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.

Amy Forsythe

Don’t take “No” for an answer. Never give up on a dream or a goal. There will be plenty of people who will try and dissuade you from following your heart but must stay focused and consistent if you want to succeed. Consider how your community, relationships, and digital landscape shape your output. Are you: * Surrounding yourself with ambitious peers who inspire growth? * Cultivating relationships that energize rather than drain you? * Curating your digital environment by managing notifications and creating separate profiles for work and leisure? Read more>>

Cara Carosielli

Success, to me, goes far beyond financial gain. It’s about the people you uplift, how you feel while working, the legacy you’re leaving, and staying aligned with your values. It’s how you make others feel and the peace you carry within. Since becoming a mother, my definition of success has shifted. It’s now about *who* I am, not *what* I have. When I look into my son’s eyes, I’m reminded that I already have everything I need. My goal is to empower him by leading with resilience and purpose. Read more>>

Mikel Tan

I’ve been a web designer for 15 years spanning multiple teams with colorful personalities. As a Director of Design what I’ve learned is that your approach matters. Having soft skills naturally is a gift that I believe will help one succeed in the future of their business. This is something that I have instinctively but I’ve learned how to access that skill and utilize it in the workplace. This coincides with building a genuine healthy relationship with your peers. Caring for your team’s concerns and listening to their solution proposals with an “us” and not “me” attitude aids in harnessing long-term success. Read more>>

Haley Kuller

Success has become a very fluid term for me. As you progress further into your field, you start to realize that your success can be measured in a lot of different ways. In order to be successful, you have to cherish and recognize the small victories that lead up to the larger ones. It takes an immense amount of patience and optimism to recognize those small victories in the whirlwind of chaos that a start-up can be, but without those two traits, you’re guaranteed to get burnt out fairly quick. I’ve helped build three start-ups from the ground-up and something that has remained true with each of those is that if you separate and celebrate each positive event from the overall picture (despite how stressful or exhausting the overall picture might be), you’re going to maintain a positive point of view about your journey and that joy and excitement you feel is going to propel you to reach even more of those small victories eventually leading to your overall success in your endeavor.  Read more>>

Savannah Wetch

Becoming a professional photographer has been a journey filled with hard work and countless sacrifices. I poured hours into mastering my craft, learning everything from technical skills to artistic composition, often at the expense of time with family and friends. There were late nights spent editing photos and early mornings at shoots, all driven by my passion for capturing life’s beautiful moments. What truly fuels my dedication is the joy I see on my clients’ faces when they receive their photos. Their happiness is my greatest reward, a reminder of why I chose this path. Each smile and tear of joy reinforces my love for photography. Knowing that I can freeze moments in time and create lasting memories for others is what keeps me going. Read more>>

Rebecca Burkhart

My top four suggestions on what it takes to be successful: set goals, never be afraid to ask for help or collaborate, “make the time”, and stay strong even in times of doubt. If you want to accomplish something in life, you need to have a goal with measurable steps to follow and track. It’s easy to say: “I want xyz”, but if you don’t have a plan to reach that want or desire, then how do you plan on obtaining your goal? Make sure your steps are realistic, measurable, and set to specific timeframes. Some individuals will want to be a social media influencer, but if you must have a plan of action or schedule to keep your audience hooked.  Read more>>

Danielle Blinka

I believe success looks different to everyone. To be successful is to live a life you find fulfilling, so each person really defines what success means to them. For some people, success means a high income or a lavish lifestyle. For others, success comes from following a passion or spending time with people who mean a lot to them. Some people feel most successful when they can pick up and move whenever they like. I think people are happiest when they can really hone in on what makes them feel success and go after it. I love the affirmation, “doing is succeeding” because, as long as you’re doing what you set out to do, you’re a success. That’s why it’s always best to only compare yourself against you—not someone else. No one else can define success for you. Read more>>

