We asked some of the city’s hidden gems to tell us about what they feel is the most important factor behind their success.

Michelle Betz

I believe the most important factor in success with your business and brand, is ambition and dedication. There is a lot of back hand work that goes into creating your own business and growing it. You have to be self-motivated to get things done. Also, I believe in dedication to always keep growing and improving by practice, and additional education. Read More>>

Maria Larios

I believe that the most important factor behind the success of Catalina’s Diner is the family atmosphere and community involvement we have established over the years. We love to support our first responders, schools, and various organizations around town. Read More>>

Becky Young

I’ve never tried to fit into a box that didn’t feel like “me.” I’ve leaned into what makes me different—being a female barber, embracing curls (including my own), creating community—and that’s exactly what’s helped me stand out. Consistency, hustle, and staying true to my roots (pun intended) have been huge, but it’s the relationships that make it all worth it. Read More>>

Shabam Britt

I’d say the biggest factor behind my success is my genuine passion for anime and Japanese culture. I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember, and creating content around it just feels natural. I’m not trying to be someone I’m not—I’m just sharing what I love and why it means so much to me and wanting to have conversations with folks about why they also love it. My first video that really got any traction was a One Piece reaction, which honestly makes sense. One Piece is my all-time favorite series, and it’s one that I get genuinely excited and pumped for. That energy was real, and I think people felt that.  Read More>>

Melissa Smith

Melissa: The most important factor behind the success of the Colorado Eagles Chicks program is the support from our fans and organization.

Without our fans, we wouldn’t be here, doing what we love and doing it with others who share that love. The Colorado Eagles have a 118 consecutive sellouts thanks to our incredible fans. Without a fan base for the Colorado Eagles organization, there would be no place for dancers to continue their professional dance training in Northern Colorado in an entertainment/game day setting. Many dancers look for opportunities to pursue dance outside of school and many more wish to continue training to reach their “dream team,” either in the NFL or NBA. Read More>>

Matthew Landon

I arrived at photography later, without formal training in art or photography, so any little milestone around technique or any accolade felt like a “success.” With a few awards and now some commercial milestones reached, success has reverted back to that search for growth, to continue to push and challenge myself. Read More>>

Leiloni Jones

The most important factor behind the success of my jewelry business is undoubtedly the uniqueness of my items. My method of bead work is extremely meticulous and time-consuming, making it unappealing for other artists to replicate. This has resulted in me having a truly one-of-a-kind product that catches the eye of customers. I constantly receive compliments on the technique and style of my jewelry, which has allowed me to stand out in a crowded market. The time and effort I put into each piece has paid off, as customers appreciate the attention to detail and the fact that they are getting a truly unique piece of jewelry. Read More>>