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?

Jessica Reynolds | BIPOC Trauma Therapist

Being able to show up as your authentic self. Anyone who is able to do that for a living, being your authentic self, is winning at life. To be able to be confident in my abilities and use those skills to help people is what it is to be successful and to create a successful brand. Read more>>

JIGGAONDABEAT | Music Producer

The biggest thing that helping me with being a producer is just being genuine, authentic, and just being my self. I try to bring good vibes everywhere I go whether it’s in public and most definitely in the studio. I feel like I’ve made a lot of good relationships and great music just being me. Read more>>

John O | Promoter/Entertainer/DJ/Video Creator

Consistency. I started JohnOProductions back in 2008 and I’ve been going ever since. From hosting venues, selling merchandise, DJing, doing talk shows, creating music and promotional videos. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the brand alive. Read more>>

Tramelle Williams | Hairstylist

Customer service! Without customer service, you are/have NOTHING. It’s about having integrity. You could be the meanest person with the best product/service, and I will not patronize you. I’d rather give my business to someone or a company whose product is just ok, but they are pleasant and open minded. They are more willing to learn from situations and change their operations to accommodate for the greater good. I want that for my clients. I have always prided myself on customer service because that is going to be your first impression of me; the way I communicate. I can build from there because I can tell what is working and what is not working for both my business and for my clients. Read more>>

Fuego Gatsby | Visual Artist & Creative Director

The most important factors behind my success is happiness and freedom. The freedom to creative full time bring me the ultimate joy. Coming from a military background and having such a structured upbringing from my parents always pushed me to search for my own sort of freedom in life. I’m thankful for my background for it provided me a sense of structure that came with this freedom that overall lead to my success in my industry. Still a long ways to go but I’m happy. Read more>>

Chiquanda “CJ” Alston | Accountant and Money Coach

As a Money Coach, not only do we help individuals with their bottom line but we also bring awareness to individuals about their money blocks so that they can eradicate them. We help them understand their relationship with money and help them have the healthiest relationship with money. We enable them to see their progress from where they started to where they need to be in order to create an optimal and profitable bottom line. Most of our clients are just starting a business or want to start a business. It’s important for them to develop good money habits so that they will make it as a business. Most Accountants don’t address the mindset but that is key. If we address the bottom line without proper mindset work, it will hinder the owner from being truly successful. Read more>>

Lacie Heckathorne | Interior Designer

My clients and my process are the main reasons for my success as an interior designer! I work with really great clients all over the country and my streamlined process ensures we have a strong sense of trust from the very beginning of each project. Having an easy and organized process that my clients fully understand from the beginning help each project to go smoothly and effortlessly for my clients. Without these two things I wouldn’t have the success I have found. Read more>>

Ayo Shofoluwe | Founder & CEO of PeacexPiece, Inc

There are several factors that accumulate to one’s success. I believe our commitment to executing at the highest level of excellence to fulfill our organization’s vision and bring value to our growing audience is a major factor of our success at PeacexPiece, Inc. We are dedicated to finding innovative ways to represent our brand to reach more people. I am driven by my desire to inspire people on a global scale with the valuable content we bring to the lifestyle and entertainment industry. We are building meaningful connections with people through the creative arts to achieve a deeper understanding and appreciation of the human experience. Read more>>

Adrian Wooten | Caterer/ Minister & Enterpreneur

The key factor behind my business is the passion love for people and my love for God that drives me to do what I do. I allow GOD to be my CEO and I know that if I allow him to guide me and my business endeavors that I could not fail. Passion is that key to it all when you live what you do nobody or anyone can challenge that or you. Read more>>

Derek Clarke | Artist

I believe the most important factor behind any success story is to follow ones own instincts. I’ve been pursuing painting, but the joy I get is in knowing that this is the one place where I can do everything my way. I paint what I feel in that moment, and it’s on my own schedule. Because of that, I believe my art gets the attention from me that it deserves. It may not be the best approach in today’s fast paced world, but I have to trust my instincts and be as genuine to my art as I can. I believe that it reflects in my work, which only helps me in the long-run. Read more>>

Bobby Mack | Traditional Tattooist

i’d have to say the most important factor behind my success would be the hunger and desire I had to succeed. I started my career later than most of the others I work beside in this industry so I felt like I needed to put the burners on and hyper focus on learning this difficult medium. Another key factor to my success would have to be my mentor Fidel Casillas. Fidel not only taught me the mechanics in this industry but also taught me a work ethic That would help me get to where I’m at today. Read more>>

Sheena Drummond | Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate + Doula + Childbirth Educator

The most important factor behind the success of my business is my authenticity. I believe in being who I am from beginning to end in all that I do. In doing so I am able to build relationships with those who choose to work with me. The work that I do is based on seeing a need for support during perinatal and postpartum phases of life. Because people are vulnerable during this time being authentic and realistic has ensured that those who walk away from a conversation with me feel empowered and prepared for birth and postpartum. Read more>>