We caught up with some of the community’s rising stars and asked them to reflect on the books that had an impact on their lives. We’ve shared their responses below.

Savannah Starr | Founder & Owner

One of my favorite books is called “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. My favorite quote from the book that I now bring into my everyday business mindset is “burn your ships”. By burning your ships, by removing any available source of retreat, you will become fully committed in your decision. This is very important to me as it teaches me to believe in myself and to take the risks. By burning my ships, whatever decision I’ve made, I have no other choice than to succeed. Gosh it gives me chills thinking about how important this book and that specific quote has been in my journey with Haute Sugar Co. If you are reading this and you are in the middle of making a decision I urge you to make it and burn your ships ladies and gents, believe in yourself. I believe in you! Read more>>

Ligaya Kelly | Owner

Reading is like air and water – they are all a necessary part of life. I consume books like food and have many favorites in several genres. Scattered across my desk are books that I’m reading and ones I want to start reading. My Kindle and Audible runneth over. Because of this, there isn’t one book that has impacted me more than another. I take from all of them and use what I learn to improve myself. However, I do have favorite authors. Brené Brown is at the top of my list. Her research helped me to see more clearly how to live happier. From Daring Greatly to Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, and Dare to Lead, she’s covered every aspect of a person’s life. She said, “Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.” I was always so afraid that people wouldn’t like me if I were just me. Then, when I finally let go of that idea, I found that what others thought of me never really mattered. Read more>>

Michelle Morgan | Transformational Coach for Young Adults

The book that I’d like to share today is How YOUth Triumph in Sports: Tools That Create a Triumphant Life. I love this book because it is a life skills book written for young adults and/or student athletes. As a former student athlete, there were times were I was so caught up in the moment(s) that I didn’t realize and/or understand the lessons being presented to me at that time. Sports allowed me so much learning, growth and opportunities and it’s valuable to give back to the youth now and connect with them on something they can relate to. The life skills the book talks about are being coachable, being accountable, mental toughness, character counts, goal setting, self-love and self-worth, just to name a few. These skills that are being applied while being a student athlete are the same skills that transfer over into the entire journey of our lives. Read more>>

Mary Kay Cocharo | Marriage Therapist

About 25 years ago, I read Getting the Love you Want, by Harville Hendrix. It deeply impacted my life, both professionally and personally. I was in a deeply troubled marriage at the time and my Narcissist husband had convinced me that everything was my fault and that I was deeply flawed. Dr. Hendrix showed me that relationships are a dynamic between two people and no one person is to blame for the problems. His theory that we unconsciously choose a mate who will best stir up our childhood stories so that we can take the opportunity to heal them was so freeing. By the end of the book, I could see why I had married my husband and what I was trying to work out in myself through our relationship. This book also changed my career. I became certified in Imago Relationship Therapy and my practice went from Individual and Family Therapy to Couples Therapy. Read more>>