Every overnight success we’ve seen has been years in the making. And those overnight successes are rarely because of an amazing idea or a stroke of luck. We asked some of our favorite folks from the community about what characteristics are at the heart of their success story?

Amir Duke | Brand Partnerships and Label Relations

My perseverance and resolve have been the most important components of my achievement. Being capable of being patient with your success will go you much further than trying to accomplish a goal as quickly as possible. Grit enabled me to persevere with work and passion toward a certain long-term goal or end state. The capacity to network in any setting is a key component of my success today, which is largely due to these two qualities. Read more>>

eric cloutier | Business owner, CEO, and consultant

The most important factor behind the success of my brand is the genuine connection I establish with people. I treat everyone, including my employees and customers, like family, ensuring they have what they need to provide the best service. Above all, I prioritize caring for others and treating everyone equally. Read more>>

Whitney DuBarry / Sarah Thomas Mind & Matter (business name) | Founder / Program Director

Sarah: I would say that a lot of it has to do with our message of empowering youth and confidence in the next generation of women. We’re a team full of women from different backgrounds and so I think we just really speak from a place of what we truly believe to be empowering mixed with psychology research. Read more>>

Chris Evans | Luxury Wedding photographer

The most important factor for my success is 100% in the relationships I’ve built within the wedding industry. I always lead with kindness and gratitude and when people operate like that I feel success awaits. I’m the world of weddings referrals can come from the entire world of weddings. From a florist to a make up artist and caterer. So the kinder you are to every wedding pro the more chances you’ll have of someone speaking highly of you. Read more>>

Lisa Crawley | Songwriter & Musician

I think the most important factor and common theme for the success I’ve had so far in my career is seeking out opportunities myself rather than wait for anything to come to me. When I was six, I wrote a letter to the teacher asking to be put up a year at school, and another letter that I really wanted the lead role in the school play. Read more>>

Manya Nofal | Fashion & Sustainable jewelry design

Details… It’s all about details, the most important factor in my design is the smallest detail, and that what makes things unique and exceptional. Sustainability also another factor behind the success of my brand. Read more>>

Sean Petersen | Founder of Golf Trip Junkie – customized golf vacations

I believe the most important factor behind my success is determination, never giving up despite the many challenges I’ve encountered throughout my journey. The commitment to achieve my goals, regardless of the difficulties I’ve faced, is perhaps the main factor behind the success of my brand as it is today. Read more>>

Sandi Griffin | Professional Fitness Coach and Colorado Springs Health & Fitness Expo Coordinator

I attribute my success to the relationships I’ve built. You can have all of the training and knowledge your field has to offer, but if you do not take the time to make a connection with your clients, none of yor knowledge and skill will matter for long. People do not want to be treated simply like a “transaction”. As humans, I believe we long to really be seen and heard. Read more>>

Brent Estabrook | Artist

The most crucial factor behind my success and the success of my brand is undoubtedly passion. I truly love what I do, and that passion has been the driving force behind all my accomplishments. It propels me forward and pushes me to give my best in everything I undertake. While I can’t claim that every single thing I do will be perfect, I can assure you that I approach all my endeavors with authentic passion. Read more>>

Nicol Kuburoglu | Junior Talent Buyer

Coming from a small island with little opportunity, I’ve always had to fight for everything I’ve achieved. With the support of those around me, my friends and family, I’ve continued to have the motivation to try again, even after failing so many times. I never let failure pull me down, instead use it to motivate me to be even more successful in the future. Read more>>

Liz Naomi | Liz Naomi Healing Portraits and Soul Coaching

The most important factor behind my success has been surrender, healing my past, and going within to manifest. When people think of the word surrender, they tend to think it’s a fluffy word written on chachkies as a good luck charm. When I look at Surrender, I see it as a lifestyle, a modes to completely shift your view of life and allow in your dreams to come true. Read more>>

Jasmine Del Toro | Lifestyle Content Creator

The most important factor behind my success is consistency. I’ve always kept a certain goal in mind that has kept me focused and determined to succeed. You also have to genuinely love what you do, if you don’t have a passion for what you do, you won’t have that natural desire to keep pushing forward when things get hard. Read more>>

Claudia Rosales | Realtor

As a realtor, the most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is building and maintaining strong relationships with clients. Real estate is a people-oriented industry, and establishing trust and rapport with clients is essential for long-term success. By consistently delivering exceptional service and prioritizing the needs of my clients, I can establish a strong reputation in the industry and foster long-term relationships that lead to repeat business and referrals. Read more>>

James Dilg | Filmmaker & Musician

Hard work! Putting in lots & lots of hours & sometimes not sleeping much focusing toward the craft of filmmaking. If it wasn’t for me filming videos early on in my film career at night & staying up until 5 or 6 or 7am to finish editing them & send them to my clients/friends the same/next day I probably wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today. Read more>>

Sofia Garcia | Visual Designer

The most important factors behind my success and the success of my brand lie in my unwavering determination and hard work. Coming from a small country, I have had to work relentlessly to prove my worth in the US. Also I’ve always had the support of my family, despite being predominantly left-brain thinkers, has been a constant driving force. Read more>>

Stephen Tako | CEO & Co-Founder; Author

The most important factor in our success is having the belief that the world needs our brand and that obstacles must not prevent us from being successful. Our success goes far beyond our own needs to be a healthy organization, because the focus is more on the children that we serve, who would not receive the help without our brand’s success. Success is the only option. Read more>>

Nancy Brimhall | Nonprofit Consultant and Entrepreneur

Being real. In more than 20 years of consulting with nonprofits in fundraising and management, I have never advertised. My work all comes from referrals from previous clients. I believe in fully personalized service. I never pull out a manual and deliver by the book. It’s about changing up the game if they are going to succeed and finding new creative ways to solve their particular problem(s). Read more>>

Dwayne Oyler | Architect

Jenny and I have both always been believers in both intellectual ideas and material experimentation. Good ideas alone aren’t enough – you need to be willing to get out there and make it happen. What has set us apart has always been our willingness to get our hands dirty- to make things that others wouldn’t or couldn’t. That willingness to experiment has been not only what made the work possible, its what kept the ideas moving forward. Read more>>

Shahbaz Awan | Inspirator & Business Owner

Their are factors that I can contribute to my success. Those factors include integrity, transparency, and a genuine care for others. when you do things with other peoples best interest in mind the success will just come. When you operate with genuineness in your mind and heart, success is inevitable. This is a quality that has died out in the world because humans have become overly selfish. Read more>>