve your goals. Success does not come on the first try. To be successful in social media, you must continue to post content to grow your following and your fan base. Read more>>

Monique Loveless

Success can mean different things to different people, but there are some common factors that contribute to achieving success. Here are a few key elements I have followed to achieve success in my own life as well: 1. Clear Goals: Define what success means to you and set specific, achievable goals aligned with your values and aspirations. 2. Persistence: Success often requires dedication, effort, and a willingness to keep going even when faced with challenges or setbacks. Read more>>

George Mathews

I used to think being successful just took just working hard and showing up. Being the first one in and the last one out. But in my years of experience In Sync licensing, I’ve come to realize that the most important thing you need to be successful is the ability to treat people the way they should be treated. To see the true value in people. As a CEO, it’s my job to recognize strengths in people and to put them in a position to succeed. Of course, you have to have a great skill set and an awesome work ethic, but ultimately it comes down to how you treat people and how you’re viewed by your peers as well. I’ve been fortunate to have fostered quite a few great working relationships over the years, some of which blossoming into lifelong friendships. Read more>>

Wedly Cazy

Success can mean different things to different people, as it is subjective and can be defined based on individual goals and values. However, some qualities and habits are commonly associated with achieving success. There are a few factors that can contribute to success. Success often starts with having a clear vision and specific goals. Setting meaningful and achievable objectives allows individuals to focus their efforts and measure their progress. Success is only achieved by facing challenges and obstacles. My achievements took time to be done. Being persistent and resilient in the face of setbacks allows individuals to overcome difficulties, learn from failures, and keep moving forward. Read more>>

Shaunette Myers

Success looks different for everyone. However for me to be successful, it takes courage, willingness, compromise and taking risks. Using myself as an example, I would say I have had success in different areas of my life but I have not reached the ultimate goal. But I have learnt that they’re are many routes to the success one wishes to achieve and there will be many ups and downs along the way. However, one of the many ways that one must foster to achieve whatever success they desire, is to always be willing to learn to improve and expand what you know, and learn a new thing or two. The reality is, in any area of life there will always be growth, and what worked five years ago may not work in the next five years. You can’t expect to achieve a high level of success by doing nothing, you must do something and that includes learning and being willing to. Read more>>

Lyndsey Rieple

I think success begins when I decide that I already am successful. This perspective has helped take out the illusion that success is “out there.” Longing for something tends to perpetuate itself creating a distancing effect from my goals. Aligning my thinking in the present with who I want to be, shortens the time it takes to fulfill my authentic desires. This isn’t to be taken too literally, after all, I will fail, doubt, regret, and cringe at some of my behaviors. It’s just that these things are no big deals- I can choose again. And again, and again. And again! Read more>>

Kao Khamphilavong

The courage to act on moving forward with your goals even when you don’t know how everything will come together. When you seek, the answers will appear. Before I opened my first bubble tea shop, I didn’t know how I was going to do it. I just knew I wanted to open one. I didn’t know how to make the drinks. I didn’t know where I can get my supplies. I didn’t know where to get the equipment. I didn’t even know anything about building a retail store from scratch. Then I went to work looking for the answers. I went to as many bubble shops as I can and observed every detail from decorations, tables and chairs, counters, equipment, how drinks were made, how many employees were there, and took mental notes of how my shop would look like. Read more>>