Webster doesn’t know everything. Some words can’t be defined by a dictionary. Rather they are defined by our values, ethos, and principles. We asked hidden gems from the community about how they define success and have shared their responses below.

Amanda French | Standup Comedian

I define success as forward progress. I know in terms of my standup comedy, it’s about being further down the line from where I started. If I am growing and becoming a better comedian, that is success for me. Of course, I do have goals that I am constantly reaching for, but I also want to acknowledge the journey. Read more>>

J-Stuy | Artist and producer

I define success by if a person set a goal or goals and never gives up trying to achieve them that is success. Read more>>

Douglas Davis | Cofounder and part-time barista

“Success” in business to me is measured on micro and macro levels… on a micro level, it starts with creating a pleasing encounter and experience for our customers. Moving further up the success food chain, it’s netting enough to be able to pay the bills. But the pinnacle of success for this business was demonstrated a few years back when the nation was in the throes of the Great Recession. I was unemployed and not able to financially supplement the coffee shop as I have had to do from time to time. The shop had fallen behind in rent, and our landlord understandably lost patience. We were given a four-day deadline to get current or be shut out of the property and the assets seized. We got that notice on a Thursday morning. One of our customers heard about this and established a crowd-sourced funding campaign by late Thursday morning. A reporter friend heard the news and published a story in the Dallas Observer. By close of business Saturday, between the crowd funding and extraordinary sales, we had more than enough to cover the rent we owed. To have a business that means so much to our customers that they respond so extraordinarily to our time of crisis is the embodiment of success. Read more>>

James Barber | Artist, Producer & Engineer

Being able to take care of my family, myself and still chase the dreams that will keep me moving forward. Read more>>