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.

Western Dove (business Name) Katie Weaver ( My Name As Owner) | Artisan Horse Tack and Leather Goods

I think success in the art world is having a style that is 100% authentically your own and recognizable by anyone familiar with it. I have been successful in maintaining that same recognition while evolving and elevating the original concept. I maintain a level of quality and beauty that has come to be expected, and my clients trust me and the product I create. Building relationships and being trustworthy is success in the business world, but presenting an original piece that is well received is my idea of success in the art world. Read more>>

Danny Smith | Barber Instructor/ Barber

The most important factor would be the level of success the majority of our students attain. They represent the brand and testify to the level of training our school provides. Read more>>

Carol Ann Maggiotto | Dance Studio Owner and Artistic Director

I surrounded myself with knowledgeable people. I read, studied and watched others. to see what works and what doesn’t. My parents gave me insight and advice on treating your customers with respect and to really listen to them. I grew up watching how they treated others and how they handled adversity. They taught me to look at the situation from the customer’s perspective. Read more>>

Shakia Spates | Professional Braider & Content Creator

The most important factor behind the success of my brand is the trust & faith I have in Jesus. When I first decided to take entrepreneurship & my brand seriously I did not know what I was doing . I had to learn how to rely on my faith and learn how to hear the voice of God in order to know what steps I need to take to reach high levels of success . This is why I strongly believe God is the most important factor . To be able to accomplish what I have accomplished within my brand in the last 2 years was all because of gifts he placed in me & stewarding them through my brand . Read more>>

Natasha Nash | Healthy Hair Care Specialist & Salon owner

The most important factor behind the success of my brand has been my unwavering faith in God’s promises. This faith has been the cornerstone of my journey, infusing every step with purpose and resilience. When you believe in something greater than yourself, it propels you forward, even in the face of challenges. My faith provides me with the assurance that I am on the right path, guiding me through uncertainty and inspiring me to take bold steps toward my goals. It fuels my passion and keeps my vision clear, reminding me that every setback is merely a setup for a comeback! Read more>>

Diana Broussard | Designer/Owner of Namesake accessory lifestyle boutique.

The most important factor behind the success of my brand is having a distinct design point of view, and the technical know-how of product development. I design statement jewelry, and shoes and have a boutique in the West Village of Manhattan. Read more>>

Onyi Odunukwe | CEO and Founder of Glo Tanning

Eliminating ego has undoubtedly been one of the most impactful changes I’ve made, and it has played a pivotal role in our business’s growth and improvement. Additionally, we have achieved sustainable growth by strategically focusing on unit profitability and optimizing store operations. Equally important is our commitment to empowering our staff, helping them develop into strong leaders and potential future owners. Read more>>

Steven Stevens | Director of Equine and Livestock

The Humane Society of North Tx has support through donors, grants and volunteers which allows us to think open mindedly about the care and future of the Equine we are able to rescue. Read more>>

Stefanie Tabora | MedSpa Manager

Personally, I think the most important factor in being successful is to be consistent and focus on my relationships with people whether it’s my team, our clients or my family. I’ve always believed that if you care about others and have a true desire to help them succeed the relationship will grow naturally. I aim to lead by example, keep learning and genuinely care about the work I do and the people around me. Read more>>

Samantha Wong | Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

The most important factor behind my success is faith—faith in God, in the people around me, and in trusting the process. I owe everything to God and am deeply grateful to my parents for their unwavering support, as well as my friends, supervisor, and boss for encouraging me to pursue counseling and lifelong learning. Their guidance and belief in me have helped me navigate challenges, enabling me to pay it forward and support my clients in meaningful ways. Read more>>

Madison Broussard | Makeup and Special Effects Artist

The most important factor to my success is Faith. In your journey, you are going to have setbacks and struggles, but having faith that you will get through them and stay on top of your goal is what differentiates someone just having a goal and someone truly succeeding at their goals in life. Read more>>

Michael Hill | Filmmaker & Producer

The most important factor by far is the relationships built across the board. From the talent on screen to the creatives behind the scenes, everyone needs to feel a sense of belonging because without that there is no incentive to give it your all. Additionally, building genuine relationships with the people helping the vision become a reality gives each individual a personal relationship with the given project which inspires them to inject more of themselves creatively into the process. That, in turn, results in the project morphing into something so unique. Read more>>