We asked the community what factors they felt were responsible for their success and we’ve highlighted some of those responses below.

Christy Findlay | Licensed Professional Counselor

My thought process behind starting my own practice was truly wanting to help people, not only clients, but the therapists in the office. I wanted an environment where everyone felt supported and heard. We have a collaborative group, which is beneficial for clients as well. We are able to provide in office referrals for a broad scope of presenting issues. I am fortunate to work with an amazing group of professionals who care greatly for clients and provide excellent counseling services. Read more>>

Ryan The Son” Thomas | Music Artist

One of my favorite lines I’ve heard on a song was, “There’s a big difference between being known an being successful”. I think one of the reasons why I find success is because I don’t make it my primary focus, though I’m tempted to so many times. I just focus on getting better and better at my craft and character, and so my success is purely based on my personal growth rather than how many people recognize how “successful” I am. Read more>>

Bart Brunner | Musician & Business Owner

I want SquareWaveLive to be a place where anyone feels welcome regardless off who you are, the type of music you play, or your skill level. I think the fact that we are welcoming and responsive to our clients and we treat people how we would like to be treated is the most important factor behind our success. Read more>>

Stefania Vito | Owner- Stefania’s Empanadas

Our passion of cooking and the energy it creates amongst the people who consume it is what we believe is the most important factor for our success. When you truly care about what you are doing from the very beginning stages of thought, to how the person/people enjoying it will feel afterwards, you make sure every step is carefully planned and executed. Read more>>

Ryan Hunley | Owner & Art Director

A little bit of mystery. I think conventional entrepreneurial wisdom tells us to specialize immediately and yell our specialization from the mountaintops. I have observed that this often leads to a lot of short term success but that engagement and interest fades quickly. I have approached self promotion with a bit more ambiguity/humility and I believe that has contributed significantly to my longevity as a small business (15+ years). Read more>>

Divinity | Everything Girl

My name is Divinity and it’s more than just a name. It’s more than just an egotistical declaration of who Eye want to be. Divinity is a call for greatness. As you say my name you are speaking life into me. As you say my name you are speaking life into you!!! Read more>>

Denton Art & Performance Collab | Event Planner

The most important factor behind our success is all the hours and hard work behind the scenes that most people don’t see. We spend a lot of time networking and building strong relationships with local venues, makers, and performers. We strive to not only have successful events for ourselves, but to also bring success and good vibes to every location we pop up at. Read more>>

Averi Burk | Artist Musician

The people in my life. I couldn’t do this solely by myself.. My family and friends support has made all the difference. People need people & I wouldn’t be very far without mine. Read more>>

Freda Ross | Jewelry Designer

I think the most important factor for the success of my brand is being true to myself and my mission. My clients want to “wow” people when they walk into a room, and they don’t want to look like everyone else. I design jewelry masterpieces so that my clients stand out from the crowd. People have suggested I make pieces based on the latest trends, but my clients want classic styles that they can wear for years and pass down to their children and grandchildren. Read more>>

Zaneeka Hill | Speaker, Coach & Published Author

There are a few important factors behind my success; faith is the utmost important factor. My faith is what led me to start iEdify Women’s Summit and write and publish my first book. It has been the driving force in me continuing through the most challenging times of my life. I didn’t have the luxury to be able to stop just because life was happening so I had to lean on my faith. Read more>>

Andrea Brannock | Childbirth educator, birth doula, trainer and agency owner

I think there are a lot of factors behind my success. One if the biggest is my love for what I do. I think the clients I serve and their providers can see just how much I love my career and how much I love my client. Read more>>

Jason Whaley | Expert in Experimental Photo Marketing

I’m excited to have the opportunity to talk about Smash Booth Interactive Photo Studios and have the opportunity to discuss our achievements and branding. In the Las Vegas event industry our brand is easily recognized by most professionals in the industry. The success of our brand can be attributed to an array of factors, however, if I had to pinpoint the most important contribution behind our success, Read more>>

Hillary Biediger | Co-Founder

I lived in NYC for 10 years pursuing dance and theater. There were a lot of juice bars in NYC. I finally ventured into one of them and ordered a green juice. I had so much energy, after drinking it, I was practically skipping down the streets of Manhattan. I was hooked. When I moved back home, I wanted to open a juice bar so I could share how amazing raw, organic juice is. Now, 10 years later, our vegan food items have stolen the show! Read more>>

