While it’s inspiring to read high level summaries of success stories, we think it’s just as important to learn about what drove the success and made it possible. We’ve asked some of the brightest folks we know to open up about what they believe was the most important factor behind their success.

Katherine Thornton | Lifestyle Photographer

Showing up. I started my Charleston, SC-based photography business 21 years ago in 2003. I now have three kids and a busy schedule. Trust me, there have been low days when I had to drag myself to a photoshoot or meeting, but I went and busted it out. Read more>>

Ciara Grant | SC Realtor

My faith in God and my commitment to building lasting relationships based on trust, have been instrumental in the success of in my real estate business. Cultivating a strong bond with clients, gaining their trust, and fostering ongoing relationships are indeed key elements in sustaining my success. The fact that my past clients refer their friends and family reflects positively on the quality of my work and the positive experiences my clients have had with my services. This word-of-mouth promotion can be a powerful driver for my business growth. Read more>>

Toiekka McFadden | Registered Nurse, Author, & Business Funding Coach

The driving force behind my success lies in the unwavering support and encouragement I receive from a network of incredible individuals. My success story is deeply intertwined with the steadfast support of my husband, the uplifting presence of friends and my son, the unconditionally supportive family members, and the invaluable connection with my social media family. Their belief in me serves as a constant reminder of the value of my brand and the importance of perseverance. I am profoundly grateful for these pillars of support, as they not only celebrate my achievements but also inspire and motivate me to keep pushing boundaries and reaching new heights. Read more>>

Emily Paulsen | Brand Expert

A willingness to rebel from the industry norm and build a business differently. The branding world has become very specialized with different providers exclusively offering one specific service: IE logo design, brand strategy, copywriting or web development. Since every brand needs every piece, you either have to source several individual experts or spend a lot of money on an agency that has all those experts in house. Neither of these solutions are helpful for busy entrepreneurs. Electric Collab is a one-stop shop, offering bespoke brand strategy, messaging, design and websites at an accessible price so you don’t waste time, money, or energy tracking down a lot of different people and crossing your fingers that the work feels cohesive. Read more>>

Christina Garbarino | Food Blogger & Content Creator

Consistency is absolutely essential when it comes to creating a successful brand and being successful in general. It is so important to not deviate from your initial mission and vision for your brand. Consistency leads to trust in you, your brand, and your content so it is crucial to avoid confusing your audience by being inconsistent. This has allowed me to ultimately grow and gain support of thousands as a content creator across my social media platforms. Read more>>