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.
Angela Andreyev
In my field of work, it’s takes skill and heart to be successful. Being a hairdresser, women sit in my chair, trusting me with something pretty important to them. There are many hair dressers out there that do great work. I pride myself in not only my work, but also how much I truly care. My goal is to have each client leave my chair looking and feeling their best. When you do that, word of mouth is the best tool. We share what with others experiences that we love. That’s what it takes to be successful as a hairdresser. Read more>>
Michelle Nayebkhil
To me, success in a business, especially one like Maui Matcha, involves a combination of factors. Firstly, it’s crucial to celebrate even the smallest successes along the way. These victories may seem minor, but collectively, they build the foundation for long-term success. I’ve always believed that acknowledging and appreciating the milestones, no matter how small, creates a positive and motivated work environment. Read more>>
Marlina DJ Mina Marie
…And this is loaded… because it takes Courage in more ways than one, to be successful. In my case, it took courage for me to be and stay true to myself and who I am. I am a woman, working in a male dominated industry, and that in and of itself takes courage. When it comes to staying true to myself, that means I have to keep moving forward no matter what. There are many that don’t take a female DJ “serious”, and I had to let that notion roll off my back and not let it get to me. Staying tru to myself also meant staying true to MY craft… meaning, my style of DJing, the songs I choose to play, my aesthetic and my personality. I had decided early on in the game that I would not conform to anything that I either am not comfortable with, or that I see everyone else doing. For example, there are some songs that I as a woman would never listen to because I feel it’s degrading. Those specific tracks are not played in my sets. I take a chance with that choice because I know they are songs that please the crowd, and sometimes, I do not make some folks happy. But, because it does not sit well with my spirit, I choose to stay true to my truth and how I feel about it. And THAT takes courage. I’m humbly grateful at the fact, that no matter what, I continue to grow in my business and I am always connected to the right people and the right gigs always come my way. That is success in my book! Read more>>
Jennifer Baptiste
I think it takes courage, optimism, and a lot of perseverance to be successful.
I dove into entrepreneurship without any formal training and one sketch for my stationery brand. Everything started with an online shop and now I’ve branched into pop up booths at art markets, and store consignment at bookshops. Read more>>
Ellen Olis
To be successful it takes unwavering confidence that, in the end, you will achieve what you set out to accomplish. In careers and industries that continually consume your time, energy, and creativity, success is given to the individuals who can endure. I have met several creators in film who have worked for well over a decade trying to break through the noise and get recognized for their talent. Sonia Foltarz, a production designer that I work with regularly, just recently went to the Venice Film Festival for her work on The Featherweight. After several years of working on independent features, she was given this incredible recognition for her beautiful set design and incredible artistic style. By continuing to work hard and put her name out there as a production designer, she was able to achieve great artistic accolades. Staying through all of the ups and downs of filmmaking will allow for opportunities to come to fruition. If you abandon your goals at the lowest, you’ll never be able to reach them. But if you stick through until the next opportunity you can continue to grow into the place you wish to be. I truly believe that those who persist will reach the goals they set out to achieve. Read more>>
Dr. Alisa J. Henley
In order to be successful in business you must learn 2 things. 1 how to work more on your business vs working in your business and 2. you must learn how to sale transformation Read more>>
Guy Sandin
I don’t have any particular stories, but I can just tell you from my personal experience, if we choose to be, we can be a great many people. Read more>>
Susanna Blok
I think discipline is the most important part if you want to be successful, you can’t just rely on motivation. Read more>>
Amy Ashurst
I have a sign that hangs in my home. It says “Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work.”
