Every overnight success we’ve seen has been years in the making. And those overnight successes are rarely because of an amazing idea or a stroke of luck. We asked some of our favorite folks from the community about what characteristics are at the heart of their success story?

Dr. Shaq Anthony | Keynote Speaker & Culture & Leadership Strategist

I would say the most important factor behind my success is the combination of faith, authenticity, and paying it forward. I know for a fact without faith, I would’ve probably given up a long time ago. My faith played a role in me being rooted in my identity and purpose. It’s hard to obtain or aspire to anything if you don’t have a clear understanding of your purpose and identity, Purpose and identity serve as a compass even when things seem vague. Going back to purpose and identity ensures you don’t forget the why behind what you do. Authenticity is the ability to be yourself in any place or space. I’ve learned early on that people want what’s authentic and it is authenticity that is the wave of the future. The need for genuine connection is at an all-time high and my ability to remain myself has played a major role in my success. I enjoy authentically connecting with, understanding, and helping people succeed. It is part of my DNA. I have no desire for credit or anything of that nature. This is in direct connection to paying it forward. My success is not success without opening up doors and creating pathways for others. I understand that success is not just about a single person. If there are not others who benefit or reap from your success, there may be a need for reassessment of the meaning of success. The combination of these three principles has changed my life for the better forever. Read more>>

Janna Coumoundouros | Full Time Artist

I firmly believe that beyond artistic talent lies a crucial element for success in any creative endeavor: the ability to navigate the business side of things. While many possess extraordinary artistic abilities, thriving in the industry demands more than just creativity. It requires adeptness in self-marketing, financial management, tax compliance, and effective advertising strategies. It’s often said that artists inhabit a realm just beyond the bounds of societal norms, where chaos and creativity intersect. This delicate balance necessitates an ability to straddle both worlds: the imaginative and the pragmatic. We, as creatives, possess a unique perspective, thinking outside the box and embracing the unconventional. However, to truly flourish, one must master the art of balancing creativity with business acumen. It’s about finding harmony amidst the chaos, blending innovation with practicality to achieve lasting success. Personally, when I went through a divorce and had to be a single mom it pushed me to do what I needed to do. I made a decision back then between finding a traditional job or going full throttle with my own business. Read more>>

Vern Springer | Musician Second Hand Mojo

Musician, Songwriter, performer. Have had many songs featured in films and some commercials. Have played professionally for amost 40 years. Currently, the founding member and Guitarist as well as Producer for Second Hand Mojo. We have been steadily gaining followers and playing some really great shows. The video for our latest single Good Vibes just surpassed 1 million view. For us thechallenge we faced so far has been the pandemic. After working very hard in the studio to get our first release out to the public (After Midnight EP), we were finally able to release the EP on Janary 20th 2020. If you recall the whole planet essentially shut down on the 24th. That was a tough blow and basically cost the group 2 years. That would have been easy to give it up or not continue to communicate and be productive. But we stayed in communication and all wrote and collaborated as best we could and even released a new single during the lockdown. When the stay at home ban was lifeted, we hit the ground runnng. We have now released two single off of our sophmore effort. and have also mad two videos that have done really well. SO the lesson is that if you find a way to stay the course you can really survive and thrive. Another lesson that was reinforced was don’t take anything for granted, tomorrow is not promised. And when tomorrow comes be grateful for at least that which has arrived. What would I like people to know about Second Hand Mojo? If you like music from the 60’s to through today your gonna want to stop by and stay a while. Read more>>