There are so many factors that can play a role in determining our results, performance and ultimately our success, but some factors matter more than others. We asked folks what they felt was the most important factor driving their success.

Kelly Twichel | Occupational Therapist & CEO of Access Trax

I believe that the most important factor behind my success is my passion. When you truly believe in your mission, you are able to get up every morning and tackle the good, the bad and the ugly. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, and you will be tested. But if you have that desire and passion to make an impact, it will fuel you through those lows so you can keep going. That’s why it’s so important to ask yourself before you start down any path: What is your why? What is your purpose? Read more>>

Quyenzi Pham | Marketing & Advertising Assassinista

Understanding and realizing that success is a continuum and not an actual objective. It’s not an end goal or a accolade but steps that lead to infinite possibilities and pathways. As a Vietnamese refugee, I came from very humble beginnings. My family came to America when I was one years old and I grew up in a small town called Perry, in Iowa. We moved to SoCal in my tweens; and while I excelled academically in school, I was bullied and pulled into gang fights in my youth. There was a time that I was a single mother struggling to make ends meet. Read more>>

Kristan Tiritilli | CEO & Creative Director

I feel like the most success comes from putting people first and constantly remembering their humanity (their fears, goals, dreams, etc). Whether it’s a customer, an influencer I’m working with, a retail store I’m trying to sell wholesale to, I believe that really treating them as a person just like myself leads to better relationships and a more satisfying connection. Read more>>

Noris Velazquez | Kung Fu baker

My White Tiger Kung Fu training is by far the most important factor behind my success; not only in business but in all facets of life! I attribute the skills of: Focus- being clear about what I want. Strategy- knowing how to get it.
Self discipline- getting tasks done when they need to get done even when it’s not convenient. Read more>>

Abigail Bloom & Laura Huie | Screenwriters & Brand Strategists

The success of our brand is based on our long-standing partnership. We’ve known each other since we were in high school, so our chemistry and communication with one another is paramount to our success. We started Bloom & Huie as a screenwriting duo whose goal is to write honest and witty female stories wrapped in unbelievable worlds. From half-hour pilots to feature length films, we like to hook the audience with off-kilter concepts but then make them stay for the heart, humor, and honesty. These are our core values and what makes our partnership so precious to us. Read more>>

Dean Gordon | Luthier

The guitar world is extremely conservative, I always like to say it’s stuck in the past and for good reason, half of the guitar world’s biggest influences lived and made their names in the past. Guitarists Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and many more have inspired many to pick up and play the guitar. What most people who don’t play guitar see is how those players influenced the exact type of guitar players pick up. I don’t want to say I was a rebel but the idea of picking up guitars designed 50-plus years ago never attracted me even if legends played them. I wanted something fresh with no ghosts on it, something that would also be more ergonomic and apply new design innovations. Read more>>

Will Lu, Sandra Ambotaite, Joe Cave | Veterans Beer Club San Diego Chapter Leads

Our continued success is due in part to our commitment to our three core values. 1. Assist transitioning service members through networking, discussions of important events, introductions to industries across the region, and ensuring service members are personally introduced to leaders in aforementioned groups. 2. Translate our military service to community service, ensuring we continue our leadership into non-profit, volunteer, and civil service organizations. Read more>>