We’ve been fortunate to connect with so many brilliant artists, business owners and leaders over the years and so we reached out to some of these talented folks to discuss what it takes to be successful.
Rose Mercado
Being successful and the definition of success are different for everyone. The major players and keys to success include authenticity, integrity, and relentlessness. It has taken me a lifetime to find the “sweet spot” where what I love and what I have to offer the world intersect with financial success. For me, that is a success, where what I love builds my wealth. As a creative, I relate to my clients (largely independent musicians) in that what we offer in terms of art has an almost arbitrary value to the world, but recognizing the value you have as an individual has the capability of creating a market for you and what you do. Read more>>
Angie Erway
First and foremost, in order to talk about what it takes to be successful, you have to decide what success looks like for you and your own business. Is it all based on the financial aspect of your business? Is it based on your clients happiness and likeliness to be a repeat client? Is it based on your own well being and ability to manage your work and home life balance? Or, is your success based on a culmination of all of these aspects working together? Read more>>
Cahly Trosen
To be successful in building a small business is hardwork, consistency, creating a lasting impression on your clients from the moment they walk in your door to the follow ups two weeks later, staying up to date on different/newest techniques, and to never stop learning in the industry you are in. Read more>>
Jessica Davila
Balloons, once for children, now embody luxury in celebrations from birthdays to weddings. Beyond inflation, they encapsulate the creation of lasting memories. To be successful it requires dedication, creativity, commitment and going that extra mile to meet the customers expectations. Balancing business and family requires sacrifices, but the joy of seeing satisfied clients and creating happy memories makes it worthwhile. My journey involved lot of effort with constant practice, engagement in tutorials, and an unwavering commitment. Today, the effort pays off as clients trust me to create those special moments, proving that success in balloons is about more than just inflation—it’s about creating happy memories. Read more>>
Preshious Eichenberger
Achieving success demands unwavering dedication, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It means embracing late nights fueled by ambition and early mornings driven by determination. Success often requires sacrificing the comfort of a bustling social life for the solitude of hard work and self-improvement. It’s not just about talking the talk; it’s about walking the walk, setting an example through actions, and inspiring others through relentless effort and unyielding commitment. Partnership is also a huge contributor to one’s success, in my opinion. Read more>>
Gregory Kasunich
Success in filmmaking and production can look like different things to different people, but for me it comes down to one fundamental question: are you creating work that you love? It’s important to take on work that pays the bills, builds your network, and generates leads. Read more>>
Kamila Olivero
In my opinion there are three pillars to success: discipline, patience, and passion. When passion falters or motivation struggles to rouse you from slumber, discipline acts as the driving force that propels you forward. When you have disciple, you are more likely to follow through on your commitments and responsibilities because you’ve established a sense of duty to adhere to your self-imposed rules. Discipline enables the development of good habits and ensures that you stay committed to your aspirations and goals despite setbacks. Read more>>
Ashley Thiel
First and foremost , I think success can look different for everyone based off their own personal goals and dreams and what they wish to accomplish. To share my view of success, I think I’ll take you back to the beginning. Growing up, I was always the artsy girl and my walls were filled with photos from those disposable cameras. Who remembers those? After high school , I really wanted to persue my passion for photography , but when I got started twelve years ago , it was really hard to “make it” as a photographer full time, or I should say it seemed much harder than it was now being we live in such a social media based world. Read more>>
Chantay Cooper
To be successful, I believe you must have dedication, passion, and determination. Once you have identified the goal of what you wish you accomplish, you must be willing to change your life in order to actually change your life. This may mean not hanging out as much, cutting financial costs in certain areas, working more hours, or even not associating with people you always have had around in your life. Another major component to success if being able to accept failure. Every aspect of successful won’t be easy and it won’t be handed to you. You have to be able to hear being told no or even be unsuccessful at something in order to overcome it, learn from it and keep going with the lessons learned. Read more>>
Jacki Beem
As a young adult, I thought all I needed to become successful was a fancy degree and a desire to work hard. I had gone to a good college, earned a law degree, passed two bar exams, made great connections in the corporate world, and landed a job at a very successful (and well respected) law firm. But it wasn’t translating to meeting my personal standard of success. And I hated the work I was doing. Read more>>
