There are so many factors that can play a role in determining our results, performance and ultimately our success, but some factors matter more than others. We asked folks what they felt was the most important factor driving their success.

Meda Simpson | Wedding & Travel Photographer

I am a Christian, and I firmly believe that the most important factor behind my success is the Lord. From the beginning, I have prayed that I would bring him glory through my business and he would lead it where it needs to go. Throughout the process of starting a business and growing it, I took one step at a time waiting for doors to open or doors to close. When given opportunities to practice photography, I capitalized on them and worked for very little pay for awhile to grow my brand and expand my business. I would say this is essential for people who are beginning photography and wanting to improve their skills. Read more>>

Kiva Harper | University Professor, Mental Health Thought Leader, Professional Speaker and Psychotherapist

The most important factor behind my success is the relationships I’ve built. I have had some amazing opportunities in my career and most of them were because of people I knew. I’m so fortunate to receive pretty regular requests to speak, or provide expert analysis, or to give interviews, and the majority of these opportunities seem to emanate from a colleague, a former student or similar professional relationship. Cultivating professional relationships and connections are extremely important in the social work community. Everyone knows everyone else. Read more>>

Saul Castillo | Entertainer and Multi-Instrumentalist

I’d have to say the most important factors behind my success are patience, perseverance, and confidence, Patience the time for the time the work takes, perseverance for how hard the work can get, and confidence that the work will take you further and further as long as you keep the first two factors strong. Read more>>

Hollan Black | Cookies & Castles Frisco – Event Chair

The most important factor behind Cookies & Castles Frisco success is the committee’s commitment to our mission which is: “Through sisterhood and friendship, Cookies & Castles Frisco works to bring the community together by offering a fun activity for the young, and young at heart, with a joyous gingerbread experience resulting in meaningful assistance to Scottish Rite for Children patients and their families and to Tri Deltas needing a helping hand.” Read more>>

Maria Long | Photographer

I think relationship building and customer service are the two of the biggest strengths I possess that have been huge factors behind my success. It is extremely important to me that my clients walk away from a session experience feeling happy and optimistic. I consider their time valuable and try to make the most of it. I truly care about my clients, and they know it. Alot of my clients have become personal friends of mine, and it is just one of the bonuses of being present during so many important moments in their lives. Read more>>

Hillot Suavé Ice” Rogers | Musician”

For me, the most important factor behind the success of my brand is really believing in myself and also having a good support system. You are the one running your show and you are also your biggest critic but you must keep striving, believing in yourself, and giving your best no matter what. It’s even easier to do so when you have a good, honest, and loving support system. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in what you do and push you to do your best is such great feeling and a blessing. I am very grateful for the people that I have in my corner and for the people I’ve met and will meet along the way. Read more>>

Alexi Noble | Founder of DFW Young & Social & Ballroom Dancer

One of the most universal sentiments I hear from my peers in their 20’s and 30’s is this: “Making friends and/or meeting romantic partners as an adult is hard.” It doesn’t matter if they’re single, married, fresh out of college, or if they’ve been established in their career for fifteen years. Without fail, the complaint is the same. But why? The reality is, most of us are running in twenty directions, building careers and families. Increasingly, we’re working from home, or moving from city to city. As a society, the way our daily lives are set up makes it tricky to connect. Read more>>

Courtney Segrest | Ceramic Artist

The most important factor behind my success would probably be persistence. When I first started in ceramics I majorly struggled to get a single piece to turn out well. It was an awkward and challenging medium that just wasn’t clicking for me. I was determined to become better, and practiced my skill for hours everyday until I started to improve. Somewhere along the way I started to enjoy the hard work it took to create ceramic pieces. I still include this stubborn attitude in my everyday making. Once I get an idea for a piece I don’t give up on it, even if it fails 50 times before I finally get it right. Read more>>