We’ve always believed that forming a strategy is impossible until you’re clear on what your values and principles are. Without values and principles to guide you, making decisions can seem impossibly difficult. Given how important setting values and principles is to decision making we asked folks we admire to tell us about the values or principles that matter most to them.

Christina Jackson | Wedding+Bridal boudoir Photographer

I can’t pinpoint just one specific value, but I can definitely list my top three most important values that matter to me personally and professionally. Number one: Accessibility, I can’t tell you how many horror stories I’ve read or heard about from clients getting ghosted or having to reach out multiple times before any communication is received back. I also can’t tell you how many times that has happened to me. It is such a scary and worrisome feeling when you’ve invested money into someone that has made you feel like you are not a priority. All my clients are a priority, as they should be. Read more>>

John Alexander Garcia | DJ & Entrepreneur

The principle I value the most in life is doing something you love. I truly believe that in order to be successful not only financially but in life overall you need to do something you care the most about and that is worthwhile to you. When you do something that you enjoy you are more likely to always go the extra mile and not give up. My biggest advice to anyone is to find that one thing or desire you have and chase it to the top. Doing what you enjoy not only makes you feel fulfilled but your outlook on work and life seems indistinguishable from each other. Read more>>

Quanishia Dixon | Baker & Social Worker

I actually have three values that are most important to me. Courage: Without courage, I believe there’s truly no room for growth. I’ve learned that if you live in the thought of fear or rejection you’ll never grow as a person, or professionally. I’ve learned to have the courage to step outside of my comfort zone and think outside the box, and not limit myself to the possibilities of what I “can’t” do and just do it. Gratitude is another big one for me. I’ve learned the importance of incorporating gratitude into my everyday life because sometimes we get so fixated with the things that we do not have and do not show gratitude for the things we do have in this present moment. Read more>>

Brittany Johnson | Yoga Instructor & Nursing Home Administrator

Resilience, because life is hard. People expect so much from you and if things don’t come out the way they imagined or as planned, you end up basing your feelings of success or failure off of someone’s expectations. I’m blessed that I’ve grown from that mindset and tell myself, “I can’t and won’t do that anymore” . Looking back, I realized that every obstacle thrown my way was no feat for my resilience. I bounced back every time. Read more>>