Geoff Gann

As a freelancer in the entertainment industry, there is no shortage of talent who can provide the same services that I do. How does one stand out in a crowded field? First and foremost, one must be personable. Remember that you’ve been hired to help someone else bring their vision to fruition. Listen to them. Learn what they’d like to see from you. Be pleasant in your dealings with them. It isn’t always a collaboration, but when asked, know your craft and be able to help your client see how you can better their project. Read more>>

Kennellius Moore

In my opinion, the key to success—though it may sound cliché—is consistency. You don’t have to be the best in the world at something, but if you’re consistent, you can succeed where many others fall short. Repetition also plays a crucial role in achieving success. The more you study or practice, the more it becomes second nature. When I first started using DaVinci Resolve Fusion, I had no idea what I was doing. But through persistence and repeated practice, Fusion became second nature to me, and now I prefer it over other video editing software. Read more>>

Taylor Eaton

Being successful – truly successful (not just in external metrics, but also internally satisfied and fulfilled) – requires you to become the version of you who is already successful. In a way, this sounds like a catch 22 situation. But really, it requires you to think, feel, and act like the version of you who has already achieved the success you desire. I was always taught that if I worked hard enough, I could accomplish whatever I wanted in life. But I’ve come to find that hard work for the sake of hard work just burns you out. Read more>>

Kyle Zagrodzky

Vision, Purpose, Perseverance, and Resourcefulness. Vision: A clear end-view of where you see your idea impacting the future. When I started OsteoStrong, I set out to deliver a service no one really knew anything about. Essentially creating an industry out of thin air. A visionary is constantly challenged because by its very nature, a visionary sees what no one else can, and that can scare people. Purpose and Perseverance drive the visionary when there’s no profit or logical reasoning supporting the hard work and expense to build something in the early days. I’ve experienced this with virtually every entrepreneurial project I’ve started. Read more>>

Gaetane Gomes

Success is very subjective, and my vision of success has certainly evolved over the years. Most recently, I feel the most inspired by a life that allows me to be present and to not have to compromise my physical or mental health. Once upon a time, I would justify working the longest and the hardest though today, as long as I feel peace and I’m able to focus on the most critical daily tasks in my business and be consistent – then I feel my day is a success! Read more>>

Samantha Carroll

Over my 20+ year career in communications, having a strong foundation of relationships, an effective executive position, and access to experts have all contributed to my success. My very first mentor relationship began when I was 19 years old, working in NY for NBC. I knew the value of creating and maintaining relationships, and I gained journalistic skills that helped to shape the writer, interviewer, and communicator that I am now. I also learned that everyone has a story, and everyone has knowledge or resources or information that can be valuable. Now, as a communications expert, I employ those values of connection, communication, and understanding in every project I take on and every action I take on behalf of my company. Read more>>

Jess George

Success looks different for everyone. Some people measure it by how much money they make, others by the flexibility of their time, and some by how popular they are or the number of “likes” they get. For me, success has been a struggle to define since becoming a mom. When I was younger and single, I measured success by the projects my employer gave me, the awards I won, the salary I earned, and the title I held. I was always chasing the next raise, the next title. Now, success is more about how well I can juggle work and motherhood on any given day. Spoiler alert: it’s really hard. Read more>>

Ashley Rouse

If there’s anything that I’ve learned over the past 10 years, it’s that in order to be successful, you must be able to pivot. I’ve often found that you’re mentally, physically and emotionally prepared, even excited, to go in one direction, and you end up being guided or nudged to go another. There have been times when I listened to that intuition, and times when I’ve ignored it. But mostly, I’ve listened. It will often feel uncomfortable to step outside of what feels comfortable to you, but being open to change has allowed me to be successful in so many ways throughout my career. It’s allowed me to reach more customers with my business Trade Street Jam Company, and it’s also allowed me to follow passions I once quieted and start a new business, rouse like house. For small business owners, pivoting is not only a crucial piece to success, but pivotal in allowing us to grow and thrive. Read more>>

