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.

Kristina Sosnowski

I think success is a combination of a few key elements: passion, perseverance, and adaptability. Passion: You have to truly love what you’re doing. When you’re passionate about your work, it doesn’t feel like work—it feels like purpose. This passion drives you through the long hours and challenges because you know you’re creating something meaningful. For me, knowing that Snazzy Dazzy Crayons brings joy to kids makes all the effort worthwhile. Perseverance: Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, consistency, and a lot of hard work. You’ll face setbacks, but it’s how you respond to them that defines your success. Stay focused on your long-term goals, and keep pushing forward, even when things get tough. Read more>>

Paul Santoli

2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight. I think that every human being is a testimony to their faith in God. I see the world as a stage and I really strive to live the right way while I’m here.  Every project I have ever done, I never had “enough” money or had everything I thought I “needed”. You never have every single thing you think you need. There is always a reason to talk yourself out of it. With my first movie “Because of Mika,” I had $16,000 in my right pocket on the first day of filming. On paper I knew the math didn’t add up, but at a certain point, you just need to trust God and begin. And I tell you, the miracles on set between all of the people that showed up, the favors, the weather, God protecting everyone; he parted the Red Sea for us with this movie. Yeah, it was difficult, but I was never alone. This movie is his work. And the wins it recieved are a testimony to him.  Read more>>

Brooke Hoffman

Many people enter the field of photography with the misconception that it’s an easy path, characterized by endless instant success since the barrier to entry is often as simple as having a camera and knowing how to operate it. The reality of having your own photography business is quite different and having a realistic understanding of this is important to starting with the right mindset. Achieving success in photography demands much more than just a good eye. It requires a blend of resilience, constructive self-criticism, and relentless commitment even after many mistakes. Read more>>

Sloane Solanto

Be open and accepting to change because it is inevitable. Understand that your business may evolve over time and you can either fight it or go with the flow and see where it takes you. I am naturally impulsive so I have taken this approach to most everything in my life. I believe that if things are meant to be the right doors will open up for you and you just have to have courage to step through them. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose but each day is a new chapter in an exciting adventure. Read more>>

De’tysha Nicholson

To be successful I believe you have to be dedicated, determined, self driven and motivated in all areas. As we all know success doesn’t come over night and a lot of us as growing business owners forget that main tip. Being consistent with trends, work ethics and customer service has taken me so far and has put me in rooms I never knew I name would be heard in. Success to me is the definition of beating the odds and staying down until you become the best at your craft. Keep grinding until you are making money in your sleep! Read more>>

Jahlil Brooks

Some of the ways i think that it takes to be successful are by first being able to have a good worth ethic. Also being able to communicate with others and networking can definitely get you a long way . Last but not least being consistent with your craft definitely plays a major roll in being successful. Read more>>

Shengjie Wu

Success, to me, comes from a combination of persistence, confidence, communication, and seizing opportunities with full commitment. I’ve always had two main passions: graphic design and cars. So, when I saw a graphic designer position open at an automotive museum, I knew it was the perfect opportunity. I applied immediately, but after weeks of no response, I realized that waiting wasn’t enough. Undeterred, I applied again and took it a step further. This time, I decided to reach out to the museum’s design director directly. I believed that introducing myself would leave a stronger impression than an application alone. To my surprise, that approach worked, and I landed an interview! Read more>>

Nicholas Miner

I think the main ingredient to success is consistency. You have to show up daily and put in the work. Some days, you’ll love what you’re doing and everything will feel great. Other days, you’ll want to do anything but work. But training yourself to make a daily effort is key. Success takes time, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Read more>>

Jessica Hesselton

Tenacity, Integrity, & curiosity. I would say talent too, but one can always learn a skill, and become successful and talented at something. It can be trained. Of course natural talent comes into play sometimes, but you must have the drive to want to continue on with your work, and the curiosity to start.Many people feel the need to answer their curiosity, I feel like it drives you into starting something in the first place, and if you’re not interested in doing it, why start it? Having integrity helps you complete or finish your task and carry out your dream when you lack in motivation or curiosity. I also think it important to have an open mind and allow yourself to network and share your goals and dreams, with others alike. Collaboration brings forth new growth and opportunities. Read more>>

Oz & Mari Payan

Achieving success in anything in life starts with setting clear, purposeful goals. You need a vision of what you want and a well-thought-out plan on how you’re going to get there. Staying focused on these goals is crucial because discipline is the foundation of accomplishment. No matter how talented or driven you are, without discipline, success remains out of reach. Another key to success is continuous self-education. In any career, you have to keep learning, growing, and refining your craft. And, perhaps most importantly, you can never give up. Life will throw challenges your way—there will be highs and lows—but you have to push through, stay resilient, and remain committed to your path. Read more>>

Savannah Davis

Are you ever really successful? That’s the question I constantly ask myself. Like at what point have I been deemed “successful”? I feel like being successful as an entrepreneur is grinding when no one is watching, constantly figuring out new ways to grow and be better at your craft and never getting complacent and recognizing when it is time to pivot or shift priorities. It’s that mentality of getting back up when you fall down. To me, everyday that my business is running and I book another client that wants to work with me, that is a success. It’s the culmination of little wins that add up to the big “success”. Read more>>

Victoria Elaina

I think being successful in anything takes a certain amount of love and passion. When you love what you do, find joy in it, you approach it with passion which then makes you feel aligned to your life path. When I was a kid I would often ask myself what I wanted to be when I grew up, and my answer was always “happy.” With the pursuit of joy in the forefront, I started picking apart activities and hobbies that make me happy; that I truly enjoy doing. Art was always food for my soul and making art that affects people and makes them feel a certain way felt like that juicy thing I was looking for. That’s when I decided to take a shot at hair and makeup. Once in this world, I tried everything there was to try so I could really zero in on where my passion and skill come together. Through this exploration I was able to hone in and specialize my skills in custom hair coloring and modern haircuts for men and women. Read more>>