Nuria Bonilla Handrop | Business Owner and Special Education Teacher

When I started working within schools as a special education teacher I knew I had chosen the right career path and that I was truly passionate about making a difference in the lives of my students and their families. Even so, I noticed that each student needed fully personalized support, someone who taught them according to their needs, conditions, challenges, interests, progress rates, etc. And that it also adapts the curricular contents and materials to achieve meaningful learning. Read more>>

Justice Quinn | Interior Decorator

I ask myself this question all the time. haha but all jokes aside I just wanted to be able to creates spaces for clients that had a unique expression to them. I wanted a career where I could creatively flow, but also have great client relationships so decorating fell right in line. I guess more so the thought process to start was a gap I saw in rooms designed and furnished with a healthy mix of old and new. It’s my goal to see historic homes in the area filled with historic design. Read more>>

Diamond Rivera | Director & Head Videographer

The thought process behind creating DiamondRiveraFilmz Media was to showcase the beauty of art, dance, and etc with my own personal touch. My overall goal was to create a team of videographers & photographers that shared a passion for creating works of art through their lenses. To allow content creators the ability to have their content promoted through my platform and be able to be paid 100% of profit from work they secured, added that extra feeling of accountability. Read more>>

Jonathan Hall | Catering Director & Owner

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have discovered my passion at a young age. Throughout my entire life, I have been driven by a desire to serve others in various capacities. This inclination led me to establish a non-profit organization when I was just 19 years old, dedicated to providing Christmas presents to homeless and underprivileged children. Over time, the reach of this initiative expanded to encompass locations in Mexico and several other cities. Read more>>

Opposites Attract Boutique Paige Neal + Jordan Samples | Co-Owners of Opposites Attract Boutique

Our main goal with opening our own boutique was to curate clothing that allows women to feel confident and enhances their ability to be fully themselves! What you wear is such a huge part of expressing yourself, and an outfit you feel comfortable in can really change your outlook on each day. Paige is a professional photographer, and Jordan frequently works as an influencer for brands and small businesses- together we make a great team for building a brand! We are all about making owning a business FUN. Read more>>

Dishaidiamond diamond | Makeup Artist & CEO of ENG BEAUTY

Embracing Uniqueness and Inner Beauty to Empower Women
My name is Dishai Diamond, but I was born Kauri Proctor. Growing up, I learned to appreciate the effort it takes to feel beautiful. This desire eventually led me to help others express their beauty too. My mission is to help everyone feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. I believe that everyone is beautiful and unique in their own way. Instead of hiding our differences, we should embrace them. We should feel proud of who we are and showcase our individuality in creative and versatile ways. Read more>>

Jill + Erica Our Loves List | Lifestyle Blogger Duo

We’ve both always loved fashion, traveling, and all things beauty and skincare. Over the years, we’ve had friends family and co-workers say “That’s so cute, where did you get that?” or “I need help with a gift for someone, I liked what you had on the other day.” so we decided it was a great time to get all of our ideas, outfits, and inspo in one spot. In June 2019 we started Our Loves List, a curation of, well… all the things we love. We post weekly about life, outfits, places we’ve traveled, our newest makeup obsession, or the steals and deals you’re dying to get your hands on. Read more>>

David Figueroa | Founder of Melinda’s Hot Sauce

Melinda’s Hot Sauce began its journey with a clear and passionate vision inspired by a deep love for flavor and spice. While still in college back in 1989, I had a genuine enthusiasm for creating exceptional hot sauces that would delight taste buds around the world. My motivation to start the business stemmed from a desire to inspire culinary innovation with quality ingredients and authentic craftsmanship. Read more>>

Shayn Baron | Interior Designer

I was working in tech but I always enjoyed design and renovation as a hobby. We had a family friend who had a construction business and I loved working with him in the summers. I got to see amazing transformations. It made me fall in love with design. Read more>>

Julie Preston | Artist

After teaching art for many years and creating art just for myself, I decided to try and sell my art. Being an independent artist and teaching art simultaneously revolves around my desire to balance personal artistic endeavors with the opportunity to inspire, educate, and contribute to the art community. For me it offers a path to financial stability, personal growth, networking opportunities, and the chance to make a positive impact on aspiring artists, all while continuing to develop my own artistic practice. Read more>>

Joel Holiner, M.D. | Owner and Operator, M.D. Antiques

I’ve collected antiques for 40 years and love them. I kept bringing more and more antiques home. My wife repeatedly said that you can’t fit any more antiques in the house. I had antiques in my office, in my study at home, and in my children’s houses. My wife eventually suggested that I just get a space where I could open a store, where I would be able to enjoy my passion and hobby in a useful way. Read more>>