I pass that sign every time I leave my home and its a daily reminder to me. Read more>>
DENNIS DUNBAR
Over the course of having my own business for 30 some years the most important lesson I have learned is never become complacent. This means always working to sharpen your skills, to grow, and to keep reaching out to find new clients. Especially for Creatives, it’s easy to feel comfortable with your current client list, especially if you have one or two who you rely on for the bulk of your business. Read more>>
Lauren Warmke
Success is such a personal vision, it’s incredibly different for everyone. I created a place to have a job everyday, that’s a success. But as my business has grown success is beginning to look very different to me. I have a mentor who is doing millions in revenue, that’s not my goal, never has been. To me, this year at least, success will be going on vacation and not having to shut down my shop. Read more>>
Jorge De Los Rios
For a period of my life, I attributed success to money, and for that reason, other areas of my life suffered. I was not completely fulfilled because I was so obsessed with being ‘successful’ that it was starting to consume me. Looking back, I don’t think it was because I was greedy; I simply confused what society was selling me as the ideal of success with my inner potential to live the life I wanted to live. I thought that, in order to do that, I needed to follow society’s formula of success. Read more>>
Donovan Friedman
From my life experiences, I have learned the two key ingredients to success are “Passion” & “Tenacity”. There are a lot of extremely intelligent people with great business ideas; however, I have observed most people are not motivated to actually execute them. I have come to understand these people were just not “passionate” enough about the idea. Without passion, you cannot have drive. Without drive, you cannot succeed. If you are very passionate about an idea, you already have an unfair advantage over others with the same idea. Your passion is what fuels your drive that greatly increases your chances of success. As an artist and entrepreneur, you are going to face a lot of challenges, a lot of setbacks and a lot of failures. I’ve come to learn its very few who don’t let these setbacks discourage them. They brush themselves off and get back on the horse. That’s “tenacity” and you cannot have tenacity without passion. But it takes a certain type of person who can take a lot of punches (and believe me, you are going to take a lot of hits) and keep moving forward. I think an artist and/or entrepreneur will almost always face a breaking point moment in their careers where 99% of people would quit and give up on their dreams. That’s “The Moment”. That’s “The Test”. Do you have it in your heart to be the 1% who drag themselves off the floor and keep fighting. Read more>>
DeMarco Wilkinson
I think It takes patience and consistency to reach a level of success. While many view success by the revenue, I view it a bit differently. I feel Consistency creates staying power and patience creates the ability to stay through tough times and adversity. The state of Covid taught us a lot of things and also gave us a blueprint of success without being comfortable. There was a time that the gyms and workout facilities were shut down. During that time, we’ve had to be creative with our meetings, works and personal contact. Meetings and workouts were often held online. Personal contact was kept to a minimum. To keep everyone safe, this was the norm. It’s often continued today. Read more>>
Juan Martinez
To be undeniable is the only thing it takes to be successful. When someone or something is undeniable is it without question. There is not hesitation, there is not question. I have been making music since I was 10 years old in Raleigh North Carolina. My personal story that would best illustrate my point is the 10 thousand hours I’ve put in to this. There is no teacher like time. There is no teacher like the past. My favorite thing to do is put my writing from when I was 16 years old to now. I am 22 years old still active. To box me in as a rapper would be counter productive to everything I do and stand for. I am a poet, a speaker, a lyricist. I’m even a better friend. Read more>>
Sormeh Attarzadeh
Success, for me, is a journey fueled by relentless determination and the courage to embrace risks. It’s about realizing that being a bit nervous about taking chances is normal, but it shouldn’t hold us back from the abundance of opportunities waiting for us beyond our comfort zone. Read more>>
Jorge Norgaard
Practice, discipline, failing, repeat. Failing is a crucial part of success, it is when you learn the most! For instance, when you’re creating a piece of art for the first time, you may have many versions or mess-ups along the way. You keep pushing yourself, practicing and growing, even if the end result isn’t as glorious as you pictured it in your head. Eventually, you’ll get there if you keep at it. Keeping an open mind as to what might evolve helps, when you’re not too attached to the outcome. Also knowing when to take breaks is just as important to avoid burn-out. To be a successful sculptor, whether digital or traditional, foundational skills like anatomy, perspective, design and composition, are very important. Aside from the art skills, it takes resilience to keep going in this industry. Creating a portfolio to get you an interview or a job can be a lot of work and being told “no” can be defeating, but you have to keep putting yourself out there. My social platforms and website serve as a portfolio, which largely display my clay and 3D sculptures. These sculptures show my foundati0nal skills and design sense. I started illustrating, then sculpting in clay, I then learned to sculpt digitally, and moved on to learning UV maps and topology so the characters could be passed on to animators in a production pipeline. My skills can be used in many different areas, but especially in the entertainment industry including film, games, advertisement, marketing and toys. Using multiple skill sets so you can diversify your job opportunities is your best bet. Also, I’ve made sculptures that I thought that would sell and didn’t but I keep on creating. My passion for creating is what drives me. Ultimately, sculpting in clay is my favorite. I think doing what you enjoy and pushing yourself to be better at it drives success. It also opens new doors for expansion and opportunity of your craft. Read more>>
Christian Tatum
