Getting to do what you love? Providing for your loved ones? What does success mean to you? Below you’ll find perspectives from some of the city’s best and brightest.

Rachel Watkinson | Portrait & Intimate Wedding Photographer

This is a question that I think we all ask ourselves at one point or another when it comes to our businesses, as well as in response to many challenges that we come across in our personal lives. When it comes to my photography business, it has been a long journey to figure out where I wanted to go with it, and to discover what I feel most passionate about. I have definitely made pivots in my business to adjust the focus of my photography services and I have been blessed to have found success. Read more>>

Claire Khodara | Recording Artist, Entrepreneur, + Autism Advocate

I never give myself the option of giving up. Read more>>

Perception 59 | Artist

I love what you do. It brings me peace and eternal joy so the thought of giving up never defeats me. Read more>>

Corey Davis | Photographer

This is a question that often comes up. The answer is easy. When you can look back at your work and see progression, improvement, and detail that means there is still a long journey ahead. If you have bottomed-out and feel that you have maximized all potential whether creating income and/or creativity, it may be time to step away. The key is know that you can never retire from your purpose no matter how much you attempt to walk away. Read more>>

Lamar McMullen | Mpowerment Coordinator

Sometimes the thought of me succeeding is the bare minimum but I remembered hearing a still small voice when I attempted to commit suicide that “If you Trust And Believe in Me, I Got You”. So I remind myself when life seems to get hard at times that always means that there is a blessing on the other side of whatever is happening and If I keep God before me, I shall WIn every time. Having 9 Years clean and working in the HIV filed have really opened my eyes because i client said, if you would have given up on life almost 10 years ago, i wouldn’t be able to save so many lives that i have saved thus far by just speaking my experience and guiding them into acceptance. Read more>>

Erica Schmelzer | Lifestyle Family & Event Photographer

I’m successful at what I do when I can create my art, while staying true to myself. I’m all about the connection and energy and authenticity in a photo, and I love when those aspects are palpable in an image I’ve captured. Read more>>

There She Is Art | Artists/Street Artist

To define success, especially in your creative endeavors is difficult. Most artists don’t start a creative path because they are looking for traditional success, they do so because it’s a necessary outlet. Whatever the reason, finding success as an artist can take a lot of redefining what that means. For me, any part that brings some kind of gratification along the way is a success. Sometimes it comes from someone else enjoying a piece of art that I created that speaks to them on a personal level. Other times it’s when I complete a work of art I enjoy looking at myself. I am after all my own worst critic. And maybe that great work was just a one off created to put up in the streets and it gets buffed the next day and only I saw it.. Read more>>

Meliza Ruby A. | Visual & Multidisciplinary Artist

Everyday i wake up with a motto/mojo in my mind and always try to go to sleep with it aswell wich is: “i am blessed to eake up to a new day, and washout all negativity away and let all the positive vibes come in my path and manifest all over my journey”. You have to have a purpose in life and everyday fight for that purpose and chase the goal you have set, when the give up moment comes knocking our door we can’t let them in because it will take all the positive energy, what i do and advise other is strength and the purpose! Read more>>

Zev Kanter | CEO

The definition of success tends to be unique based on the individual you ask, but I personally believe there are three different categories of success. Financial Success Physical Success Mental & Emotional Success #1) Financial success is what one feels they need in monetary value to feel a sense of fulfillment and happiness. Read more>>

SIMON CHOCRON | Web Developer & Digital Marketing Strategist

The answer to this question depends on the specific situation. In some cases, it may be clear that continuing is not going to lead to any positive results, and it may be best to give up. However, in other cases, it may be worth persevering in order to see if things can improve. Ultimately, the decision whether to continue should be based on what is most likely to lead to the best possible outcome. Read more>>