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.

Kayleigh Guerrero

I believe that true success comes from walking closely with Jesus Christ and surrendering every aspect of your life-including your business- to Him. When you trust Him with your plans and seek His guidance, He opens doors, provides wisdom, and blesses your efforts in ways beyond what you could achieve on your own. Success isn’t just about financial gain or status; it is about fulfilling your God-given purpose and making an impact in alignment with His will. Read more>>

Iwona Podlasińska

Success is a deeply personal concept, varying from one individual to another. Many people define success as having immense wealth and fame, and while I agree to an extent, my perspective is slightly different. Money is important, but only to the degree that I can live without constant financial stress and afford meaningful experiences—like traveling a couple of times a year. As for fame, I don’t believe being recognized on the street would bring me happiness, but building a reputation in my own business holds great value. Read more>>

Jessica Aguilar

One of my favorite quotes is from Henry Ford, “whether you think you can or think you can’t, either way you’re right.” It reminds us that your mindset and belief in your ability to achieve something can significantly impact your outcome, if you believe you can do something, you are more likely to succeed. Success, in my view, is a blend of faith, perseverance, consistency and a growth mindset. It’s about having a clear vision of who you are, staying focused on your values that align with your goals, and being open to learning and evolving along the way. The journey to success isn’t linear, and it often requires resilience to overcome obstacles, as well as the ability to pivot when things don’t go as planned. Read more>>

Latoya Jordan

Success is the intersection of vision, hard work, community, and a commitment to making a dent in the universe. Through my journey with Marble Wines, a female-founded wine label launched in 2023, I’ve discovered that success is not solely rooted in achieving business metrics; it is about remaining committed to your purpose amidst life’s inevitable adversities. Read more>>

Ty The Bourbon Guy

Success isn’t just about working hard — it’s about working smart, staying creative and always looking for inspiration in unexpected places. For me, that means thinking beyond the whiskey world. I study content creators in completely different niches–chefs, book reviewers, fragrance enthusiasts–because there’s always something to learn from how they engage their audience or bring fresh ideas to their space. That kind of outside-the-box thinking keeps my own content fresh and pushes me to innovate rather than just follow what everyone else is doing. Read more>>

Em Jeanmougin

The best way to be successful is to first define “success.” Second, make sure that definition is realistic.

A lot of writers will set their definition of success as “I want to be the next Stephen King” before they’ve even finished their first draft of their first novel. Then they constantly feel they’ve failed during every painful step of the long, arduous writing process. This is not the correct way to go about it. Read more>>

Donna Consiglio

I believe success requires adaptability, a willingness to learn, and a supportive network. For example, during a recent writing group meeting, there was a discussion about presentations. Someone mentioned podcasts, and my creative brain instantly made the connection between the two concepts. Combining the two ideas, I dove headfirst into the world of podcasting. Thanks to my adaptability, eagerness to learn, and the support of my writing group, I quickly secured guests and set my Writers Helping Writers podcast in motion. Read more>>

Taylor Emery

This is a great question! I think you really just have to want that thing. Being in business is really hard, but the difference between the people that are successful and the people that are not is that just doing the thing! Do it scared, do it even if you don’t think people will think it’s “cool”, do it even if friends or family don’t get it.

Being a business owner is risky so you have to take risks and be ok with falling on your face and maybe being uncomfortable a lot of the time. Read more>>

Luke Netti

When you first think of success you probably picture Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, or Bill Gates. Making lots of money and being recognized by others. Building a business with a team that is focused on growth and where you work 100 hours a week.

I have a slightly different picture of success. It’s the opposite of that. One where I can spend time with my family during lunch. Take a break to go on a walk just because it’s nice outside. Soak up the sunshine in the morning on the back deck. Not being called to work long nights, weekends, or missing dinner time. All because my success is tied to freedom. Read more>>

Lacie Armstrong

Based on my 10+ years of experience in Marketing/Brand & Digital Content Strategy, being successful requires a combination of creativity, adaptability, and strong organizational skills. It takes the ability to manage complex projects from concept to delivery, collaborate effectively with diverse teams, and stay ahead of industry trends. Your success is also driven by a proactive mindset, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences. Read more>>

Tara Kearsing

Nobody is making you show up to work everyday. Being passionate about your job makes it easier to put in the work. Before I became a wedding photographer, I had another business selling art. While I love making art as a hobby, I wasn’t passionate about making art to sell so it was hard to stay motivated and get work done. Read more>>

Deepak Mandy

For me, success is about persistence, adaptability, and spotting opportunities where others see problems. When I started CBD Movers, a major client backed out at the last minute. Instead of panicking, I shifted focus to smaller but steady jobs. That decision kept us afloat and eventually helped us scale.

