How do you think about work life balance?

24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week. Junior investment bankers regularly work 80-90 hours a week. Many other high profile professions require the same level of commitment. Often those on the outside claim that working 80-90 hours a week is bad/wrong/terrible/silly/etc but we’ve spoken with so many folks who say working that much has been the best decision of their life – it allowed them to develop a deep and strong skill set far faster than would have been possible otherwise. In other words, by working 2x the hours, they were able to generate 5x or more the rewards. And depending on where you are in your career, investing heavily in your skills and competence can pay dividends for a long time.

Scott Diehl | Guitarist, Vocalist | The Storytellers Band

The factor that’s been most vital is that we’ve built and band and our brand on the foundation of gratitude. Gratitude for each other in what we all bring to the music, to rehearsal and to the live shows, but also gratitude for our audience. We don’t have “fans” like other bands. At least we don’t call our audience “fans”. To us, that word isn’t giving them enough credit for what they bring to what we’re doing, which is considerable. If our audience doesn’t come, then we’re finished. We only exist because they do. They inspire us, first by showing up, but also with their energy and smiles and dancing. They are Storytellers, too. So we really refer to our audience as our community, and we are their community. Read more>>

Nicole Drew | Founder & CEO of Rater

I believe business related success is based off several factors and can be subjective, but for Rater and myself personally, it all comes down to passion, focused commitment, grit and the ability to pivot as needed. The online dating sector is competitive and every evolving, so Rater must listen to it’s members continuous feedback, take that feedback and put it to work. Read more>>

Josh Mitchell | Hollywood Talent Publicist & Branding Specialist

I live by the mantra: good things come to those who initiate not wait. I don’t knock on random doors — I knock doors down. I’ve learned to listen because the slightest opportunity sometimes knocks very softy. I try to remember that the present will never come again. That the time is now and the place is here and that there are no second chances at a divine moment. I guess it’s like the great New York rapper Nas says “I never sleep ’cause sleep is the cousin of death.” Read more>>

Genevieve Haines | Communications Agency Founder

Teamwork, 100 percent. Through my communications firm I partner with creative directors, graphic designers and other specialists. I also partner with my clients. With creative projects there are lots of competing voices and ideas, and often you can’t find solutions without listening deeply to the experts and the clients. Asking lots of questions throughout the creative process maximizes the value of the talent and expertise each person brings to the project. That’s the real value of teamwork. Read more>>

Andrew Roberts | Educator, Filmmaker, Photographer, and LUMIX Ambassador

Without a doubt, my greatest successes came from offering my hand and simply saying “Hello, I’m Andrew Roberts, here’s what I have to offer, how can we work together?” An honest assessment of my skills, goals, and vision (both creative and professional) allows me to accurately collaborate or market myself to those who make the most sense. Simple conversations with representatives and those in a chosen industry lead to more opportunities than simply relying on Indeed or LinkedIn. I strive to never oversell or undersell my skills but never forget that there is always room to learn and grow. Read more>>

Celine Mirzaian Minas | Founder & CEO of NutMutt

There are many factors that contribute to my success and the success of NutMutt. A clear vision and genuine passion are the drivers that set the direction and fuel the perseverance needed to pursue my long-term goals. Challenges are inevitable almost every step of the way, but the resilience to overcome them and view each setback as an opportunity to learn and improve is what keeps me on course. It’s about trial and error, and the willingness to embrace the learning curve that comes with starting a new venture. Read more>>

Tawney Noriega | VCBW Founder

The Ventura County Business Women (VCBW) brand is known for its commitment to fostering genuine connections and promoting holistic growth. VCBW goes beyond traditional networking by creating a vibrant community that values the integration of personal and professional aspects of women’s lives. This approach helps women thrive both in their businesses and personal development journeys. At the heart of VCBW is the creation of a safe, supportive, and empowering space for women to showcase their authenticity. Our brand encourages women to share their stories, challenges, successes, and aspirations, which helps to build genuine relationships and foster a sense of community that celebrates individuality while nurturing collective growth. Read more>>

Dani Gildemontes-Davila | Founder of Best Friend’s House

Best Friend’s House success in our first year of business can 100% be attributed to our followers; or as we like to refer to them-our besties. When you’re in the cannabis space traditional marketing efforts aren’t available to you. Hell, we can’t even show anything directly cannabis related on social media. So if it weren’t for our besties shopping small for gifts, tagging their friends in our posts, or sharing one of our TikToks, we would not be going into year 2 of BFH. Read more>>

JJ EVANS | Artist & Visionary

I believe the most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand has been knowing who I am and the art of being authentically myself. Everything needed to sustain a successful brand is easier to manage when we’re true to who we are. My identity has primarily been rooted in my faith, which has allowed me to build confidence, connect with others, grow, and be more creative as an artist. Read more>>

Natalie Hemmens | Real Estate Agent

Without the circle of individuals that I have intentionally chosen to be around me, I would not be where I am today. If you think you can do it alone, think again! Building a business does mostly start with you, but without the support, resources, inspiration and guidance of others, the business is likely not going to thrive. Behind any business owner, mega star or brand are the families, community, co-workers and those that came before us to pave the way. Lots of businesses are only recognizing the face of the brand-the leader for all the hard work and dedication they put towards the business. While this is true, any business owner will tell you that they did not do it alone. Read more>>

Robert E. Blackmon | Lifestyle Specialist

The most important factor behind my success is that I believe that I am successful. My success is not dictated by money or a specific follower count. It is not based on how many books I have written or the number of television appearances I’ve made. My success is rooted in the fact that I try. I get up every morning and make the effort to do something that I’ve not done before. I don’t complain nor do boast about it. My success is for me and me alone. If others find joy, comfort or satisfaction from my success that is an added bonus. Read more>>

Brian Fitzpatrick | Screenwriter & Author

The most important factor in my success, above all else, is perseverance. As a screenwriter and novelist, my path is full of rejection, obstacles, self-doubt, and frustrations. Hope and perseverance get me through it all and bring me the victories that further my career. When I’ve thought about giving up, I’ve learned to take a moment, regroup, then get back in the game. Perseverance is the key to all of it. Read more>>

Mars (Lindalee) Rose | Content Creator, Brand Ambassador & Junior Entertainment Reporter

Engagement with fans, along with consistency is key. Its hard to always be on top of trends and exhausting to keep up with the fads and fashions, so it’s important to carve your niche and just focus on that, to find your core audience and build off of them. Read more>>