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?

Riccarda Richter | Actress

The most important factor behind my success as an actress is undoubtedly passion. I believe that passion fuels dedication, hard work, and continuous improvement. It drives me to immerse myself in every character I portray, constantly exploring their emotions and motivations. Read more>>

Boris Tonkikh | Model and Actor

My success is made up of a lot of moving parts, my smart work, my support system, my perseverance, and my courage among other things. One thing to note is that in this world that’s fast-paced and ever-competitive, making sure that I produce contents that are authentic and unique to my story has been a big help. Read more>>

Kailee Collar | Muralist & Artist

My ‘figure it out’ mentality. In theory it sounds nice to have all the answers, a blueprint to exactly what you want to do, and the best way to do it that will ensure success. If that were the case, if I had all the answers and everything in place before starting my business, I don’t think I would be where I am today or the same person. Read more>>

Miri Hunter | Performing Artist, Writer, Musician, Visual Artist, Scholar

The most important thing to remember with success is the support of others, and the realization that others have their own aspirations. So being grateful to those that support your work is a two way street, because while they are supporting you, they are also enriching their lives with the aim of moving towards their goals. Read more>>

Anika Mladineo Franco | Guitarist

As a guitarist, I think that practicing is a key factor to get where you want to be. Music is a huge industry, you want to make sure that you can stand out, and the best way to do so is by being good at what you do. Spending a few hours per day with your instrument going over your technique, theory, and repertoire, will play a big impact on your development as a musician. Read more>>

Bea Ramos | Actress

When you have a calling, there’s no way of shouting that voice up, no matter how many times you try. In my case, having a corporate job besides my acting career made me realized on my daily basis where I wanted to be both personally and professionally. Read more>>

Louise Barretto | Producer (Stills & Motion)

Ultimately, we all want to create amazing things but I always put the people and relationships first and have that in my mind when I make big and small decisions. What is best for the team and for everyone involved takes precedence. Producing films and images is such a collaborative effort and is impossible to do alone. Read more>>

Elen Gasparyan | Co-founder and Creative Director

The most important factor behind our success at Davel Creative Agency is our ability to envision the future and swiftly adapt to it. With a forward-thinking mindset, we proactively anticipate changes that could potentially impact our agency in two or three years. Read more>>

Kelsey Knutson | Business Consultant & Speaker

My willingness to keep going. Building a successful business takes confidence, persistence, and execution. There’s a lot of distraction a long the way. And I’ve learned the more I’m clear on where I want to go and what actions will get me there, the more success I’ve realized. Read more>>

David Castro | Co-owner / LA raised till the casket drops / Le Cordon Bleu graduate

The most important factor behind the success of El Compadre Restaurant lies in the convergence of several key elements that have allowed our family-run brand to flourish and leave a lasting mark on the culinary landscape in one of the greatest cities in the world, Los Angeles. Read more>>

Ying Chang | Fleet Commander at Strong Water Anaheim

Strong Water Anaheim’s success can be attributed to several crucial factors. First and foremost, the project was a culmination of years of dedicated work. Our vision was to provide guests from all over with a complete immersive and escapist experience. Read more>>

Michael Fennell | Photographer and Videographer

“Success” seems light years away quite frankly. Burning both ends of the candle, working two jobs, editing and networking is a bit overwhelming. Us ambiverts run out of gas pretty often, but it’s the people I’ve been blessed to meet and work with that keep me motivated. That dopamine rush from seeing a client fall in love with the perfect shot or preview is so satisfying. Read more>>