The Coronavirus has given many us an opportunity to pause and think about life, our purpose, and even the right work life balance. What’s your perspective and has it changed over time?

Elizabeth Z. McDonough | LMHC, PMH-C, Master Practitioner of NLP, Hypnotherapy, Mental and Emotional Release®

Without hesitation, my handful of core values set me up for my personal and entrepreneurial journey. Their daily appearance is non negotiable. Spirituality, mental health & physical wellness, integrity, family, and fun are on the top of the list. With my core values in tact, my internal cup continues to over flow, giving the world the best of me instead of what is left of me. I access love and creativity that keeps my business interesting, evolving, and thriving. The first module in the You First Now Self Care Program is discovering your core values. Life will continue to throw its’ best and worst at you. You have a choice how you want to show up for it [life]. I choose to operate through the lens of my core values. Read more>>

Camila Velez | Trade Marketing Manager & Dog Mom

What defines success? Is it the relentless pursuit of goals, unwavering dedication, or a combination of both? For many, success is a multifaceted jewel, reflecting various aspects of life experiences, decisions, and principles. Reflecting upon my journey, I’ve found that the path to fulfillment isn’t merely about reaching a destination but more about embracing certain practices that have profoundly shaped my life. Among these practices, one paramount factor stands out: refusing to let fear dictate actions. Fear, a constant presence on life’s journey, has the power to paralyze and obscure opportunities. Overcoming this force demands courage, determination, and a willingness to push past mental boundaries. Read more>>

Jordan Chantel | Jewelry Artist

The most important factor behind my success as an artist is limiting my limitations. In the past, I found myself constantly trying to limit my creativity by asking myself questions like “Will other people like this?” “Will this sell?” every time I had a new idea. It was a battle between choosing to use my time creating new designs, and feeding my creativity, or making what I knew would sell quickly based on past experiences. Realistically, if making/selling art is your primary source of income you’ll have these worries. However, it’s incredibly important to stay true to YOUR vision. To feed YOUR creativity. To create for YOU as well. Learning to separate myself from that and not limit myself to only creating what I know will go fast has helped me grow as an artist and nurture new skills that have brought me so many blessings. Read more>>

Tyler Malek | Co-Founder and Head Ice Cream Maker of Salt & Straw

My cousin, Kim, and I started Salt & Straw as an ice cream pushcart in Portland, OR in 2011. Our inspiration was to use ice cream as a platform for storytelling, so we’ve always worked with local artisans and purveyors in each of our markets to create unique flavors that showcase the city. Our scoop shops have become these community gathering spaces where neighbors and friends can come together and taste through ice cream that reflects culinary trends, seasonality of ingredients, and cultural moments. We learned really quickly that visiting a Salt & Straw is way more than getting a scoop of ice cream. We think about the entire experience and try to focus everything around creating taste adventures for our guests. Visiting one of our scoop shops is more like going to a theater than going to standard ice cream shop. Read more>>

Nile Fortner | Community Columnist Journalist and Multimedia

As someone who works in media, whether it’s writing an article, or content creating for social media, I believe networking is a huge factor. I actively pursue events, network meetings, and do my best to engage with people whenever possible. For me, social media was a big one. I was hesitant to get on social media at first. But when I did, I engaged, contacted, and used it to make opportunities for myself. I’d share my articles, community events, send messages and therefore, I used it for networking with those in South Florida. I went on social media with the purpose to network and truly meet and engage with people beyond just hitting the like button. Read more>>

Lyndsey Paradis | Hand Tied Extension Specialist / Salon Owner

Since I was a child, I have envisioned the life I live today. Hard work, dedication, and a relentless drive to learn and grow have been essential to my success. I never settle for complacency, knowing that there is always room to improve. Read more>>

Carline Phanor | Creator and CEO

The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is consistency. Consistently working hard, staying focused on my goals, and never giving up on my dreams has been crucial. It’s not just about having a great idea or creating a quality award winning product, but it’s also about consistently putting in the effort and dedication required to make that idea or product successful. By setting and meeting daily goals, I’ve been able to build momentum, make progress, and ultimately achieve success. Consistency has allowed me to establish a strong brand identity, build trust with customers, and deliver consistent quality that keeps them coming back for more. It’s the foundation upon which my success has been built. Read more>>

Kat Hoelck | Creative Director and Fashion Faculty

Luke Campbell said ‘talent is nothing without dedication and discipline, and dedication and discipline is a talent in itself.’ When I have an idea, I have an unrelenting fire in my belly to chase that idea into reality. You have to show up and do what needs to be done even if you’re not in the mood. Read more>>

Aleksandra Ataca | Visioner, creative director, photographer, coach, visual marketing specialist, editor-in-chief, business owner.

Numerous essential factors have played a role in my success: my passion for my work, ambition, consistency, visionary outlook, authenticity, sincerity, a profound sense of responsibility and many other factors. However, if I were to emphasize a single factor, it would be this: While I’m inherently a dreamer, it’s imperative to bridge dreams with action. As a business owner, I’m not only the visionary behind a project but also the driving force to make it a reality. Ideas, without the action to bring them to life, hold limited value. Additionally, the ability to multitask and adapt across various roles amplifies efficiency and productivity, enabling a dynamic approach that aligns perfectly with the demands of our fast-paced world. Read more>>

Julie Talenfeld | Founder, CEO & President, BoardroomPR

The loyalty of my team. I have had people working for me for 5, 10, 15, 20 (I won’t go up anymore because I don’t want to age myself!) years and I feel this really speaks to the ethos we have created. I believe in developing and supporting talent and investing in my people. It’s been wonderful that so many of my employees have stayed with me, and it’s been equally amazing to also see how former employees of mine have gone off and created incredible careers and businesses. They have become fantastic partners and collaborators. Be good to people. Read more>>

Stephanie Lichter | Owner of Sweet Lich’s and Violin instructor.

A happy customer and maintaining the quality of our products. Additionally participating in events throughout the community and making connections with people through our sweets! Read more>>