Building Blocks of Success: Resilience

In our building blocks of success series, we tackle the various foundational blocks we believe are essential for success. Resilience is near the top of the list, because pursuing greatness almost always means you will face losses, mistakes and tough times along your journey. The ability to bounce back is so critical and we hope the stories below will inspire you to dig deep and discover more of your own resiliency.

April A. Hibler

I come from a long line of people who’ve beautifully and consistently transcended adversity! Having a front row seat to that type of undeniable determination and ironclad evolution has gifted me resiliency time and again. Failure has been one of my greatest teachers. Sometimes failing has a way of shutting people down and making them second guess themselves. I have learned that mistakes make me grow stronger and better. My quest to become my greatest self is attributed to my ability to stay focused and resilient. Since the pandemic, I have experienced many challenges in my previous journey as an educator. The knowledge I have now has made my scope much clearer and given me the opportunity to pave my own path as the entrepreneur I was always destined to become. Read More>>

Greg Fobbs

I have lived a life that is a remarkable story of resilience, strength, and transformation.

Having faced unimaginable trauma, including the loss of three siblings, including the devastating passing of a sister and niece, I have triumphed over both grief and alcohol addiction.

When I was 11 years old, my older sister was tragically murdered, and in 2020, my 18-year-old niece was shot and killed in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also, within the past 6 years, I’ve lost a brother to cancer and a sister to addiction, both at age 50. Read More>>

AJ KIKUMOTO

Resilience is an essential attribute to have. I got my resilience from my parents. Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, on the Loveland Ranch, I learned the importance of taking care of our animals daily and the importance of a good education. One of my favorite stories is when I had just reached home from serving a 19-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had previously graduated from Boise State University with a degree in Elementary Education. I was ready to pursue my dreams of dancing and modeling professionally.  Read More>>

Sia Savvy

As an African American woman in the television industry. Resilience is something that’s deeply rooted in my personal journey and experiences. First and foremost, I draw strength from my family and the generations of strong, determined individuals who came before me. Their sacrifices and determination remind me of the importance of pushing through adversity and making the most of every opportunity. Read More>>

Randi Matushevitz

Resilience is something I’ve always had and I got better at. I see resilience is an attitude and aptitude. My first memory is facing my fear at age 7, waiting in the lobby of the hospital that my Mom was in for a cancer surgery. In those years kids weren’t allowed up stairs and no security or adults I knew were around. I was on my own. Read More>>

Destiny Adams

My mother has taught me the valuable lesson of resilience, helping me face any obstacle that comes my way. She is an inspiring figure who has achieved extraordinary feats throughout her lifetime, despite facing immense challenges. She has earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology while balancing a full-time job, writing a book, and promoting her thriving business. During my adolescence, I struggled with the absence of my father in my life, but I developed coping mechanisms to overcome this obstacle. I also spoke to my mother about this issue, and she encouraged me to use my experiences to empower and motivate others. Inspired by her, I created journals to help those who are hurting, suffering from mental health issues, or in need of an outlet. Read More>>

Carrie Levine

This is a brilliant question that I don’t have an answer for but spend quite a bit of time contemplating both personally and professionally.

My 15 year old daughter passed in a car accident in 2018 and people will often say to me when they learn of it, “I don’t know how you do it.” I often respond, “nor do I.” Read More>>

Brittany LaDoula

I guess it comes from realizing long ago that nobody is coming to save me. (I’m not currently in the best space as I formulate this response.) I want nothing more than to say f*ck it and quit, but the weight of my youngest son resting his weight on my side grounds me. I’ll take a moment to throw a fit and curse capitalism and all those who failed me in life; then, I’ll journey onward. The consequences of giving up are far more severe than the challenges of perseverance. Being resilient is the reason why my life is so beautiful. Read More>>

Bo Talley Williams

My resilience is also my strength. I was raised by women and grew up around, strong, unapologetic, independent black women. The woman that raised me showed no fear in anything that they did, nor did they allow themselves to look weak, not even in the mist of all the bad things that life would bring their way, I don’t ever recall seeing the women that raised me cry. Read More>>

Becki Olejnik

I believe I was born with it, yet also experienced resilience in my home too. I didn’t really have many obstacles as a child to overcome as I naturally was strong willed and passionate about life/sports/faith and relationships. However, I experienced a situation in 2018 which changed me tremendously. It’s difficult to explain but the best way is to say I experienced a physical response to a situation. So my body took over and I was unable to control it. I experienced symptoms beyond explanation and with that comes fear, anxiety and searching for answers. Read More>>

