We asked some of the city’s rising stars about why they think they have been so successful and we’ve shared their responses below.

Austin Wing | Video Maker

I want to spread positivity in my videos. My goal is to reach out to as many people as possible and get them to laugh even if it’s for a little it’s worth it to me. Read more>>

Matthew Palpal-Latoc | Photographer

When I first started, photography was strictly a hobby, nothing more. I didn’t have the desire to be Instagram famous or be an influencer. But the more I posted, the more I got consumed by the numbers. I was looking how to gain more followers, get more likes, get more comments. I started researching the algorithm, what and when to post, started accepting every single brand ambassador opportunity that came my way. After all of that, I started to lose interest and motivation to even pick my camera up. I was at a block. After a few months of not creating anything, I decided to cut ties with all the brands that I personally wouldn’t use and just started creating things that I enjoyed, the same things that peaked my interest in photography to begin. In a matter of days, I had a whole hard drive full of photos I couldn’t wait to work on and share. I am proud to say that all work found on my page, are all pieces that I made myself, for myself, and for the enjoyment of whoever stumbles upon them. Read more>>

Amanda Flourié | Fiber Artist

I believe that my brand has been successful thus far because of the complete transparency with which I share my work, and my life, with my clients. I don’t believe in sugar-coating the harsher realities of human existence, and I’m a bit of a perpetual oversharer, so combining my writing with my weaving was a perfectly organic juxtaposition which has yielded a surprising amount of success of late. Read more>>

Banning Cantarini | Co-owner

The way you measure success can impact your brand across a large spectrum. If you set yourself up for failure, you will lose yourself in a defeat mindset and that can impact not only your business, but your relationships at home and beyond. So for us, success is constantly evolving. In the beginning, success was creating a brand with an honest story. Then, success was about building something with our hands that people would love and enjoy. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a time when a business like ours should have been destined to fail, success became renting our trailer out at a reduced cost so people could continue celebrating their various achievements in their own back yards. So the most important factor behind our success is that we are constantly adapting what success looks like in a specific context. That way, we never fail as a brand and company. We only have to adapt. Read more>>

Casey | Runner

I think that being authentic and perseverance are the things that have played the biggest role in my success. Nothing good happens over night and you have to continue to grind and bring your best self to the table everyday and get where you want to be. Read more>>

Amber Mykaels | Actor and Artist

The most important factor behind what I would consider my success is drive and discipline. Growing up in sports and being a college athlete you learn to be discipline. You have to be constantly working towards your goal and not lose that momentum. Your drive it what pushes you to do the difficult and “not fun” things that everyone hates doing. As an actor that means constantly stepping out of your comfort zone, putting yourself out there and doing what you need to, even when you’re scared you’ll fail. That is what separates you from everyone else. Read more>>

Sheila Shokraee | Founder, Sheila’s Table

I think the most important factor in the success of Sheila’s table is the artistic design and creativity that is used to produce every single box or platter . Each order is uniquely designed based on a theme , based on the season, and there is literally no product available similar to this brand. The superb quality, the freshness , the very detailed design of every single produce, the combination of colors, the creative patterns, the deliciousness , combination of the tastes, all make it a very enjoyable experience for my customers Read more>>

Burnz Fernandez | Realtor Extraordinaire – Gay Dad – Partner – Frenchie Dad – Human

I believe the most important factor behind my branding success is authenticity! I am who I am, and I don’t hold back and pretend to be someone I am not, and my clients seem to respect that. I conduct my business in a genuine way. I truly care about my clients and I ALWAYS put myself in their shoes, and that’s what makes me stand-out from the rest. Real Estate can be cut-throat and it can get super stressful and frustrating at times. But I do not let those get in the way of providing great service to my clients. I do not have a business without the trust and respect of my clients, and putting all my passion and integrity in providing great service to my clients, is what keeps me successful. Read more>>

Jesse Nattamai | Parent Counselor

We each have our own special way of showing up and serving others, and it’s easy to get wrapped up into how other brands are successful and mirroring that. Market research is vital, and so is being our authentic selves, and knowing your uniqueness is going to attract exactly who needs your support. For my own brand, conscious parenting is not a “quick fix” because we focus on the long-term relationship with our children. I also focus on how parents – mothers especially – can take really good care of themselves through meaningful self-care. Mothers appreciate our coaching sessions being about their needs while we discuss ways to elevate their parenting, which is a huge success in my book!. Read more>>

Yoga Your Way | SUP Yoga & Pilates and Virtual Yoga Platform

The most important factors behind the success of our business, Yoga Your Way, is our perseverance and dedication to helping others improve the quality of their lives through yoga. When we first started our business, we were inundated with naysayers which in turn fueled our fire to our current success. Assuming we were weak we were told that our Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Yoga & Pilates would be too physically demanding and would be virtually impossible to make successful without a physical location and commercial transportation. We have not only navigated through these obstacles but we have teamed with the legendary surfer Joe Blair of Blair Boards to offer better boards, higher quality paddling experiences and Sup Yoga for all ages. The next impediment we overcame was attaining clientele in the competitive virtual yoga market while keeping our prices accessible for all. Read more>>

Alexandra Ruhl | Owner & Coach

My own struggles and challenges with self-image, Had I not gone through my own weight loss journey, I never would have known what it felt like to be uncomfortable in my own skin; to be so ashamed that I did not put a bathing suit on for over 5 years. Understanding the emotional turmoil of being over weight has not only made me a stronger person, but it allows me to connect to my clients on a more personal level. The success of my brand stems from the credibility of my own story and how that has inspired others that they can do the same. Read more>>