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.

Dominic Maestas

I think it takes a lot of factors to be successful and I believe it is often underestimated how hard achieving success can be. To become successful in something means you must do what most other people are not willing to do. One of my favorite quotes is “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t” It is a constant reminder to me that if I want the outcomes of success then I must be willing to do what 99% of other people are not willing to do. As mentioned above success takes several factors, however below are some of the most important in my opinion. Read more>>

Jazmin Cruz

Perseverance, faith in yourself, and patience. I think those are three of the main things that will help you be successful, perseverance because you have to keep fighting for the goal you have put yourself to achieve not giving up every time you fall. Faith is so important because if you don’t believe in yourself and what you believe in than who will? And patience because most of the time we humans expect big things to happen fast but the truth is that it’s not always like that we have to learn to be patient and with time your time to shine will come. Those are the three main things that I’ve learned throughout my life, many times I have fallen but my faith, perseverance, and patience always bring me back up stronger. Read more>>

Mo Collins

I think defining “successful” is a very personal thing. I consider myself “successful” as both an actor and an artist in the fact that I am still here doing it today. Perhaps my finances tell a different story, but I have kept a roof over my head, food on plenty of people’s tables, and paint in my studio. The Arts is a brutal business! It’s as fickle as it is competitive. The fact that I have made ANY name for myself is a miracle to me. That tells me that people have enjoyed my work, followed my work, purchased my work, and continue to seek me out. How can I not see that as anything but successful? Read more>>

Gary Smith

First, to be successful, you have to find your passion. After finding your passion, you must have the discipline to pursue it every day. It is hard to sustain yourself with other work and still find time to pursue your passion. You have to take setbacks in stride and focus on your dream. If you do this, you will become successful. Read more>>

Micah Williams Kelly

In my opinion, a well-known quote by none other than Steve Jobs perfectly sums up the answer to this question: ‘Real artists ship.’ It took me a few years to fully grasp the meaning of this statement, but ever since I directed and released my last film, the lessons, opportunities and obstacles I’ve encountered on the way have made me a true believer in Jobs’ famous words. In my experience, his saying pairs well with another, maybe less-known and slightly harsher quote from North-Eastern England, which essentially translates to: ‘Shy people get nothing.’ While both of these pithy statements are fun and provocative to recite, they can be tough to live by in practice. Read more>>

Udon Guild

I think it takes trusting your gut and perseverance, especially when you are still very much in the learning process. There are people who will tell you your limitations which can sometimes lead to self doubt and even a loss of creativity. Other times, it might just be the situation and reality getting in your way. Finding the ability to get up despite what you are told or setbacks come your way, can help you feel proud of what you accomplish. It may not mean much to other but the fact that we are and continue to strive to be true to ourselves makes the whole difference. And so, working on this film project and starting Udon Guild Productions, We hope to continue to aspire to make decisions that will make me proud of the projects we accomplish. Read more>>

Zen J. Jackson

Success is in how much you believe in yourself. Read more>>

Irvin Rivera

The first thing that came to mind was an insatiable sense of tenacity and uncanny mental, emotional and (for the most part, physical) flexibility. Tenacity- so you can keep moving forward no matter what circumstances life throws at you; and Flexibility- to navigate the vast unknown, which is pretty much a huge chunk of life. Success is such a subjective word, but I think no matter what your definition of success is, you need to have both tenacity and flexibility. Read more>>

Krystyna Milevska

Success in the event planning business starts with a genuine passion for creating. Ever since I was younger I would love to pick up some leafs and rocks outside and make something out of them. As I got older, it progressed into planning parties for my friends, creating small decorations from things I could find at the dollar store. Read more>>

Bekah Parker

There are countless factors that contribute to success in today’s business world, but succeeding as a creative entrepreneur involves a unique set of challenges. For my business, the secret ingredient is fluidity. As an artist, it’s essential not only to adapt to change but also to embrace and be inspired by it. Fluidity can mean both the ease with which a substance flows and the state of being unsettled or unstable. It’s It’s pretty cool how these two sides of fluidity can actually work together. Embracing discomfort is crucial for business growth. Every entrepreneur starts out thinking, “What on earth am I doing?” but they persevere and remain open to whatever comes their way, continuously redefining success. It’s not just about hitting a financial target; success comes from pursuing your passion, doing what you love, and making a positive impact on your own life and the lives of others. Whatever that looks like for you. Read more>>

Jess Leprotto

In the entertainment industry (particularly the theatre industry), there are two things that I feel help establish a successful career. Versatility and Networking. When it comes to versatility, the more the better. If you’re a dancer, how many styles of dance are you in trained in? Can you pick up choreography quick? If you’re a musician, how many styles of music do you have experience in playing? If so, are you a good sight reader and can read music quickly. Same goes for vocalists, how might need to have a classical foundation, but can bounce around to other genres (R&B, Jazz, Pop, Rock & Roll, Musical Theatre, etc.) Now, if you’re a jack of all trades who can dibble in all of these forms, you have built quite the rolodex of contacts and references, as they can always recommend you for different projects along the way. Read more>>

David Hill

What it takes to be successful is something that people say they want to do but don’t have the bandwidth to really do it. Being successful is different for everyone. Everyone has their own benchmarks but to really win it takes a lot of sacrifice. You can’t do both when building, you have to understand where you need to scale and or add new ways to get the job done. I can go on and on about this but its a topic that everyone talks about but doesn’t have that much action on it. Read more>>

Kenneth Rivera

Success is often a personal and evolving journey, so defining what it means to you and aligning your actions with that vision is essential. Currently, I believe success often involves overcoming obstacles and setbacks. The ability to keep going despite difficulties, adapt to changes, and learn from failures is crucial. One classic story that illustrates the elements of success involves Thomas Edison and his invention of the lightbulb. Edison famously faced thousands of unsuccessful attempts before achieving a functional prototype. His persistence and resilience were key—he saw each failure not as a setback but as a step toward eventual success. Read more>>

Brianne Day

I believe sticking with what you enjoy doing and what drives your passion. Depending on the field you work you don’t have to do everything or excel at everything but focus on the areas your excel in and not the areas you dislike. For me I don’t offer novelty/character cakes. Not my style and I don’t enjoy making them. Read more>>

Daisy Altamirano

Determination is the key for success, the biggest problem in people is procrastination, which is what stops you from growing. I think many of us at some point in our life we procrastinate. Taking the time to brainstorm what your goals are in life and be determine to accomplish them is what will help you be successful. We all go through struggles in life but sometimes struggles are what make you a stronger person. Read more>>

Odra Mendoza

I have learned that discipline is the fundamental pillar to achieve any goal in life. Without it, it’s easy to get carried away by inertia or distractions. Discipline has taught me to establish routines and habits that, although sometimes difficult to maintain, are essential to constantly move towards my goals. It is discipline that allows me to keep going even when motivation disappears, because I know that I will not always be inspired, but I can always choose to be disciplined. Read more>>