There are so many factors that can play a role in determining our results, performance and ultimately our success, but some factors matter more than others. We asked folks what they felt was the most important factor driving their success.

Elisa Estrera | Business & Marketing Strategist, Emotional Alchemist

My version of success is more than just having lots of money. Success is having financial sustainability with joy and fulfillment – no compromises. I’ve been down both roads, either only having money or only having fulfillment. Then I started realizing that the successful people I admire had both. So why not me, too? What brings me joy and fulfillment? Living in integrity with my values – freedom, play, growth and empowerment – and that is the secret sauce of my success. Sounds simple, but it was definitely a journey coming to this knowing. Read more>>

Tiffany Pham | Painter & Visual Development Artist

I think being optimistic and open to change has allowed me to experience various opportunities throughout my journey and has led me to where I am today. When I was in college I knew I wanted to become a visual development artist and I wasn’t sure when or how I would achieve that goal, but I trusted the process and was open to any opportunity that came my way. I had started and ran a Women in Animation Student Chapter and was also involved in leadership positions for other student organizations. The skills and experiences I gained from being involved came in handy when I got an art production internship for a VR platform company. Read more>>

Ariana Berry | Actor, Model, & Content Creator

Growing up I always imagined myself as an actor. It was a dream of mine for many years but I was never sure how I would get there. I honestly didn’t even know being an actor was truly possible for me. I struggled with my confidence and how I looked for a while, I took time to learn to love myself. Self-love has been the most important factor behind the success I have received so far in my career. I had to teach myself that I am deserving and worthy of being on tv. It wasn’t easy, a journey to loving yourself is an everyday challenge but it is the most important journey you’ll ever go on. Read more>>

Victoria Banuelos | Author, First-Gen

I think the factors to success change as your definition changes, but as cliche, as it sounds, the first step is to understand what success looks like. Much of my confusion and, frankly, stagnation in my early career came from being disconnected from myself and not exploring my own definition of success. It felt like I was always in pursuit of the next promotion, the next life milestone, the next opportunity to satiate what (I thought) were the ambitions I was supposed to have. In the end, Read more>>

Niko Brooks | Basketball Trainer & Coach

The most important factor behind the success of Outwork Everyone Basketball is my consistent investment in myself. Because I consistently invest in myself day in and day out, I am able to serve our athletes and provide value to every individual that comes through our training program. The moment I replaced entertainment for education and podcasts, the knowledge for my craft increased significantly. Instead of spending money and time on things that weren’t productive to my life, I was investing into mentors, courses, and attending numerous conferences to gain knowledge from people who have already seen a bunch of success as basketball coaches. Read more>>

Folasade and Terence Omogun and Davis | Co-Founder(s) & Attorney(s)

Solace uses a holistic, cutting edge, and modern approach to representation. Early on, Solace built partnerships with start-up tech companies because we knew that it would give both our clients and partner tech companies a global platform to showcase their brands. But, most importantly, Solace provides resources for our clients to pursue their dreams and to ensure a lifetime of financial stability. It also helps that we are two attorneys who are passionate about our clients’ success. Read more>>

Max Temescu | Illustrator & Author

I think specificity has been really important for how people see my illustration. I started out drawing a lot of sci-fi and horror art, and found that there were already a lot of people doing that better than I could back then. I realized that I really cared about outdoors and sustainability related subjects in a more specific and knowledgeable way. By applying my grounded, cinematically inspired visual language to those types of subjects I got a lot more recognition for doing something unique. Read more>>

Dina Cerchione | Hollywood Stylist and Imagemaker

I would say being willing to just go for it even if that means failing, which for me isn’t an option which is why I think I’ve gone so far in my career lol! For instance, when I first got into my Hollywood styling career I was creating looks and styling 1- a few people at a time for TV shows. Whether it was a TV host, a celebrity guest, a musician or a panel of hosts. Then I was offered Deal or No Deal. I didn’t know how to do a show THAT big and there was no roadmap for a show like that, it had never been done before. Was I scared yes, did I do it anyway? Yes! Because for me, Read more>>

Wayne Williams | Personal trainer and Film Producer

To me, the most important factor was believing in me. In order to build a strong brand that others could identify with and buy into, I had to objectively believe in my brand. Read more>>

Christina Fidler | 2D Animator & Filmmaker

I don’t consider my artistic practice a brand, but rather a series of repetitive thoughts, questions, and experiences I have that I then explore through art. I think the success of my work and its resonance with others has to do with where it’s coming from. I am extremely open about my struggles with self-worth, crippling anxiety, and obsessive thinking. To me, vulnerability is the heart of any project. Not only should you feel connected to the thing you’re making, but you also need to be willing to get a little uncomfortable and share pieces of yourself at each step of the process. People feel that, even if it isn’t an explicit retelling of the events of your life (even though it totally could be). Read more>>

