When we go on short trips we often know exactly what we expect at the end, but when it comes to our lives and careers we’ve seen far too often we shy away from really thinking through where we expect to be at the end and what we hope our legacy will be. So, we wanted to encourage conversations on the topic of legacy and you’ll find highlights from our conversation from some wonderful members of the business and creative community below.

Cochrane Williams

I hope to leave a legacy of continuous improvement and engagement for whatever the creative craft is. This is one of the things I focus on in raising my Daughter. My goal is for her to understand her creative mind and it’s limits so she can surpass them. Read more>>

Ruby Beauregard

I hope the Legacy I leave behind has all of my amazing beautiful traits I’ve served over the years of me being in business. I’ve spent so much time dedicating myself to my craft, community, friends & family. My Family and I are apart of the Lukumi Tribe and we strive to make sure we keep up family traditions, values & spread the love! I love to help those who strive for a better version of them selves while healing throughout everyday battles. We love to build up the love & help people be successful on their paths. Read more>>

Cece Buonya

I hope my legacy will be that I was a loving mother, dedicated to passionately helping and uplifting others, an inspiring creative, and a culture carrier, especially for the Montagnard community. Read more>>

Ashley Nicks

My daughter, Zoei has goals of becoming a professional baker and business owner like Mom. We’re always watching cake decorating videos on YouTube, and baking together. We’ve also talked about what our bakeries will be like. She’s dreaming of an interactive pastry shop in New York, whereas I’m looking to contribute to the Southern hospitality in Georgia. I hope my legacy will be an example of traditions, family love, uncompromising integrity, quality products, and top tier service. Read more>>

Kristi Oliver

As a brand strategist, I have spent many years researching, consuming, and sharing as much information on branding as possible. But I quickly discovered that God is THE ULTIMATE master strategist, and His brand remains unmatched. In fact, God stamped his name upon the heads of the 144,000 in the book of Revelation to show others that they are of his brand! Read more>>

Laurie and Sarah

We hope to create a ripple effect in the world for an evolution that transforms the way we connect with our creativity, our voice, our intuition, to nature, to ourselves, and to others. Our intention through our sessions is to guide people to trust their creative impulse and intuition on a daily basis. As we all learn to embrace the seasons and cycles within, we move more easily through transitions big and small. As each person moves and releases energy to create more alignment in their life… we hope that it will open a greater space for the world to live more harmoniously. Read more>>

Melanie Guzman

I hope that my legacy will inspire others to achieve anything they put their minds to. The core essence of my business is to motivate others to be their authentic selves throughout all aspects of their lives. Everyone was created to make a difference in this world, and I want to enlighten that spark in every person that comes across my path. I truly believe that as long as you have the drive and perseverance to achieve a goal, the sky is the limit. Read more>>

Asia Nelson

I hope to inspire and motivate women all over the world to chase their dreams and to follow their passions. Read more>>

Sarah Miller

The word “legacy” is such a big deal.Legacy may have a few different meanings. Such as the amount of money someone leaves you, a house, or property. When I think of legacy, I don’t always think of the financial or physical aspects that someone leaves behind. I think of the impact, influence, and stories left behind. (And yes, sometimes the financial or physical things. I can be very sentimental about physical items passed down to me.) Read more>>

peter Jericho (stage name)

i am a First generation African American who has lived both on the continent of African and North America. Choosing to be a Musical artist isnt a very popular career choice within my culture. but i believe it is just as important as any other path when it comes to pushing the culture forward, connecting people and being informative about our similarities and differences. the things that help us all appreciate each other. i want my legacy to show that i am indeed one of those who chose to use my talents to bridge gaps. brought people together from several different cultures to speak the same language. which is love through song. Read more>>

Liliana Villasenor

I hope to one day own a brick-and-mortar business. To have a physical location to provide my desserts to everyone. I love the idea of customers sipping coffee and enjoying a fruit tart or a slice of cake. A place where friends and families can gather and enjoy delicious treats. Read more>>

Walter Lovett

I hope that the legacy of this comic book series is that people will come to learn of the goodness and sovereignty of God. I write this series so that people can read and grasp the vast power of God and so that they know that they can experience this power through a relationship with him. Read more>>

