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.

Brittany Drozd | Entrepreneur and executive coach

Iteration and grit. When your start new business, you have to make sure what you’re selling is what people want to buy. Finding that product-market fit. So, you have to be willing to look at the product or services you’ve design and ask “Is this what people want?”. You will likely get feedback that some of what you’re offering is great, and some parts could be better. Once you receive this information, you need to be willing to shift, incorporate the feedback, and put it out there to the market again. In the past 10 years, my services and offerings have shifted at least 5 times. It reflects my growth and evolution, as well as what people are looking for. Read more>>

Ja’Nay LeeAnn Ratcliff | Author and Young Influencer

The most important factor is that I hired a team right away and embraced my village. I hired My Litle Stories Publishing which is a full-service publishing boutique, The Pivot Firm to help me with media and business needs, MultiGamingLeague which is my media manager, and up-and-coming photographers as well. My community aka my village has been resourceful and is also the best. Read more>>

Brynja | Musician

Engaging the right people. People that inspire me. People that want to be apart of my journey and take the time to understand my vision. Read more>>

Stephanie Edwards | Manager of E-Commerce and Digital Marketing

We attribute our success and longevity to our committed employees and management team, creative makers and vendors, and our FIERCELY loyal customers. But any time we have been tested, we have found that if we just double-down on WHO we are and WHAT we do, our customers have come through for us… as long as we were able to PIVOT, PIVOT, PIVOT. That is what has truly shaped us into who we are as a business. Read more>>

Brittany Cheng | Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Feeding Specialist

I believe that the key to success in my line of work is establishing meaningful and collaborative relationships. Parents who deal with feeding challenges are stressed, worn out, and left feeling helpless. I’ve been there. It’s defeating. I truly believe that if we approach families with empathy, listen to their concerns, and validate their feelings, we can help them preserver through one of the hardest challenges in parenthood. Rather than treating them just like another case, I take the time to get to know them, their child, and their goals. Read more>>

Carra Yoder | Business owner, Podcast Host

There are a couple of essential factors behind my success. First, in June of 2021, I was placed on a SI hold and spent six days in a behavioral health center. My biggest secret, my eating disorder, was figured out from here, and I was placed into a four-month eating disorder program. This program completely changed my life. I got to heal a lot of trauma from my childhood and sort out what was best for me. I finally learned that I was the most important person and needed to focus on creating a life that propelled me forward. Read more>>

Richard Bai | Film Editor

For me, it is all about passion and dedication. I am lucky to find editing, something I love. Since I was a child, my parents have been encouraging me to find my passion and pursue it. I found I was passionate about strategic games at a young age. I played Go game ( a Chinese version of chess) and I went professional at the age of 12. Go game makes me become a thinker. I like to think and observe before making moves. Read more>>

Liana Grigoryan | YOUR #unforgettable REALTOR

For me, the 4 pillars of my success are: 1. Belief in myself – I don’t pay attention to what other people say. God gives you your unique imagination. Only you have that vision, so you shouldn’t be distracted by other people’s opinions. 2: Hustling every day. As the saying goes, “Hard work always pays off”. 3: Being consistent – No matter if I’m feeling lazy or unmotivated, I still get up and get the work done. 4: I never give up. Read more>>

Hervens JeanBaptiste | Taste Maker & Consultant

The most important factor behind my success & the success of my brand is understanding my play , purpose & potential. When it comes to knowing yourself ( strengths + opportunities ) , you have to use your God given gifts to your advantage & add value everywhere you go. My vast experiences have helped shape my knowledge & have aided me in becoming an asset to the different companies and projects I’ve been able to contribute to. Read more>>