Princess Jenkins-Greene | Visionary Retailer, Stylist & Designer

Princess is an award-winning retailer with an extensive background in the fashion industry. “It started when I saw Diana Ross in the 1975 film Mahogany. Her effortless style, talent and power made me want to dress woman from head to toe to be their classic self. My passion and niche is the full-figured curvy and confident woman. Stop waiting to lose weight to buy a new wardrobe, dress the fat you got,” says Princess. The Brownstone works with women from all walks of life, women who want to polish and perfect their image, while reflecting their personal authentic style. Read more>>

Brandice Pondexter | Licensed Esthetician

The most important factor behind the success of 28 Skincare is really focusing on making skincare fun, simple and diverse. This is something the skincare industry lacks. Professionals in this space tend follow the trend instead of putting their own spin on it. This is where I differ and so far it’s proven to be working ! Read more>>

Nora Pearlman | Corrective Exercise & Pre and Postnatal Specialist

Without a doubt, the most important factor behind my success are my clients. I love my work and I love the people I work (out) with. I believe that it is my intention to guide my clients in their physical strength and I know that also enhances their mental and spiritual selves. Many of my clients are pregnant or new mothers; and I feel a responsibility to make their time away from their babes and as they prepare for parenthood to be energy fueling and a form of self-care. Read more>>

Kiara Jackson | Entrepreneur & Youth Advocate

The most important factor behind my success is giving underprivileged women an opportunity that will change their life forever. Many people think of pageantry as a glam show that only beautiful & skinny woman partake in. I created my organization to completely change the narrative. The success of my business glorifies the importance of self confidence and individuality. It is important for my brand to be known as an opportunity given to the youth that help molds their mentalities into the true definition of BEAUTY, which means to BE EDUCATED ALWAYS UNDERSTANDING the true you. The crown that queens hold on their heads, is a reminder to live in their truth and embrace their story. Read more>>

Kayla Joi | Handmade Jewelry Curator & Yoga Teacher in Training

Believing in myself, humaninzing myself, and sharing my process with others. I know what I am capable of, and I know that I am always trying and always learning. I heard a saying once “Dont humble yourself into a low-self esteem” and that really resonated with me. I had always believed in being humble, but this also lead to undervaluing myself and my abilities. After some inner work, I really began to embrace myself and that gave me the ultimate confidence. Instead of looking at my mistakes as failures, Read more>>

Courtney Shaffer | Actress & Voice Over Artist

I think the most important factor is perseverance. One can have talent, but if they do not have the determination to push through the hardships that inevitably come along with navigating this tricky industry, one will be eaten alive. It is all too be easy to become complacent. It can be even easier to say “it’s too hard; I quit.” It is an unforgiving and brutal industry at times. So if I lose site of why I am here and why I *have* to do this, I will fail. Giving up is simply not an option for me at this point. And I have to do this. I have to push through. Read more>>

Rex Bridgeforth | Filmmaker

The most important factor behind my success is that I never quit. Even when it seemed like my business wasn’t growing and I was losing money. One thing that helped was surrounding my self with friends who had similar goals as me. We were able to keep each other accountable and learn from each others missteps and successes. Read more>>

Veronica Lynn | Belly Dance Artist & Choreographer

The most important ingredient in the success of my dance practice is the network of friends and artistic co-conspirators that I have developed over long years. Growing those relationships is a years-long process but the pay off is enormous! There are no true “solo” artists: we all benefit from the support of friends, and lean on the talents of others who excel in areas that complement our own work; musicians, designers, videographers, costumers, emcees, and of course other dancers, are the people who make the work possible. Read more>>

Genesis Renji | Emmy nominated rapper and label lowner

The most important factor behind my success is two fold. The first is having a great support system and team in place. Without the souls and hands that keep me focused, balanced, rested, celebrated, accountable and more, I’m just somebody shooting in the dark. The other factor to my success is my immeasurable amount of ambition. It’s been an incessant tick that pushes me to constantly out do myself and search for more or what’s next. Read more>>

Aaron Abergel | Business Owner

Customer service and product quality are the two biggest reasons for the success of our brand. From day 1 we put an emphasis on making sure that every single customer was happy with their experience. That was not an easy task in the early days as there were often many mistakes that would happen. We learned that people were not as critical of a mistake so long as the way we handled it was appropriate. That included regularly shipping out replacements, refunding money when there were product defects and expedited orders when that was necessary. Read more>>