Bemsi Wallang

I hope that when people think of me and the life I lived, they’ll think of someone who sought the Lord. Someone who fought, not merely for success but for life. Someone who endured and happily met the prize of her enduring in Christ. I hope that a thread would be seen, running through my life a story embedded and nestled in a larger story of the Creator’s design. I hope that a thought of me would lead to hopefulness. Read more>>

EDWINA MCKENNON

As a black woman in business, my ultimate goal is to leave behind a legacy of breaking glass ceilings and paving the way for future generations of women in leadership. I am an advocate for women in the workforce and believe in the importance of equal opportunities and representation at all levels. I understand that, too often, women and people of colour are not given a seat at the table, and I am determined to change that. Read more>>

Chantal Brown

I hope the Legacy that The League of Step (LOS) leaves includes self awareness, exposure to new and creative ways to live life, fun, growth and love. LOS is more than just step; we use step as the tool to expose our children to a world bigger than their hometown, to possibilities outside of their everyday. We show them how to work through difficult or challenging circumstances. Through mentorship we show and encourage them to be the very best they can and want to be. Read more>>

Yahya Sardari

Kookoo was a dream in the making for many, many years. Kookoo represents my Persian heritage by sharing my food and culture with customers. I have a goal to make Persian food known throughout the US and beyond. For me there were many matriarchs in my family that taught me how to cook and prepare Persian meals and this restaurant honors our traditions. I cannot wait to share these special meals and moments with my community in Washington, DC. Read more>>

Dr. Chanel Beebe

Inclusive design and consulting for social endeavors and social issues Read more>>

Matt Vanderpool

I hope our legacy is that I brought quality products at a great value to the community of SE Topeka. Read more>>

Sydney Jordan

I’m hoping my legacy will be; quality tea made with care and intention with fast and consistent service. Read more>>

Melissa Perez

Your mind definitely has to be set up as strong as ever. You must be willing to work hard and keep going forward NO MATTER WHAT! You will have to jump over obstacles, jump over bridges, probably do some front flips and back flips while you’re at it… as long as YOU KEEP GOING, that’s all that matters. You must learn to normalize bad days & good days. It takes many mistakes and many failures, but as long as you learn to pick yourself up again and learn from your mistakes, you will be successful at everything in life. Stay loyal to your business, believe in it and most importantly BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. Invest your time in your goals and see how fortunate you’ll become. Read more>>

Ashley Kurkiewicz

I think ambition and drive are two important qualities a person must have to be successful. The road to success is not a straight path, and it rarely stays the course when you think you have finally gotten it straight. The ability to overcome obstacles and find solutions where it seems there are none will keep you in business for the long run. Finding a work/life balance so you don’t burn out and creating a team who shares your passion will also help to sustain a small business owner. The work is endless, sometimes daunting, but always eye-opening and fulfilling. Read more>>

Justin Perkins

Being successful comes in many different forms. You have to work to be successful you can’t just sleep and think you will wake up and boom you made it no big dawg it doesn’t work like that. You gotta put in the work, time, dedication, and consistency. Especially those last two without being Dedicated to something what’s your purpose for doing it? If you’re not consistent how will you excel at it? I don’t get why some people think you can have one without the other you need both. Read more>>

Alex Oren

Success looks different for everyone. I think a major key I practice and see other successful people practice is the ability to make the best out of any situation. In life things will happen to you in and out of your control. If you sit and make the proper decisions, and always strive to make things better in small or big steps theres no way you can lose. Read more>>

Madison Diehl

To be successful means being consistent, and to have faith in yourself and what you can do. You also have to learn from your own mistakes and failures to grow as an individual and business owner. Giving up is one of the most common things that happen when someone is taking on entrepreneurship because the trials and tribulations, the stress and doubt. It takes a lot of effort, self evaluation, dedication and hard work to try and be the best version of yourself so your business will prosper and be successful! Read more>>

Tamaiya Logan

I believe in order to be successful it takes a lot of faith & discipline. Being willing to learn in order to grow and reach the next level. There will be times you’ll have to sacrifice. Once you’ve set the goal and established the vision, it’s time to get to work. Believing that it will all come together. Even when it gets tough, you can’t give up. You must keep pushing. It’s all worth it in the end. Read more>>

