We asked some of the city’s rising stars to reflect on what made a difference in their journey. We asked them to tell us about what they think the most important factor has been behind their success.

Ron Salisbury | Restaurateur/Owner/Grandson of Founders, El Cholo Restaurants

I pride myself on paying obsessive attention to all details. I think it’s also very important to love deeply what you do. I’m passionate about what I do and always adhere to the highest quality of every aspect of our restaurants – the food, the staff, the ambiance, and the entire experience for our guests. Fortunately, I was able to start my professional career with El Cholo – a brand that represented all three of those qualities. Read more>>

Denita Gladeau | Creative Director, Brand Photographer and Marketer

Having a community that can relate to my brand and see Indigenous representation within the beauty space, which only began to grow in the past 2 years! I started my business as a pilot project to test the community response to an all exclusive eyelash brand with a grant prize every year of $500.00 towards any female-led project. Read more>>

Konstantin Ladurner | Music Producer

The most important factor behind my success is that I’m always striving to create something that listeners haven’t heard in that exact form before and that sets me apart from other music producers. When I produced “sardines” for Audrey Nuna and Deb Never, my intention was to create something that my 14-year-old self would have loved to create, without worrying too much about the industry or what other people would think. Read more>>

Shari Thakar | Film Editor

I believe the most important factor behind my success as a video editor and starting my own business is passion. I have always from an early age been passionate about film and story telling. I love telling stories. When I got older and was introduced to the various sectors of filmmaking I realized editing was different type of story telling and you could invoke different emotions in different ways thought imagery and music and I loved it. So, passion, for me, is what keeps me going and loving what I do. Read more>>

Federica Rizzo | Dancer, Choreographer , Movement Artist & Dance Instructor

I think the most important factor behind my success is my authenticity. I always did my best to be just myself in my art. I got a good life lesson from my mentors when I studied dance in in Nyc which was: “Never compare yourself to others” I always remembered this .We all are different humans, artists with so many different paths. In my dance career I tried and I am still trying to create something mine, unique, trying to just be myself. Of course, artists have to find inspiration so we often look into other people’s works but at the end you have to put yourself, your feelings in your works. Read more>>

Chris Beausire | 3D Artist

I would probably chalk that up to maintaining boundaries around my interests and hobbies. I’ve always been really curious, active, and sometimes stubborn. I don’t want to let go of the things in my life that I find meaning in. I love digging down research rabbit holes, going skating or hiking, exploring personal style and just discovering new avenues for knowledge. All of that aids in keeping my creative brain fed and the mental cobwebs away. Read more>>

Ben Steeper | Writer, Director, and Cinematographer

I have very strong artistic and aesthetic opinions and I think that a lot of my success has come from being willing to make bold choices based on my poignant tastes, and through trial and error, honing what lands and trimming what falls flat. Given that my tastes are so defined I am willing to put in a level of perfectionism to achieve a vision and I think, at least I’ve been told, that others notice this, and while tastes can always differ, we all respect a hustle for the process. Read more>>

Sapna Parekh | Entrepreneur and Fashion Blogger/Influencer

The most important factor behind my success is my attitude to never give up. the two things that stretch among every version of success are “Determination” and “Drive”! Determination – is the next level of motivation. You need to be determined to get success. It is not enough to just be motivated. Because motivation can fade at any point but when you are determined to achieve something and when you know you will get, no matter what, when you burn all your boats and have no option are so certain that you would give your life for it, then there is no force that can stop you from achieving success! Read more>>

Melissa Resendiz | Mixed media artist

The most important factor for me would probably be learning. I like to consider myself a mixed media artist because I’m always curious to try new things and alter my way of thinking. In a way I’m paying homage to the artsy side of my family. My parents and aunties were always the type of people to DIY things, from making hand making dresses & party recuerdos to DIY tattooing each other & fixing broken anything. I feel like picking that up from a young age helped me feel confident that there isn’t anything I can’t learn to do. There’s always room for expansion. Read more>>