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

Michelle Farmer

I think that to be successful you need to love what you do and enjoy the process. You also have to have a firm belief in your mission and have faith in your ability to achieve your goals. Read more>>

Dianna Booher

To be successful as an author, it takes persistence, discipline, and self-confidence. I say persistence because the writing process is very subjective. Just as each of us has our own preferences of what kind of books or movies we like, editors and literary agents have those same preferences. So to get representation from an agent to sell your books to a major traditional publisher, writers sometimes have to query several agents–maybe even a dozen or more–to find the appropriate agent who believes in the book they’re representing and the author’s career. Read more>>

Marisa Cali

The number one thing it takes to be successful is possessing an undying belief that you are worth of success and you are responsibile for this belief. If we stand in our own way via self-doubt, we won’t be able to share our gifts with the world. Read more>>

Rickey Montena

I believe success come within time. You have to struggle in order to appreciate the journey. You have to sacrifice to see how much you have grown and profit from. Some putting time limit on when you think success should be. You will get there just enjoy the ride and learn. Read more>>

Ellis Raymond

Success is measured by the outcome of hard work and dedication. It varies for each individual based on the vision they have for their business. In my opinion, it takes extreme dedication to end up successful in any venture. It almost takes a slight obsession forming with your business, idea, project, or whatever it is you are working on. When we first opened our swim school, I was here as much as possible to drive the business forward. Being a leader in an organization is extremely important to help shape how your business will grow and develop. Leading by example and putting in the work is what I think drove JMSS to the success it is today. Read more>>

Robert Garrett

1. A strong desire to directly provide customers with a service and or product they need and of which you have expert knowledge on. 2. A strong work ethic and perseverance. Read more>>

Jason Euler

Success can never be summed up in one moment or action I believe. Success is defined as the accomplishent of an aim or purpose. At the end of the day for each person it comes down to what their definition and view of success is. Step 1 toward becoming successful is defining what it is for yourself. For me that’s waking up everyday and having joy in what I do and that’s when you’re able to fall in love with the process over the result. It takes having a goal and more importantly having a plan with that goal and the heart to always execute. Achieving anything of great value takes consistentcy and persistency. If you can develop those two things you will be able to perservere the obstacles that will inherintely come. Read more>>

Cindy Kruse

In the restaurant business it takes hard work, dedication and love of what you do. Whether it’s perfecting your craft, keeping customers happy or even keeping the lights on during times like Covid, it is extra hard when you are the business owner and it all falls on you. They say that when you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life; I say, you will work harder than you’ve ever worked in your life. I wouldn’t have it any other way. The rewards are priceless! Read more>>

Tammy Bardwell

From experience, success is like a recipe. Begin with a brand and vision that is different from the world around you. Stir in a wonderful and creative hardworking team that believe in the mission of the company. Add in passion and out-of-the-box thinking. And the secret sauce is a husband and family that continues to support and build the company with me. Read more>>

Adriana Oxford

Most consider success related to accomplishment – whether we grew up that way or that’s somehow society’s standard. There is a default definition that is, ‘money, materialism, and achievement. ‘ So if you don’t come up with your own subversive definition, this is the default. My definition of success begins with belief, waking up everyday and holding, not just once but many times, that your endeavor is valuable and worthy of success. Nobody is going to maintain your vision for you. You get to stay with you, and your business as an outpouring, sit with it, and hold your vision. Read more>>

Cassie Unruh

There are so many factors that contribute to success but, if I were to pick just one, I would say that the most important is consistently giving 100% of your ability to your work. I believe that it is so important to remember that your work is a reflection of yourself. Keeping this always in the forefront of your mind will help you to remember not to cut corners and to always provide the best product that you are able, and especially through the challenging projects or the moments where you feel overwhelmed or incapable. In my particular business, this applies to the desserts that are not exactly within my strongest talents or not within my own personal interests – during those times it can be difficult for me to present my best work. Read more>>

Dr. Elaine Bryan

There are many traits and habits that help one to be successful, however to be disciplined is important and treating others with respect and kindness. It is my opinion that one should enjoy whatever business you choose as it will not feel like work if you have fun while at work, since spending a long time will be necessary for success. It seems as if being successful is not usually a sprint but a rather a marathon. As a result patience and hard work are good attributes in any business. Read more>>

Dixie Dixon

The most important question you can ask yourself is what is your own personal definition of success! Success means different things to different people. If you can focus on a mission, a deeper meaningful vision that you’d like to accomplish, success comes naturally! Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life! Passion, vision, love for what you do, and a deeper mission all breed success! Read more>>

Shae Jones

I think that success truly has a lot of different variations as it’s definition changes from person to person. For me, in relation to Olivia J, success is creating a product that people not only love, but that makes them want to come back and purchase more. It’s one thing to create a product that can be stood behind, but it is another to create one that you KNOW is of great quality and has others wanting more of! Read more>>

