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.

Dominique Fortson

To be successful in today’s society, I believe several key elements are crucial. Firstly, a strong sense of self-belief and confidence is essential. As a business coach for women entrepreneurs, I have witnessed countless instances where self-doubt held individuals back from realizing their full potential. Developing a mindset of resilience and embracing failure as a learning opportunity is also crucial. Read more>>

Rebecca Brie

To be successful, you have to be resilient. Setbacks and obstacles are a part of the game but, you can’t let them break you. I have had so many moments when I wanted to give up, but you have to be committed. It’s essentially signing a non-negotiable contract with yourself that you are going to finish whatever it is that you have set out to do. I look at people whose careers I admire for tips on how to navigate and become a successful person. Read more>>

April Lockett

I think it takes a lot of faith and patience. I think what we don’t understand is things don’t happen overnight. In my own life I had to realize that we all have a process, and mine may not look like yours. We have to go through the training of being developed and the mindset it takes to be successful. Success for many may look like, money, cars, clothing, and other material things. For me success looks like a better way of life and being able to take care of the people I love. Read more>>

Amada Martinez

Hard work and passion. No matter where you come from or your current situation, you can accomplish great things. As long as you believe in yourself and push yourself every day, sooner or later you will see results. Patience is key. Not all days will be great. Fight through the bad ones and enjoy the good ones. It is a journey, but its not impossible. Personally, life has been rough. Even though life can throw you down, how you get up says a lot about you. Read more>>

Lauryn Williams

In order to be successful you must be persistent and patient. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination. Timing is also a key factor along with the willingness and ability to network with others. When I first started Daddy Daughter Decor, I was very impatient because we weren’t getting orders like I thought we should. I had to learn how to be patient and trust the process. After I developed a better mindset, things began to fall into place and we moved to a different level and the business became more successful. Read more>>

Terrence Teel

To be successful as a business owner, it takes a combination of vision, innovation, adaptability, resilience, effective leadership, strategic planning, strong communication, continuous learning, and a customer-centric approach. Believe it or not, it starts with your inner circle, support and looking beyond the immediate. Read more>>

Maribeth Graham

In my opinion, success requires a combination of factors. First and foremost, having a clear vision of what you want to achieve is crucial. Set specific goals that align with your passions and values. This clarity will serve as your guiding star. Read more>>

Tobi Ojo

Consistency is KEY. A lot of people believe that once they start their business it will suddenly bloom, but this doesn’t happen for everyone. Through the ups and downs it’s vital to keep going no matter what. There will be days we’re you have 0 clients and make no money but you still have to post content. Read more>>

Tia Williams

It takes persistence, commitment, and a positive attitude to be successful. I have experienced many difficulties throughout my journey, but it has all been worth it. After graduating high school, I moved to Cincinnati to attend college. Being in a new town was a struggle for me financially and socially. I really struggled to make a way for myself. Despite the challenges I was able to complete my bachelor’s program in four years. Read more>>

Chrystal Norwood

It takes consistency to be successful. In every aspect of your life, it takes discipline to want to stay on the path especially during hardships. When hardships arrive such as deaths of those close to us, health problems that may arrive unexpectedly, etcetera; we have to be willing to keep going whether that looks likes writing down ideas, networking with others within the industry or other industries. Read more>>

Samayah Islam

What I think it takes to be successful is to always stay true to yourself, stand on your values, never compare yourself to others just because they might be in the same field as you and my biggest piece of advice is stay humble and faithful. Read more>>

Sada Whitaker

It takes commitment and positivity! I opened our academy doors during the COVID pandemic; I stayed committed to my vision! I had to stay positive if I wanted the academy be successful. Read more>>

Mallory Wheeler

The answer to this question determines whether or not you’ll be successful. Are you willing to pay the price? Whatever you want to achieve has a price. If you want to be successful, you must invest the time and energy it will take to achieve your goals. Tuck and I worked full time jobs, raised two kids and built our retreat with our own two hands. Seven days a week, long hours, no days off for 14 months straight. We gave everything we had to build The Getaway Ranch. Read more>>

