We asked some of the city’s rising stars about why they think they have been so successful and we’ve shared their responses below.

Lennon Barnica | Owner/Executive producer of Wild Manor (Video Production Company)

I feel like persistence and drive has been my key to where we are at today. Never stop trying even if you fail, always find a new route if one didn’t work, and I find myself constantly trying to improve the model. Whether its internal operation or our actual physical space. Read more>>

Ethan Snow | Artist

I’m really determined and self disciplined. Not in all aspects of my life, but in the areas that I’m passionate about. I can be pretty obsessive in my approach to new things, and sometimes it’s tough to keep the drive going, as time goes on. I think that’s where self discipline comes in. Knowing that good things will come, if you keep working hard and staying diligent. Read more>>

Kelsey Metzinger | Shop Owner & Product Maker

I am fairly decent at multi-tasking and self discipline, plus I learned early on that I couldn’t turn a blind eye to the financial side of running a business, even when as a total left brain person-that’s the most unsavory part. Read more>>

Todd Showdown | Tattooer

Following the projects I love is a priority. For me to succeed at a piece of art, I must first love the concept and love the design. If I choose to make fear, or guilt, or pursuit of money a priority, I always see significant failures in my work. Read more>>

Ricardo Bogaert-Alvarez | Chemical engineer and poet

I am a retired chemical engineer. I worked successfully both in industry and academia. There were several factors that helped me in my career. The first one is “belief in yourself.” In other words, you need to know you can do well even if the task is difficult. Furthermore, I you don’t believe in yourself, people are not going to believe in you. The second factor is constant discipline. By this I mean that you have to keep improving your knowledge of the field which makes the foundation of your job possible. Read more>>

Amy Marolf | Fitness & Nutrition Coach, Connector, Influencer and Proud Mom

Work ethic and taking on responsibility was instilled in my home at a young age. As a little girl, I was intrinsically driven and had the desire to do well at most everything from my chores on the farm to good grades in school to working hard in sports. It made me feel good and made others proud of me. I eventually learned how to be proud of myself too. That’s important! Read more>>