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.

N3ptune | Entertainer

Versatility! Being able to be a chameleon in not only the music & appearance, but in all aspects of business and artistry. My role models are billionaires & legends you know, so I continue to study what they all have in common. And the what stood out is that they NEVER stay(ed) the same. Read more>>

Jay Uecker | Body And Soul Healing Specialist

Regarding success, a big part of my journey as a healer and solo business owner and entrepreneur has to do with the way that being in business has changed my definition of success. For many years I was attached to an idea about what success looked like. I was attached to making a certain amount of money, having a certain number of clientele, which would afford me certain things in life. Those things just kept NOT looking like I wanted them to. I considered changing directions completely and letting the business go many times. But every time I got to that point I always realized that, no matter what else I do to make money, I would still have to serve people in the way that I was serving them in my business. I realized that what gave me true satisfaction in life was to serve people with the healing work that I do. After a few cycles of this I stopped focusing on the external definition of success and started focusing on deep satisfaction that I got out of doing my work. Read more>>

Mark Hill | Cake Artist, Owner Meraki Custom Cakes

I attribute any success I’ve had to my work ethic and my ridiculously high standards. Because I didn’t study baking, cake decorating or have any experience working in a bakery, in my mind I couldn’t be anything less that perfect if I was going to put myself out there. I’ve learned on the fly and taught myself everything I know which is the best way to fully know the ins and outs of my business. For the longest time I thought that I got lucky and my success was an accident. But it’s hard work though and it’s anything but an accident. An entrepreneur/mentor/friend recently said to me, “I hope you are proud of what you have built. It might be your “happy accident” but success is anything but an accident.” Ryan Moore – Putting Down Roots (PDR). It was such an amazing thing to hear and believe me, I am proud. That being said, I’m still and long way from where I’d like to be but my passion and drive are what I hope will ensure even more success in the future. Read more>>

Jax Lavender | Sparkle Queen & Permaculture Designer

For me, it’s all about the heart-to-heart connection with my clients. It is the soul of my business; encompassing the mission, the vision, and the values. My years as a registered nurse taught me how to connect with people quickly and authentically, and I have carefully honed these essential skills over the 3 years that I’ve been in business. Nothing pleases me more than connecting deeply in conversation with a client of any age, and knowing that they will leave me feeling seen, heard and celebrated! To me, this is much more than just hair sparkles. I have learned of cultures that believe that touching another’s hair is a spiritual act, and I carry this reverence with me when I am sparkling a client. I love knowing that my beloved clients feel my care, respect, and true enjoyment of my art form. Read more>>

Lea Klein | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

I think that a commitment to both compassion and excellence has been the most important factor behind my success. When I started my business, I knew I needed to heed the saying “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. By always striving to be up-to-date on research and courses pertaining to our patients, and giving our absolute best at every point sets us above many other PT clinics as far as excellence. I wanted patients to not only experience a high quality of care, but also envisioned that they would be able to reach their provider much quicker and easier than other companies are able to. Patients receive prompt responses if they should need anything or have a question about their exercises. Compassion is very important in our field, and patients can feel when you have empathy for what they are going through. When I began to expand to more practitioners than myself, I have made sure that they also have a commitment to these values. I feel it is an honor to work with patients that have entrusted us with their care. Read more>>

Margaret Spring | Mountain Endurance Coach, Trail Runner, Influencer

The most important actor behind my success is to continue to be my authentic self and consistently show up for my goals. I work a little each day on my goals and each day brings me one step further in my journey. Read more>>

Amanda Testa | Sex, Love and Relationship Coach + Trauma Resolution Guide

For me, I think the key has been trauma resolution work. In our culture, specifically in the US, most of us have experienced some type of trauma in our lifetimes, big or small, and often we have the residue of these events that affects us on many levels. Living in a patriarchal, white supremacist, hetero normative society, We suffer from anxiety, depression, pain, autoimmune issues, relational issues, and the good news, is that these are things that can be resolved over time, and it’s not about the destination, it’s about thriving where you are, celebrating your wins, and knowing that deep down at our core, we have a divine original essence that is perfect and nothing can change that, no matter our live circumstance. We can do the work to thaw these traumas, and create lasting change that can now be passed down in our DNA. Read more>>