Molly Scullion

As my business has grown, I’ve focused on growing my own brand online. I spent months procrastinating getting on camera and posting the videos I wanted to share, because I was worried about being “cringey.” But I heard something that changed everything for me, “it’s only silly until you’re successful.” So I realized I needed to be ok with feeling silly and vulnerable, if I was going to be successful. Now, I still get embarrassed sometimes, but I am much less afraid of that feeling. As a result, I’ve gotten countless messages from women like me who are so grateful I’ve shared these videos that make them feel seen and heard. I’m so glad I decided to feel silly. Read more>>

Quentin Van Horn

For me I believe you have to run your business with your whole heart and a lot of patience. It takes passion, sacrifice and a whole lot of good energy to pull off a standard that you are proud to put your businesses name on. No matter the product you put out for the world to experience. For me doing true live fire bbq requires all of that plus some. Probably the best example I have to share would be that I was doing a First Fridays popup a few years ago. After I got my truck setup for food service I started chatting with some of the other food truck owners there that night. Of course I gravitated towards the other bbq food truck there and agreed to trade food with this man. He brings me his offerings in a Togo box and said “we don’t mess with slicing to order it’s not worth our time to do so.” I accepted his box of food graciously and without opening it. I then went into my hotbox full of brisket I cooked earlier in the day and proceeded to slice a fresh one open for him to try. He was like damn that looks amazing as I sliced him some of the best brisket he has ever seen. He went back to his truck and I opened his box he gave me and it was a disappointment. Unfortunately I would not serve this to anyone and at that point it was clear to me that quality is everything then some. You never know who is going to experience your product. Read more>>

Corey Hutchinson

Success, to me, starts with believing in what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. Faith and discipline have been my pillars through every step. When I launched my food photography business a year ago, I had no guarantees of what would come, but I had faith and a clear vision. That vision became my compass. I spent countless hours planning, refining my approach, and showing up even on the hard days when nothing seemed to be moving forward. What truly made the difference was maintaining discipline, showing up consistently for myself and my clients, even when things didn’t unfold as quickly as I expected. Read more>>

Zihao Li

I think it’s confidence. This is a very cliché word, but I find that most people don’t seem to understand it very well, or don’t know how to achieve it. For me, I gradually transformed from a sensitive and low-self-esteem person to a person who can control confidence very well. I think if I can’t even believe in myself, then no one will believe in me. So I try to give myself the necessary confidence by analyzing my strengths, and at the same time adjust myself to be humble when I am too confident and unwilling to listen to opinions. This balance can help me achieve success. Read more>>

Birgit Devae

Finding success is truly about determination, not giving up, and trusting your vision. I began my photography journey on the other side of the camera when I started modeling as a child. I was always amazed at the artistry of the photographers I worked with and how they could see the beauty and create art in any situation. When I switched sides and picked up a camera, my vision of the world changed. I started seeing the magic in all of those little in between moments. I have faced setbacks for sure, but no matter what has happened – maybe a missed shot, harsh criticism, or feeling creatively stuck – I took each moment as an opportunity to learn and grow. My biggest piece of advice is to always keep pushing forward! The photographers who find success and are constantly inspiring me are those who don’t give up, who hustle through the tough times, and who are continually evolving. Determination is what turns passion into progress, and that’s where it all happens. Read more>>

Adam Collarile

Success comes slow. Success comes slow because it is a culmination of failures mixed with the grit and positivity needed to pick up and try again. To fight forward when the fight isn’t going your way. Our Jiu Jitsu Academy is built on failure. Legends Martial Arts opened to the public on February 15th 2020. 5 weeks later we where asked to close our doors as the Covd-19 pandemic creeped further into New York State. We were devastated. The hard work, the plans made and the mission we set out to achieve was forced to come to a halt. Our doors shut – 5 weeks after opening. Devastated. But we fight. It’s what we’re best at. After all its what our business revolves around – Fighting. But it didn’t stop there. Shortly after the soft re-opening of Legends I tore my ACL, MCL and meniscus while in training. Blew out my entire knee. 2 weeks later my beautiful son was born and a week after that I had the surgery to repair my knee. Read more>>

Mary Sussmann

I believe it takes patience, trust and teamwork to be successful. For many years, I thought that I had to do it all, or only pass off a certain portion of my tasks as the business grew. After working with a business coach, I finally learned how to pass off almost all of the day to day tasks that I used to do. It has been a game changer because it gave me time to focus on getting the business more organized, creating new roles, and pivoting our goals to help us continue to grow after industry changes due to covid. Currently, we have 4 stellar women working remotely as employees, and over 40 women artists from all around the world submitting gorgeous artwork. It takes an amazing group of women to keep the daily flow going, making sure that all of our artists and clients feel taken care of. For Pink Light Studio, that is success. Read more>>

Brittany Thompson

Real success is being able to live with the life you created for yourself each day and still excited to wake up and do it all again the next morning. Let me tell you the story of how I learned this lesson the hard way.  “Are you feeling okay?” The nurse on the other end of the phone asked me, concern echoing in her tone.  My mind began a flurry of thoughts: do I feel ok? I feel normal; am I dying?  “Yes, why?” I replied, trying to remain calm.  This was the first call in a series of highly stressful health conversations I would have over the next three months of my life. I had to face it; I was in desperate need of a priority shift.  I had spent the better part of the last five years building my business and putting my body and mental health through a punishing growth plan set on a singular objective: “make more money.” And it worked… like it really worked.  Read more>>