More than anything, success comes down to investing in people, a strong team, great customer service, and a mindset that’s always looking forward. Read more>>

Maddy Leeann

Success comes down to hard work, discipline, and resilience. Staying organized with a clear schedule helps keep you on track, while a strong support system provides guidance and encouragement. Most importantly, persistence is key—overcoming setbacks and staying adaptable are crucial to reaching your goals. Read more>>

Dayna Smith

One of the greatest, most powerful lessons I have learned to be successful whether it is in the workforce or as an entrepreneur, is really making sure you are surrounded by the right people who want to see you grow and be successful. The right support system is a strong ingredient, and it is more than okay to be selective. Read more>>

Elisa Schwartz

To be successful, you have to be completely obsessed with your company, project, customers, and vision. I think without that passion, achieving big milestones would be very difficult. Read more>>

Tay Robinson

Success means different things to different people, but I think it comes down to a mix of consistency, adaptability, self-discipline, and the right mindset. It’s not just about talent or luck—it’s about how you show up every day, handle setbacks, and keep pushing forward even when things get tough.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned (and seen play out in so many stories) is that success isn’t about one big moment—it’s the result of small, daily actions compounded over time. The people who make it aren’t always the most talented, but they’re the ones who keep showing up, learning, and evolving. Read more>>

Ayah Peralta

Early on, just as I was getting started in hairstyling, I had to step away for over a year due to spine surgery. It was a really difficult time because I felt like I was losing momentum before I even had the chance to establish myself. But that experience ended up shaping who I am today. When I recovered, I made a promise to myself: nothing would ever stand in the way of my passion for hair again. I had spent so much time dreaming about what I wanted to do, and that time away only made me more determined. Once I was able to work again, I threw myself into it completely. Success, to me, is about resilience. Read more>>

Matthew Giordano

The path to success takes the willingness take action even when you don’t know if it will produce the intended results, over and over and over again. And when you find success, you will need to continue doing the same in order to remain successful. Success is a path of discovery not a destination. Chances are if you are not willing to take action without receiving immediate rewards than you are on the wrong path. Those that are successful typically don’t need a pep talk about doing the challenging things, they just do it. Those that are successful usually are willing to burn out because like an athlete that gives it their all, they know they will recover and can do it again. Success is a mindset of determination. Read more>>

Skylar Raye

Growing up, my father drilled one word into my head: tenacity. As a serial entrepreneur, he built multiple successful businesses that still exist today. I never once saw him complain about staying late to fix machinery or being the first and last person at the office. He understood that success wasn’t about convenience—it was about perseverance. Read more>>

K.o From The Pilla

I think you have to work hard, be dedicated, put your all into it, Stay focused, grind without getting distracted. You can’t let anything or anyone get in the way of your dreams you have to stay motivated with tunnel vision. No matter how many times you feel like you can’t do it or as if you took a lost you have to use that as learning experiences and go even harder.. Read more>>

Suzanne Rydz

Perseverance, resilience, hard work, dedication, passion, drive, adaptability, learning, creativity, and self-confidence—mix these ingredients, add timing, and you have a recipe for success. As a Professional Organizer, I’ve discovered that success is rarely accidental; it’s a combination of these elements mixed with a bit of magic. Read more>>

Joanna Stuba

I think success is an idea that people chase after all their lives without realizing that they’ve already achieved it. I used to have the thoughts “one day when I’m successful”, or “I’ll be successful when..” but once I realized that success is very personal, my thoughts on it changed. Read more>>

Joe Jurado

An ability to not be defeated in failure. So many people in tech fields, creative fields, and even service jobs are getting laid off and having the path they set out upon being abruptly ripped from under them. It’s so easy to give in to defeat and feel like these failures define you. I was laid off from my producing job at G4 (by tweet no less! Gotta love that Joe Marsh) and it took a minute to process that failure. My lay off came right before the Writer’s Strike and industry contraction. I had to process that the path I set out upon may no longer be available to me and game plan a new one. It’s required me to adapt to some new ways of thinking and being creative, but it’s honestly been the most fun I’ve had creating art in years. It took some pain, but I’ve come out the other side hopeful and confident in the plan I’m now embarking on. Read more>>

Markiss Mcfadden

I firmly believe that success requires unwavering tenacity and the fortitude to push through obstacles. Challenges will come, but perseverance is the key. You can never give up. Achieving your dreams demands an extraordinary level of discipline, consistency, and self-confidence. Read more>>