Nikki Murray

A little over a year ago, I heard a friend describe me to someone else, saying “Nikki never fails because she doesn’t allow herself to fail.” I had never considered myself in that light before, but after hearing those words I’ve allowed them to become a motto through which I overcome all obstacles. Read More>>

Rosemarie and Candice

Resilience is something we both got from our family and mother/grandmother. She was a single mom and raised three kids alone. It was a very difficult childhood and one filled with financial challenges but we able to overcome these challenges and find success. Rosemarie’s mother/Candice’s grandmother taught us strength, a great work ethic and resilience. That was instilled in Candice when she was young and has carried on in our family. We have both been able to obtain higher level college degrees, maintain successful jobs and open our business. Read More>>

Christopher Rice

I spoke with a friend and was sharing my story of being a part-time caretaker for my mother. Once a month, I drive back home and take my mother to her treatment appointments in Birmingham. I have been doing that for the last two years, and it brings me joy to be able to do this for my mother. My friend told me, “You don’t show your struggles.” For me, not being there for my mother isn’t an option. Post-surgery, I remember many early mornings making us breakfast, helping her put on her clothes, feeding her the daily medication while trying to work a remote video editing job from home. Read More>>

Amber Wallace

My mother embodies the epitome of resilience. I have always held profound admiration for her unwavering determination, but it was not until I bore witness to her unwavering strength during her relentless battle with colon cancer that the true depth of her resilience became apparent. Read More>>

Kelci Schlierf

I’m the second and smallest child out of four, and grew up with authoritarian parents. I learned from a young age that if I wanted something badly enough, I’d have to fight for it. But it also taught me that not every battle is actually worth fighting. I learned early on to choose my battles wisely and conserve my energy for those causes which I cared most about. Read More>>

Kai Kaldro

The hardest part of my career has been losing my mentor and production sound mixer Wolf Snyder. A week before his 36th birthday in March 2021, just as NOMADLAND, which he ran sound on, was being nominated by the academy, and just as my film DISSOLVED GIRL was nearing completion. I’d never been so heartbroken. Read More>>

Isabel rivera

Coming from an unstable childhood and choosing to not become another statistic. I have faced many challenges throughout my life but have still accomplished many goals and dreams like acting and buying a one one ticket to new York after selling everything I had and arriving a couple days before 911 not knowing anyone and paving the way for my future. Also after my divorce whenever my back was against the wall I somehow always had to courage and survival skills to fight my way through and succeed. Read More>>

Ranji McMillan

Everything in this Universe, including myself, is ultimately vibrations, energy, and frequencies. Within this Universe, there are seven Universal Laws. My resilience comes from my firm belief in God’s seven universal laws. Particularly, The Law of Rhythm, which postulates that there is a constant ebb and flow to everything. EVERYTHING. Read More>>

Melanie Maldonado

I definitely get my resilience from the women in my family. My mom and my grandmother who raised me. As a child I always looked at them and thought they recover from anything life throws at them. They would do it so effortlessly. As an adult, when I learned of their traumas, I was amazed at how they continued through life pushing forward. I knew that I wanted to do the same. I have daughters that watch me and I want to teach them to be resilient too! As women, it’s important. As women of color, it’s even more important! We are not defined by our traumas, it’s what we do with it that makes us be who we are on the other side of it! Read More>>

Heaven Green

I get my reslilience from being one who have always had to smile no matter what was going on. And after my daughter passing I still had surviving children and I had to show them that they was all important and I had to bury my daughter and then hurry up and put a roof over my surviving sons head. Sometimes you do not have time to sit and dwell have to keep pushing or make your situation worse. Read More>>

Royce Morgan

When you’ve been dealt the short end of the stick so much in life, over times with those pieces you piece together your own stick that you aren’t sharing with anyone! I wholeheartedly believe, no matter what cards I’m dealt or if things aren’t going my way I’m only being groomed for greater and grateful for the lesson it teaches me. I consider it my Sharpening! Read More>>

Gene Folkes

Before I explain where I believe my resilience comes from, I’d like to share when I learned what resilience was and realized that I was a resilient person. A decade ago, as part of a candidate selection process, a therapist conducted a psychological assessment, and we discussed the results. I was shocked at the accuracy of her assessment relating to my personality traits, family history, and my ability to manage the internal and external environment of my formative years. Read More>>

