We asked rising stars from the community one of our favorite questions: other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?

Margot Robert | French Wedding Photographer for wild hearts and the romantic souls.

It’s always hard to define success in my industry. Some photographers feel like success is related to the amount of time you are hustling or the number of weddings you photograph each year. Others would think it’s being published in high end magazines – don’t get me wrong I enjoy both of those as well. But my definition of success has changed a lot as I’ve grown as a photographer – when I first started, just shooting a wedding was a success in itself. Now, I feel success when my clients call me, with tears of joy in their eyes, as they look through their photos or when they rave about their experience with La Petite Photo to their friends and family. To me that is success. Read more>>

Dave Homer | Illustrator / Creative Director

Making the conscious decision to accept that my style of illustration had merit was a turning point. That sounds like an odd statement, but I went through years where I didn’t trust my own vision enough and therefore tried to emulate what was on trend at any moment, and work in multiple styles. That worked reasonable well commercially as I became proficient in a lot of different types of illustration and made me more versatile, but it didn’t let me establish my own brand or unique vision. Read more>>

ed roth | solo artist/session keyboard player/music director/music producer

A big decision for me was making a point of trying to always play music that I feel, love playing, and allows me to be featured with what I do well. I always try to do gigs where what I do musically really contributes. There are a lot of great players out there, but at a certain level, we all have something special to offer that just each person does, their musical signature, or musical dna. Trying to do gigs that rely on that thing you contribute, that is different, and features you- that is always a goal for me. Anytime you can play music you enjoy that shows off what you do, you should do it. Read more>>

Chase Yi | Actor | Writer | Photographer

I was getting ready for a meeting with an executive at a major TV network in Burbank, and I was debating changing my outfit before I left the house. That morning, I had already been out for coffee with another friend, and I was so comfortable with what I was wearing, but for some reason, I had this thought in my head that I had to look nicer–I had to be more professional and put together. So I ask my wife what she thinks and what I should do, and she says to me, “Hey, if they want Chase Yi, then you give them Chase Yi, baby.” And I have to say, that was the best damn advice I’ve ever gotten. Read more>>

Ricardo Castillo | Writer & Director

It’s funny, I wasn’t sure if I should answer this question as I always thought that working for myself was my most important decision. I grew up with a very self-conscious mindset, where I feel like if there’s a doubt to be had, then it should be said before I complete a job or task. I’ve always known that directing is my true passion, but I could never write my own work as I felt too critical of the films I’ve already produced. Eventually, I convinced myself to find work elsewhere in the field and I sought Grip work since I seemed to gravitate towards that work the most at my film school. Read more>>

Taylour Ball | Social Media Manager & Strategist

That I am worth it. I am worth starting my own business and leading my own life. I was so tired of trying to put on this face of my life being perfect. It wasn’t, and I burnt out in the process. I help women step into their value and express themselves through social media marketing and strategy. I think as a society women are always taught to question themselves, their views, and their dreams. I don’t want this to be anyones’ reality. There’s too many years wasted trying to be perfect for everyone or to have the “American Dream” life. I’m honestly over it. Read more>>

Kera Kester | Personal Trainer/Wellness Coach, Group Fitness Instructor, and Health & Beauty magazine writer

The single most important decision I made that contributed to my success in the fitness industry is deciding to make specific necessary lifestyle changes before success came, and even independent of whether success would come or not. I’m a firm believer in the phrase “practice what you preach.” I believe you cannot lead someone in the most effective and efficient way until you’ve been down the road yourself. That road for me has been disciplining myself to make challenging changes that led me to the path and place that I am experiencing right now in major aspects of life. Read more>>

Cal Freundlich | Composer, Songwriter, and Artist

I think for me it was deciding that it wasn’t too late to throw myself into music full force. Growing up my time was consistently split between music and playing basketball, with music almost always taking a backseat. I was in a band from when I was seven until the end of high school, but basketball practice and workouts always reigned supreme. I ended up playing division I basketball in college at Davidson and the first few months of that year were so busy that for the first time I wasn’t able to write or play music at all, and I felt like I was missing something big in my life. Read more>>