The Coronavirus has given many us an opportunity to pause and think about life, our purpose, and even the right work life balance. What’s your perspective and has it changed over time?

Darryl Gordon | Social media influencer and marketer

Authenticity. I have a genuine passion for social media, and use my 27 years of marketing experience to portray heartfelt storytelling through my videos and photos. Read more>>

Dayne Romano, LCSW | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I feel that the most important factor behind my success is: Being honest. I hold honesty at a high standard, because it preserves my integrity
as an individual and also as a business owner, I have created transparency within my business which has built trust with the community and individuals we serve. I feel honesty strengthens relationships. I feel as a therapist strengthening these relationships can be crucial. I feel that being an example with people can help their growth. Lastly I fell that being honest it boosts my confidence and self esteem. I can hold my head high and sleep easily at night. Read more>>

Jonathan Gomez | DJ Jaygo

The key to our success lies in curating unforgettable musical experiences that resonate with our clients. We prioritize understanding their unique preferences, creating seamless transitions, and keeping the energy alive on the dance floor, ensuring memorable events that set us apart in the DJ business. Read more>>

Nikki Haney | Photographer & Videographer

A couple of things really. The most important one i think was that i never give up and i listened to myself above anyone else. I’ve been doing photography/videography my whole life and i was constantly told throughout my younger life that it wasn’t possible as a career or i couldn’t make any money doing it. If i would have listened to a lot of people in my life at that point, i truly don’t think i’d be where i am today. There was also so many times and still are so many times where i truly have just wanted to give up, but its always right after those moments i find the next biggest leap in my success with it. Lastly, i think people. I’m incredibly lucky to have a network of people in my life now that have given me the opportunities that have put me where I’m at today with my career and believed in me sometimes more than i believed in myself. Read more>>

Jeffrey Robbins | Naturalist & Entrepreneur

Our brand is Drinklits (www.drinklits.com), our products are tablet beverages that you dissolve in you own glass or water bottle! Community support has been essential to the success of Drinklits. Our personal and professional connections were not only instrumental in launching our products, and brand, but they helped to validate our ideas and make them even better. In other words, it’s been a group effort in materializing ‘seedling’ ideas into products that are actually needed, wanted, desired, are an improvement on the status quo, and make the world a better place. Read more>>

Ethan Williams | Owner of True Shine San Diego

The success of True Shine San Diego, can be largely attributed to its commitment to providing exceptional customer service. From the very beginning, we recognized that our customers are the lifeblood of our business, and thus, we have made it our utmost priority to ensure their satisfaction. We go above and beyond to exceed customer expectations, consistently delivering high-quality services with attention to detail. By consistently providing a personalized and positive experience, we have gained a strong and loyal customer base. Our reputation for outstanding customer service has not only resulted in repeat business but also garnered positive word-of-mouth referrals, further contributing to our success. Customer service has undeniably been the biggest factor to our success. Read more>>

Vivian Nguyen-Do | Miss Vietnam San Diego 2022 & Nursing Student

I would attribute my success to my family, friends, and mentors. Holding a leadership position is a great deal of responsibility and to me, in order to be a good leader, one must be a team player, a good listener, and open-minded. My family has always supported me from the start by encouraging me to pursue my interests and guiding me through my milestones. They are the ones who have pushed me to partake in Vietnamese cultural practices and learning the language so that I can use that knowledge to connect with those in my community. Additionally, it become part of my platform as Miss Vietnam San Diego because I wanted to be an example for the younger generation to learn and uphold the language and culture. Read more>>

Sara Butler | Owner/Artist at South Bay Artist Studio

The most important factor to the success of South Bay Artist Studio is the community that is has created. The people that attend our studios offerings help to create a dynamic and ever evolving environment that champions creation. Our goal is to establish a welcoming and peaceful space that not only creates art, but it creates a place of love, camaraderie, and growth. Shared experiences, stories, and values create a powerful connection, distinguishing the studio in the minds of our guests. This alignment is crucial in today’s era where most people seek authenticity and purpose beyond just the products they purchase. Read more>>