We asked the community what factors they felt were responsible for their success and we’ve highlighted some of those responses below.

Melanie Ulceus | Fashion Model & Traveler

Commitment. Whether I’m online or offline I’m committed to making my dreams and goals happen no matter what the cost is. Travelstylecreative is successful not because of the cute fun images posted. It’s successful because I’ve managed to cultivate a connection through a variety of people by staying committed to being authentic. Read more>>

Lara Maurino Donahue | Integrative Therapist

The most important factor behind the success of my work is authenticity. Early on, I learned in order to be a successful therapist, I had to be very clear about doing my own personal growth work, getting out of my own way, and knowing who I am. There is no space for feeling like an imposter when you are supporting people on their own personal journeys to being their true selves. Read more>>

Bonnie Root | Actor, singer, songwriter, filmmaker, writer, producer

The most important factor behind my success has been the balancing act of a willingness to adapt and change while holding on to my truth and sense of self. In arts and entertainment industry trends are constantly shifting and what was relevant today can be rendering meaningless and outdated in two seconds. I learned, sometimes the hard way, that my life IS my art and sometimes a transformation is needed or a break to spend time incubating in a safe space before re emerging with new and fresh ideas and versions of yourself. Authenticity and flexibility have helped me a lot to stay in whatever game I’m playing. Read more>>

Jay Jarrels | Private Personal Trainer

The most important factor behind the success I’ve had so far is consistency. Consistency is the culmination of repetitive behaviors and standards you set for yourself that come to produce a reliable and dependable personal training experience. Consistency is showing up for your sessions early, not rescheduling or canceling sessions, while providing a safe and enjoyable training experience with science based education; and you do this every single day of every single week of every single month of the year. Read more>>

TOM JEAN WEBB | ARTIST

I believe ultimately there’s a sincerity to what I do and how I approach it. One of the key factors for me in regards to my art is to play and have fun. I had a very conscious and direct conversation with myself a few years back, that I was meant to be enjoying this process. That although ultimately challenging at times, that the process of creating should be exciting, fun, instinctive and playful. Read more>>

Kahlil Greene | Public Educator, The Gen-Z Historian

The most important factor behind the success of my brand is that I always produce the content that I want to see. While it can be useful to think about–and in some ways cater–to an audience, if you aren’t producing the content that you love then you won’t feel as fulfilled when it’s created. But when you do, you’ll want to read, watch, and look back on your own work and create more. Read more>>

Quynh Le | Pianist, PhD Candidate, Music Teacher, Co-Owner of Moonlight Music Academy

Passion drives the success of our music school, Moonlight Music Academy. Passion created a successful brand, that our customers believed in. Like most children, I started taking piano lessons at age 4. I took a risk to pursue music after high school at an elite music conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music. Many people thought I was crazy. By taking those risks, cultivated a passion and drive that created a successful music school and business I own today. The passion that I had to create Moonlight Music Academy, runs deep, as I experienced every aspect of my business and brand. Read more>>

Assaad Yacoub | filmmaker

The most important factor to my success is staying true to myself with my work. Everything I do is something I believe in 100 percent that makes everyone from my camera team to my cast to believe in the project and give me their all. Another factor that played into my success was trusting people you work with not micro managing everything and allow everyone who is working on the project to feel like their voice and creative input is being heard at the end of the day filmmaking is a collaborative art form. Read more>>

Yeva Manucharyan | Digital Artist & Entrepreneur

There are several factors that contribute to my success. Passions for the brand, knowledge of the subject matter, good work ethics, creativity/innovative thinking and empathy. Passion gives me the desire for me to share what I’m doing with the world. Knowledge in the subject matter helps me organize my content and product line according to what my clients needs are. Good work ethic is crucial in setting goals, prioritizing and accomplishing your work efficiently. Creativity is the key driver, which sparks new ideas and creates new visual languages in communicating commercially. Innovation help me my brand beyond the conventional means and build for the future, using the latest technological advancements as tools for success. Read more>>