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

Yalda Shahrestani

When I was in the early stages of developing my business, For Positive Movement (4PM), my vision was to build a space where dancers of all kids could express themselves freely in a flexible, empowering, and safe environment. I wanted to create a studio that not only fosters creativity, but also one that provides families confidence in knowing their children are part of a program built on trust and convenience. Read More>>

Melia

I think the most important factor behind my success thus far is just consistency. The music business is a very tough business and as a woman in rock music and lead guitar playing, I can tell you it has its own unique challenges. Be prepared for challenges and lows. It’s about consistency and keeping your mind on your goal or purpose. Read More>>

Jerry Guo, Chuman Zhang

Honestly, the biggest factor has been community. With Uncommissioned and Novo Collective, nothing happens in a vacuum—it’s always about the artists, curators, and collaborators who trust the vision enough to take risks with us. We’re not trying to replicate the traditional art world model; we’re building something more fluid, more responsive to the city and to people’s lived realities. Read More>>