We asked some of the city’s rising stars about why they think they have been so successful and we’ve shared their responses below.

Ivana Darmawan | Owner, Kasih Co-op

A few habits that have helped me succeed are writing my to-do lists on paper and persevering through challenges. Growing up, I would always start the year with a New Year’s resolution and keep a yearly journal to jot down my to-do lists. There’s something incredibly satisfying about crossing off completed tasks. To this day, I rely on handwritten daily task lists to manage my business. Although I’ve experimented with digital tools and apps, I consistently return to pen and paper. Read more>>

Chef Lisa Elsis And Chef Amy Scotti Chef Elsis And Chef Scotti | Pastry Chef

It takes a great deal of planning and strategizing to create a small business. My business partner , Chef Amy Scotti and I agreed from the very beginning to play to each others strengths, to uphold the highest standards in everything we do in every phase of our business. We each have an incredible work ethic and a deep seated belief in personal integrity. We have committed to working hand in glove, keeping a balanced harmony in our friendship and our business. We both believe in putting our customers first. Read more>>

Kyler Kristo | Content Creator

When I was in high school, my guidance counselor told me about how he doesn’t understand why my generation doesn’t use technology more efficiently. We have access to all the information in the world for free and we spend our time watching content that wreaks us no benefit. Ever since that conversation, I changed the content I consume. 90% of what I watch on the daily is either financial advice videos, cooking videos, language learning videos, or other educational content. My goal is to learn something new every day. Read more>>

Ian Melamed | Producer and Actor

I don’t know, I mean – I’m sure there are a lot of habits I have that I just kind of take for granted; that are invisible to me. I think if I had to point to one thing that has helped me it’s that I have pretty good impulse control. When faced with a problem that triggers a stress response I don’t lash out instantly. I take time to process, and respond rather than just reacting. Read more>>

Jenna Frank | Actress & Music Artist

A few habits that have really helped me succeed are acting on ideas as soon as they come to mind and staying consistent with daily practices. Simple routines like making my bed, journaling, and especially meditation have kept me focused and centered. Read more>>

Elliott Stafford

Habits became a really big part of my life when I began sales! in doing sales I was able to gain the motivation and the self confidence to venture out in what I do now! The habits that helped me succeed one the count to three method. This is the idea that every morning, when my alarm clocks goes off I close my eyes, count to three and get out of bed. There of course are times I listen to my body and allow myself to sleep in but the count to three method is a habit that starts other habits of mine that are equally as important. Read more>>

Julia Sabbagh

I’ve spent a lot of my life thinking that I need to be alone in order to grow. I assumed I needed to be entirely dependent on myself and I didn’t want to risk the unreliability that comes with leaning on others. While I did do plenty of growing this way, my life changed exponentially when I opened myself up to help and collaboration from others. I’m a musician, so writing music is a really personal thing I do like to do in solitude. But when I became more confident in knowing that I wanted to go further than just writing and performing solo, acknowledging that my goals were a lot bigger than I had ever admitted to, I realized that I didn’t have everything inside of myself in order to succeed. Read more>>

Sharon D. Johnson

The habit that helps me succeed the most is knowing when not to listen to other people. I learned never to underestimate how other people’s fears, regrets, or even envy can bleed into the advice they give, particularly when that advice is unsolicited. This habit emerges from what I consider the most important habit: taking the time to get to know yourself. Self-knowledge is the key to living a life of meaning and to making decisions that are true to yourself. Read more>>