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?

Andrea Escobar | Photographer

The most important factor behind my current success is my ability to adapt. Since I left my country to find better opportunities in the United States, the only thing that has been recurring is my adaptability process. First of all, I lost the fear and embarrassment of speaking in a second language, in which I am fluent but not 100%, it has been fun to go in the car before each gig listening to music in English to practice for social interactions. Second, and also very important, has been putting my social anxiety aside to be able to go out into the real world, and connect with more people. Breathe deeply before leaving the house and rehearse a few lines to be able to initiate conversations with new people. And finally, being a Hispanic woman in another country and inside the music industry has tested all my ability to adapt to situations that I do not know or control, but that deep down I find the strength to overcome them and move forward, without letting the bad moments win, on the contrary, give me more strength and courage not to give up Read more>>

Sara Gaston | Award-winning Actor, Writer & Director

That’s such a great and hard question to answer because there are a few reasons. I’ll narrow it down to two: passion and a hard-wired drive for excellence. Even as a kid, I was driven to work hard at anything I took on. I have a distinct memory of staying behind in class in the third grade (other kids were either at lunch or recess) but I was finishing my handwriting assignment. I wanted to take my time so it was perfect. That desire to create excellence in the projects I take on and, in the case of coaching, to serve my clients, has made a difference in a world of ‘good enough’. I’m also very passionate about the craft of acting. This business is not a meritocracy and there’s no clear path to ‘success’. But I love it very much so I am propelled to continue through the dips and don’t take the highs too seriously. Read more>>