We asked the community what factors they felt were responsible for their success and we’ve highlighted some of those responses below.

Kalina Acevedo | Kalina Acevedo I Luxury Wedding Photographer

Creating a successful brand doesn’t happen overnight. So many things build off of each other in order to create the brand that you and your clients grow to love. For me, the most important factor behind my brands’ success is finding the right people; the right associates, the right network connections, the right clients. I make sure to get to know each client personally before booking them. If we can’t click with one another beforehand then we won’t have the optimal results we want to find during their session. For me, it’s not just money. Read more>>

Adam Smith | Photographer

It takes some commitment and knowing that it won’t always be easy. Building up a customer base, gathering reviews and just making yourself look experienced and reputable can’t really be faked. I started by offering lower than average prices and even did a few shoots for free with friends to get my portfolio built up and was blessed to have enough clients give me a chance the first year or two for my business to take off and sustain itself without having to spend anything on advertising. Sticking with it and trusting your plan has been very important. Luckily I enjoy it too, so it’s been a pretty fun journey. Read more>>

David Mares | Dance Teacher

To me, it’s all about people and how you can connect and interact with them. Whether it’s being a dance teacher or being in any type of leadership role, investing in the people around you is key. Whether that’s investing in their development or simply asking them the question of “what can I do to help you?”. If someone is coming to my dance class, they are there for a reason and not all for the same reason. Flexing that situational leadership quality has helped me connect with people to where they feel valued and heard. Read more>>

Diane Ferraro | CEO, Save the Storks

Save the Storks was formed in 2012 with a mission to help empower and give hope to every woman in an unplanned pregnancy. We provide our partners, pregnancy resource centers and churches with support, expertise and a network to help encourage, equip and connect women to resources. We want women and men to know that they are not alone in an unplanned pregnancy. Read more>>

Terrence Cook | Night Sky Photographer

I’ve never sold my photography with any noteworthy success, it’s always been a passion in communication, whether is be abstract dark skies or a statemenr of the dark sky movement I wish to support. Having grown up under dark-ish skies in Indiana and watching the glow of nearby cities grow, I became alarmed to the realities of LED’s and general over illumination ruining our pristine dark sky landscapes. Read more>>

Ken Morris | Stripe Life Lawn Care and Influencer.

Being positive and trying to help people. Read more>>

Nalani Proctor | Independent Musician and Twitch Streamer

The community that I have found on Twitch and the support net I have in my personal life have made it possible for me to continue to pursue music, art and content creation. Read more>>

Ashley Duran | Model and Cocktail Server

The most important factor behind my success is never giving up. Everyday is a new day to start and continue to grow. No matter what challenges I face, I know not to give up and keep continuing to move forward. Because of the early challenges I had to face in life, it taught me how strong I am and nothing can hold me back. Read more>>

Jamie Palmesano | Buyer and Manager at Brownfield’s

We have been blessed with 67 seasons of business in Estes Park. The most important part of our brand is undoubtedly the people. We work with incredible sales reps and companies who provide top quality products. Both locals and visitors alike have faithfully supported our business for decades. We have become part of their Estes Park experience. Our products, prices, and presentation are all about blessing the people who come to Estes Park. Read more>>

Susan johnson | Pastel artist

Setting aside time every day to paint or draw. Learning about the medium of pastels and how to apply what I’ve learned from workshops given by nationally recognized artists. Being motivated to learn, perseverance for the long haul, networking, looking for the joy in painting everyday, & believing in myself.. Read more>>

Ashley Johnson | Picnic on the Rocks Owner and Creative Designer

The most important factor behind my success is having the mindset of a go getter. I’ve grown to understand that in order to become successful, you have to be willing to do the things that others are 1. Either too lazy to do or 2. Just not willing to do for their clients. Read more>>