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.

Keron Chang

When I think about this question, it forces me to examine my own path. I begin to look at where I am thus far and where I am heading. With that in mind, I have distilled it down to my 11 keys to success and I will look at each in turn. 1. Learn to calculate the future cost of present decisions! – what will this present decision cost me in the future
No matter what you are doing, you will have to make decisions today that will invariably impact your present and your future, and every decision you make has a cost attached to it. Read more>>

Justice Isom

Success to me is being able to wake up in the morning and be happy about life. When you wake up and be excited about what you do for a living , you have reached a level of success and peace that most people do not have. In order to have that kind of success it takes a lot of sacrifice , discipline, and consistency. Read more>>

Genevieve Barry

The thought of “success” is just another opportunity to do something great. For Tipsy Gypsy, every event is a success to us! We customize each event based upon our clients’ visions and help bring to life an extra layer of WOW. Our Mobile Bar, a.k.a. Esmeralda, is already super impressive and we are so used to her beauty that throughout every event WE are “WOW’d” by the guests who have never witnessed “a bar on wheels”. Read more>>

Tammira Lucas

I think ensuring you take care of yourself first is the key to success. If you aren’t good to yourself you can’t serve your audience in the magnitude you need to serve them in. Read more>>

Christina Smith

SUCCESS: When I googled the word success, it relates to purpose, accomplishment, desire, etc. I personally believe everyone can be successful. Success takes a lot of determination, strength, courage, and desire. There are times where you have to map out a plan, execute, and rely on results. Of course, there are plenty times where something may not work out the best or as planned, but I feel those are teaching moments for us to learn what failed and to push though with a different plan. You have to have the mindset to succeed! Read more>>

Daniel Cone

This is such a complex topic, and there are so many ways success can be defined. But regardless, I think three main things are most important: 1) to have a deep passion for your work 2) a love of learning 3) an unwavering focus on your goal. Read more>>

Andrew Goodwyn

I think there are many different ways to be successful and even more ways to define success. My story may be different from others, and my success may not seem like success in everyone’s eyes. For me, success meant having control over my day to day, and to accomplish this I started my own law firm. There are certainly many risks when starting your own company and choosing not to go the typical 9-5 route, however, it can definitely be worth it. Read more>>

Natalie Dawn

I think in this industry it takes a mix of genuinely loving people and rooting for their stories, and lots of passion. The passion comes from feeling a purpose. For me that’s knowing I’m capturing who and what people love so they can keep the memories forever. I believe that love is one of the most important things to exist and if you can feel it, you can capture it for others. Read more>>

Sekani Broughton

It takes consistency & constant practice to achieve success Read more>>

AJ Williams

I believe it takes self confidence and persistence to be successful. When you truly believe in yourself and your gifts that you are blessed to share with the world, you truly can accomplish anything! Always find a way to keep moving forward towards your goals and dreams no matter what comes your way. I know it is easier said than done but it truly is possible. Read more>>

James E. Guin

Creatives have a deep connection with individuals and groups. We elicit and expose emotions and memories that have been part of the human struggle since the beginning. so when you can tap into that energy and make a fellow human being understand our struggles, you’ve contributed to the human experience in a poignant way that may touch someone’s life forever. This is success. Read more>>

Erishyll Isidro

I believe the word “successful” can be subjective. I believe being successful are the goals you want to achieve and actually achieving them. In the years that I have been photographing, I’ve learned a lot through trial and error and to this day I am still learning. I grew my business from practicing everyday, editing every chance I got, and practiced some more. Read more>>

Bashir

To be successful it takes discipline, dedication, perseverance and LOTS of hard work. Their is no easy way you can’t skip around putting in the hard work, to become successful knowing what your personal definition of success is important in setting realistic goals that are attainable and measurable. Also being transparent and self aware is key, if you know that you procrastinate often set reminders or create a task chart to keep you on track. Read more>>

Jake Huber

Passion. Loving the process of building something on your own. For me, navigating through life is like a chess game. If you want to win, you must create solid goals for yourself. From there, you need to have a plan, because “a goal without a plan is just a wish.” Read more>>

Nancy Brownlee

I’ve learned that success doesn’t look like perfection. For me, success is completion. There is no, one shoe fits all to achieve greatness and success. It has taken a great deal of ambition, perseverance, and no’s to get to where I am today. Read more>>