Kaylee Drake

Environment is everything. Show up and maintain a positive attitude even in the bad times- my mentor, (Joey Kline) the barber who taught me everything, would say, “it’s all apart of it..” We will see the slowest of times and the busiest of times but maintaining a positive attitude either way will reflect on the environment around you, influence your co-workers and your clientele! Having a positive and uplifting work place will create the want to work, for you and with you. Read more>>

E. J. Josephson

I have worked for over 50 years in everything from mom and pop shops to the Fortune 500. The common theme I have observed in successful businesses, big and small, is customer service. It doesn’t matter if you are selling a product or providing a service, if you have no customers you have no business. Read more>>

Jessie Schultz

I think success means something different to everyone. But to me being successful is something I feel after each job I capture and deliver. Did I capture the moments unfolding and am I telling the story as it happened? I want to feel the moments in each photo. The joy, the laughter, happy tears rolling down your face. Being a photographer and capturing every little moment and detail so our clients can re-live their day through their photos forever. Read more>>

Jane Delury

Being an author requires perseverance and dedication to the practice of writing. Save the benighted few, every author will experience regular rejection, whether for a book manuscript, a prize, a newspaper review–the list goes on and the stings keep smarting. I have been writing short stories and novels for decades and the only thing that keeps me going through the ups and downs of publishing is the writing itself. Read more>>

Semone Phillips

Consistency and dedication! Sometimes it can be challenging to keep the train rolling and also having time to maintain your everyday life. You know, when you get the idea to start a business you know things will take time but no one tells you that it’s really a challenge running a business but it’s so worth it! You are going to have your high and low moments, your going to want to give up but the push through is priceless! Read more>>

Coby Rich

To be successful it takes unrelenting focus and commitment. You have to fall in love with the work, not the result. Read more>>

Sheniqua Caldwell

When I think of what matters the most, I think the key to success is finding your passion, investing in yourself, and having a perspective of always learning how to be better at your craft. Consistency has been a major factor in my success. Read more>>

Dana LeBlanc

Every person and business defines success differently. Read more>>

Jamaal Lewis

You have to be willing to go the extra mile everyday no matter how you feel or what circumstances you’re facing. Read more>>

Asaf Arevalo

In order to be successful you have to be persistent and consistent with your plans in order to achieve your goal. Read more>>

Kween PrezSure

Discipline; Determination and dedication are the Triple D’s ….. the most important needed to drive any business into success Read more>>

Susanna Maestas

Personal connections. Strong work ethic. Ideal location. Strong social media presence. Unique and innovative menu and cocktails. Read more>>

Nicole Labonte

I believe that doing what you love and what sets your soul on fire makes you successful! Read more>>

Kurt Henry

It takes hard work dedication and a great team Read more>>

Pamela Nelson

Success is multifaceted. The characteristics that I believe it takes to be successful are: 1. Truth 2. Perseverance 3. Faith 4. Self-awareness 5. Patience Read more>>

Shari Fields

To be successful, you must have the right mindset, persevere no matter what, remain resilient, maintain your integrity and always remain humble. Read more>>

Nadia Fakih

Commitment, focus, ambition. Fail forward, learn from every mistake you make. Read more>>

Jally Gross

Hard work Consistency Perseverance Believing in yourself Invest wisely Read more>>

Dineshkumar Jayapal

To keep yourself busy and come up with new products every other month. Read more>>

Stevi Brown

There are three keys to success: failure, perseverance, and hard. work. Without the experience of failure, it’s almost impossible to truly enjoy the fruits of success. When I first started my business in 2015, I really didn’t know what I was doing and to be honest, I was pretty naive. I thought that I could make some business cards, and website, and then boom! Read more>>