The deciding factor: what’s the most important factor behind your success?

There are so many factors that can play a role in determining our results, performance and ultimately our success, but some factors matter more than others. We asked folks what they felt was the most important factor driving their success.

Shelly Borders | Sugar Artist

The most important factor behind my success is consistency and delivering a great product. I pride myself on continuing to perfect my craft. I want to ensure that each and every customer I come into contact with leaves with a product that makes them happy. I realize the product that I’m creating is to celebrate something or someone and it is important to me to make sure that my product meets their expectation and also looks great. Every customer is treated with the same level of respect whether they are a celebrity or not. When you get a cake from Cake Flare you are also getting great communication and customer service. Read more>>

Marv Neal | Wardrobestylist & Creative Director

Women …. Black Women! They have hired me helped me promoted me and most important prayed for me and my brand long my journey. Read more>>

Philip and Heather Collier | Husband and Wife | Professional Wedding Photographers

The most important factor for any success we’ve had would be that we’re always striving to challenge ourselves. We have an internal challenge to see who can capture the most appealing photographs at every shoot. We also continue to study the art of photography and push the limits of our knowledge on how we can technically get better at producing images that we and are our clients are excited about. Read more>>

Molly Bagby | Social and Community Manager

Our loyal employees and the customer service they provide to our longtime customers. The majority of our employees have been working for us for over 20 years and really know the business and have generations worth of woodworking knowledge to provide to out customers. Read more>>

Jayla Whitfield | Journalist & Business Owner

If you are reading this, you should know that Stories that Matter was created with YOU in mind. The brand was created to empower storytellers to go above and beyond on every story they create. I am the creator of Stories that Matter, but I am also a storyteller. I majored in journalism at the University of Mississippi and I’m currently working to receive my master’s in journalism as well. I have a passion for telling stories and reminding others that their story is powerful. As a result, following the launch of Stories that Matter, I decided to create headliner shirts that represent impactful stories in our communities. In 2020 we have witnessed several stories that matter – including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Vanessa Guillen, and many more. These are all individuals whose lives were lost in 2020 but their stories should never be forgotten. As a company, I am so proud of how many people have supported, uplifted, and joined the Stories that Matter family. Read more>>

Diarra Dumornay | Master Stylist & Salon Owner

The most important factor behind the success of my brand is passion. My passion for hair began at a very young age, as I watched my father operate as a barber in the salon he owned. I’ve always admired the salon, I loved the environment and how it brought people together. I often have moments where I can remember how it felt to see so many people from different walks of life come together in one space and get along like one big happy family. The salon is where so many vent, so many laugh, confidence is built, it’s not only about the hair. I have always been passionate about having a space just like that where I could bring people together. That passion alone is why I started and continue to grow my business. Read more>>

Nicole Trick Steinbach | International Bravery Coach

I started as the first child to a single mom and we spent years on welfare. Growing up, I struggled with a speech impediment and an eating disorder. There was so much to be afraid of – and I was often afraid. Early on, I realized that bravery is a skill — not a personality trait. Then I decided that I have it, and that I can build it. Step by step I built my bravery and the trajectory of my entire life shifted: before 40, I had worked in over 25 different countries, was earning multiple six-figures, was very often the only woman in the room, and even become bi-lingual (German). All of my success relied on bravery. Bravery to try, especially when I didn’t ‘belong’ in the room. Bravery to fail over and over and over again. Bravery to succeed and enjoy my success. And now bravery to invest in others so that they too build their bravery and we all make this entire world better as the international bravery coach. Read more>>

Sally Larsen | Founder, Owner and Formulator,

We started the company out of necessity. So many people have health issues that are tied to what they eat, what they breathe and what they put on their skin. Usually, we find out the hard way that these things affect us. Everyone has their own health journey. I found that cleaning up both my food choices and my skincare choices improved my health considerably. Once I had shared our products with friends, family and health care professionals, I realized that we had something special…and in demand. This was in 2005 and we were one of the first companies to even consider skin care products made from organic or non-toxic ingredients. We were ahead of our time and our success is largely due to the fact that we have years of research and discovery on how to turn pure, plant based ingredients into luxurious treatments for the face and body. Read more>>