Most people say they want success, but when you ask them what success means you get wildly different responses. We recently asked some of the best and brightest in our community to tell us about how they define success and have shared their responses below.

Ashley Sheppard | Creative Designer

That’s a good question. I believe success is defined by the beholder, similar to beauty. I’ve noticed in terms of success alot of times its associated with money or possessions, which can be a perk but I don’t think its limited to just that. When I think of success I associate it with accomplishment, I think of being proud of achieving a goal or endeavor. I think success is determined by the individual. Anything that has good results or fulfills its purpose is success. Read more>>

Tyria Jones | Author, Speaker & Life Purpose Coach

The definition of success for me is having the freedom to:: – fulfill my purpose of helping other women embrace self-love as I show them how to reject fear so they too can walk in their purpose. – live my life to the fullest on my own terms – choose how I spend my time with no limitations – live every day with no fear of the outcome. Read more>>

Mai Gutierrez | Architect and Sculptor

My definition of being successful has evolved as the years have gone by. We are taught at an early age to believe that having a money making career, marriage and kids are the ultimate goals that one much achieve to become a successful human being. Early in my career, I aimed to shatter that preconceived notion of success. I chose to set architecture aside, the sure money making career, and focused on what I loved; working with my hands. I spent quite a few years bouncing around many different fields such as interior, jewelry, and furniture design and production; as well as woodworking, metal, and stone sculpting classes and residencies. I was ecstatic, yet always lacked the financial means to achieve what I truly wanted, which was to have my own shop to work out of. I had to tap back into the architectural money making career in order to achieve that goal. That’s when I realized balance was key. In order to do what I loved the most, sculpting, I had to work on what I liked the least, being an architect. Read more>>