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?

JENNA Nation | R&B Singer/Songwriter

The most important factor behind the success of my business and brand is being authentic. Being in the music industry, it is so easy to fall into trends and listen to what other people might tell you have to be or should be. If you’re not authentic and true to who you are as an artist it’s difficult to keep up long term, it’s exhausting and people are very good at picking out who is authentic and who isn’t. I believe it is essential for the longevity and success of any artist’s career. On a personal level, a large part of success for me is being happy. If I am not authentically who I am and true to who I am I wouldn’t be happy. Read more>>

Kate Drummond | Co-Artistic Director and C0-Founder of Dacha Theatre

Dacha Theatre is a collective of artists with infectious joy and passion for creating innovative, engaging theatrical experiences. Our success as an organization is in large part due to our commitment to building and sustaining community, in our rehearsal rooms, design processes, and audiences. Read more>>

Ken Arpino | Executive Director of Wolfbane Productions & Writer/Producer

The most important factor behind my success/business is having a passionate team of collaborators with the same drive and heart. It takes a wild work ethic, positivity (even when it feels impossible), and a group of people you love spending time with who you can trust. Read more>>

Daniel Crawford | Musician/Artist/Composer/Producer

The most important factor behind my success would definitely have to be my family, my professional small circle of peers who I respect tremendously and have learned so much from. Read more>>

Shannon Kirk | Photographer

I pride myself on customer service. I make sure that I respond to clients or potential clients within a very timely manner, I also make sure that when I send out my photo galleries to my clients that it is done rapidly, and to the best of my ability in terms of how the photos look. When I start to work with a client, Read more>>

Dr. April Johnson | Founder/CEO of Genesis HOPE Inc. & Mental Health Clinician

I believe that perseverance is the overall key. Given a lifetime of obstacles and adversity, including a diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer that metastasized to my lymph nodes, having the determination, faith, and understanding of what I was striving for, is what encouraged me to persevere. I realized that it was not about my challenges. It was my outlook and perception of the goal. For example, with my cancer diagnosis, I decided not to focus on how sick I felt from the chemotherapy and radiation. Read more>>

Bri McWhorter | Communications Consultant & Founder of Activate to Captivate, LLC

It’s interesting because in my work, my clients are experts in their field. But when you’re at the top of your game, whether in academia or in industry, there is so much pressure to be perfect. You’re surrounded by others who can analyze and pick apart tiny details in your work. However, I’m usually not in the same field as my clients. I’m not a neurobiologist, engineer, ecologist, sociologist, chemist, or economist, which is great. Learning is a vulnerable act and when you’re practicing a new skill you have to be in an environment where you can feel safe enough to let your guard down. Read more>>

Rae Crawford | Illustrator & Book Designer

Success can mean different things to people, especially artists. Art and design are career paths filled with people who strive for greatness. I am no exception. However, I struggle to see myself as successful on a grand scale. I’m proud of my accomplishments, but there is still so much I want to do, comics to draw, books to create, images to breathe life into. Then I scroll through social media to see all of the wonderful, incredible talent around the world and all I can think is how can I see myself as successful if this is my competition. Read more>>

Aaryn Lindow | Drummer of Edison Hollow

Probably our authenticity. We aren’t trying to sell some grandiose version of what we think people want us to be. We are just 4 friends that love doing what we do. We try to keep ego as much out of it as we possibly can. It’s about celebrating the moment with the people you love and being able to forget whatever is bothering you for a moment. Our connection with our fans is #1. Read more>>