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

Alexander Colon

Success, to me, takes a combination of passion, consistency, hard work, and being open to new opportunities. Many people enter an industry by trying to replicate someone else’s success, but in my case, being the only glass studio in Miami meant there was no one doing exactly what I do. While other glass studios may exist, I haven’t encountered any that operate the way I do. I set out to build a community where none existed. Read more>>

Lydia Abbott

Success, to me, comes down to relentless curiosity, radical ownership, and resilience. You have to be hungry to learn, willing to take full responsibility for outcomes—good or bad—and able to bounce back quickly when things go sideways. But more than anything, success is about saying yes more than no—especially in the early days. It’s about trying things before you’re ready, failing fast, learning faster, and constantly adapting. Read more>>

Daniela Sessa

It was January 2018 when the first Dreamerwhale post was published on Instagram.
A logo with a blue whale and a caption that started with “Hello Dreamers!!”. And that was the beginning.
The bookish community in Italy at the time was just starting to grow and bookish boxes weren’t something known yet as much as today!

One day, I stumbled upon a small business in France run by a very creative girl which made these very beautiful handmade bookish boxes – all decorated by hand one by one by herself, filled with bookish gadgets and a surprise fantasy book to read!  Read more>>

Kay Bell

being successful means liking what is growing inside you. All pieces of you and using those pieces to help you be the best possible version of yourself. Read more>>

Melissa Toliver, PE

I attribute my success to hard work, dedication, passion, and faith. True passion for one’s work drives the commitment to excel and provide exceptional service.

Before dedicating myself fully to my company, I worked diligently to learn and grow. While I succeeded in expanding my skill set, I realized I wasn’t truly excited about my work. Now, as a business owner, my passion for engineering has grown immensely. I’m grateful to work on projects that resonate with me, and I look forward to building new connections and offering my services to the community. Read more>>

Ashleigh Olson

When it comes to success, I personally don’t measure that in dollar signs. I think there is a difference between feeling successful and material wealth. Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. Some people chase money and status, but for me it’s about love, security, and emotional well-being. It isn’t just about booking the most weddings or making the most money, it’s about capturing moments that matter, creating experiences that leave people feeling seen and celebrated, and finding joy in my art. Read more>>

Sharel Cassity

Throughout my childhood and as a young teen, music was my refuge. I immersed myself in practice, using it to shield myself from my surroundings, and through this dedication, I became accomplished. This passion earned me college scholarships to top institutions and led to a fulfilling career as a freelance musician. I found acceptance among my peers and discovered a community where I belonged. If someone had told me then that, alongside playing, I would also need to be a dynamic educator, run a business, and manage all aspects of my career, I might have hesitated. However, once you’re all in, there’s no turning back—you must adapt. Read more>>

Jamie Kinross

I think the BEST way to be successful in your business is to be your authentic self! You can always be taught business specific techniques and skills. You will be much happier in your business if it’s true to YOU. There are hundreds (if not, thousands) of people with the same exact business model (or product) as you. ONE thing you can guarantee they don’t have is you. Your heart, your spirit, your personality, your passion, your drive, your desire. Authenticity is a major factor in success, in my opinion. Read more>>

Shae Almighty

A successful person gives themselves room to grow. A person who can change, adapt, grow and learn. Anyone who thinks they know it all will never accomplish more than what they’re comfortable with. You know everything, so where are you supposed to go from here ? Either down or remain stagnant. I say they’ll never accomplish more than what they’re comfortable with because learning and unlearning things can be uncomfortable. Read more>>

Ameenha Lee

For me, what I think it takes to be successful is to do what you love. Sometimes you have to turn down opportunities that are solely for funny, and follow your gut. Success isn’t just about having a loaded bank account. In my opinion, success means that you’re fulfilled in life mentally, your vision board has come into fruition, and having a peaceful life. Of course success requires hard work, but you have to remember your mission in life. There’s going to be various mountains you have to climb to get that one opportunity you year for. Read more>>

Benoît Oulhen

The first thing is to love what you do and to be passionate about it. It all starts with this. It’s what will push you to work harder and that work won’t even feel like work. For me, advertising was a passion before it was a job. Of course it’s not all fun and games, you have the impossible deadlines, the (many) projects that will never see the light of day etc. but the interesting part of the work will keep you going. Read more>>

Yulia Kolchanova

I used to think success could only be earned by people with extraordinary talent, wealth, or influential connections. Now, years later, I see it’s mostly earned by hard work, resilience, and an unwavering desire to build something greater. From my experience, the key to success lies in determination, the willingness to take risks, and the ability to push through challenges, even when things feel overwhelming. Read more>>

