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

Michelle Chu | Founder & CEO of KONOS

I love this question because I love challenging the definition of success. It’s so subjective. To one person, my business, KONOS, may seem super successful—my social media content is active, my handcrafted dog leashes look sleek and minimal, and my website looks professionally done (thanks to my years of web development experience). To another person, I may look like I’m just starting out. Read more>>

Melissa Schade | Dance teacher/choreographer movement director/entertainer/healer

Presence. Joy. Love. I show up for myself and others and I am completely present and I teach presence through movement. I spread joy and spark joy in myself and others. I teach people to be in the frequency of love…to love themselves, their bodies, their community, music, movement, and to feel safe doing doing so…it’s freedom! Read more>>

Melissa Castro | Founder of Melibee Plantas & Educator

The most important factor behind Melibee Plantas is by far my community! I am tremendously appreciative of all the amazing people that I have had the opportunity to come across because they have all kept me going. I am thankful to B.E.L.L.A, an amazing community network that uplifts Latina entrepreneurial voices, for granting me a small business grant when I began to build my business in Los Ángeles. I am thankful to the Mujeres Market in Santa Bárbara for welcoming me time and time again into an amazing community of mujeres. I am extremely thankful to EarthyCorazon, for hosting my plantas in their beautiful shop, especially during a time when my plantas need a new home. I am thankful to Girls Today Women Tomorrow, a leadership mentoring program in Boyle Heights, for believing in me to lead their gardening program. Lastly, but not least, I am thankful to all my beautiful plant parents and supporters who have purchased from me, who share and like my posts online, who allow me to do what I do because they find the joy that plants bring too! I am not self made. I am proudly community made. I believe any future successes will be because of my community! Read more>>

Alec Sartain – Smartalec/Helsing | Producer & Artist

Having the courage to try what you never thought you could do, seems to be a major key for attaining internal success/happiness. We all fail, but we can also fail forward – meaning it leads us to the next challenge. Read more>>

Carole MacDonal | Restaurant Owner/ Sommelier

Being present every day to nurture and guide the progression of the restaurant. I grew up in the restaurant business … it’s in my blood. I learned very young the value of people and how one should never place money over people. This translates for both our customers and our team. As a producer and published writer in Hollywood with credits in both television and film “the Amazing Race” and “the Biggest Loser” I have worked with teams my entire career. Now I follow my passion for food and wine in our restaurants and the love of our community in Paso Robles. Read more>>

TAYLOR MORGAN GUNTER | Lifestyle Influencer

The success of Morganbleu, my brand, is deeply rooted in my unwavering commitment to cultivating a vibrant and supportive community. In a world where many women grapple with insecurities, I’ve made it my mission to create a space that encourages authenticity and self-empowerment. My brand has resonated by addressing the unique challenges I face in hopes my viewers can relate. Producing lifestyle content tailored specifically for women experiencing insecurity has been a cornerstone of my approach. I understand the significance of relatability in fostering a sense of connection among our community members. Through thoughtful and curated content, I not only showcase a diverse range of lifestyles but also provide practical insights and encouragement for women to navigate and overcome their insecurities or life’s hardships. This authenticity resonates with my consumers, forging a genuine connection and loyalty that goes beyond superficial marketing strategies. In essence, the success of Morganbleu is a result of my holistic approach to addressing the insecurities that women face. By building a community, producing relatable content, and offering authentic products, I’ve become a beacon of empowerment for individuals seeking to embrace their true selves. Read more>>

Janie Emaus | Author/Columnist

I”d say the most important factor to my success has been perseverance. I’ve been writing all my life with moderate success. In December of 2019, after trying for years to sell my picture book, Latkes for Santa Claus, I sold the book in six days to Skyhorse Publishing. I like to say it took two decades to achieve overnight success. The sales of this book were substantial and that led to my second blended holiday picture book, Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls. Read more>>

