Through our work we have been constantly amazed at the incredible things people in every neighborhood are working on. What’s even more exciting is that they all have different stories, backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses. That there isn’t a single formula for success means that everyone can take their unique set of strengths and characteristics and turn it into a success story. We recently reached out to some folks we admire and asked them what characteristics they feel are responsible for their success.
Mer Norwood | Lifestyle Blogger & Writer
Definitely authenticity. My blog is dedicated to food, nature, beauty, and everything in between. I partner with many brands and small businesses, and I will never post about an experience or product I did not sincerely enjoy. I have even communicated with business owners if I did not have a positive experience and choose not to post about it, because I also believe that businesses deserve the chance to receive feedback, too. I cherish authenticity so much- it’s because my audience trusts me, and the content that I am putting out there. I would never break their trust, and I hold this to the highest honor. Read more>>
Bev Pettit | Fine Art Equine Photographer
Staying in my own lane and keeping with what I love and feel most comfortable with was a key factor to growing my brand. I’ve built a following for fine art equine photography and when people are looking for this type of art for their homes or offices my name shows up on the top of most internet search lists. Read more>>
Sandy Stringham | Mom By Day, Baker By Night
In the beginning of my small business I said YES!!! to every opportunity. Even if I had no clue what I was doing or how I would do it, I went to work, studied, tried and tested my limits. Also, throughout my time as an an entrepreneur I have learned to LISTEN to those that love me. My mom and my husband specifically. My mom was the one who told me to try my hand at baking sugar cookies and now it is my favorite thing to do! And my husband is my constant support as I work into the late hours of the night. Those close to you see your true potential and how you can use your skills to get even further than you had ever imagined. However, my number one factor behind any success I have had in life is to not be afraid to try new things or to fail when you try that new thing. When I fail I don’t see it as the end but just as a step toward where I’m meant to be. Success is in the place where you are afraid to go. Read more>>
Ryanne Sebern | Jewelry Artist
I believe that success comes from doing what you love, with the capacity to share it with others. As a jewelry artist, I am grateful to have fused my passion and profession. I’m inspired by nature and adventure, so it’s no surprise that my years of backcountry guiding and wilderness exploration gave me some ideas. When surrounded by nature, jewelry ideas tumble through my mind and into my sketchbooks. I pour my love and passion into each piece as it becomes handmade jewelry to share. The result is authenticity in my craft, and success as an artist. Read more>>
Jordan Nunez | Ceramicist
The success of my creative business can be largely attributed to one thing: consistently showing up. I don’t mean posting daily to social media just to have posted something. Though social media certainly plays a part in running a business, showing up for yourself is bigger than that. Showing up for yourself means prioritizing your goals. It means taking the time to identify what you want out of your business, your life, and what messages you want to convey. It means taking quality photos and displaying your work in an elevated way. It means taking the time to get to know your audience and not devolving into a product shilling machine. People are naturally attracted to those who are passionate about their work and who care about the folks they work with. By showing up for yourself every single day, you’re proving to your audience that your business is worth showing up for. By adopting the mindset of showing up, you create sustainable growth, mitigate burn-out, and pave the way for your continued success. Read more>>
Krista Contreras | Aesthetician
In starting my business my vision was simple. My goal was to create an environment where I could make my clients feel seen, heard and understood while building their self confidence from the inside out. In my experience, being a woman comes with the feeling of having to be perfect, especially on the outside. While the success of my business is very much results driven, the soul of my success is based on creating meaningful relationships with my clients. I like to know about their families, their goals and hardships. If they feel fulfilled when leaving my treatment room, I feel even more fulfilled. Read more>>