We don’t believe success is random. Over the years we have spoken with hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, researchers, athletes, and more. We’ve learned from them – both through their stories and through the advice they’ve shared with us – and it’s quite evident that success is more likely when certain habits are present. So, we decided to ask folks to share their habits with us, especially those that they feel helped them succeed.

Danya Morrison | Photographer & Lighting Designer

I got my start in the industry assisting some of the top photographers in the world. Yu Tsai, Brian Bowen Smith , Michael Muller , Tom Munro, Gavin Bond, Pamela Littky to name a few. When you work under these incredibly talented humans, you learn quickly that if you do things the right way, not the cheap way, you can create some magical images. So to answer the question I would say by not being cheap on equipment and tools you need to get the job done you set your self up for success. every time. Read more>>

Zakiyyah Smith | A Certified Reiki Master & Operations Consultant

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand? The most important factor behind the success of Kismet Honey is the community. We believe that self care and community care are tools for social justice that helps us to move from surviving to thriving within systems and spaces that overwork, mistreat, and penalize us for showing up as our natural selves. When we launched in April of 2020 our goal was to hold space for our community to better manage stress, release tension from their bodies, and have a better understanding and control of their energy. Read more>>

Ardavan Javid | Entrepreneur and Creative Director

The most important factor behind my success is getting back up better and smarter after I’ve gotten knocked down. Whether someone tells me I can’t, or a competitor beats me to a client… I always reflect on what went wrong, what I can do better, and what I can do different to get the type of outcome I want. A lot of creative people stop pursing their dream, or a project, or a client if they hear the words “NO”… or “CAN’T”… or get a few doors slammed in their faces. But those things fuel me more than anything, and awaken the beast inside. Read more>>

Christopher Moore | Music Composer and Filmmaker/Video Professional

The biggest that comes to mind when I’m asked about building a brand is that it’s important to network and be good with whom you collaborate, which begins and ends with me. I have to be good to myself if in terms of being mindful and listening more than talking when I collaborate with others, because much of what I do is in service to a larger need or request. In the case of working on the music score for Dana Cowden’s film “Nova”, that started with conversations with Dana. Talking with her as a person, finding out what she needed in terms of emotions and how to musically support those emotional moments in her film. Read more>>

Luis de Moraes | Architect – AIA – ASID – LEED AP BD+C

Anticipation of current trends and customer service. Clients want to feel special; they want to know that you care and that you prioritize their projects and respond to their deadlines. You may be a great designer, but being responsive and resourceful is as important. Execution is the best marketing tool. Many creative people do not respond on a timely manners which causes stress to the team and poor results. Another important aspect of success is associating with a responsive team that follows the same philosophy as you; as the popular expression notes “it takes a village”. Read more>>

Danilo Hernandez | Wedding Photographer & Videographer

I believe that the most important factor about my success or brand is the people I get to work with. Without the team I work with and my amazing clients I would’t be where I am today. There’s times where I want to photography something or try a new technique and my clients are totally up for it. I think that level of trust is very important when it comes to being successful. Read more>>

Adam Sage | Bassist & Co-Producer

The most important attribute of our success as a band is that the three of us are all 100% bought into the vision. We really enjoy the process of making the music, and we’re all willing to do what it takes to get it out to the world. We stay curious and ready to pivot our production, marketing strategy, distribution strategy, etc on a moments notice if we learn there is a better way. We’re just really lucky to have the resources and drive of 3 people all working hard towards the same goal of making this band something sustainable for us all. We hold each other to a high standard not just in musical ability, but also in our level of commitment and work we put into growing and managing the band. Read more>>

Tess Scott-Suhrstedt | Violist

There are so many factors that go into being a successful working freelance musician in Los Angeles. I am so grateful to be able to do what I love. While there are so many factors behind my success, such as passion, striving to reach new goals, and support from my loved ones, I would say that for me personally, the biggest factor would be accepting the failures and defeats along with the wins. As a musician, as well as any artist, you are bound to face a certain amount of rejection, and you just have to take a breath and say, “That’s okay”. You can’t let it get you down. You must learn from your rejections and disappointments and go forward with new knowledge you have gained. Read more>>

Bianca Shaw | Recording Artist, Educator & Activist

The biggest factor to my success so far has boiled down to one word: Respect. I respect myself first and foremost with every business decision I make by trusting my gut and following my intuition. I’ve explored many aspects of myself, my creativity and my art, now I am at a place where I know what that’s worth. I’ve noticed that people will try and sway you towards a vision that isn’t your own. The ideas we have for ourselves are golden, they can get misconstrued by others’ fears being projected onto us. I’ve shown myself respect as an entrepreneur by staying firm on my decisions when I believe they will get me closer to accomplishing the end-goal. Respect of self means knowing when to say “no.” Read more>>