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.

Devin J. Ricks

To me success is based on how you feel about yourself. Now in the beginning I didn’t think success was based on that. Of course we think about the wealth and financial freedom, which is an essential part of success, but the main ingredient is your perception of yourself. When you have great self-esteem, values, morals etc. those things will paint your reality and move you quicker to all of your heart’s desires. It’s like the foundation in a garden. Read more>>

Sierra Jeter

1. Don’t do what other people do. As an artist, you are likely creating something new that the world has never seen before. We are all unique, and I think it is very important to honor your uniqueness through your creativity and to celebrate it. For me, my creative ideas come from within. And when you look at the most successful artists in the world you can see how many of them have carved out their own lane creatively. When you see their work you automatically know who the artist is. And that wouldn’t be possible without the artist expressing and honoring their unique expression through their creativity. Read more>>

Kiara Tyler

Some might say that it takes resilience to be successful, get knocked down 9 times and get up 10. While that’s true, I think the most important element to being successful is the ability to recognize and analyze why you got knocked down in the first place and prevent that particular thing from happening again. Continuing to get up and possibly make the same mistakes is repetitive and there’s no growth in that. You’re truly successful when you can analyze your mistakes and use them as steps that you continue to climb. Its a lifelong journey and you should always be climbing! Read more>>

Jimmy Peterson

Successful is probably a different meaning for everyone, mostly probably relate money to success. I think being successful is to be happy and loving what you do everyday. Sadly a lot of people I fly with tell me “I’m doing it right, and if they could they’d go back and do what I’m doing”. When hearing something like that it makes me think of how I would be as a person if I had so many other jobs. Read more>>

Sally Kilpatrick

Being successful first requires your own personal definition of success. Take the publishing industry, for example. Very few authors go on to make crazy money. A more modest number find a way to make a living. So, should we writers use money as a barometer for success? I don’t think so. I know way too many authors who are very talented but haven’t made a great deal of money to believe that. Read more>>

Shannon Keil

It has been said that leaders are not born, they are made, yet it’s funny that since childhood I have always found myself in a position or circumstance that requires me to take charge and be willing to do or say the thing that makes an idea come into motion. Moments have always shown up where something inside of me pushes past the fear and trepidation of what could become, to drive me to get things done. Read more>>

Jason Frierson

I would say that being successful to me means that you are quick to learn and change with the times. I feel that most people (and companies) get stuck in what they are used to and fail to realize that while they are stuck to the normal routine, things are changing. Rather its how people work, shopping and even visiting stores and getting entertainment. Read more>>

Loretta Clarke

Success is a journey that is often paved with challenges and obstacles. As someone who wears both the hat of a nurse and a business owner, I’ve come to understand the true meaning of achieving greatness. It all begins with a passion that propels us forward. This passion becomes our guiding light, gives us purpose and inspires others. Read more>>

Jenifer Martinez

There’s this prevailing idea today that people are wasting away at the daily grind. I wholeheartedly disagree with this. Grinding out your daily experience points is valuable. Grinding is slow. It’s tedious. It takes years to shape and hone and develop skills. Weaving chainmaille is a prime example of this. My job consists of assembling thousands upon thousands of jump rings to create strands of handmade chain. While the end product may vary, the process of linking one ring after another never changes. Read more>>

Shyle Lyons

I think the measure of success is very different and personal for each individual. It may mean fame, fortune, positive feedback, recognition, notoriety or something totally different. For me, with Merchants and Makers, success is creating a community of support, fun and encouragement for local makers and shoppers. Supporting other small businesses by providing them a place to sell their product – whether that is a product they crafted/created, a shop they curated, or a truck they have poured their dreams into to serve delicious food and drinks out of – and finding shoppers to come and enjoy shopping as part of an event. Read more>>

Shir Baron

There are so many paths and methods to success. My own path isn’t the only way, but it’s the only one I am able to share about. For me, success came from just giving it a shot. I never thought I would study abroad, but when I learned about the amazing schools outside of my country, I decided to apply even though I thought I wouldn’t get in. I didn’t know how I would pay for school, so I sent out emails to so many different organizations and people seeking a solution, until some very special people that recognized my potential decided to help me financially. Read more>>

Jamika Jackson

Consistency, focus, dedication, and having the drive to keep going. Success isn’t just about having money, or making money. True enough, it’s nice to know its there. Success is all about the longevity of your product, the memory and impact it would have on others. The dedication you put in it. Being innovative and authentic. Read more>>

