While it’s inspiring to read high level summaries of success stories, we think it’s just as important to learn about what drove the success and made it possible. We’ve asked some of the brightest folks we know to open up about what they believe was the most important factor behind their success.

Alisha L | Lifestyle Blogger & Podcast Host

The most important factor behind the success of my brand is my authenticity. Being authentic to my main purpose and goal has allowed me to stay true to myself when making business decisions, creating content, and connecting with others. I believe that the only person responsible for your success in life is you. Yes, you may get help along the way, but if you stay authentic and true to your goal, you will have success. Read more>>

Marc Rivera | Medical Marketing Expert & Consultant

Our competitive advantage. We offer clients something that most marketing companies package into a bigger bundle of services. There are so many big box marketing companies in aesthetic medicine, but very few who specialize in one area of marketing. Our niche is social media management and marketing for plastic surgeons and that’s what we’re good at. Specializing in one thing and being known for dominating in one area is what sets us apart and our clients love that because, ironically, that’s what they’re doing too. Read more>>

Jonathan Perazzo | Personal Injury Attorney

I think one of the most valuable factors to success, in addition to luck and hard work, is learning how to analyze one’s self. What I mean by that is that I have learned what I am good at and what I am bad at. This has allowed me to focus on those attributes which I excel at and delegate those which I do not. For instance, I am extremely good at seeing the big picture and how different pieces of a problem fit together, I believe that I am fairly creative and solving problems which fall “outside of the box” are relatively simple for me; on the other hand I am horrible at compartmentalizing and storing information for later. While I know where all the pieces go, I know that I lack the ability to consistently put them there. That is why I employ people who excel in those areas. No one person is an island, thus learning how to build and manage a team with complimentary traits is key. Read more>>

Emily Wriston | Founder of Luxe PR Agency

The most important factor behind the success of my brand Luxe PR Agency as well as me personally would be that I never give up on things that I am most passionate about. With that comes a lot of challenges but I love be innovative and always take time to rest and recharge…as many entrapanuers know that burn out is real but I believe that if you are truly passionate and a true creative, you will find a way to make it work and balance life, work, and all that fun stuff in between. Read more>>

Deejay Young | Singer/Songwriter, Recording Artist, Entertainer

I am eternally grateful for opportunity to be an independent artist, as well as an entertainer in the performing arts industry. The success I’ve had in my career has been built from the ground up & I’ve been granted several opportunities just from being persistent & consistent in branding myself. To be perfectly honest though, I think the most essential factor of this success has been being authentic with my artistry & with my humanity. What comes from the heart always reaches the heart. With whatever I do, if my art doesn’t inspire people to be their best selves, or to make my audience think in a more compelling way; I don’t think I’ve done my job as an artist. When I recorded my latest album, PRIMITIVE in the midst of the pandemic shutdown, I didn’t know if it was lucrative to put out an album at the time, or if people would listen to it, despite the fact it’s been three years since my last project. Read more>>

Yenara Montenegro | Fiber Artist

As a small business owner, I believe one cannot be successful without a team of incredible individuals in your corner. I think the most important factor behind my success has definitely been the support of family, friends & other small business owners. Little things such as accompanying me to markets, staying with my daughter while I attend the markets, cooking dinner while I squeeze in a few moments to get some work done, sharing posts through social media, or recommending our products/services, all of these small gestures, have made it possible for me to continue growing my brand. The small business community has welcomed me with open arms and has made me feel right at home. Every small business owner I have met this past year has played a key role in my success, from networking, to promoting each other and collaborating, they have all been so inspirational and have been motivation to keep pushing forward and growing my brand. Read more>>

Paola Villegas | Yoga Instructor, Birth Doula, Hypnobirthing Educator

The most important factor behind my success is that I lived the journey, yoga transformed my life in all dimension of my being, physically, emotionally, mindfully and spiritually. Through the practice of yoga I healed, strengthened and found my passion. I also connected with the journey of pregnancy, I specialized in giving prenatal support like prenatal yoga, childbirth preparation, hypnobirthing, doula support. I am an advocate of empower women in this special moment of their life. Is easy for me to understand and listen to moms to be, give them my support and elevate them. I am very intuitive and present and I put a 100% of myself to my students, giving them my dedication, understanding, challenge and connection. Read more>>

Vincent Celano | Founder of Celano Design Studio

A few things. As far as my success, I wake up every morning thinking about how I can lift people up. In the case of our staff, its important as a leader to offer complete support and ensure everyone feels as if they are part of something that matters. That’s my job! We shouldn’t just like our job we should love our job and the place we go to every day.. just like a relationships or our own home! Think about that for a moment. Also, as a design studio we are not style-driven at all, We like to explore, discover and tell a great story – sometimes it’s a reference to the past sometimes it’s a leap into the future, but regardless it’s a production we embrace and enjoy. As far as the brand, we like to emphasis that our studio is multi-faceted when it comes to design architecture, interior design, lighting design – and we actually just launched ‘AgenCe’ a division of Celano Design Studio that focuses on graphics, branding and marketing. Last thing.. diversifying!. Read more>>

Paola Giangualani | Founder at Self Care Nails

Hard work and consistency. I’ve put Self-Care nails before every other thing in my life for almost 2 years now. I like to be involved in every step of the way in our growth, and I always portray myself as a client and as an employee trying to understand both sides of the business. When I think about our clients one thing that I love is to have new things to offer for them every time they visit us so that they are never bored and are always surprised and excited to come. On the employee side, I try to listen and get their feedback on products and how things are going at the salon. We have been so busy it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, when this happens we try to slow down and take it easy. Things are very dynamic in this business, it’s very important to be able to go with the flow of things. Read more>>

Christian Mosi | Fashion Assistant & Fashion Writer CEO of Christian Mosi Lifestyle Blog

Prayer and not settling for less have been two things that have contributed to my success. When I feel that I’m stuck or do not have a sense of direction, I pray and ask God to show me signs to help me know that I’m on the right path or help me overcome this obstacle. Never settle for less because when you do you miss out on all the opportunities that are right for you versus what you are comfortable with. Read more>>

Lil Batista | CEO & Booking Manager

The most important factor behind our success has been our proactivity and customer service. We meticulously plan every performance in order to deliver the best entertainment experience. We are a forward – thinking company and we have learned to deal with challenging projects as well as to approach opportunities when they arise. On the other hand, we love our clients and we enjoyed meeting and listening to their visions. With this in mind, we can create the most magical performance on their event date. Listening, advising and keeping a constant communication with our customers had been the key to our rapid success in the wedding industry!. Read more>>

Nichelle Morgan | Licensed Esthetician & Software Tester

Nu Isle Beauty is a skin care and lifestyle brand, being determined in building Nu Isle & enjoying what I do are most important factors. For me seeing where you were before, feeling unfulfilled & unhappy; these factors fuel my determination. Also I enjoy what I do, studying the skin care industry, becoming familiar with new trends, thinking of new products, this keeps me on my toes. They play a major role and helps me in developing the path I want my brand to go. Staying determined and making sure I absolutely enjoy what you do!. Read more>>

Bernisha “Be’ Ronette” Robinson | Nurse and Med Spa Owner

The most important Factor behind my success and my brand is the the knowledge base that is available for my clients especially in post-op recovery care and how the body rehabs and heals. The natural and holistic care that we provide and personalize for each individual that walks through our doors. Read more>>