Every overnight success we’ve seen has been years in the making. And those overnight successes are rarely because of an amazing idea or a stroke of luck. We asked some of our favorite folks from the community about what characteristics are at the heart of their success story?

Casi Amaradio | Content Creator

Being authentic and honest has always been the top priority when starting my brand. I want my followers to know that when I try something I will not hold back on my thoughts or when we experience a new show that my critique will be authentic. Read more>>

Michelle Kuei | Creator of Attract Clients Through Storytelling

The most important factor behind the success of my brand is resilience. I believe that “Nothing worth doing is easy!” In 2019, I published my book, “Perfectly Normal: An Immigrant’s Story Of Making It In America” in 2019, with no marketing background or experience on how to launch a book. I went door to door in my neighborhood to promote my book. Read more>>

Spencer Arias | Composer

As I have grown as a composer, I have realized that I owe the vast majority of any success I experience due to the relationships with the community I have created. As an artist, your community is rarely built into the experience of growing your career, and it truly takes a village to take off. Read more>>

Alyson Rose | Social Media Entrepreneur & Makeup Enthusiast

When I started social media, I had no specific goal in mind. I just one day got up and started posting videos. Nothing was calculated towards growing a following, I just wanted to be myself and share a passion for something I love. I started to tell my stories. Most of them being about my experiences in the past working at a retail makeup store and some of the crazy customers I’d encounter. One day, out of the blue, the videos spread like wildfire, gaining millions of views in the matter of a couple of days. I was shocked. Read more>>

Rachel Neill | Co-Founder, CEO Carex Consulting Group, Figgy Play

When we first started Carex Consulting Group we set out to be different, to break a mold, and introduce the recruiting industry to a new style- a fresh and effective approach to matching talented workers with top tier companies. We came into the space through alternative channels and that really helped bring forth new ideas, and impactful industry solutions. Read more>>

Dan Altavilla | Bladesmith

Client-centric business practices. I treat all of my clients as if they were friends or relatives. Meaning, I bend over backwards to keep clients happy. It does incur some cost over time, but it is worth every red cent. Keeping clients happy is what keeps clients coming back. This mentality is precisely why I have clients, not customers. Read more>>

Ginger Hamilton | Artist – Designer – Creative

I think the most important factor behind my success really consists of two things. The first being consistency, and the second being versatility. Consistency is a hard one, because when you work for yourself, you really have to be self motivated and creative with reaching out to people, finding new avenues to showcase your work and/or find new clients, etc. On the same hand, Versatility is so so so important to find success while you are in the early stages of your art career. Read more>>

Monica Johnson | Animation/VFX Agent, Makeup Artist & Pianist

NEVER QUIT. When you quit, you’ll never be able to see the unlimited amount of possibilities that could have been your reality. I’m so thankful that I didn’t throw in the towel when I wanted to and kept pressing forward. Success absolutely doesn’t happen overnight but it starts with a vision, a goal and a purpose. When I started nurturing my craft and diving in deep every day, hustling hard and pouring my soul into my creations, my vision started to manifest. Read more>>

Matthew Paul | Laser engraver

Definitely word of mouth and the pushing my business from my friends. And doing a great job for my customers and meeting their needs so that they are happy to use me again or have no doubts about referring me to someone. Read more>>