There are so many factors that can play a role in determining our results, performance and ultimately our success, but some factors matter more than others. We asked folks what they felt was the most important factor driving their success.

Jessica Breemen

DanceSafe was founded in 1998 in San Francisco, CA, DanceSafe emerged from a recognized need within the rave community for better access to drug checking and drug education. Since its inception, DanceSafe has been at the forefront of harm reduction efforts within the electronic music and nightlife communities. Read more>>

Frederick Freeman Jr | CEO

The most important factor behind the success of the Collaboration Over Competition Podcast is our unwavering commitment to fostering authentic connections. By prioritizing collaboration over rivalry, we’ve created a platform where voices can be amplified, stories shared, and collective growth encouraged. This approach not only enriches our content but also builds a strong community of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to uplifting one another. The success of our brand stems from this foundational belief that we rise by lifting others. Read more>>

Luke / Jake Bowers | Music Producers / DJ’s

I believe we’ve had success with the BWRZ project as we’ve always stuck to creating our own sound and having a form of originality. Nowadays, especially in the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) scene, there are so many artists that can sound the same and it’s become very saturated. We have felt our job as artists is to curate a sound that hasn’t been heard before. Artists we look up to have all taken this route in their careers and the success shows. Creating your own sound is difficult, but it creates an intrigue to the artist and draws in fans. There’s always a special moment when you find a new artist who has a sound you’ve never heard before, it feels like you’re joining an exclusive club and almost want to keep the artist a secret. This is the type of experience we want to create for our fans. Read more>>

Kelley Sinclair | Gym owner, Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Nutrition Coach

I believe the success of Lioness lies in the unique approach we take to women’s fitness! So much of the narrative around working out has been focused on increasing cardio, decreasing calories and pushing yourself to the point of being physically ill. Somehow, in order to get praised for your efforts, you just need to do more, more, more! At Lioness we follow the ‘work smarter, not harder’ mantra, and strength training is a perfect fit! Unfortunately, women have been discouraged from lifting weights for fear of bulking up Arnold Schwarzenegger-style, so they are quite hesitant to increase their resistance levels. Read more>> 

Haley Lafferty | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

All in Bloom Therapy is a holistic, trauma- informed practice that creates a safe space for all of its clients. It is challenging to identify one singular factor that is most important to our business, because in all reality, I think it is a collective number of factors that creates our foundation as a company. All in Bloom’s foundation is its values, this being: authenticity, creativity, acceptance, collaboration, compassion, and of course, humor. These values have created a thriving environment both within our company and for our clients. With every decision we make at All in Bloom, it is helpful to assess if this choice aligns with our values. When we are aligned with our values, we can trust that we are making the best choice for the company. Read more>>

Chelsea Henderson | Sustainability Consultant and Life Designer

The success of my work can be attributed to a multitude of factors, each playing a vital role in my mission to empower individuals to create fulfilling and sustainable lives. However, among these factors, I believe the most crucial is the unwavering commitment I have to a holistic and human-centered approach. This approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of life – physical, mental, emotional, social, and environmental. Personally, I recognize that true well-being and sustainability require addressing these dimensions in an integrated manner, fostering harmony and balance within individuals and their surroundings. Read more>>

Max Mather | New Media/Multimedia Artist

The driving force behind my success is my authenticity – my artwork is a reflection, and often a self-portrait diary, of my experiences as a trans masculine living during a political era that is increasingly hostile towards the existence of trans people. The closest and most important connections within my network are people who understand how my identity connects to my artwork, and have an appreciation for why it is important to uplift trans voices during this time. In 2023 – after a particularly vicious cycle of legislation was passed across the nation persecuting the rights of transgender people – Sharifa Moore of Denver Digerati commissioned me to create a digital animation defending and celebrating trans existence for Night Lights Denver. This was a particularly special moment within my career – I am so grateful to have a community that understands the importance of these issues and I am honored that they identify my artwork as a point of resistance. Read more>>

Bri Bonato | Owner of Serenity Forte

Community. As humans, we crave connection with others and to hear each others’ stories. If Serenity Forte can aide in bringing people together, we were successful! Read more>>

Nisa Harnum | COO & Professional Organizer

We believe authenticity has been the secret to our success. We often find ourselves working with people who are going through significant life changes, feeling anxious, and dealing with high levels of stress. Whether they are unwell, too busy with work, or adjusting to a major life change such as moving into a new home or welcoming a new baby (or sometimes both at once!), their belongings can easily find themselves in disarray. Read more>>

Angelice Caballer | Photographer

The most important factors for my brand are continuing education and relevancy. I find myself constantly evolving on my photography journey. With the rise of social media, keeping up with the latest trends as well as sharpening my skills keeps me motivated. These additions enhance my brand, and my clients can trust that I am up-to-date and knowledgeable. Read more>>

Danny Frank | Colorado Trout Hunters – Fly Fishing Guide and Owner

Only hiring top notch guides. We take great pride in the guided fly fishing trips we offer. You can only do this if you have great guides! Read more>>

Amanda Von Holtum | Vocalist, Musician, Entertainer, Band Leader

I always make a conscious effort to believe that things happen the way they should, even though it may not seem like it in those moments. This belief allows me to feel free and content with the path my success is taking. It’s my path, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. Read more>>

Michael Lobato | Research Associate – Colorado State University, Small Farm Owner, Ag Tech. Entrepreneur

My journey to overcome social anxiety disorder is the most important factor to my recent successes. It was necessary for me so that I could express my ideas, communicate and collaborate with others. I could not even present in front of people, attend social events, communicate with coworkers. I was often too concerned what others may think or say in response to my ideas or actions. Once I realized that was a huge detriment in what I wanted to accomplish, I began the journey of working on that so that I could take on the challenge of finding answers to real-world problems. Read more>>

Mccory James | Photographer

I think the most important factor to my success has been hiring the right people to represent my company. I always made a point of hiring photographers that love what they do, treat people with respect and kindness and are willing to work hard to provide the best services to our clients. I’ve always said that I hire my team members for who they are and not their photography because I can’t change who they are as a person, but I can work with them to be the best photographer they can be. Read more>>