We’ve always believed that forming a strategy is impossible until you’re clear on what your values and principles are. Without values and principles to guide you, making decisions can seem impossibly difficult. Given how important setting values and principles is to decision making we asked folks we admire to tell us about the values or principles that matter most to them.

Anastasia Canfield, MA, MT-BC, LPCC, NCC | Music Therapist, Music Instructor, Mental Health Counselor

Creative Remedies LLC was founded on the ideal that everyone deserves healing and education — and we accomplish this through the arts. We offer all services on a sliding scale so they are accessible regardless of income. I am a board-certified music therapist so that was the first service Creative Remedies offered in addition to mental health counseling, adaptive music lessons, and traditional music lessons. As the business expands, I plan to hire other creative arts therapists and educators, play therapists, yoga teachers and therapists, and more! Read more>>

Matt McKenzie | Director of Lead Generation at The Jordan Terrell Group

Integrity is the most important principle to me in both business and personal life. Integrity means being whole. Doing what you say you’re going to do. Holding yourself accountable for your actions and speaking the truth at all times. What’s defines us as successful is not just how big we build our businesses but how we treated others in the process. You can’t take your possessions with you when you pass from this earth but you can leave a legacy of how you lived. Our character will take us farther than any bit of talent ever could. It’s a priceless asset. Read more>>

Breonn Lyons | Artist & Actress

Authenticity. I value that in art and in people. I believe this goes alongside having integrity in everything that you do. Being unapologetically yourself in the world and in your art is brave. I think it’s amazing how you can take what’s inside of you, put it out into the world, and say “Hey, this is me. This is what I made- with it’s perfections and imperfections; this is a piece of me” and people will dig it. People will support you, people will appreciate your work, and so on. Just by you being true to yourself within your craft. That’s so magical to me, because it’s real, it’s honest, and allows you to genuinely connect with other human beings. Read more>>

Brian Bohnert | Bicycle Mechanic and Teacher

While it is difficult to sum up a value or principle that is paramount in my life and business, I would say authenticity ranks in my top three. I feel like this permeates through all facets of life – from the first time you meet someone to the daily interactions we have with others. When helping someone find a match with a custom bike that will not only be their mode of transportation, but conveys to the outside world their values, priorities, personal stye – I find that the process is more successful if they recognize my authenticity and vice versa. Over the past twenty years or so, I feel this has been more difficult to come by as humans connect online in various forums that discourage this trait and in fact encourage a concocted and insincere existence. Authenticity can be a refreshing reminder of our shared humanity in a sometimes disjointed and confusing world. Read more>>