We’ve always believed that forming a strategy is impossible until you’re clear on what your values and principles are. Without values and principles to guide you, making decisions can seem impossibly difficult. Given how important setting values and principles is to decision making we asked folks we admire to tell us about the values or principles that matter most to them.

Andrea Urdaneta

Respect is the value that matters most to me. In the large and dense world of fashion, personal respect is essential regardless of the circumstances. It’s crucial that designers uphold and exercise respect for themselves and others, as the industry can often be overwhelming and misleading. Many designers find themselves diverted from their true purpose for the benefit of others, often at great personal cost. Upholding respect ensures that we stay true to our own vision and values, fostering a healthier and more authentic creative process. Read more>>

Zachary Sergi | Fiction Writer

I’ve had a mission statement since I began my career as a writer out of college, when I first moved to Los Angeles at age 22 (I’m 36 now). At first this was for writing digital interactive novels for Choice of Games in my 20s, then traditional print novels in my 30s. Every new project I pitch or start, I make sure it is built with this core mission statement in mind: Read more>>

Ari Castleton | Storyboard Director

Boundaries are very important to me. Whether its for other people/myself I want to know what line that shouldn’t be crossed is. I try to clearly define my boundaries in most aspects of my life like my relationships and work, that way everyone (including myself) is on the same page and whatever task at hand can be accomplished. It sounds intense haha, but it just comes down to preventing bigger issues down the road by communicating clearly from the beginning. Easier to put out sparks than fire, you know? Read more>>

Gabriel Smith | Author, Entrepreneur, Designer & Business Owner

The value and principle that means the most to me is “ pure intentions “. This is something I was born with along with heart and no fear but pure intentions are a principle that affects everything. Read more>>

Don Pablito | Hip hop Artist

The principle I value most is integrity—being honest and keeping my word. I believe in always doing what I say I will and never disregarding a promise or commitment I’ve made to someone. Read more>>

Claire Dew

Starting my own business with some thing that was a must for me. We live in a time and age where gatekeeping and people hindering other people’s growth is a thing. And for many, this comes out of a place of insecurity and or a deeply rooted fear. I was noticing that every time I wanted to get up and get out and do more within my role. I was always stopped or told to stand down. It wasn’t until I got the chance to work with people that had different ideas and goals, that they envisions for their lives – without that sense of insecurity, but almost a sense of purpose and freedom. They were not worried about what people were doing around them. They were simply focused on the vision at hand. Seeing and experiencing that in real time, helped me then realize that I had not only the potential but I had the right and the audacity to go after my dreams. Simply put I had control over my own destiny. So starting Dew Media Productions, wasn’t just to start a business to say I have one, but it really was literally a lifeline to keeping my dreams alive. Read more>>