Michael King

I think that it takes consistency, discipline, patience, and commitment. I feel each one of these things helps the other. Consistency will help you get good at whatever you’re doing. Discipline will help you stay consistent and committed. You must have patience because success is journey not overnight. You must stay committed because things can change the moment, you’re ready to give up. There is much more contributing factors hard work etc. These four are major factors. Read more>>

Tiana Brown

I like to think of the word “Success” as an acronym: sense of direction, understanding, creativity, communication, expanding, self-confidence, and support of family and friends. Sense of direction is always key. You need to reflect on where you’ve been, appreciate where you currently are, and plan out where you are headed next. We are always on the go, mentally. Read more>>

Brandi Lynn

I think success takes dedication, sacrifice (as in sleep, fun, family/friend occasions), and a passion of your own. Any 9-5 job I’ve ever had, while in that role, I was always dedicated and pushed myself to the best of my abilities. My resume has an executive, supervisor, managerial and program director positions within it. I’m grateful for those companies and my leadership roles because they taught me how to run my own business. They taught me how to turn my own passion into a business which is Brandi Lynn Public Relations. Read more>>

Jocelyn Coburn

A LOT of things! Thick skin for one! You will NEVER gain 100% approval, no matter what you do. Accept that there will be disappointments…customers, situations, as well as a ton of mistakes along the way. I have personally learned to embrace the fact that there will be let downs. Each time you fall down…get back up…period! Read more>>

Special Monroe

In my opinion, what it takes to be successful is all within you. You have to be driven, determined and you have to want success for yourself. You have to see your dreams of success come to reality for you, and you will always have to work hard, whether if you are working for yourself or someone else, it is always going to be hard. So to be successful to me is all about how bad you want it. Read more>>

LaRon Bryson

What it takes to be successful is, consistency and dedication. There’s a lot of talented people doing what I wanna do, but with sets me apart from them, and what sets me apart as a creative, is my grit and determination for my passion, in what I’m trying to achieve. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work and it’s a proven fact. Mentailty is the most important factor, in the industry that I’m in and as an entrepreneur, you’re gonna be told no, you’re gonna be looked at differently, it’s gonna be a lonely road when you’re walking down this path of that’s unconventional to the normal man, to the crowd, to the sheep. Read more>>

Erica Sumpter

We started to build out our business in 2018 prior to COVID19. Our timeline was perfect, our funding was coming together, and our business plan was nearing completion. We secured a lender, a location, and officially become a registered business in 2019. All of our hard work and planning was about to become reality for us. Construction was to begin in 2020, but then the world stopped. Construction was stopped for the entire county in which we lived in. Read more>>

Tomeeca Bonilla

I think everyone’s idea of success is different. In my case it’s not always about the money. I have picked photography as a career because it’s brings me joy to see every client happy with the memories we have created. You never give up on your passion. Always have your camera ready at anytime and place. Never turn down a opportunity to promote your business weather it is payed or not. Free advertising will go a long way. Read more>>

Ja’me Almonte

Success, a term that in 2022 will have so many branches of definition to it. Especially depending on who you ask. For me I believe success comes from the root of your core; A defining determination to achieve your dreams, goals and aspirations. The epitome of triumph. True success isn’t just money, it comes from an overwhelming sacrifice to reach a level of freedom, happiness, and lasting peace. Read more>>

Jen Felice

Marketing strategies play a very important role. You must stay up to date on the latest marketing channels and analyze the data. It is also important to be involved in your local community to meet new customers and foster collaboration. The location of your store plays a major role in your success. It must be in a prominent and highly visible area. Hiring the right people and ongoing training is important to maintain your brand image and also loyalty. It is also valuable to solicit customer feedback and review inventory reports regularly. Read more>>

Joey HT

From my experience, success comes from a place of determination & drive. Do you capitalize on opportunities? Do you give up when there are obstacles? How bad do you want it? Where do you want to be? Over the past few years of growing & developing my business, I’ve come to experience a plethora of challenges that push me to my limit but yet have been the deciding factor on either quitting or fighting till the end. Read more>>

Robbie Cox

I think it takes a willingness to work hard and not be afraid to try new things. A person needs to study whatever field they’re hoping to dig into. For us, right now, it’s not only ab out the craft of writing, but also marketing trends. And then a person needs to be ready to take that next step. We’ve done that by opening our own online bookstore for my pen names, which also includes book-ish merchandise. Don’t wait for success to find you. Go after it. Read more>>