We asked some of the city’s rising stars to reflect on what made a difference in their journey. We asked them to tell us about what they think the most important factor has been behind their success.

Katina Inger | Artist

Authenticity is the foundation of my brand and the most important factor behind its success. Everything I create stems from an aligned place where my heart, mind and soul are in harmony. When I approach my art and business with this vision, it allows me to express who I am and share my voice with the world. As Rick Rubin said, “The goal of art isn’t to attain perfection. The goal is to share who we are and how we see the world.” Read more>>

John Paculdo Koenigshofer | Student Leader & Civic Engagement Advocate

I’ve always found it important to have a clear vision of what I want to accomplish. My work has never been tied to just one space or organization; I’ve held a variety of different roles where I can help young Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) like myself get involved in our civic processes. But even though I’m engaged in so many unique ways, my fundamental purpose has always remained the same, and each of my involvements have helped me accomplish that mission: to make my generation’s voice heard in the big decisions that shape our lives. I suppose I’ve found it to be the best way I can give back to my community in my current capacity. Read more>>

Christian Vickery | Owner/Broker at Top Tier Property Management

Hard work and diligence. There’s no substitute for either. When I started my company, there was no plan B. Not having a safety net was helpful in the success and survival of the business, because the only option was for it to succeed. That mindset was integral to staying motivated and hungry during the early months and years of my business. Our company is obviously more established now, but what motivates me these days is maintaining the reputation of our company, through great customer service. Read more>>

Deanna Ornelas | Founder and Creative Director of Made For You Flowers

The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand has been consistency—showing up every day, even when it’s hard, and delivering exceptional service to my clients. Whether it’s through thoughtful design, personalized experiences, or attention to detail, I’ve built trust and a reputation that keeps people coming back and referring my services.The most important factor behind my success and the success of my brand has been consistency. In the floral and event industry, every event is high-stakes, whether it’s a wedding or corporate celebration, there are no do-overs. I’ve built trust with my clients by consistently delivering exceptional quality, personalized designs, and attention to every little detail. For example, there was a time when I had two weddings in one day, hours apart, and I had to repurpose ceremony flowers between venues. Read more>>

Brian Poth | Cofounder | Executive Director, The Source LGBT+ Center

The Source LGBT+ Center has worked intentionally since our founding in 2016 to build a culture of wellness and rest into the very challenging and rewarding work of providing direct services to LGBTQ+ community members in rural conservative Central California. Our work with youth, trans folks, and people living with HIV had never been done to this scale before in Tulare/Kings/Fresno Counties. We work with some of the best consultants to ensure that our team have the tools they need to succeed. LGBTQ+ people in rural parts of the nation are often underemployed and living below the poverty level. We have changed that for our community. The Source LGBT+ Center is the now the largest LGBTQ+ Center between Los Angeles and Sacramento employing 14 full time staff and delivering over 30 programs and services. We offer competitive wages, flex time, paid mental health days, 10+ holiday closures, winter break, merit bonuses, professional development, and 4-6% 401k contribution. We practice courageous conversations to deal with healthy conflict, and have adopted The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz as the foundation of our shared values.: Read more>>