We asked some of the city’s rising stars to reflect on what made a difference in their journey. We asked them to tell us about what they think the most important factor has been behind their success.

Alex Dover

I feel being consistent, never giving up, and having a strong work ethic and mindset are the keys to being successful. Read more>>

Keiara Hayes

My achievement was mostly attributed to a vision and genuine passion. I have been able to maintain consistency in my profession because of my passion, which has also motivated me to research and discover new methods and approaches to teaching it. When my business first started in 2020, all I knew how to do was what I had learned from weight training in high school. I excelled in weight loss transformations and had gotten over 100 clients in that period. I thought that was plenty, but then I had associates who wanted to put on weight as well, and all I knew how to do at the time was lose weight. I contacted an online trainer, and she provided me with mentorship.My mentor advised me to alter my perspective if I wanted to be successful. Read more>>

Chason Watkins

The most important factor behind the success of my brand and my success in all would be my faith in God. God has continuously blessed me and put me in positions to win so I credit my success to him. My friends and family have motivated me to continue to strive for the best! Read more>>

Ashley Chinn

The most important factor behind my brand is my children , my biggest motivation, my hustle my work ethic everything to give them the life childhood I’ve never had. Read more>>

Emily McKee

Never give up on your dreams; never take “No” for an answer! We hear it all the time but sometimes it’s easier said than done. I decided while doing a high school tech program that cosmetology was a passion of mine. I loved that I could use my creative and artistic abilities outside of a canvas and make people feel more confident. My relationship with my clients goes deeper than just their hair. I feel that my calling is to be there for them emotionally with an open ear. I have fallen in love with getting to merge these two talents. Read more>>

Michael Wilkinson

I believe each of us has been endowed by our Creator with a set of raw skills and an internal passion which would allow us to be highly successful as we discover the area where He created us to be of greatest benefit to this world. That area may be serving in a hospital, running a multi-billion dollar corporation, raising children, being a store owner, or what have you. For me, our Creator blessed me with the ability to look at soft concepts, such as building trust, creating consensus, and inspiring action, and being able to break these activities down into smaller steps and repeatable processes so that just about anyone with the desire could use them and make a difference. Read more>>

ESTIMATED PRINCIPLES

For us, the most important thing has been to be true to ourselves and carve our own path. Many times we’ve been told how to do things by bad actors or that doing things a certain way, against how we would normally, would lead us to better results. Those people were wrong every time. When it comes to the creative side especially, doing things our way, reguardless of what maybe popular, had given us everything we have achieved so far. Read more>>

Brooke Armstrong | Pageant Photographer

Trust. People trust me with their photos and image. I build a relationship with those I photograph and I capture them in some of their very unguarded and most beautiful moments. Read more>>

Craig Davis | CEO and Owner of 2255 Custom Hats

The success of 2255 Custom Hats is due to several factors. As the owner and CEO, Craig Davis, my passion for fashion and creativity shines through in the distinctive and fashionable designs of our hats for both men and women. My ultimate aim is to make the world more beautiful, one custom fedora at a time, and to have my products available globally. Personalization is another cornerstone; our custom-made fedoras allow customers to showcase their individuality and style, distinguishing our brand. Each fedora is a “One of One,” ensuring that each client possesses a hat that is truly unique. Customers seek out our fedoras for special outfits, unique fraternity or sorority events, favorite sports teams, or to complement a newly purchased designer item. Read more>>

Sara Schenck Mackarvich | Estate Consultant, Owner and Operator

The most important factor behind my success has been my ability to solve problems, and creating calmness in chaos. Estate sales are a gamble each week comprised mostly of variables and placebo effects. There are endless facets that must come together to generate a successful sale, and often times that involves critical thinking and creativity. I joke that I “shove square pegs through round holes” on a daily basis, but I’ve been doing it my entire life, and not many professions Recently one of my clients picked up on a bit of my ADD and dyslexia. Instead of criticizing me for it, he applauded my ability to recognize my strength of problem solving, knowing I had likely done it subconsciously to mold myself to societal standards. Having ADD obviously has its challenges, but in my profession, I’m able to utilize my strengths like jumping from task to task, keeping my attention on solving the problem at hand and thriving in chaos, in a variety of settings. Read more>>

Christina Collins | Boss Babe, UGC/Content Creator & Dancer

I can wholeheartedly say that the most important factors behind my success is: keeping likeminded and genuine people that have my best interest at heart around me. And most importantly keeping my Heavenly Father in my heart at all times. He’s been guiding me through my entrepreneurial endeavors, literally the ups and downs. Words can’t express how grateful to him I am. Like I always say, Jesus is the Bestie. Read more>>

Amayah Moore | 9 Year Old International Junior Miss Jr. Pre-Teen titleholder & Founder of Moore Helping Hands

My parents have been the most important factor and play a significant role in my early success. Their belief in me has pushed me to surpass my limits. They consistently support my dreams and aspirations, and have not once told me no or that my dreams are impossible. As my greatest cheerleaders and advocates, they inspire me to dream big and aim high. I set goals and they are right there to help me achieve them. They make sure I remain committed, work hard, and never give up.They believe that every dream has a starting point, and with my potential, the way I’ll go is up. Together, we pray and trust God’s purpose and plan for my life. I have faith that if I work hard and do my best, God will handle the rest. Read more>>

Yared Alonzo | Makeup artist & Glamager

The real answer is delusion, And by that I mean I literally day dreamed about the life I live today since I could remember. I had no real resources to get where I am today other than telling myself I would be here one way or another. As well as just having faith in myself no matter what, I truly believe you can only go as far as you can see yourself. Read more>>