David Bovier

I believe that success is such an odd term for business. How does one measure it in today’s world? Success can be enjoyed in so many other areas of life rather than monetarily. There are many other ways to measure what it means to be successful in life. Quality time with family is a success, security is a success. Being able to enjoy a vacation is a success. Too much importance is put on the time and sacrifices people make in their personal lives trying to be “successful”. They end up missing out on the very thing that success can offer. Read more>>

Samyah Green

I think success isn’t about how much money you make or how many followers you have—it’s about alignment, impact, and fulfillment. To me, success means living a life that reflects my values, staying true to who I am, and creating a positive impact on the people around me—especially my family and my community. Success is knowing that I’m walking in my purpose and honoring the gifts God gave me, even when the path isn’t always clear. Read more>>

Cass Stone

Success, to me, is defined by living a fulfilling life surrounded by loved ones and utilizing my talents to make a positive impact on others.

Over the years, my journey in photography has not only taken me to various places but has also imparted invaluable life lessons that have become the foundation of my core values. I firmly believe that the quality of our lives is greatly influenced by the quality of our relationships. In business, having the right individuals in key roles is essential, and nurturing those connections is paramount. Read more>>

Briana Stout

That’s a great question. There are many components that contribute to one’s success, but if I had to narrow it down, I’d say the top two traits to possess are grit and faith.

Building a business from the ground up can be a true test of resilience, especially when you’re a one-woman operation. There have been countless moments where I wanted to throw in the towel—whether it was dealing with slow sales, facing burnout, or navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic. I’ve had days where making candles felt like the last thing I wanted to do, but I knew my community was relying on me. I’m naturally self-motivated, so my grit and my inner drive keep me pushing forward. Read more>>

Joi Schweitzer

Success for me is about return on investment, not just financially, but in time, energy, and impact. It’s about committing to quality and excellence in everything you do, whether that’s in aviation, entrepreneurship, or personal growth.

My journey from being a flight attendant to a pilot required an immense investment of time, discipline, and resilience. That same mindset carried over into building my brand. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about working hard, it’s about working with intention. Every effort should lead to something meaningful, whether it’s greater flexibility, financial freedom, or the ability to inspire others. Read more>>

Kate Duffy

Success is deeply personal, and my definition of it has changed as I’ve grown.
In my 20s, success meant freedom and independence. I was determined to buy my own home right after college, cutting back on even the smallest indulgences—like my favorite mini York peppermint patties, which were just $0.20—to make it happen. In my 30s, I chased what I thought success was supposed to be: the marriage, the career, the house, the dog—all the milestones society tells us to check off. But at some point, I realized I was living a version of success that wasn’t truly mine. I felt lost, questioning what success actually meant for me. Read more>>

Krupa Thomas

Success doesn’t happen overnight. I’m sure everyone has heard this before, but it’s true. It takes courage to start your own business from the ground up. It takes a lot of persistent hard work, effort, and time. There is also a lot of trial and error along the way, but the most important thing is to never give up on something you are passionate about. Stay ambitious, do not let little set backs bring you down, and stay faithful. Read more>>

Kristina McKenzie

As a creative business owner I will say – Stay focused and consistent on your dream! No matter how tired you get, how many idea’s you come up that need time to work on, just stay on it and do not give up even when challenges arise. You have to be the one who believes in you, and it helps when others do but your thoughts and dedication are the most important factors in your success-specially when you just start building your business. I feel that you also want to care about your clients genuinely, communicate well and make sure that clients are comfortable with you, that you can voice your ideas in a way that not very creative clients can understand. Read more>>

Candace McDuffie

Success is subjective and different for everyone. First and foremost, I think it’s important to understand your purpose–what drives you, what you are the most curious about, what you go to sleep thinking about. It’s always been writing for me, but my path has evolved. I went from being strictly a music journalist to writing about politics. However, the mechanics of conveying a message through written word never changed for me. Being a writer is just as important as being a teacher, since education is at the heart of everything I do. In order to be successful, you must be intentional, hardworking and persistent–but above all you have to be passionate. Read more>>

Chris Mower

Success in business is a multifaceted achievement, reliant on a combination of strategic planning, adaptability, and unwavering dedication. Here are my thoughts on the key elements:

• Clear Vision and Strategic Planning:
– A well-defined business plan with clear goals and objectives is crucial.
– Ability to scale and deviate directions when needed
– Understanding your target market at the beginning recognizing that it will change overtime e.g. farmers markets and website to e-commerce fulfillment acting as a wholesaler. Read more>>