Courtney Wolf

First of all, I’d like to define success. At least my version of it, because I get it – it’s different for everyone. I think this is important, because each of us are different humans having different human experiences and we have got to stop trying to fit in a box that someone, somewhere (ahem, society!) has drawn for us. For me, success is freedom. Both financial and time, but really in all forms. To be able to do what I want, when I want, how I want with who I want and when and where I want. No restrictions and no rules. Simply living fully each and everyday as I ebb and flow with the seasons of my life. Read more>>

Ryen Curtis

I think to be successful in anything you do, you have to know why you’re doing it. When I first started my business, I was really lost in the idea of being perfect and making money and getting social media exposure… In the time I’ve spent figuring out how I want my business to run, I’ve realized that my favorite projects (and most successful) are always the ones where I’m really in tune with giving back to clients. Capturing their day and experience and emotions. I’ve realized the “why” behind my work is to give to people. To give them their memories back in an art form. To give them a way to remember. Clients always remember the way you make them feel as well as the product. I feel like when you’re tuned into your passion and your “why” for your work, you find ways to innovate and learn and work harder to succeed. Read more>>

Michael Williams

Well, first of all success comes in different forms for everyone. You have to determine what success is for you or else you’ll be chasing someone else’s definition of success and end up unhappy because it wasn’t meant for you. When I first began Dj-ing I looked at other Dj’s and I started chasing what I saw others do. I felt the need to prove something. I eventually got to a point that I started to determine what I wanted and what made me feel complete. Read more>>

Dai Flores

Media has convinced us to thrive for a certain image of success and popularity, but success comes in many shapes. For me it’s the ability to do what you like without worry. Although it sounds simple it seems to be getting harder to achieve in this current state. Luckily I am able to say I’m getting there. Read more>>

Emily Cleveland

Drive and the ability to see failure as an opportunity instead of a negative. I believe the most successful people are the ones that continually grow, adapt, and learn. When someone tells them they can’t, they say, ‘watch me.” I’ve grown a successful business out of grit and determination. When the owner of the salon I was at retired and sold the salon, I took that opportunity to open my own suite. I was terrified to take the gamble on myself, but I knew it was the only option for me at the time. I love the saying, ‘visualize your highest self then start showing up as her.’ So I did, and here I am, constantly evolving into my highest self. Read more>>

Doug Rogers

Being Successful isn’t a magical formula. The key is the people. We are in the people business. Once you find a need and you fill a need it’s a matter of listening and doing what the people want. If you talk more and listen less you will find you are swimming up stream. It’s not an easy thing to do but if you let your customers talk they will tell you what they want. Read more>>

Saida Staudenmaier

I believe integrity is the most important attribute when it comes to success. As a creative, my craft and ability to effectively execute the job I’m being paid to do is important. However, it’s my integrity that my career of 20+ years in this industry has been built on that precedes me. Being on time, working efficiently, loyalty, and the proverbial never writing a check I can’t cash is how I have built my reputation as an artist. I also take my work very seriously while I don’t take myself seriously. I think the attitude and atmosphere I help create on and off set is one of no drama, no rivalry, and respect regardless of position. It costs nothing to be kind so start with a good, honest intention and that will usually have an equal reaction. It sounds simple and it is. People think there’s some secret sauce when it’s just being a solid person. Read more>>

Steve Todd

In order for me get to where I am at today it took me everything. I made a lot of sacrifices in my life to get to what I have today. It’s not all easy and overnight success like some may say. It takes a lot of structure being applied to your everyday life and your business. Struggle is necessary to get you to want to really push for success and if you’re not willing to lose you can’t gain. Keep a structured mind set and you can get to the success you want to gain. Read more>>

Terris Harper

“Success in the lash industry—or any industry, for that matter—comes from a blend of passion, dedication, and adaptability. For me, being successful as a lash artist over the past five years has meant continuously learning and evolving with the trends while staying true to the core of what my clients want: personalized, quality service. Read more>>