Joy Qiu

Success is a concept as varied as the individuals who pursue it. For some, it is the culmination of grand achievements; for others, it is found in the quiet consistency of daily habits. Yet, no matter how we define it, success is rarely an accident—it is built through intention, effort, and a deep understanding of oneself. My name is Joy Qiu, and as a senior at Pratt Institute, the founder of ZiNG QiU, and an individual navigating the complexities of life, I have come to believe that success is a mosaic of small, deliberate actions, unwavering persistence, and the courage to embrace both failure and growth. Read more>>

Carl Dean Ii

The key to success, in my opinion, is believing in yourself and having faith. Before pursuing anything in life, you must first believe that you can and will accomplish it to the best of your abilities. When you look at highly successful business owners, one common trait they all share is confidence and a clear vision for their business. Read more>>

Heather Knox

We believe success is built on a foundation of passion and adaptability. First, pursue what genuinely excites you. If you’re in business, it’s best practice to understand who your ideal client or guest is—this clarity will guide your decisions. Next, develop a clear plan but be prepared mentally for it to not go as planned. Cultivate strong, positive relationships with your supporters, and always aim to provide them with value…& remember there is not business without them. Finally, remain open to pivoting when necessary; success often requires adjusting your approach along the way. Actually, one more thing – when you get too far from the fun, do your best to make your way back. Read more>>

Rob Campbell

The key to success is understanding that the concept itself is fluid and self-defined. Many folks measure their success by the numbers on their financial spreadsheets or the size of their warehouse. I take an approach that encompasses many different metrics. Do I feel creatively satisfied by the work? Am I receiving positive input from my friends/peers? Am I making an impact in my community? Do people like me? Do they REALLY like me? Read more>>

Andrew Jandt

We think out of all the traits required to be a successful musician in the modern, tenacity and persistence are the two that have carried us this far. We live in a sparsely populated area and we represent the sound of the last dying breath of the wild west. For us that means playing gold rush era saloons that still stand but also adapting modern instruments and technology into our act and recordings. We are the sole voice in the world for this unique take on music and it fits us well. This has also translated well throughout five hundred performances from Los Angles to New York City, Bismarck to Austin. We aim to be be a voice of undeniable authenticity to represent our region across the globe and we do our best every single day to live and convey that experience for our fans. Read more>>

Rita Ambrosi

Success is a deeply personal concept, one that each individual defines based on their values, experiences, and aspirations. For me, success isn’t necessarily about fame, wealth, or being the most popular photographer in my area. Instead, I believe it’s about feeling content and grateful in my day-to-day life. It’s the small moments of happiness that I find in my relationships with family and friends, in the work I do, and the gratitude I carry for what I already have. Success, is waking up each day feeling thankful for the people in my life and the opportunities that come my way, regardless of how big or small they are. Read more>>

Tariqah Mills, Cpa

Our firm T3 Accounting Services, a boutique accounting firms offering accounting and taxation services to small business owners. As the licensed CPA of the firm, I have the opportunity in learning so much about the commitments, hardships, dedication, delegating and desirable growth for success in the small business world when working with our clients. The experiences shared and being apart of when embarking on starting, working and growing their business ventures, has been key in developing my current view of what it takes to have success. More importantly as a small business owner myself, I spend time on critically reflecting on these same aspects of managing my accounting firm.  Read more>>

Andrea Eder

I believe that in order to be successful one has to have an unwavering belief in themselves and what they are capable of doing. If you don’t believe in yourself, success simply won’t come and it’s not because you don’t have what it takes, you won’t reach that success because you won’t take the necessary actions needed in order for you to accomplish your goals. Your belief system is what pushes you to take action and without it, your life will likely remain the same. Read more>>

Patricia Alvarado

Success, in my view, is a combination of purpose, perseverance, and genuine connection. When I began my journey as a therapist, I knew I wanted to create a practice that went beyond just talking about symptoms. I wanted a space where people could truly heal, experience hope, and reconnect with their inner strengths. That guiding purpose helped me stay motivated—even through the early days of building Alvarado Therapy, when I was juggling countless hours of training and the usual growing pains of a small business. Read more>>

Kayla Okpareke

One thing that has been instrumental to the success of my company has been focusing on my own goals and my own path. It’s easy to get caught up comparing where you’re at in your career to others, especially with social media. However, I’ve found that putting up your blinders and truly focusing on your own unique path and only comparing yourself to where you were last year – it truly has the power to propel you forward to places you never imagined. Read more>>