Eric Martig | Real Estate Agent

I think there is a lot of different approaches to the way an agent can conduct their business in real estate. There’s isn’t a right or wrong way but I do like to think that I work with a different mindset than a lot of agents out there. The power of relationships is what I like to focus on when I conduct business. Every client of mine is treated with the same level of importance regardless of your price point, whether you are looking to buy or lease. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t do something in regards to my clients. I truly do think of my clients every day and make a point to actively do something for them, whether its researching, touching base with other agents to see if anything new is hitting the market, going to open houses that might fit their needs, or simply checking in to see how things are going on their end. My business foundation is built on kindness and empathy. This goes beyond my clients but also with any agent that I do business with. At the end of the day we all should be working as a team because the end goal is to satisfy our clients and make sure we can close escrow and make both sides happy. I don’t understand when I run into agents that yell, or get angry at you while you are negotiating. No one wants to work with someone that treats people that way and it’s extremely unprofessional. People want to work with someone they don’t mind talking to on the phone and someone that isn’t a carbon cut out of the stereotypical real estate agent. Every agent that I’ve done business with or even just had simple conversations with knows that in the future we can work together and have a smooth escrow without the ego, and without the unnecessary drama that some agents bring to the table. Now that doesn’t mean my team and I don’t approach our deals with a level of professionalism and vigor to make sure that everything is done on time and people are held accountable for their end of the deal. There needs to be a healthy balance between the two. There isn’t an escrow that doesn’t run into speed bumps, its going to happen, and you need to be prepared to problem solve on the fly with the other agent, so your clients don’t need to panic on their end. We should be more than just an agent that fills out paperwork, We need to be our clients “therapists’ at times and protectors, especially for first time home buyers. Buying your first home can be extremely stressful, it’s most likely the biggest purchase of your life, so you definitely want to make sure you team up with the right agent that is going to understand what you’re going through and do everything they can to make the process easier on you. It should never be about the sale and commission, as agents we will have thousands of sales throughout our careers, it needs to be about the client and making them happy. I love what I do because I get to help people, and that sounds so cliche and I hate saying it but it really makes me feel great when my clients close on a home and I see that joy and love on their faces. Read more>>

Kassandra Gordon | Fine Jewellery Designer

For my fine jewellery brand, Kassandra Gordon the most crucial factor behind our success is undeniably the connection we forge with clients and supporters. This goes beyond merely selling beautiful pieces; it’s about building a community where people feel invested in the journey and resonate with the story behind each design. Each piece embodies a unique narrative, connecting wearers to their own stories and emotions. This emotional resonance transcends fleeting trends and fosters personal connections. I actively engage with my audience, fostering a sense of community through social media interactions, live events, and personalized outreach. I strive for honesty in everything I do, from sharing my design process to acknowledging challenges. This builds trust and allows clients to feel like partners in our brand’s evolution. I highlight on how my jewellery empowers and inspires individuals amplifies the connection and showcases the positive impact the brand has on people’s lives. Read more>>

KRISHNA ADONI | Cinematographer and Photographer

My success in cinematography is rooted in my unwavering dedication to delving into the timeless fundamentals of the craft while simultaneously harboring an eagerness to embark on innovative ventures. Striking a balance between tradition and progress, I consistently strive for excellence by incorporating state-of-the-art technology while cherishing the foundational principles that form the backbone of cinematography. Read more>>

James L Gilmore | Film Producer & Director

The most important factor behind my success, if I had to boil it down to one word, would be “discipline”. I have managed and grew my brand from working hard, making goals and remaining discipline while life around me continues to be change. Everyone sets goals and has dreams, the difference between the average person and people “considered successful” is their discipline and integrity to create their own path to their said’ goals. Read more>>

Marvin Coleman | Film and Stage Writer/ Producer- Inkwell Pictures

The most important factor behind my success is staying power and focusing on the long-term goal. Many people with great ideas, big vision, the next best thing quit before their success is realized. I have eliminated quiting from the equation. Read more>>

Paloma Bertissolli | Photographer and Creative Director

I believe that the most important factor is the passion I have for photography and art in general. It is a fuel that makes the gears turn, without it, I would have given up at the first opportunity, and giving up is not an option Read more>>