JL Fields | Vegan Culinary Instructor, Cookbook Author, and Health Coach

It’s 100% driven by passion. I became a vegan educator because I’m an ethical vegan. When I created my business plan, it was – and still is – a hybrid between fee-based work and volunteering. I created and produce vegan events as a volunteer because I want to create a vegan world. I also teach cooking classes and write cookbooks to help create that world and to be compensated for my time so that I can keep volunteering. On any given day my activities blur together and it’s not entirely clear when it’s a volunteer hour or a professional hour. It doesn’t matter. The mission’s the same and both efforts further my personal and professional goals. Read more>>

Jennifer Stienike | President, Mile High Canine Rescue

The most important factor behind the success of my non-profit is our commitment to our volunteers and the cause. I try to lead by example and I value the input of those around me that help make Mile High Canine Rescue, Inc. what it is today. Each volunteer feels heard and valued and this helps everyone feel like they have skin in the game. Read more>>

Jess Wiederholt | Founder & Executive Director

The success of Crazy Love Africa is directly attributed to the beautiful women in Uganda whom which we have empowered with our programs. Opportunities and empowerment bring confidence and thus blossom into economic and social transformations. The success lies in the hands of the women whom we serve. By elevating our sister’s voices we not only impact the lives of women living with HIV in western Uganda but also their children and entire communities. Our core program is using micro-business grants as an effective strategy for alleviating poverty and empowering single women who are living with HIV. By pouring belief into our global sisters through a business grant we give them the abiity to direct their own future by offering a hand up from charity to possibility through building economic capacity. Our success is created through building community among all women who join our programs. Within community a strong sisterhood is formed. Read more>>

Nicole De Haven-Malik | Intimate Portrait Photographer

Having a great support system and learning to take risks has been integral to growing creatively and as a business. I think of the years I spent in my own little bubble, trying to make things work and then the shift I felt when I started venturing outside my comfort zone and met some other creatives, building authentic, supportive relationships. We’re taught as children that we’re only as good as the company we keep and it’s true. Surrounding myself with folk that push me and inspire me and who I can reciprocate has been a game-changer. Read more>>

Kristina Bjornson | Owner, Scarlet Gilia Creative

I think for me, my success is really a product of the amazing couples that I get the opportunity to work with. Their stories are the inspiration for each and every one of my projects. I think that having having a continuous source of different creative inspiration is what motivates me to stay sharp, and continue to push myself into new territories that allow me to grow and refine my own personal brand and business. I’m always willing to give new things a shot. Even if it means pushing me out of my comfort zone. The challenge allows me to avoid complacency and push boundaries. Read more>>

Tessa Zimmerman | Founder & Executive Director

I believe the success of ASSET is rooted in the relationships myself and my team has built with our community. We’ve been really intentional about how we treat the people we work with and see them as thought partners. Our program is a compilation of student feedback, teacher ideas, funder thought partnership, parent concern; each and every one of the individuals we serve and work with are part of our ASSET team. I 100% believe people notice that when they get to know our organization. Read more>>

Emily Stromquist | Executive Director & Food Security Advocate

Being the Executive Director of a nonprofit, the success of our brand means that more children and families are being served with food they need. The key to that success is the community in the metro Denver area that has rallied behind our mission. When we started in 2014, many were unaware how many children in Adams County were going to bed hungry every night due to food insecurity in their homes. Promoting our brand meant spreading awareness of this very real issue threatening children each day. As community members and businesses became more informed, they partnered with us to help build our programs. Six years later, we are in three school districts and over 30 schools. Food for Hope has only been able to achieve this growth due to individuals, organizations, churches, and businesses who chose to volunteer and contribute financially to our food distribution efforts. Read more>>