Ashley Williams

I believe it takes a certain level of tenacity and consistency to be successful. Being able to fight through your challenges and fears requires high determination. Being consistent allows you to appreciate more of the journey and less of the destination. Its about doing it everyday; despite how you feel that day or despite what’s going on in your external environment – you have to keep pushing!. Read more>>

Kelly Callaghan

I started my business in 2014 with zero experience, zero mentors, zero entrepreneurial knowledge. What I did have were faith and the internet. Through many struggles and many wins, I have been able to grow my business from $0 to over a half-million-dollar business. Now, I teach others how to do the same. I’ve witnessed many successes and many people who have given up. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed between those who are successful and those who are not is the type of mindset they embody. The students I work with who become successful are the ones who have the “whatever it takes” attitude. They have a belief that, no matter what, they CAN do it. Read more>>

Rachel Weinshanker

We often hear that success takes hard work, which if true. But more importantly, it takes real, raw determination, ambition, and follow-through. Success comes so much easier when you’re doing something you WANT to be doing. With this, patience and a positive attitude are key. Remembering that sometimes things are out of our control, but many things are within our control – so choose your focus wisely. Talk to people, talk to everyone! You never know who you may meet, or who you can connect with. Read more>>

Rikki Heiken

Passion and Perseverance . Owning a business is all about perseverance. Keep going when the going gets tough, adapt, adjust, proceed. It is not always unicorns and rainbows, that’s why its so important to love what you do. If you are passionate about your mission, you will be ok when things get hard. You will persevere. The passion is what drives you to keep going, to adjust if you need to and make it even better. I truly believe that if you are passionate about what you do, you will always persevere and in the end that is what will make you successful. Read more>>

Kennya Sanchez

I believe that a person must have a deep desire to achieve their vision. Success is not guaranteed to be easy, in fact it is most likely going to be challenging. I love the saying, “if it was easy everyone would be doing it.” Many times people are swayed by other’s opinions or comments, but being able to quiet down and find the clarity and confidence of their vision will get them back on track. I recently understood that many times as we are working our purpose, we ask for advice and guidance and the people giving such advice and guidance take it as if the person is asking for permission to fulfill their vision. The truth is that no one else can see or understand someone else’s vision, I am confident that each vision was given uniquely to each individual to achieve. Read more>>

Ethan Strait

I think to be successful it mostly takes time. There are special cases of overnight success but the trick in the end is maintaining longevity. The only way to learn the ins and outs of your business is to grow with it. Make mistakes, adjust, and keep going. Read more>>

Tyler, Wyatt and David

We think that in order to be successful you have to build a culture. We built ours based on Loyalty,Honor and Integrity. We feels these out why we are successful and continue to grow. Read more>>

Michelle Hancock

Everyone’s definition of reaching success varies. To be successful in any area of your life, one must set a goal, stay consistent, be flexible in trying new things, and be realistic. One lesson I’ve learned is that you can do all things, but not everything at one time. That’s where being realistic comes in. Don’t spread yourself too thin trying to do all the things. Hone in on your strengths, work on your weaknesses and make sure you have the passion and drive to show up every day. I think it takes realizing that you need to learn from others who may be doing things differently and better than you currently are. Instead of being jealous or threatened, be open to learning from others. Once you reach that success, pay it forward. Read more>>

Rachel Strobolson

This is such a beautiful question and one that has evolved for me over time. The sensational thing about entrepreneurship is that it encourages you to confront yourself head on and excavate truths about yourself that you may have hidden away. It challenges you to uncover what is genuinely important, what you value, and how you want to experience this lifetime. In my opinion to be successful you need to define what success means for you. Not what success means to your parents, your friends, or even society, etc. But to sit with the question “What does success mean to me?” Read more>>

Vivian Hernandez-Jackson

I think success has a different meaning to lots of business owners. For myself getting to make a living doing what I love is a huge success. Having a line out the door 13 years later is a success. Making a consistent product daily is a success. Having employees stay on board with me for years is a success. Read more>>

Jay Nicole

I feel that with anything you’re passionate, and serious about continuous consistency is key. This is something that I’m working on myself. Life definitely can and does get into the way at times BUT again if whatever it is is that important continuous consistency is key. Read more>>

Tamra Wyman

It takes confidence, grit, belief in yourself, fortitude, endurance, perseverance and a willingness to win. These are not traits you are born with, but these are skills you can develop if you choose to commit to making changes & following through on what you say. From my favorite speech by Art Williams’ known as “Just Do It” addressed at the 1987 National Religious Broadcaster Convention. “See folks, I want you to know almost everybody in America almost does enough to win. They almost get there. They almost are over the hump. They almost have it going. They almost, in everything they do, almost is a way of life to almost everybody in America. But the winners do it.  Read more>>

