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?

Courtney Chapman | Artist, Animator, & Influencer

It’s in keeping in touch with what makes me excited and always working toward that as opposed to what I think may be successful. While my brand is uniquely focused on trending topics, images, and characters in the present, I’ve found that creating artwork based on what excites me personally has led to more motivation in my own workflow as well as recognition. When you are passionate about a certain project or product, your audience will notice that and share your energy. Read more>>

Enik Lin | Lead Singer of FYKE

Redefining what the term “success” actually means to you and setting realistic expectations for it. For Instance, sometimes I need to ask myself if success is being able to afford food today while I’m doing music full time or is it playing a sold out show with 20k people in the audience. Both are examples of success but one keeps me in the present instead of getting lost in the future. Read more>>

Nathalie Botezatu | Mindset Coach and Musician

Dropping out of medical school and moving from Michigan to LA with everything I could fit into my little car, was the easiest decision I ever made. But at the same time it was also the hardest decision. When my parents moved to Michigan in the late 1980s from Romania with only a couple of suitcases and less than $200 in their pockets, they hoped that give me a life and career greater than anything I’d ever experience growing up in post-communist Romania. Read more>>

9to5 Th3 Producer | Producer & Beat-Maker

The most important factor behind my success was that I didn’t quit. I had so many factors and obstacles in my life that would have made anyone else quit their passion but I’ve always kept a positive mind-set and stayed patient regardless of my situations. Read more>>

Ashley Wheeler | Cofounder, Alpen&Glo Marketing Agency

The most important factor behind my success has certainly been the people that I surround myself with. From friends, family, and colleagues, I’ve come to realize the most humbling and important aspects of the relationships I’ve been fortunate to build have been based on mutual respect and support. I am happy to share two specific examples of relationships that have been a major factor behind my success. Read more>>

Lorena Lourenco | Writer and Director

What has so far proved most effective is being unapologetically and brazenly honest about who I am and what I stories I want to tell. I’ve felt that the most I’ve peeled away at my layers of self-curation (the layers of thought that make me over-edit myself into something more digestible) the more I’ve bee vulnerably honest who I am and how I create. And that has paid off in seeing some success from that unapologetic raw creation. Read more>>

Jennifer Bauer | Founder of the Institute for Nature Centered Coaching, Wayfinder Master Coach, Breathwork Meditation Healer, Reiki Master Teacher & Equus Coach

Authenticity and the willingness to be vulnerable. When I authentically share about my own experiences navigating challenges, even the heavier aspects of them, people resonate with that and appreciate knowing they’re not alone. When I can show that I’m human and don’t have all the answers, but I do have tools and share what I learned coming out the other side, it makes me accessible and gives hope that there’s a way forward. Often people aren’t comfortable showing vulnerability until someone else does first. And the work I do is all about vulnerability. We have to expose the shadow parts of ourselves if we want to work through it and find the light. I don’t mind vulnerability because it’s what connects us in meaningful, deep ways…and gives my clients permission to be themselves in a judgment free-zone. Read more>>

Shanlee Johnson | Children’s Store Owner and Clothing Brand Designer

I think my answer would have been a little different a few years ago. It would have been more along the lines of staying focused, not giving up and working really hard toward your goal. Although I still find this very important, I also believe that taking time for yourself, away from your business can actually help you achieve more goals and keep your ideas and creative outlooks fresh. I think success has a lot to do with adapting to challenges and staying open to new opportunities while looking for new ways to stay competitive with current trends in the market. Read more>>

Twitch Valentino | Recording Artist

I have been fortunate enough to start my career off with a boom. The most important factor behind success for me was focus. I have been able to keep my head down and work from the shadows with laser focus. The way I see it, If every single does better than your last you’re moving in the right direction. You have to posses the ability to make a list in the morning of every thing you want to accomplish in your day. you’ll be surprised to see how much you can get done in a day. Focus is the essence of accomplishment, make sure to use it wisely. Read more>>

Erycka Ferreti | L.A Hair Colorist.

Authenticity, which is really difficult to accomplish nowadays with some much content out there constantly being thrown at our faces, it is incredibly essential that your brand stays true to your beliefs and it represents you, the real you. My content is curated for my audience in a way that’s organic, less is more in my experience. I engage and post my artwork on social media platforms, but in a way that feels unique. I don’t like to overly saturate my page with overloads of unnecessary content, but rather create a selection of my work that feels special and that I am proud of. Read more>>

Lamar West | Author & Designer

The most important factor behind the success of my brand, is being genuine. What gravitates people toward your brand and creates long-term supporters is believing in the authenticity & originality of your movement. People support what they feel connected to. Your brand is a direct reflection of you and it should be treated as such. My brand is my truth, my goal is to get out the creative things God has instilled inside of me. Be genuine, but producing quality is equally important. Take your time and give maximum effort into creating the highest quality possible. Be original and be innovative. If you’re giving the world a piece of yourself, let them see the genuine and high quality creative spirit that you are. The world needs you. Read more>>

Svonnie Trailer | Event Stylist/Planner

Staying original and never allowing myself to stay in the box. Read more>>

Julie Anne Christophe | Life Catalyst

I am from a small town just outside of Montreal, Qc. I grew up in a high-middle class French speaking family and like most of us, growing up I lived through rejection, I was judged for my appearance and I was often not understood by my friends and family. These experiences caused a lot of pain. A pain that was screaming loud and made me behave in destructive ways and chase the wrong things and wrong people. I had to do something about it if I wanted a successful and fulfilling life. I had to heal myself, but how? The “traditional way” of therapy was not successful so what could I do? Read more>>

Brian Fitzpatrick | Author and Screenwriter

PERSEVERANCE. Carrying on and pushing forward in the face of any obstacle. This is the most vital factor in my success. No matter the setback. No matter the rejection. No matter the challenge. Always, always, get back up and back in the game. Never give up. Read more>>

Tyrone Nance | CEO & Founder of IBTU

The most important factor behind my success is and forever will be the people. I consider myself a bridge builder and an advocate for change.I find strength and inspiration from the stories I’ve heard in the community. My success is planted in the belief and hope of serving, loving and connecting people. When you invest in the well being of others, you invest in yourself. Read more>>

Lava Dreams | Musician

I’d say the most important factor behind my success is my determination. (I could also call it Love). I’ve been a songwriter most of my life – for as long as I can remember. So, I was writing songs and giving performances way before I ever got any good at it. Yet, no matter how badly I ended up singing or playing my guitar… no matter how much I disappointed myself, I would always come back and pour myself into another song. I think that’s because ultimately, I know music is a gift – one I hungrily receive. Read more>>

Nicole Holland | Cactus Mart owner

Keeping the history of the store intact. Not changing. We still operate with the old keyed style registers and have chickens and cats running around everywhere. When people come in for the first time, they say it’s like walking into a time machine from the old desert days…… and I’m okay with that. Our concept has always been to keep the integrity of old school desert life alive. Read more>>

Cris DuCree | Owner/Tutor of Enriched Youth

The most important factor behind my success and the success of Enriched Youth is touching lives in an impactful way. Read more>>

Christina Rodriguez | Founder of Latinas with Masters & Future Doctora in Education

Latinas with Masters mission is to Inspire, Empower and Educate nuestra comunidad and future generation leaders with equitable pathways, academic advancement and professional growth in a safe, positive and supportive environment. Our vision is to live a life where we bring our authentic selves in all spaces, every moment in every day. Our core values is to be a champion of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the spaces we live, work and learn all while embracing and preserving nuestra cultura! Latinas with Masters is more than just a degree, it’s a community beyond academia! Read more>>