Jamye Curry Savage
Success can be measured and defined in varies forms as success is unique and distinct to each individual. Success for one person may be characterized differently and have a different meaning than the meaning of success for the next person. In other words, what may be considered a success for one individual may not necessarily describe the meaning of success for someone else; hence the meaning of success may differ. Therefore, it is important for everyone to identify and define success for themselves and allow that to lead them down their own respective path of success that is meant distinctively for them. Read more>>
Alton Shedrick Jr
To become successful, stepping out on faith plays a big part. Also, you have to have enough courage to believe in yourself regardless of who does not believe in you. With success comes failure. But that doesn’t mean give up on yourself if you fail. Failure is for you to determine what went wrong and the lesson that it taught. Consistency is key. It might sound cliché but it’s true. Consistency will instill hard work. Someone could be more skilled and talented than you will mean nothing if you’re more consistent than them. To be successful, you have to be willing to stand out from the crowd. Don’t be afraid to be who you see yourself becoming. Read more>>
Bill Hansen
Focus is imperative. Decide what you wish to do and then don’t stop until you complete. Read more>>
Kenly + Jack Johnson
When Jack and I first met and decided to start a business together, we had no clue what our goal was or what we wanted out of it all. What we did know is that we wanted to be creative, sell product, and to be the owners of a small business… so we just DID IT! With no goals or plans at all whatsoever, we just went for it. Although this might not be the ideal process to starting a business, it worked out for us…and here’s why! Read more>>
Melissa Kirkpatrick
As business entrepreneurs and small business owners, you are busy. Being organized and productive will help your company grow. Often you are in your own way with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. The first step is to identify what is getting in your way so you can do the work. Read more>>
Antoinette Ransom
As a child, I always dreamed that I would be rich and famous. However, I grew up in an atmosphere where both of my parents struggled to make ends meet. I didn’t realize that we were destitute during most of my youth. In the Midwest, it’s hard to get connected to the entertainment industry, and unfortunately there are a lot of bad agencies taking advantage of hungry talent. However, I was able to take all the challenges from my childhood and create this alter ego that drove me to be creative. Read more>>
Lashondra Thomas
As a single parent of 3 children here in San Diego, I became displaced or homeless. I worked really hard and went back to school and started my journey in esthetics. From there I wanted to expand my business so I started making candles. Soon I was able to move myself and my children into a nice home and open a studio in mission valley. Read more>>
Nick Mango
Before I became a photographer, I worked with photographers. As well as illustrators, production companies and, of course, clients. I was an account manager at some very large, and very small, advertising agencies in New York City. This meant that I ran accounts and performed a balancing act between the different forces at an agency – creative, media, research, production – and the demands of the client. I had to lead, but also to know when to step back. And to do all this I had to learn a very basic, but not much practiced, skill: listening. Read more>>
Tammy Dyson Roach
I believe that Leading, Working and Problem Solving with Confidence and Genuinely Believing, and Taking Pride and Value in what you are executing as a Business Is Key to Success. I learned from selling Mary Kay Cosmetics, almost thirty years ago, that if you are Excited and Truly Believe in the Product / Service, it will get others excited and wanting it also. Read more>>
Lindsey Nielsen
Coming from a background where I did not grow up with things being handed to me I believe has served me very well in my adult life. I have understood that a steady hard work ethic is what it will take to continue to build my success and growth with my company. Read more>>
Beatriz Cabrera
I strongly believe that consistency is a key factor for achieving success. In today’s fast-paced and often chaotic world, we all have an inherent desire for order and comfort. Therefore, to be successful, you need to consistently prove to your clients that you will always be there for them, no matter what. When clients trust you, they are more likely to invest in your business, which in turn will lead to greater success. Read more>>
Fredy Horta
it takes a hard work and perseverance and learn through effort . been successful in life means fail so meany times. but any time after of this fail get back on your feet even stronger than before Read more>>
Monique Monalisa
To be successful, you need to have passion for what you are doing. Read more>>
Anastasia Galka
Today’s world is complex, and it often feels like a juggling act where there is never enough time. Success is about recognizing that the feeling of overwhelm is not a personal failing but a systemic issue. Women make up 47% of the U.S. labor force but hold only 29% of leadership positions. (Pew Research Center) It’s about understanding that you’re not alone in this struggle and that there are actionable tools to help you thrive. Read more>>