We asked some of the city’s rising stars to reflect on what made a difference in their journey. We asked them to tell us about what they think the most important factor has been behind their success.

Lisa Duran | Mobile bar owner

As the owner of Savvy Sips Mobile Bar, I believe the most important factor behind our success is our commitment to personalization and exceptional customer service. We go above and beyond to tailor every detail of our service to match our clients’ visions, ensuring each event is unique and memorable. Read more>>

Carissa Gabrielle | Women’s Empowerment and Identity Life Coach

Hey ya’ll! My name is Carissa Gabrielle and I am the owner of The Movement Limitless- Empowerment & Identity Life Coaching for Women! I specialize in guiding women to connect to themselves, their life, as well as their happiness outside of the titles and roles they hold in life. Read more>>

D. Linnaya Widhalm | LPC, NCC, CAS, MAC, CSAT-S, CPTT-S, ACS, BCN Licensed Professional Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Supervisor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Board Certified Neurofeedback Practitioner, EMDR Consultant, Certified Brainspotting Practitioner Owner and Founder, Elliant Counseling Services & AllNeuro Pathways

The most crucial factor in my success as a therapist and mentor has been addressing my own trauma early on. In my early twenties, I discovered that my sister had cancer that had metastasized to her lungs. The intense impact this had on me led to significant and severe depression. Read more>>

Andrea Sobel | Creative small business enthusiast; attorney

Hands down, customer service. Not only does that include being friendly, it requires consistent follow-up, asking questions, and genuinely learning about the customer’s purpose. Are they looking for a gift for someone special? Are they adding to their own collection? Read more>>

Edee Anesi | Entrepreneur

Success results from a blend of many factors – vision, strategic planning, adaptability, resilience, and more. However, for me, perhaps the two most important elements are continuous education and the people I surround myself with.
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bahar esmaili | Personal trainer, and Airway Centered Dentist

Vision and perseverance are my driving forces. Failure is not in my vocabulary; I only fail if I never try. I easily get bored, so seeking new ways keeps me motivated. I love learning, reading, researching new heights every single day. I consider every day a gift to learn something new. and feel blessed to have the opportunity to do it. Read more>>

Annie Herzig | Picture Book Author & Illustrator

The most important thing that has gotten me to where I am today with my career is my creative community. Years ago, I worked in a comfortable corporate job doing design and art direction, then left to work as a freelancer, so I was often working in a silo. When the pandemic hit, I lost all the jobs I had lined up for the year. Read more>>

Brooke Nelson | Wedding & Boudoir Photographer

The key to my success is my self-confidence and my willingness to take risks. I’ve always been eager to learn and try new things, which has enabled me to grow and evolve. My entrepreneurial spirit led me to start my own business, where my passion for photography truly blossomed. Read more>>

Sarah Jarrach | Owner, B Town Wine and Spirits

Two of my best strengths are my communication and my organization but I think the thing that matters the most is the sense of community that has been fostered at my store. I have a small staff and very little turnover so over time we get to know not just our customers palates and preferences but get to know them as people. Read more>>

Jacob Restituto | Entrepreneur | Musician

Consistency. A baby step may be small, but given enough time, I’ve found that taking steps in the right direction will get me somewhere! Read more>>

Brianna Johnson | Esthetician and Permanent Makeup Artist

I wanted to improve the world. I also wanted brown skin of all shades to be able to get the skin care the need and want. Something I learned about the beauty community is that so little is made for brown and black skin, and I want to help improve that. I also really wanted to help people in general with their skin. Read more>>

Rashod McKay | CEO/Founder of LaFynk & Publicist

The most important factor is believing in myself. Contributing to success involves eliminating fear, allowing pure ideas to flow into my business, and creating something out of nothing. Read more>>