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?

Jennifer Boedeker Elmore | Adventure Photographer

Word of mouth referrals are the most important factor in the continued success of jenXphotography. When clients are happy with the quality of merchandise, and the expert service provided, they talk. Repeat customers and word of mouth referrals are the highest from of flattery, and the secret of consistent growth and success. Read more>>

Kim Beechner | CEO & Marketing Director

The most important factor behind Embark Marketing’s success is our passion for the food & beverage industry. Personally, I have over 20 years experience in the restaurant & bar industry – having worked in every aspect of the business operationally. This experience combined with my extensive knowledge in digital marketing, has allowed me to create this beautiful experience where restaurants can provide quality customer service both in-house & digitally. Our personalized strategy development, public relations efforts, engaging social media management, prompt reputation management, unique graphic design, and website communication keeps restaurants connected with their customers in real-time. Read more>>

QUinn Persinger | FIT4MOM West Plano Owner & Instructor

The culture of our community has always been the most important factor to building FIT4MOM West Plano from a business standpoint. Motherhood is something that everyone experiences differently, everyone grows in different ways, yet it is an experience we all share. FIT4MOM was created to be a source of connectivity; building strength in moms both physically and emotionally throughout each stage of motherhood. In this way, our FIT4MOM West Plano community is unique from other fitness services or box gyms. As an owner, it is most important to me that our community allows a mom to have a safe place where she feels welcomed, cared for, and will grow to love our community as her own. When she knows we believe in her, she believes in us, as a community and a business. When the heart of your business is bigger than you are as an owner, you will find success there. In an industry saturated with box gyms and on-demand programs, I am proud of the programs we offer, but more importantly, I am grateful for the opportunity to provide connection, community, and strength for mamas in every stage of their amazing journey in motherhood. Read more>>

Tina Adams-Mason | Small Business Owner & Makeup Artist

The most important factor behind my success is drive. The most important factor behind the success of my brand is exceptional customer service. Read more>>

Julianna Mathers | Interior Design Business Owner and Adoptive Mom

I run a small interior design firm in the North Dallas area. My passion is to create thoughtful, pretty designs and vibrant, livable spaces for busy families. I want my clients to delight in the spaces they spend so many hours a day. As a Certified Color Expert, I love color and I understand its power. It can transform the way we see a room. But it can be tricky to get just right. I help clients identify what’s right, what’s wrong and where to begin to refresh and update their homes with colors that bring them joy. I love to mix colors and neutrals and I believe color, done properly, is a timeless and classic design choice. In many ways my success, though modest by some standards, has surprised me. I have established a great word of mouth client base and many of my clients prefer to add on new projects once we’ve complete the initial job. I consider this is a tremendous compliment to me and my work. I think the most important factor to my success is the relationships I forge with my clients. I truly care about them and their home design needs. Read more>>

Christy Maskeroni Price | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified Personal Trainer, & Owner of ALULA COLLECTIVE

There are a few things that are incredibly important to me and what I think has helped my successes – connection, integrity, and education. CONNECTION If someone is taking the time to take my class or book a session with me, I want to take the opportunity to genuinely connect with them in some way. INTEGRITY The health, wellness, and yoga world is an interesting place (I am sure like many others). It can be easy to get caught up in finding the easy way, fastest way, or trendiest way especially with the use of social media these days. It is important to me to do what I do with integrity behind it. It may take me longer to get noticed but i whole-heartedly believe in staying true to myself and to others — to not concede for a trend, a quick win, or outside pressures like social media, etc. EDUCATION I am incredibly passionate about what I do so it makes it easy to continue to learn, grow, and expand. I take what I do seriously and want to be the best support I can be for my students and clients. If someone is coming to me with an injury, illness, or just a general question I want to be able to support them to the best of my ability. Read more>>

Joyce Harris | Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor & Nutritionist

Honesty and authenticity are the most important factors behind the success of my business, because I’ve seen so many people in my industry promise quick fixes and they never work. I’m honest with my clients about the hard work and dedication they will have to put in to reach their goals. I genuinely care about my clients and want them to be the best and healthiest version of themselves. With that they achieve their goals then recommend my services their families and friends. Read more>>

Jennifer Taylor | Experience Creator/Wedding Designer/Caterer

I truly believe the most important factor to building my brand and creating a company from the ground up, is letting go of all fear, and believing that if you say yes, with confidence, and then just taking the next step, you WILL make it happen! I believe in the power of “yes” as much as the power of “no” When I began to build my brand, I said yes 10 times to every 1 no. As my company grew, then I was able to decrease the amount of “yes’s”, but honestly, that was only after about 7 years of steady growth. When I am now approached with design projects for weddings that I have never done, I am excited to say yes! Then I get to work. I study. I read. I listen to podcasts and go to Youtube and watch the people who are more successful than me and I figure out the “next step”, and then every step that needs to follow. I believe that saying “yes” to some things in my career, that I was clueless about, pushed me to become a much better version of myself and a much better version of my business. If you are not learning and growing your knowledge and skill set, in whatever your field is, than your business will stagnate. Read more>>