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.

Ranay Kinsey

In my opinion it takes passion, hard work , dedication, focus ,and meeting God in the middle to be successful. Over the years I have truly been able to see how these things have affected my business for the better. Read more>>

Heather Cahoon

I grew up as a ballet dancer. I started at a “dolly dinkle” dance studio in Texas, and after moving at the age of six to South Carolina was placed in a classical ballet studio. Read more>>

Roya Javaherchi

The most crucial factor in achieving success is being persistent and maintaining focus on your goals. Additionally, throughout this journey, while perseverance and consistency are essential, there’s another vital aspect: being true to yourself. Read more>>

Leonda Jiggetts

One common trait that I have found for every goal that I have set for my business so far is initiative. You have to be willing to go out and get it! The tools, resources, guidance, knowledge, etc. –you have to seek out the information you need/want in order to become successful. Read more>>

Sundae Oakes

I think defining what success means to you is the first step. The definition of success is different for everyone. This is something my husband (who is also a small business owner) and I often discuss. Read more>>

Julie Belcher

Success is born from confidence. I remember calling my dad when I got my first job in a kitchen as a pastry chef and saying, “Dad, I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know how I got here!” Read more>>

Dominique House

What it takes to be successful looks different for everyone. I want to humbly declare that one person’s success could be someone else’s stepping stone. I learned early on in my entrepreneurial journey not to measure my level of success against others in my industry, but to evaluate their triumphs and develop my own vision of success for my company. Read more>>

Kristin Kienzle

Success is a culmination of various factors, but at its core lies the power of mindset. While many emphasize hard work and perseverance, I believe that deliberate control over one’s mindset is paramount. Read more>>

Anjolie Ackerman

Success is something a lot of people want to get their hands on, but it doesn’t come as easy as you may think. Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation, revision, and change. Ultimately, it’s your commitment to the process that will determine your progress. Read more>>

Ashley Shank

As a successful female business owner in an incredibly competitive industry of digital marketing, I know first hand what it takes to have a thriving business that not only aligns with your mission and values, but is making an impact in the world. Read more>>

Karina Baldwin

In order to be successful, you have to be willing to fail. So many business owners are doing whatever it takes to succeed, placing pressures on themselves to show up and perform their best, but with the dark thought of “what if I fail” creeping in. Read more>>

Joseph Gatzby

As an emerging talent in the film industry, I believe that success as an Actor in the entertainment world hinges on a combination of perseverance, networking, and seizing opportunities. Read more>>

Hunter Haskell

I think success is different in every aspect. I define success as being the most valuable asset in your life. The more you believe you can achieve something the more you will succeed. Read more>>

Jun Liu

Success is a funny word, it is like trying to decide the perfect coffee order—everyone have their own opinions. But if we measure it in a purely materialistic sense, finance is undoubtedly the biggest factor. Read more>>

Tony Nino

A lot of our success has come from interacting with the community. As a lifestyle brand we are always partnering with local events to get brand awareness out. Read more>>

Heather Underwood

Success is typically defined as the achievement of a desired result or objective. It is the completion of a goal or objective, frequently accompanied by a contented and gratified feeling. Read more>>

Yulanda Yo-Rong Shieh

I think having an open mind and being resilient are important. Every opportunity is special and you don’t know where it would lead you. Trust your gut and do your best with what you have. Be kind to your collaborators, make friends not enemies. Read more>>

Patricia Clemmens

The concept of success, feels so unique and personal to each of us. Some people may think success is directly related to the job they do and the income they produce from that job. Read more>>

Kari Smith

I think being successful looks different to each person and the goals they have for their life. I don’t think there is a magical formula of what it takes to be successful. Read more>>

Jermacia Gardner

I feel like to be successful you have to have a clear vision on where you’re going and then move in that direction. You have to motivate yourself even when you don’t feel motivated and show up even when you think no one’s watching. Read more>>

Melanie Antos

To be successful in business, or anything in life, it takes focus, perseverance, dedication, hard work, long hours, and caring very much for whatever it is. When I began Mellen Productions – Location Services with my former business partner, Ellen Rizzo, in 2007, we knew what needed to be accomplished to benefit location services in the market place. Read more>>

Sam Alcudia & Jody Gonzalez

It takes quite a bit of character in order to be successful. Timing, tenacity, adaptability–you name it. All are important in starting and growing a successful business. We started in the beauty industry and wanted to open a business that expanded the reach of the normal services we provided everyday. Read more>>

Cris Call

Hard work, dedication and a drive to succeed. Love what you do, you will be doing it for many hours a day. Always keep quality and customer service as main priorities. Customer service has become a thing of the past. Read more>>

Elizabeth Wold

I really think your passion is what leads to success. For me, my passion for sharing the love of God with others has led me to start my own business! Read more>>

Brittany Button

I think there is a lot that goes into being successful, but I’ll start off by saying it is a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck. It all starts with showing up and putting in the time. Read more>>

Niesha Dyson

Success is measured differently for everyone; for me, it’s not necessarily a dollar amount, but the impact you have and how you positively inspire others around you. Read more>>

Jake McCormick

To me, being successful is more of a mindset than an actual number or goal or anything. When I went full time with this photography based business, it was tough! Read more>>

Emily Steele

I believe being successful really boils down to your ability to believe in yourself and remaining disciplined in your craft. With that being said, it’s inevitable we as people are not always going to feel confident and believe in ourselves, and it is discipline that will take us to the finish line. Read more>>

Kristin Sonnier

To succeed as a concert photographer, you need technical skills, creativity, networking, perseverance, a strong portfolio, professionalism, marketing savvy, and a commitment to continuous learning. Read more>>

Kindra Browne

I think to be successful in any business, it is important to remain humble and maintain an eagerness to learn and grow. Take time to understand your potential clients and what their needs may be. Read more>>

Jordan Kellerman

The first question I asked myself before I started this journey was “what does success mean to me?” I think asking myself that kept my vision clear. Read more>>

Marquenia Johnson

One of the things that I think it takes to be successful is consistency. In the line of work that I do you have to find a way to stand out because this line of work is becoming over saturated. Read more>>