Jada Gonzales

I am a firm believer in that in order for you to be successful, you need to be willing to fail. No one picks up a skill the very first time they try it. You have to work, have discipline, and stay motivated even when things get hard in order to master something. It’s very easy to not try something you have always wanted to do because you are afraid to fail. In fact, that fear alone stops everyone (even me) from doing something they have always dreamed of doing. If you start a venture, you must be willing to fail fast, and fail often. No journey to the top is ever easy, but the perspective your bring to the table is what makes tough days and long periods of waiting worth it. At the end of the day, if you fail at any step of the way and you just stop, you’ve given up. Read more>>

Sonali Patil

Anyone can be successful just believe in yourself! I navigate my life’s journey with a few basic set of values: -Set goals, small ones to start with. -Avoid thinking of failure when starting out, set yourself up to succeed. -Work with honesty, ethics and a set of core values. -Do not be hard on yourself, enjoy the small victories and take time to celebrate. -Give it time. In a job, give it at least one year. If a business give it five year. Read more>>

Lori Rizzo

Number one is resiliance – the ability to bounce back and keep moving forward – Success doesnt come easy for many and hard work and determination is just a few of the traits you need to get where your going. Read more>>

Swank Sinatra

What I think it takes to be successful is first setting realistic goals to accomplish in order to maintain the upmost confidence in what your striving for. Being confident with the decisions your making & living with the results whether good or bad. Knowing good or bad results are about perception & to keep going no matter what especially if you believe in what your striving for. Furthermore being successful is a mindset & that start’s & finishes with the individual.To be successful you have to be consistent & work smarter not harder, quality over quantity will take you a long way. Consistent output of high quality product will eventually attract clientele it’s inevitable. Read more>>

Mike Casten

In order to run a successful business I think you must first and foremost believe in the product or service you are selling. If you truly see the value in your offerings, so will potential customers, and you will not undervalue yourself and get burnt out. When I offer my services to a customer, I want to know that I am adding value to their life and not just swindling them out of their hard-earned money! Additionally, I think it is imperative to be able to connect with people. In order to successfully do business, you must be able to connect with your customers so that you can understand their needs and find solutions that work for them. Likewise, you must be able to connect with your employees so that you can put them in a position to succeed. Without customers and employees, you won’t have a business at all. Read more>>

Lucas Ryan

First of all success is subjective. Everyone has their own version of what “success” looks like. To me, success is having happy clients, being proud of my work and having my needs met. I think to achieve this, you have to be able to just keep working towards your goals, no matter what challenges you face. That might mean picking up a side gig to help pay bills or it might mean working late into the night to finish a project. Do what it takes to get what you aim for, even if sometimes you don’t feel like it at the moment. Read more>>

Nicole Valentine

In my point of view, success is measured by my happiness and the fact that I love what I do. . I love my job. I love meeting new people, hearing their life stories, and giving them a photo shoot that brings joy. Read more>>

Jennifer Sanderson

Perfection becomes a barrier instead of a goal. It is setting a standard that isn’t achievable. Perfection fills your head with doubt causing you to believe that no matter what you do, it will never be good enough. Trying to be perfect is a form of being concerned about what others think of you. If you are humble and confident, then you should only be concerned about what you think! Do the best you can and your effort will be perfect! To be Successful … you have to change your relationship with fear! Everyone has fear but don’t panic or avoid it. Read more>>

Chuck Cleveland

Well speaking from personal experience I can say that it takes hard work, dedication, a lot of disappointment, a lot of no’s, talent, preparation and a he’ll of a lot of sleepless nights. Read more>>

Teri Kerns

I think it takes courage and commitment to be successful. Success comes from a lot of hard work, and stepping outside of your comfort zone to learn new things. Success is showing up when it’s challenging or difficult, which takes courage and a committment to keeping your word, even when it’s hard. Read more>>

Jose Patiño

Success to most people is measuring how much your company has grown, how much revenue you made compared to previous years, or even the equipment you now use compare to what you started off with.. I think to be successful you have to acknowledge the obstacles you had to jump over to get to the next level, to welcome the failure attempts and getting back out there and getting what you are looking for don’t let a simple fail attempt be the last go at it because for every successful story Is multiple failures behind it. Read more>>

Dannia Gazley

I think it is very important to have your own definition of success. Success will mean different things for different people. I believe it is a reflection of our values. In the professional area, my definition of being successful is to be able to make a living doing something I truly enjoy and love that offers me a healthy work-life balance. To achieve all of those things is what being successful is for me. So, it took me to create my own business to become successful. I wasn’t able to find and have all of those things that mattered to me when I was working for others. There was always an element that was missing, I never felt that fulfillment I was looking for, in fact, I was quite unhappy.  Read more>>

Joseph Panico

Where I am today is not where I started and that is important to point out. In the beginning of my company’s life, I created a business plan, researched my competition, price points, etc., all the things you’re supposed to do when considering a new venture. What is important to understand is that these are projections and a lot of adjustments need to be made along the way. You may come to a point in time where you are successful or you may not. Success is different for everyone so take small steps in the beginning until you are comfortable then take bigger and bigger steps until you succeeded. Read more>>