Misty Jester | Founder of Teacher Tech Tips

Traditional teaching methods often fall short in capturing students’ interest and fostering deep cognitive engagement. Recognizing this gap, I believe that integrating technology into the learning process can bridge the divide between academic content and student engagement. Read more>>

Kelly Wright | Founder

I’ve always looked at the idea of a hardware store as a space for community and solving problems. Where you can learn how to fix and do things yourself and use that knowledge to help others. Read more>>

Eliot Johnson | Photographer

I’ve always enjoyed learning how to do new things that allow me to create something. I’ve been a musician my entire life and learned to play the drums at 8 years old and my background is in music performance/education. I loved using this skill to produce music on my own and as a creative outlet. I was first introduced to photography when I saw the pictures from my brother’s wedding. I couldn’t believe someone could create such true to life and vibrant photos with just a camera. Read more>>

Leona Perez | Artist

Soul Sisters Studio – place where you can escape Into your imagination. It’s always been my dream, to build a loft Studio in Deep Ellum, with big windows, wide open space and white walls, full of brushes easels and unlimited canvases. Studio where are you can create and find your True Self. Read more>>

Jeanine Michna-Bales | Artist working primarily in the medium of photography

After a 20+ year career in advertising, I decided to turn my attention to photography and become a full-time artist a little over a decade ago. I wanted to work on projects that were socially engaged with the ultimate goal of starting conversations on the topics that I have chosen to photograph. My artistic process is heavily research based. Read more>>

Giselle Rodriguez | Hairstylist

I wanted to make all my clients feel and look beautiful while building relationships with them and long lasting friendships. I also wanted to control my income and have the opportunity to grow at my discretion. Read more>>

Chovani Wright | Owner of Jar Sweets

My whole life food has been a major part of me growing up. I was raised in Panamanian and West indian household where food was always made with love and fresh ingredients. Cooking with my father growing up nurtured my love for food and desserts. From there i became passionate about baking and making desserts for my family and friends. So one day i thought how can i spread my love for desserts with others and from that blossomed my dessert business Jar Sweets. Read more>>

Walter Herron | General Contractor & Educator

My initial thought process behind starting my business was to create affordable home improvement business. As a first time homeowner, there where a lot concerns of how to maintain the integrity my home if anything should break. Those uncertainties pushed me to work countless hours over the past 15 years to continuous learn and help customers. Read more>>

Lenmarie Pascall | Founder

It’s interesting, my business kind of found me. After experiencing burnout and living with no margin, I developed new habits and a healthy lifestyle of rest and sabbath. I did it because I needed it and then learned that we are created to have a rhythm of rest. One day I made these huge lounge pillows for a back to school BBQ I hosted yearly and everyone wanted me to make more for them. Read more>>

MIA STREET | Educational Consultant

As a former teacher and district administrator, my dedication to education as a tool for liberation has been the driving force behind everything I do. Growing up, I was inspired by the stories of my grandfather, Moses Lee Osborne, who risked his life to teach Black folks in Jackson Parish how to read so they could register to vote. I have always understood the power of an education that affirms students’ lived experiences, is rooted in truth telling and the love of humanity. Read more>>

Jessica Koiner | International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Something in the lactation industry is off. Six years ago, after suffering with my own personal struggles with nursing, I knew that change was needed. I felt impassioned to pursue a career that would empower other families in their feeding journey. Little did I know that my degree in nutrition and dietetics, the hours of volunteering in the hospital, and my own trial would be used to make something beautiful. Read more>>

Ozjonae Chambers | Owner of Sheiq Arrangements – Monet and Floral Bouquets

When I reflect on my decision to start my own business, it stems from an unwavering inner fire that compels me to take action. There are moments when I find myself lost, questioning why I care so deeply. However, my aspirations push me forward, reminding me that I genuinely want to explore the extent of my potential. Read more>>

Latika Ross | Event Manager + Special Projects Manager

Most of my life I couldn’t find my niche, or so I thought. I didn’t realize that my life experiences would lead me to start a business. It was about finding something I felt passionate about and embracing it, researching it, and dedicating myself to it. It has always been my passion to see things in order, communicate effectively, see successful results and I’m a creative so I love creation! I was the president or secretary of every youth auxiliary in my church at some point. Read more>>

Ahan Mukherjee | Executive Director of WeCare

In 2021, my close friend Srinivas Dhulipalla and I founded WeCare with a shared realization of the profound impact caused by the CoVID-19 pandemic. Given our interests in the healthcare field at the time, we felt a strong desire to make a meaningful contribution. However, it wasn’t until we participated in the PAVE program organized by Philanthropy Kids that our aspirations crystallized into a concrete plan. Read more>>