Hardwork? Luck? Good habits? What would you say is behind your success? We’ve shared some thoughtful responses below.

Danny Bardales

As a wedding officiant, my approach centers on creating a personal and memorable experience for every couple I work with. The most important factor to my success and brand is ensuring couples feel that a friend is officiating their wedding. I achieve this by connecting with each couple authentically, getting to know them on a deeper level, and truly understanding their love story. By doing so, I can craft a ceremony that reflects their unique bond. Read More>>

Melena Guevara

For me, the most important factor behind my success has been consistency—showing up day after day, delivering for my clients, and staying rooted in the values that define my brand. But consistency alone isn’t enough. Mindset plays a huge role. I’ve worked hard to cultivate a mindset of possibility, growth, and problem-solving, especially in an industry where curveballs are constant and the problems seem never ending. Read More>>

Christopher Cuenza

Success in this industry isn’t just about numbers, it’s about what people experience and how deeply I can connect with everyone in the room. My background in dance plays a huge part in how I MC. I read the energy and use movement to connect when needed, and help create a flow that keeps people present and involved. Social dancing in various genres has taught me how to adapt in real time, whether it’s bringing hype to the dance floor or guiding a crowd through movemt. Read More>>

 Alison Deyette

The short answer? Preparation, personality, and a well-placed pause.

But here’s the longer (and slightly better lit) version: The success of Alison Deyette Media comes down to a mix of instinct, empathy, and an unapologetic belief that everyone has a story worth sharing—most people just need help telling it well. I don’t believe in “media training robots.” I believe in helping people sound like the best, boldest, clearest version of themselves—whether they’re on a red carpet, in an investor pitch, or on a stage with a mic that keeps cutting out. Read More>>

Shantell L Steve

For me, success has always come from alignment. It’s never been about checking boxes or chasing whatever’s trending. It’s when what I actually do lines up with who I am deep down.

I live at this unusual crossroads: research, representation, and reclamation. Big words, I know but really, I’m someone who moves between social and behavioral health sciences, public health, fashion and narrative design. From editorial and commercial modeling to leading international and national research projects, every space I step into is about expanding what’s possible when people are truly seen and heard, not just tokenized, or extracted for data. Read More>>

 Courtlyn Jones

The most important factor behind my success has been my ability to keep showing up with honesty and intention—especially when things don’t go according to plan.

So much of my work has been built in seasons where I was healing, navigating uncertainty, or rebuilding from the ground up. I’ve learned that success isn’t about having the perfect strategy—it’s about staying connected to your “why,” even when the path shifts. For me, that “why” has always been about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to lead from exactly where they are. Read More>>

Tyler Nelson

Be easy to work with but not in the traditional sense. Instead of being agreeable, focus more on these three essentials: be an expert at what you do, be an exceptional communicator, and deliver on your word. In my experience, these three practices will set you up for success. Reason being, your team will never have to worry about your contributions, and that is what makes you easy to work with. I would argue that being agreeable is actually a detriment to someone’s professional career. It keeps an individual from standing out and if you cosign a bad idea then you are going to be on the hook for not speaking up. Read More>>

 Gong Chen

The most important factor behind my success has been the ability to integrate ambitious energy performance goals with the complex constraints of historic preservation—particularly in retrofit projects where these goals often seem at odds. As a licensed architect with deep expertise in high-performance design, including Passive House principles, I’ve spent years developing strategies that bridge this divide in practical, scalable ways. Read More>>

Taylor Mowrey

The most important factor behind my success is consistency, and not being afraid to put myself out there. Showing up every day with intention, even when things aren’t perfect. It’s been about staying true to my vision, trusting the process, and being adaptable while never losing sight of why I started. Success for me, didn’t come from one moment or one decision, but from the commitment to keep learning, evolving, and putting my name out there, no matter what.  Read More>>