Nikeisha Jakes

To be successful takes grit, hard-work, and accountability. It takes failure but realizing that that failure or mistake was only a lesson or stepping stone along your journey. It takes doing the work when your feelings tell you otherwise. It takes accountability owning up to you short comings and implementing new systems and processes to prevent future errors. Read more>>

Sergio Lopez

In order to be successful in your daily life as well as in starting your business, you first need to believe in yourself, that is the fundamental key but not the only one, there are many other factors that will make you a better version. The constant feedback of new methodologies and studies facilitates the entrance to the peak of success, Read more>>

Kortnee Beazley

Consistency. Running your own business requires you to show up day in and day out. For yourself, for your team, for your goals, for your clientele, etc. We are what we repeatedly do and consistent action creates consistent results. In my industry’s case- this means being consistent with your social media presence, the work you do on your clients, the relationships that you build with them by being available to answer their questions and make suggestions, being reliable and on time and building a trusting foundation with them as we are a big part of their important life events. Read more>>

Katie Elizabeth Cunningham

Consistency is key. You don’t just work when you feel like it. You have to have discipline, work when your having a bad day, put your emotions weather they are good or bad into your art. I am a believer of giving my clients who purchase Custom Fine Art a 110% satisfaction gurantee. This means I will work on the project until the client is 110% satisfied. Promote. Promote. Promote. Who cares if you may feel silly. Other people’s opinions of you don’t matter. Other people’s opinions do not pay your bills. Read more>>

Andres Bradway

a wonderful opportunity and I’m incredibly happy to be here! Success is often defined as achieving something from completing a specific task, goal, and/or path. Success is going to be different from person to person. Success for one person might be waking up in the morning and making it to school or work on time every day. Success for another person could leading a sector in positive gains for the quarter. Read more>>

Rachel Spiro-Moore

To be successful, I feel you need consistency and obsession! My obsession, I mean waking up every single day with the decision to grind no matter what. I remember when starting my business, there were weeks without a single sale or contact. I could have given up after just a few months of only marketing and no sales, but consistency and never giving up has created the success I have today! Read more>>

Christian Hughes

There are many viewpoints in order to be successful. Some people are born into success and most people have to work towards success. Success often times unfortunately means failure, getting back up from a failed attempt whether it be school, a business or even a relationship and trying again and never giving up until you accomplish the goal that it is you want to pursue. Read more>>

Yumiko Sturdivant

I think the word successful is very broad and has different meanings for everyone. As a French citizen living in California and being in business for close to 7 years, my definition of success has changed dramatically. I thought success was having a big company, a beautiful office, a large staff in the company, working 7/7, helping others, and making great money. This was related to the illusion of The American Dream, like most foreigners in this country, that’s what we usually go after. Read more>>

Kadejsha Riddles

To be successful is honestly determined by your definition of what success truly is. Over the years and with life experiences my idea of success has changed quite a bit. Yes I still believe being financially stable is apart of it but honestly.. true wealth for me is peace in every aspect of life as well as elevation. Read more>>

Carleigh Lienemann

I think what it takes to be successful is determination and a strong will to follow your dreams. In order to be successful, you have to be okay with failure. Without failure, you’d never discover new ways to grow your talent. Read more>>

Deborah Peoples

Hi! I’m Deborah peoples owner of Dearley Organics, I think to be successful it take patience it takes you wanting to succeed as bad as you want to breath . A lot of times we as people want to be successful but don’t take the steps to be successful and this is also for myself, I screamed how I wanted to be successful in business but found myself getting so lazy and unmotivated because I wasn’t selling the way I wanted to or thought I should . Read more>>

Cori Grenier

For many, success means reaching a goal, accomplishing a task, or otherwise achieving what one sets out to do. Success is when the outcome you dreamt about and worked so hard for becomes a reality. I often think success comes after many failed attempts. For me, success takes time, hard work, some failures along the way, determination, and perseverance. Our modern world of TV and Social Media often gives a false narrative to our true perspective on reality and the definition of success. Read more>>

Khaalida Holt

Becoming successful is a choice, it has absolutely nothing to do with talent! Talent may make things a little easier but discipline is what will allow you to complete the task. Success takes grit and tenacity; patience and perseverance and ultimately commitment. It is the decision to commit to the conscious development of a unique or realistic set of principles that will keep you grounded and disciplined along your journey. Read more>>