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?

Houston Haitians United (HHU)

The talent, resourcefulness, and passion of Houstonians, our members, partners, and leadership keeps us going! We cannot thank our supporters enough for their overall contributions, including our largest effort to date in 2021. That year, Houston Haitians United (HHU), along with local government, churches, and private sector partners, provided humanitarian support to 1,280 Haitians. Read More>>

Derek Flores

Authenticity. I’ve never been a “Hey, how’s everyone doing?” or “Y’all look beautiful out there tonight” kind of performer. I get on stage, give people a “Whaddup dudes” and am the most authentic me I can be. I think people enjoy that I’m never going out of my way to be something I’m not. I’m an idiot. When you see me perform, that’s what you’re seeing – an idiot. Read More>>

 Shaneese Lowery

My success comes from my ability to evolve and execute. I’ve learned that vision means nothing without structure. I take time to realign, refine, and move with intention and that discipline shows in every layer of my brand. Also, Once I became clear on who I am and what I stand for, everything I built started reflecting that clarity. Read More>>

Nichole Stewart

I spent 20 years in healthcare — not in some executive suite, but on the floor as a nurse inside organizations with over 20,000 employees. I watched processes fail every single day. A patient’s follow-up gets missed because two systems don’t talk to each other. A team is doing the same data entry three different times because nobody ever connected the tools they were already paying for. Good people working hard and still getting bad outcomes — not because they weren’t trying, but because the systems underneath them were a mess. Read More>>

 Annie Eifler

The most important factor behind GCE’s longevity and success are the relationships we’ve formed over our almost five decades in the industry, and our relentless dedication to excellence. Our clients hire us because they value knowledge and industry expertise. They know they are going to be represented with class, excellence, integrity, and respect for everyone. Artists know we understand entertainment production and what they need in order to put on a great show. Read More>>

 James Macik

I would say the most important factor is to work hard and not give up. When you start something new, you are going to suck before you get good, so do your homework and prepare to work even harder to get better. Read More>>