Before you answer this question I think you must ponder it for a moment. What defines success? Truthfully the analysis of success is difficult to measure. Are you successful in your eyes? In the eyes of others? I think in my time, the most important thing is being confident in yourself that you have been successful. If you’ve gotten up and made your bed in the morning that is successful. In my shoes, I’ve been acting for a year and have had success landing roles with very little on camera experience prior to my beginning. No matter what anyone tells you, when that camera cuts on for the first time there’s very little to prepare you for it. So for me just being able to audition competently was a success! When you’re on set for the very first time, and everyone is speaking foreign to your ear, just keep in mind eventually you will be one of those people speaking the jibberish that you once couldn’t cognitively comprehend. The success only stops, if you do. Read more>>
Brook Harless
Success is a multifaceted journey that often involves a combination of personal attributes, mindset, and actions. While the path to success varies for each individual, certain key principles tend to contribute universally. Success is rarely a linear progression. It involves facing setbacks, failures, and challenges. Resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity—and perseverance—the commitment to keep going despite difficulties—are integral to overcoming obstacles on the road to success. It is important to have a clear understanding of your goals and a vision for your future. Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals provides a roadmap for progress and helps maintain focus. Adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning are essential. In a rapidly changing world, staying curious, updating skills, and being open to new ideas enable individuals to navigate evolving landscapes and stay relevant in their fields. I also feel success is closely tied to how efficiently time is utilized. Prioritizing tasks, setting deadlines, and minimizing distractions contribute to productivity and goal attainment. Not to mention success often demands hard work, dedication, and a willingness to go the extra mile. Consistent effort over time, coupled with a strong work ethic, increases the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes. Building meaningful connections with others can open doors to opportunities, provide support, and create a collaborative environment. Networking and relationship-building skills are valuable assets on the path to success. The ability to adapt to change and navigate uncertainty is crucial. Success often involves being flexible, adjusting strategies when necessary, and embracing innovation. Successful individuals engage in self-reflection, assessing their progress, learning from experiences, and taking responsibility for their actions. This self-awareness fosters personal growth and resilience. Pursuing goals aligned with your passion and sense of purpose can provide the intrinsic motivation needed to overcome challenges. A genuine enthusiasm for what you are doing often fuels sustained effort. Success is more fulfilling when achieved with integrity and ethical conduct. Maintaining honesty, trustworthiness, and ethical standards contributes to long-term success and a positive reputation. Ultimately, success is a highly personal and subjective concept, and you may prioritize different aspects based on your values and aspirations. The combination of these elements, tailored to individual circumstances, often forms the foundation for a successful journey. Read more>>
DJ LastLaff
Finding success in any industry requires several things including perseverance, persistence, and progression. Many people have different ideas on what success actually is, but what it takes to accomplish it doesn’t usually vary much. A lot of people are out here with motion, but no actual progression. Perseverance comes in to play when realizing success does not happen overnight. It takes long nights, fighting through a lot of closed doors, and not giving up when it seems like it’s not happening as quickly as you would like for it to. Persistence is required because you have to keep going even when it seems like things aren’t going your way. Others might not see your vision, but you have to push hard enough for them to understand. It’s important to always remember it’s not about just being successful, but being significant. Your success could be the spark that lights the fire under someone else. Read more>>
Jared Givens
Three years ago, I bought a journal and some pens from the grocery store. I started journaling to work on my mental health. After a few months passed, I began tracking my goals in that journal. Eventually, I started writing my first self-help book “No Wasted Movement: Growing In Discomfort.” Since then I have published an additional self-help book and a horror novel. Read more>>
Cecilia Loya
I truly believe one needs to be resilient to changes and challenges in order to be successful. No matter what industry you are in, there will always be a challenge that comes when you least expect it. When that time comes, you can do one of two things – give up or force yourself to pivot. Nothing will always stay the same, and if they do, that means you are not growing. We go through these challenges because they force us to grow and learn from them. Read more>>
Frank Perez
I think grit and ambition is all it really takes to be successful. Not even a good idea is a requirement anymore nowadays. Successful to me means that I accomplished what I set out to achieve. A lot of people measure their success through the opinions of others, and thats where the problem is for many. Read more>>
Rita Tu
I think that sometimes, to succeed, we need to relax and keep calm when we are most tense. I remember the time when I worked on two big projects simultaneously. One is a children’s book project with the Dandelion children’s book house; the book tells the story of a little girl who went to Chengdu City for the Spring Festival. The other is an advertising project with Wells Fargo. This project asked me to create illustrations of five tigers. The client will print them on the calendar and display on the website to celebrate the Lunar New Year. These two projects are very different, but they are all related to Chinese New Year culture somehow. The deadline was approaching, and faced with such challenges, I felt nervous because difficulties arose in both projects. No matter how I tried to search the references and photos online, the drawings were unsatisfactory. The tigers looked rigid, and the drawing of Chengdu City looked unrelated. I felt hopeless and tried to make more drawings during the night. However, more time for working didn’t make my drawing look better, and I abandoned most of them. Until one day, I realized that the more nervous I was, the more I could not achieve the desired result. During that time, we were still quarantined because of the epidemic. It’s been a long time since I’ve traveled, and I have become numb. So, I decided to go to Chengdu for inspiration, even though it seemed unwise. Read more>>