Seth Talkington

To be successful in any career choice you should first have the right attitude. The “work” part isn’t as much work as you’d think, but more so of a process to be learned in achieving the “happiness” that we seek within our careers. Whether it be financial or cliental mistakes be sure to forgive yourself but also learn to avoid repeating those same mistakes. You should always be willing to try something new (as long as it doesn’t intrude on your morals). Believe in what you’re doing so that you may make the right investments in yourself, if you don’t it won’t work out. Read more>>

Eddie Forbis

In my opinion, you have to be invested in your craft to become successful in what you do. You can’t count the hours, the number of days you worked in row, how many times you were the last one to leave at night and the first one to come in the morning. You have to sacrifice that time in order to get better and to master what you are thriving to become. Read more>>

Katelyn Parker

This question has been a challenge for me throughout the years, because the answer is ever evolving. Wedding planners wear many hats, and really have to think for themselves. Some of us don’t have a boss, which I am not used to, but I am used to wearing many hats. But thinking for myself, especially in a business and logistical sense, really only started when Champagne Wishes was born. Champagne Wishes began in December of 2020. I started it with my best friend (who is no longer in the picture of Champagne Wishes, but very much in mine). Read more>>

Jake Shick

When I made the decision to start my videography company, I was expecting to have tremendous success within the first few months, however, it took six months before I would receive my first client. I did everything from making phone calls, dropping off business cards at store-fronts, and buying Facebook Ads to get the exposure I needed. However, nothing I did garnered the results I was hoping for. I was discouraged at the beginning from time to time because of the slow pace it took to increase my clientele base. Read more>>

Nazhae Lockwood

To be successful you have to accept the fact that you’re going to take losses to get to the wins. Putting in the work that others try to avoid throughout the process. Hard work, determination, consistency, and discipline. To be successful you have to understand that failure plays a role, but as long as you’re willing to keep pushing, it’ll all pay off. Read more>>

Brian Williams

I believe that what success is varies from person to person, but that what it takes to be successful is constant. I do believe that you need to know what success means to you. Knowing why you want to succeed will give you the motivation to keep striving for your goals when others would give up. Read more>>

Misean Kirton

One word: ‘consistency’. In anything that you do, it will take a high level of consistency to achieve great success. For instance, if you do something which brings you success one day, continue doing that. Read more>>

Shalanda Martin

Success is a personable measurement. I would like to see my craft evolve, be published, and be shared worldwide. I’ve seen how corporations can invest in their brand firsthand. I started Elevation In Design to elevate creative assets for everyday people and entrepreneurs. Scaling isn’t a core target, just evolving. I succeed when I’m growing creatively, and the people I touch are also. Read more>>

Naura Mosely

To become successful, it takes dedication, planning, organization, self investment, vision, criticism, sacrifices, and most importantly prayer to God. Some people think becoming “successful” or “rich” happens within a blink of an eye or a snap of the finger, but it does not. Becoming successful requires a lot of focus. If you are really thriving & aiming to get your business to its prime, you will have long restless nights, headaches, disappointments, downfalls, slow bookings, and so much more. Read more>>

Kristin Murphy

In my mind success comes from hard work and a lot of it. It’s about making sacrifices and working longer than you ever thought you would, but enjoying it along the way. Because if you don’t enjoy what you do, then what’s the point? To me my job does not feel like work (until it’s paperwork time) which makes it enjoyable and something I look forward to everyday, which is also a type of success -being happy in what you are doing. Read more>>

Kandy Mckain

Success is, quite simply, the accomplishment of a predetermined goal. We consciously or subconsciously set for ourselves. For every person it is different. what i think it takes to be successful is discipline & commitment, I’ve had so many times as an entrepreneur I constantly wanted to give up but I was committed to my goals to be successful in my business; Read more>>

Chris Strother

I suppose that all depends on how you define the word success. For a very long time we have lived in a world where success has been determined by how much money you have in your account, how big your house is, what kind of car you drive etc…But I believe the world is changing as well as how people view what success is. Read more>>

