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.

Lauren Wade

To be successful in any industry—especially a creative one like photography and directing—you first have to define what success actually means to you. For some people, it’s about money, and that’s valid. But if financial gain is your only metric, the arts can be a tough gamble. I had to redefine success for myself early on, and that meant identifying not just the kinds of jobs I wanted, but what I valued in the work itself: creative fulfillment, new connections, visibility, and momentum. Some of my most rewarding projects didn’t pay the most, but they opened the right doors. Being adaptable has been essential. Read more>>

Marty O’Dea

The first step to finding success is understanding your purpose. Put simply, to become truly successful, you need to know why you’re here—and walk in that purpose.

Every one of us is given a purpose in this life. It may shift in different seasons, but it’s always there, waiting to be lived out.

The second part of this idea is giving yourself permission to discover that purpose. Most of us don’t have it figured out at five years old. Sure, there are rare cases—a kid who dreams of being a surgeon and goes on to become one. But for the rest of us, it takes time. We have to allow ourselves to explore, to stumble, to grow into the calling that’s been placed on us. Read more>>

Jason Slajchert

When we launched Big Prana, our family-run microgreens business, we knew we weren’t inventing anything new. Omaha has seen many try to grow and sell microgreens commercially—but most of them burned out within 2 or 3 years. We had a different plan: build a business that would still be standing after 5. Read more>>

Ava Mroz

What it takes to be successful is a positive mindset and a passion for what you do. Doing what you love serves your higher self and allows you to help others in return. For co-owners Ava and Andrea at Turn A New Leaf, success is creating. We create new plants from various propagation methods. We create education programs. We creator custom hand-painted planters that you cannot find anywhere else. We create party and other event favors. And most importantly, we create happiness for our customers through serving our higher purpose with Turn A New Leaf. Read more>>

Phylicia Renaye

First and foremost It takes God, trusting in Him when it seems as if nothing is working out for you. You need tenacity and Grit to dig down deep and keep going even when it seems like everything is against you. Starting out,I had a pre conceived notion that family and friends would help and support me in my business. This is not true at all. I had a handful of friends and family who supported me, (they know who they are). I learned to trust God and he would open the doors, send the consumers and make ways out of no way. Read more>>

MacKenzie Galloway

To be successful takes drive, discipline, and rest. Every night I sleep by 10 pm so that I can wake up at 5 am and have a morning to myself before I officially start my day. My morning consists of meditating, reading, writing, working out, and setting intentions. I also make breakfast and sometimes dance and do deep cleaning. This allows me to have a clear mind and have time for myself before I dive into the hustle and bustle of the day. Read more>>

Garrett Rawlings

Truthfully, I think it all depends on what you personally view as success. I believe it takes fully trusting and leaning into the process while understanding that things take time. Although I’ve had a great start to my career—one that most would say happened very quickly—I understand that it’s the consistency, often unseen by others, that has gotten me here and will take me where I’m headed. Read more>>