The Characteristics & Habits That Matter

We asked some of the city’s rising stars about why they think they have been so successful and we’ve shared their responses below.

Chloe Sosa-Jarrett | Graphic Designer & Letterpress Printer

The most important factor behind the success of my brand is that I keep it as true to who I really am as possible. In a world where “authenticity” has become a buzzword, it can be really tempting to craft a persona or brand identity that is trendy instead of building on long-held values. I decided early on that if at any point I felt I couldn’t be whole myself while representing my brand, I would stop and reevaluate my circumstances. Read more>>

Jocelyn Stuart | Owner: JS Home Editing | Professional Organzier

My primary focus is to create an organized and tranquil home for my clients that is functional but also pleasing aesthetically. I approach every space without judgement and believe that being a professional organizer is about helping people live a healthy, balanced and stress free life. Getting to know my clients’ individual wants and needs is essential. Every client is unique and it is important that we work together towards clear and achievable goals and, once I’m gone, I want my clients to be able to maintain the systems and solutions I’ve put in place. Read more>>

Jimmy Powers Jr | General Contractor

I think the most important factor behind our success is that we’re about helping people. We aren’t trying to get rich quick and genuinely care for people and want to help make their dreams come true and not have to take out a loan in order to accomplish it. Read more>>

Rane Wallace | Licensed Professional Counselor

I think that the one of the most important factors behind the success of my brand, Fort Wellness Counseling, has been the quality of individualized therapy that is provided. I believe in providing quality treatment, individualizing therapy to the unique needs of my clients, and doing the right thing. It’s not a cookie cutter approach. Everyone is different and everyone has their own unique story to tell. Therapy is a journey and not all individuals experience it the same way. It’s important to do what is best for the client and to work on what the client wants to get out of therapy. Read more>>

Michael Alban | Self Defense Instructor

Cheetahs are the ultimate predator equipped with hunting prowess, speed and other predatory gifts. Despite this, the cheetah misses its prey nine out of ten times. Can you imagine what would happen to the cheetah if after the ninth time it sat under a tree and exclaimed: “Screw this, I am becoming a vegetarian!” A cheetah never starves, it may go through a few days without food, it may become leaner and it may have to leave its hunting ground for new territory in search of prey. It knows it has only one option, it must continue to hunt if it wants to stay alive. Cheetahs never feel “rejected” or go into a state of depression or self-pity. Read more>>

MARK STRONG | Tattoo Studio Owner/Artist

I think the answer to that question is a little counter-intuitive. For a career in the visual arts, most people would probably assume that success is directly proportional to artistic skill. You might think, like I did, that a higher level of artistic talent is equal to a higher level of success. I have found that, while possessing a lot of talent is certainly helpful, the most important factor in my success has been due to customer service skills. Being kind, polite, and professional goes a long way! One of my mentors told me, “These young artists that think that tattooing isn’t a customer service job are fooling themselves.” Read more>>

Serah Prince | Owner and Photographer at Magnolia Fire Photography

This is a question that is near and dear to my heart. I say that because the underlying one word answer is PEOPLE. Let me explain. When I moved to the area I knew NO ONE, as in not one single person. Minus my husband, who by the way is my favorite human ever! I knew it was important to grow my network and get to know people and become trusted by them. Read more>>

Dawn Fabritz | Holistic Nutritionist and Yoga Instructor

The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is me. I think most people over think this aspect of their business or life because the average person doesn’t spend time pouring in to themselves or getting to know who they are. We live in a society that has trained us to struggle our way to success or hustle our way in to burnout, eventually you become depressed and robotic. When we realize how important we our and how much we should be pouring in to ourselves, we become so powerful that our true desires in life can come true with out feeling so depleted. Read more>>

Laura Rebekah Cone | Digital Marketer – Cofounder of Cone Creatives

Every business success is measured differently. Some are looking for increased exposure, others for views of their content, but at the end of the day most are looking for some type of conversion. For us that conversion looks like signing up a new client. But is that true success? We realized it is more than that. Conversions into clients or sales of a product are our secondary success metric. Read more>>

David Ryan Smith | Salon Owner/Leader

Having a team Helping other succeed Setting a higher expectation than what people would expect as stylist in terms of a successful career Read more>>

J.P. Morgan | Owner/Operator of Mostly Media Real Estate Photography

This is probably going to sound cliche or even a bit cheesy, but the most important factor behind my success lies in how I take care of my clients. There are several real estate photography companies in DFW, and it can be tough to compete, so I have to put more focus on treating every client as though they are my ONLY client. Read more>>

Lindsey Murillo | Interior Designer

Persistence! In February 2020 I completely rebranded my company. I went from being a home stager of The Staging Coach to Principal Interior Designer of Lindsey Murillo Interiors. The problem with this massive change was that one month later, the world shut down and we were locked inside. I couldn’t go out and meet new people, market my brand, network with people in my industry… the result was that no one knew who I was, where to find me or that I even existed! Read more>>

Paige Herrmann | Mom Blogger & Project Manager

Authenticity. I started my account (and soon-to-be blog) with one purpose in mind – to talk about the things no one was openly talking about after you have children. Even though I prepared as much as I thought I could prior to having my son, I had never felt so lost or unprepared after he was actually here and I wanted to ensure others didn’t feel the same way. Read more>>

Evan Fried & Mapate Diop | Co-Founder

The most important factor in our success is more products that allow people to feel like the most true reflection of themselves, no matter what space they enter. One of our earliest customers worked in a predominantly white engineering firm, where everyone wears Hawaiian shirts on Friday. He didn’t feel that was true to his experience and he told us how he would wear his DIOP Top and Air Jordan sneakers to work on Fridays to express himself, even though it was just him doing it. We want everyone to feel they can create their own lane or feel good about the one they’re in, and we continue to build for those people. Read more>>

Bonnie Smith | Wardrobe Stylist/ Closet Design

Client Results. In my opinion, everything else comes after. Upon meeting with a client, I pay very close attention to their needs and problems they are currently facing in their wardrobe. From there, I devise a closet/style plan along with timeline to elevate their style or closet. Done. Without being a client focused business, it is very easy to get caught up in the insignificant details or formalities of social media, marketing, non-productive tasks etc. The goal for me is a happy client that will share their experience with others. Read more>>