Jamie Vandewinkle

To be successful requires an incredible amount of self belief. An amount I wasn’t fully prepared for the first time I started photography, which was [almost] 6 years ago now. I set out with my camera hoping success would just sort of appear. And when it didnt, I was hyper critical of myself, told the same “I’m not good enough” stories I always have and my work reflected this attitude. Nothing felt or looked inspired and as a result I could never quite hit the mark. Read more>>

Yazmin Mendoza

I think that to be successful it takes a lot of courage to change your behaviors and believe that you are capable of everything you dream of, but to achieve it, you must put in the sweat and hard work, and sometimes you will find that courage when you least expect it. Read more>>

Kyran M. John

I always tell others, “motivation means nothing without discipline”, You can be as motivated as you want by watching youtube videos, reading books, buying courses, and watching lectures. Still, if you do not have the discipline to get up and apply what you’ve learned, you will not succeed. Read more>>

Linsey Huffaker

So many things! I have learned that you get out of this business what you put in. When I give my time and attention to marketing, growing my social media presence, and actively seeking out clients, I book brides like crazy! Otherwise, when I let my business take the back seat, it shows. I have less traction overall which means less bookings. I also learned early on that investing in yourself through mentorships is 100% worth it! Every year I hire another photographer I admire to work with me 1-on-1 in an area I’d like to improve. It’s life-changing. Read more>>

Shinika McKiever

I think that success comes with understanding and aligning in your purpose. When you know your purpose and live life with intention then everything else falls into place. I believe that we each have gifts and talents that are unique to us as individuals, but you have to cultivate them. Your gifts align with your purpose. Our purpose directs our paths and allows us to do what we are good at while also making a difference for others. Read more>>

Rayona Jeffries

it takes humility, tenacity, and courage. you must force yourself out of your comfort zone, persuade yourself to network and encourage yourself to do things you don’t feel like doing, success is all about growth. most people measure it by status, money, and connections. However, you can have all of those things and still be stagnant. Success is about looking back and seeing how far you’ve come, who poured into you along the way and who you’ve poured into. if you can teach someone about wins and losses than you’ve succeeded at something or you wouldn’t be able to talk about it. Read more>>

Rachel Brown

To be successful, I think it takes a few things starting with a bit of creativity. First in the development of a vision of what success looks like. There is a saying I love which is, if you can see it in your mind, you can shape it in your life. Read more>>

4Deep

Success can be described in many ways, financial amongst the more common. Our idea of success includes doing what you love for a living & providing for our families & community. This goal requires us to be self aware & humble. Success takes consistency, good product, follow ups with peers in your industry, & dedication to doing your best. Growth is not linear so, it takes persistence, belief in yourself, and taking risks. When Preparation meets Oppurtunity, Success is born. Read more>>

Elle De Freitas

I think it takes a ton of grit, support, confidence, risk, empathy, self awareness and decisiveness. Read more>>

Lorena Pages

Consistency and a willingnes to keep learning and improving. Read more>>

Kameron Reed

I think it takes having a clear vision of what you want. Along with commitment discipline & accountability to have a successful business. Being flexible with changes as well. Read more>>

Nickie Johnson

To be successful it takes dedication, determination, focus, collaboration, and patience Read more>>

Sophia Styles

To keep this simple: discipline, consistency, taking calculated risks. If you master these, there is just no way to fail. In line with this, you should allow yourself room to fail (it is going to suck) because it is when you fail that you are able to learn from past mistakes. I don’t think there is anyone who has never failed at anything. I think it is important to not look at failures as final. Instead, we should look at it as a means to where we can hone in on our craft and improve. Read more>>

Glenn Murray

There is a quote from the late, great Pele that goes: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all love for what you are doing.” I think that sums it up. There’s no magic bullet to success it takes equal abouts of sweat, focus, sacrifice and think skin. Read more>>

Jelena ‘Jemi’ Miladinovic

For me personally, I think to be successful it takes dedication, confidence and focus on the work; but also enjoying and having fun with everything. Most of the work I did, I didn’t feel like doing an actual work, but just simply living life. This especially relates to the period of time when I was an athlete and when I used to go to rowing practices 10 times a week. Read more>>

De’Marcus Flowers

I think you must stay consistent in order to become successful. Don’t worry what everybody thinks of you. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Read more>>