Everyone’s definition of success is personal and evolves, especially for founders navigating the unpredictable journey of entrepreneurship. We canvassed 10 inspiring founders to hear how their understanding of success has shifted amid challenges, growth, and life-changing moments. Their honest stories reveal a common thread: success is no longer only about external achievements but deeply connected to personal well-being, alignment, resilience, and sustainable business building. Let’s explore what success means to them now, celebrating their voices and organizations.
Prioritizing Wellbeing and Balance Over Hustle
Alizah Josette, founder of Spherehead, LLC, shares her awakening:
“I spent most of the past summer working the typical 18-hour days for a startup small business owner. Then in early August, I got sick. The illness forced me to stop and rest. … My definition of success has since changed to incorporate my personal life and wellbeing. I no longer prioritize work above all else, and realize the importance of time alone, with friends and loved ones… Life is short, success now includes spending time away from work and experiencing peace.”
Similarly, Chadwick Routh of Joie de Vivre Coaching emphasizes mental health and receiving:
“My definition of success now has less to do with how many figures I am bringing in each month and more with the quality of my life as I continue to grow my business. I have also adopted more of an attitude of ‘receiving,’ which is much different than the constant grinding and pushing forward that we have been taught to do. It has made worlds of difference for my mental health as well as the health of my business.”
These stories reflect a growing theme among founders embracing self-care and redefining success to protect longevity.
Transforming Work Patterns and Realigning Values
Amy Pierre-Russo of Amy Pierre-Russo Coaching opens up about releasing outdated norms:
“This year, my definition of success changed as I became more willing to disrupt the ‘norms’ I had quietly accepted. To become the founder and mother I want to be, I’ve had to release the systems and structures that never truly served the life I’m building. Designing my own approach to work takes more effort, but it’s also more sustainable. … Success, for me now, means maintaining the conditions I need to thrive. It’s building a life that works for who I am today, not who I’ve been told to be.”
The Power of Slowing Down and Presence
Kelly Edmondson, founder of The Memory Box, shares:
“I became deeply grateful for slowness—for the pauses that forced me to listen, recalibrate, and lead with more intention… This new definition of success is quieter, steadier, and more human. It’s rooted in purpose, impact, and the courage to honor both the work and the pauses along the way.”
Similarly, Hallie Bulkin of Hallie Bulkin Holdings explains:
“The unexpected lesson was realizing that success isn’t just expansion. It’s also the capacity to pause, think, and create from intention instead of urgency… I’m genuinely thankful for the moments I chose to slow down. Those small pockets of space gave me clarity, improved the way I lead, and helped me build smarter instead of harder.”
Redefining Success as a Process with Small Wins
Amy Rees of Personality Plates® (AmyWynne Designs, LLC) highlights patience and celebrating small victories:
“I spent a period of time feeling rejected—and, full disclosure, sulking more than I’d like to admit. But this experience pushed me to redefine what ‘success’ really means. I’ve learned to take pride in small moves forward, even when they don’t immediately result in sales… Now, I celebrate them.”
Endurance, Creativity, and Persistence Amid Uncertainty
Nana Jerome-Akiti, founder of Maeli Amor, reflects on persistence within challenges:
“Starting Maeli Amor was my leap of faith… the struggle to uniquely fit in, the sting of rejection, and the weight of self-doubt. In a world that often overlooks emerging voices, I’ve had to keep pushing… true success is endurance, creativity amid uncertainty, and refusing to let your story end in silence.”
Embracing Emotional Healing as Success
Carly Black from The Mia Michelle Project shares a deeply personal shift:
“Earlier this year, I went through a pregnancy loss… Success now looks a lot less like pushing and a lot more like listening—to my body, my limits, and the quiet places inside myself I used to ignore. My definition of success is simpler now: peace, presence, and the ability to show up as a more grounded, compassionate version of myself.”
Cultivating an Abundance Mindset
Raina Gandhi, Founder & CEO of Rising Tide Consulting, describes a vital mindset shift:
“Early on, success meant rapid milestones, proving my worth through growth. I was operating from scarcity… But this year, something cracked open. I began seeing opportunities, celebrating small wins instead of obsessing over what hadn’t happened yet… Success is about trusting the process, leading from fullness rather than fear.”
Building Trust through Authenticity and Care
Ginger Bertrand of Neue Theory shares her mission’s evolution:
“Neue Theory became something more than a product line. It became a mission to help women feel good in their bodies and thrive from the inside out… Now, success isn’t about flexibility of my schedule. It’s hearing from women who tell us our products have changed their lives or helped them feel good again. That’s what success looks like to me now.”
Summary: Lessons from 10 Founders on the Evolving Definition of Success
Across these powerful testimonies, we see a shift from equating success solely with outward achievements to embracing an integrated life where wellbeing, presence, and sustainability matter. The journey reveals:
- Success is personal: It aligns with who you are now, not societal expectations.
- Rest is revolutionary: Pausing enables clarity and sustainable growth.
- Small wins count: Progress is a process, not an overnight victory.
- Resilience is key: Endurance and creativity carry you through uncertainty.
- Emotional healing matters: Success includes presence and compassion with yourself.
- Mindset shapes outcome: Shifting from scarcity to abundance opens new possibilities.
- Authenticity builds trust: Real impact is rooted in care and genuine connection.
These founders models illuminate a definition of success worth embracing — one that nurtures both life and legacy, creating a sustainable business and a fulfilling, joyful life.
This article is your front-row seat to our Gratitude Series 2025, serving up real talk and heartfelt truths; thirsty for more? Check out Business Risk Entrepreneurs Took: Bold Steps That Changed Everything and How Embracing Daily Challenges Transforms Us: Real Leadership Lessons from Bold Founders
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