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

Stephanie Graston | Portrait Photographer

Finding the right mentor. When I was in school for photography, I wanted to be a fashion photographer. So when I was done with school, I worked in NYC for a fashion photographer and got my feet wet out there. But I never felt that I fit in that world. I learned the commercial side of the industry and loved it. When I came back to Colorado to raise my family, I needed to decide where I fit. I didn’t need models to be my clients, I wanted to help people feel beautiful, no matter how they came to me. Read more>>

Sydney Duarte | Muralist

The most important factors behind my success / the success of my brand have been taking risks, keeping an open mind and connecting with everyone that crosses my path on a deep level. I don’t ever want to close my mind off to anything. My style is fluid. I’m always creating various mediums (pottery, glass blowing, wiring, painting) If I don’t know how to do something, I research and experiment until I figure it out. It always ends up being something bigger and better than what I had imagined. Every new artwork is so very different from the last. Read more>>

Andrew Sams | Founder/Owner – Alpine Building Performance, LLC

I have to attribute the majority of my success to the incredible team of inspectors, administrators, and technicians that represents Alpine Building Performance, LLC as a company. I started this business in 2016 as a solo venture and I worked tirelessly which allowed me to achieve early growth. That growth brought me to a point where I could start building a team. We have come a long way since then and there’s no way that we would be where we are today without the collective effort, hard work, and dedication of our entire company. Read more>>

Mary Calder | Photographer

Pain is the main source of my success. Yes, drive matters and so does creativity but none of that matters when you feel the walls caving in around you. The core of every individual starts with accepting trauma you’ve experienced and using that knowledge to make you a better person. Without pain there is a naive mindset that will affect the way you make decisions and evaluate experiences. Pain brings strength and I am proud of what I have learned along the way. Read more>>

Savannah Benz | Owner & Wedding/ Elopement Photographer

My client’s happiness is the utmost important factor— not the likes on Instagram or even how many events I have booked. My goal is to give my clients the greatest experience & the success part will flower from it! Read more>>