Jonathan Harris
“Success” to me are good decisions done consistently. Consistency is the key thing anyone needs to reach a goal, especially the bigger goals. Anytime I start a business, project, or goal, my focus is always on staying there, not just arriving. When I lost 100 pounds, I wanted to be intentional about making sure that healthy living was for the rest of my life. When I wrote my first book, I wanted to make sure that ten years later, the book was still relevant. One of my earliest stories about the power of consistency came in the form of an important lesson that took me four years to learn. Could I convince you that each year I was never the #1 student in high school but I still finished top of my class? That’s right, every year another student had higher grades than I did. Whether I was number 2, 3, or somewhere in the top 10, I was never the number one student. Read more>>
Danny B
There are a few steps I believe it takes to ensure your success and none of them have to do with your skills or the amount of money you have. Read more>>
Keyala Marshall
I do think it takes having a clear goal with determination and consistency to be successful. Success isn’t a one size fit all. Everyone has their own path to take to achieve their idea of success. Read more>>
Rachael Harvey
While I think working hard and being determined are essential to success the most important thing is being able to pivot. As a business owner I pivot constantly in my day to day, moving from one task to something completely unrelated, dealing with interruptions, putting out fires. Your are constantly pivoting. But also being able to identify when something isn’t working and you need to pivot your strategy or method to try out something different has been incredibly valuable. Pivoting really means to me that I’m not afraid to try something and know that we can change course if needed. There are countless times I could have dug in my heels and said do it this way or no, that won’t work but allowing yourself and business to pivot means being open to new ideas and continuing to learn and grow. Read more>>
Chelsea Lancaster
The most important lesson I learned about success is that it isn’t linear. It is erratic, complex, and one single definition of it doesn’t fit every business. I count every little victory and every inch of progress as success. For example, when I started Sage & Co. last year, I went into it rather blindly with no real expectations. With each new customer, I found that while they sale felt amazing, the actual person behind the sale- getting to know them and even developing friendships with them, was true success. Read more>>
Heidi Peinthor
To find success, it’s like crafting your personal adventure story. What drives you—money, recognition, building connections, or mastering your role? It’s about being real with yourself, digging deep to discover what lights up your world. Passion is the secret sauce that turns your journey from a routine into a vibrant purpose. Read more>>
Alyssa Johnson
A clear vision for what it is you’re building and working towards (that excites and motivates you deeply), understanding your strengths so you can best focus your time and talent, and a strong team that believes in your vision as much as you do. Bringing on the right talent changes everything. Read more>>
Philomena Melton
I think the most important aspect of being successful in your business is to remain teachable ! I feel the most important part is to stay learning and improving my skills and expanding my knowledge base of the mediums and techniques I’m interested in. There is always room for growth , and for me that is the best part ! I feel I could ,and most likely will be creating art for the rest of my life, and I could still never learn it all . There are so many incredible resources, online and off, and we are wildly lucky to have them all at our disposal !!! I also believe that empowering others and building wonderful relationships with other business owners and people in the industry , can make all the difference! Having a group of people that are on your team and wish to see you succeed, who can be a source of support, makes the world of difference in growing your small business and getting your name out there ! Read more>>
Anna Clough
I believe success doesn’t require “natural talent.” It requires hard work, dedication, a clear vision, and daily pursuit of your purpose. Most successful business owners don’t have some crazy secret for their success. All had to go through the time and effort of acquiring and/or mastering the right skills. I wouldn’t say most of them are brilliant. They have more experience with building products or services that solve peoples’ problems. They have more “reps”, more messy action they’ve taken, and more connections. I also like to remind myself that success is subjective. We each get to define what success means for us. This is a great reminder to stay in your own lane and avoid unhealthy comparison. Make sure the success you’re after is meaningful to you with the right “why” behind it. If you want to be successful in business, it’s pretty simple (not easy). Solve peoples’ problems with heart and integrity. Share your mission everywhere you can and provide as much value as possible to help people. Read more>>
Abigail Hunter
There are three ingredients that I believe contribute towards one’s success: energy, courage and confidence. In Kundalini Yoga, we talk a lot about prana or chi- life force energy, as we experience more of it as a result of our practice. It takes a specific amount of chi to show up, meet the demands of your day, and to “move the ball” forward. It takes even more chi to hold and maintain your success when it comes. This is something that I teach my clients about and offer tools to self-generate enough chi through breath-work, meditation and mantra. Read more>>