Through our work we have been constantly amazed at the incredible things people in every neighborhood are working on. What’s even more exciting is that they all have different stories, backgrounds, strengths and weaknesses. That there isn’t a single formula for success means that everyone can take their unique set of strengths and characteristics and turn it into a success story. We recently reached out to some folks we admire and asked them what characteristics they feel are responsible for their success.

Karyn Elle | Voice, Business Owner, Actress, Podcaster, Visionary and All Media MAMA

I think for me, the most important factor of my success and the success of my brand Sayith LOUD has been my authenticity. Honoring what I am good at, what I believe in as my brand and staying true to that. I think my success has also been my work ethic. i eat, sleep, love, Sayith Loud and that comes across in my body of work. I didn’t build a brand on just colors and logos, I build a platform and identity for myself and Sayith loud and that took dedication, hard work and forward thinking. Read more>>

Porchea-Londone Spencer | Brand Style Strategist

The most important factor behind my success is my authenticity. There’s so many people that do what I do, brand strategy and have a minimal offering behind a gang of gimmicks. I don’t operate outside of my truest self, I could EASILY manipulate the public and make 6 figures but that’s not my agenda. I want to do things from a place of integrity. It may take longer but it’s worth it to 1. be true to myself 2. scale with honor Read more>>

Vempre Terrell, Jr. | Author, Motivational Speaker, Actor, and Entrepreneur

Faith is the most important factor behind my success as an author. There have been so many times when success may never have entered my life, but holding onto faith kept me in the race long enough to achieve success. Having faith has shown me that what is a mess at low points in life becomes a message at high points in life. Combining my passion for writing with the faith that drives my spirit inspired me to write my first book, “The Eyes of Faith.” In this book, I encourage my readers to find the benefits in life’s hindrances so that blessings will unfold when all is said and done. Read more>>

Sarah Bradford | Social Media Management & Content Creation

When I initially decided to start this business, I started it with 2 goals in mind. The first, to be able to support myself and my son with a job that allowed me to make my own hours. The second, to have a job I am passionate about and proud to work each day. I had my son when I was just shy of 18 and he was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism at just 18 months old. Although I have been extremely fortunate to have a really great support system, it has still always been extremely difficult being a full time young single mom as well as a full time worker. When covid hit, my small baking business just wasn’t cutting it. Read more>>

Michelle Novosel, Executive Chocolatier Caitlin Lyon, General Manager | Owners of Pizzelle’s Confections

We learned very quickly that we had to stay flexible. We had many ideas from the start, both from our original vision of the small chocolate shop that we thought would be a hobby business and from our expanded pastry side, that we had to rework, Customers will tell you what they want, and you have to be ready to respond to that. You can’t be married to a certain product; as much as you love it, if customers aren’t buying it, it might not be right for your market. Read more>>