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.

Erika Thomas | Boss Lady: High Point Creamery, Eiskaffee, Sugar Lab of Colorado

There’s never just one thing that makes a business successful. For me it’s a mix of passion, perseverance, and some rainbow sprinkles of creativity. Read more>>

Faith Koltak | Trauma Conscious Master Coach & Mastectomy and Hysterectomy Support Expert

The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand is authenticity. I can’t profess to teach others to find and stand in their authenticity if I am unwilling and unable to do the same thing, so you’ll find me practicing what I preach. I’m raw and I’m real, and I’m open about my life, my struggles, and how I keep myself centered. Hint: I use the very same tools that I teach to my clients. Read more>>

Toad and Donna Pittz | Ski and Mountain Bike Coaches, co-Founders Khumbuconnection.com

We are in the kid business in the forms of skiing/bike programs and passing on the skills involved in those sports. Good skiers and bike riders are the measurable outcomes, but the success of the programs comes from instilling a measure of appreciation for the opportunities (How Lucky are We to be in the mountains on a Saturday!) and no small dose of what we call Alpine Values: Respect the power of the Mountains, but Appreciate the Fragility of the alpine environment. This includes insites like the names of mountain ranges, the continental divide and what it does, how the Rockies were formed, animals in the forest, types of wildflowers, etc, etc. Read more>>

Joyce Jiang | Owner

The most important factor behind our success is our personalized service. When remodellng a kitchen or bath, every customer’s space, preference and budget are different. We provide personalized service of free measurements, free design, free estimate with the displayed material/vignette for customer to see, to touch, to feel it before they buy. And our service is very prompt/flexible/customer satisfaction driven, which is more competitive than the big stores taking forever complated procedures, or the very expensive customized high end elite design studios. As a small business, our staffs are well trained, with rich manufacturing and industry experience, keen to serve customers and care about our brand reputation, it brings better customer purchasing experience than the clock in and out low cost lack of training staffs in the big stores. We care about our customers, our brand. Read more>>

Alex Valdez | Burlesque performer, emcee and producer

Hands down, the people I get to work with. I get to work with some of the most amazing and talented performers. I always tell them that people do not come to my show to see me, they come to see them. Nobody gets ready for Stripped saying, “I can’t wait to see Mr. Valdez.” They sit in those seats to watch the amazing performers that grace the stage every month. Read more>>

Kristen Faith Sharpe | CEO of Boss Babe Networking

The most important factor behind my success is faith. My crazy faith brought my now-husband and I across the country to a new city to literally expand our territory. I had created a nonprofit for domestic violence advocacy a few years prior to the move and my husband was staking his ground to build a thriving music culture and industry. One thing was for certain, we came with a purpose – to create an impact. In the immediate years following our move, I struggled with depression, our relationship was rocky, business and life were on fire. What got us through every challenge and every win was our faith. Read more>>

Katy Kopec | Owner and Lead Coach, The Good Fight Boxing Gym

The most important factor in our success is staying true to our mission, vision, and values. This has allowed us to gain not just “clients” but relationships. We have built not just a business, but a community. Staying true to our mission has allowed us to attract and retain the people who need us. Boxing isn’t for everyone, nor should it be. It can, however, change lives for the people who love it. We have made some hard decisions along the way, but each time we stay the course, it pays off with growth. Read more>>

Nicole Zelyez | Owner

Larkspur Landscaping’s success lies in our ability to make deep connections and tap into what people really want – a connection to nature. We create spaces that resonate with our clients’ individual stories and memories. We delve into the essence of what makes each space and experience uniquely personal, asking clients about their cherished memories like the favorite flowers in their Nana’s garden or the tea their mom made during childhood. Our approach goes beyond mere landscaping; we create sensory experiences that resonate on a profoundly personal level so the spaces we craft are not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. Each garden is as unique as the family and children who find joy, peace and play within them. This dedication to personalization, sustainability, and storytelling is what truly sets us apart and fuels our continued growth. Our gardens are not just planted, but deeply felt and lived. Read more>>

Manasi Bhagwat | Ayurveda Sadhak and ex-engineering designer

We’re all about addressing real-life health challenges while embracing the fast-paced modern lifestyle. We bring the holistic wisdom of traditional Ayurveda into your daily routine, by offering soothing teas, healthy snacks, and versatile meal prep solutions. Our unique approach involves tailoring our tips, drink mixes, and snacks to your individual health goals, making Ayurvedic wellness easy and accessible Read more>>

Michael Blanchette | Landscape Photographer

For me, the key has always been hard work and perseverance. Intelligence only gets you so far. We all know highly intelligent people who go through life with underused potential. And a good education is certainly key for opening doors and setting the career stage, but its value depreciates fast like an automobile over the first five years, turning into a mere merit badge. What remains is a passionate drive to overcome obstacles in order to reach desired goals. Read more>>

Sabrina Bussard | Co-owner and Executive Director of Respite Essentials, LLC

In a word, Family. The idea behind Respite Essentials, LLC came from family experience with other providers in town. There was something missing in the services they provided, something my mom and I felt we could improve, a personal touch. Between my mom always being my rock, my sister being a sounding board through the entire process, I definitely wouldn’t have ever taken the leap into this company if it wasn’t for my mom and sister. The support provided to me by my husband and children, even though there are days I hardly see them because I’m running around, has been essential to my success. Read more>>

Fritz Boniface | Dobro player for The Deer Creek Sharp Shooters

We’d all probably say that we wouldn’t be where we are or grown like we have if it wasn’t for our fans, friends, and family. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the people that support us. They’re what bring the energy to every show and inspire us to push ourselves to feed that energy. They’re the ones that were sad to see us leave our hometowns, but excited for us to go. They’re the ones that love music so much, they convince us to pick tunes into the morning. It’s really what makes it good old fashioned fun. We’re so grateful for all of you. Read more>>