Ivanka Ska

Seeing our Smart Carry Luxury Inserts on display at the Dali Museum Store always brings back memories. Four years ago, my life took a sharp turn when I was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. Days in bed led to an idea. Read More>>

Jennifer Belshe

My resilience is fueled by love. In the course of about a year, I had a baby, was turned down for a promotion, started a new job that was 100% commission, got divorced and was given primary custody of my child. My ability to not only survive difficult situations, but thrive in the face of those challenges, was essential for me to take care of the person who mattered to me most – my son. This resilience led me to co-found Novus Advisors, as a single mother with a one-year-old child. Read More>>

Eric Mueller

The word resilience ignites a special feeling within me. I find myself instantly thrust back in time…into all of the memories that made me who I am today. I think about training through rain, mud, bitter cold, snow, and blistering heat as a cross country runner. I think about the all-day study sessions with my best buddies during pharmacy school to excel in our vigorous exams. Read More>>

Paula Wofford

Honestly, once it clicked to me that if I’m not dead yet then I still have purpose. I have always been on search of my purpose in life since I was a kid. I used to get talked about and really just have always been the black sheep of my family and to outsiders. I just would read my bible in private and ask God the questions I had in my heart. I just kept waking up so I kept pushing on. It wasn’t easy, but I just had to keep in mind that no matter how long a situation was going on I could make it through.  Read More>>

Ashley McEntee

During my upbringing, I encountered numerous challenges. My family faced financial hardships, with my father’s inconsistent presence and my mother tirelessly working to support my brother and me. It became evident early on that I had to put in immense effort if I desired anything beyond the basics. My upbringing ignited a burning determination and sense of resilience in my formative years; I aspired to transcend my circumstances. Read More>>

Arkeedah McCormick

My resilience comes from the passion I have for the work that I do. Learning how to adapt to challenges and the support that I receive from my family and close friends. I also make a point to take care of my mental and emotional health as well. Read More>>

Kaiya Tucker

Years ago, I came across a saying that’d become a mantra for me. The saying goes, “it’s not about what happens to you, it’s about how you respond.” There’s been several things I’ve gone through where I had to refer back to that quote, and I ask myself “are you going to get up and keep going, or are you going to fold?” The person I am, the person I want to be remembered as, the mother that I am to my son, she can’t fold. Read More>>

William Gooding

When I was about 3 years old my parents got a divorce, which isn’t terribly uncommon, but it wasn’t a clean divorce. They fought with each other and would occasionally use me as leverage to win an argument. My parents loved me and I loved them very much and nobody is perfect, but from a young age, I had to learn to withstand emotional turmoil. My mother passed away when I was 9, and my father passed away when I was 15. Read More>>

Rynette Upson-Bush

As a child I felt like I was silenced and went unnoticed and overlooked.. I always felt as if I wasn’t good enough but I knew there had to be more in life for me than my current reality. . At some point in my life I knew I needed to stand up for myself and fight for what I wanted. I ended up getting around a group of ladies that had a different mindset than I was used to.  Read More>>

Tongela White

My resilience comes from myself. At one point I was homeless. I could’ve went to my Mom’s house or any family’s house but I wanted to do it on my own. I wanted to finally pull myself out of depression. I went to a shelter, went to counseling and hated it! I hated so many pieces of me. It was hard. At times I wanted to quit but I knew I had to keep going. I knew I had to finally come to terms with who I needed to love and that person was me. Read More>>

Gabriel Smith

I get my resilience from my family belief and strength in God , I come from a long ancestry line of entrepreneurs, who had the ability to fight every obstacle and the ability to open doors so I’m able to be an entrepreneur myself and to be creative because of there sacrifices and hard work to push threw. It is just something in me. That says this is something that needs to be done. This is how you should do it. I’ve watched people in my family makes something out of nothing I have learned to be patient to be empathetic I am a God-fearing man I believe in treating others how you want to be treated and I believe in having these type of qualities that creates the resilience in the person. Read More>>

Vel Wall

My resilience stems from my parents. They have always taught me to never let anything stop me and I have carried that mindset throughout my life. I am the owner/operator of Krispies by Vel and I do it all, from baking to marketing and selling. We make gourmet rice crispy treats with a huge focus on flavors! Our rotating monthly menu debuts unique flavors that fit each season, from key lime pie in the spring to pumpkin cheesecake in the fall. Developing new flavors is my favorite part of what we do because I get to be creative. This exploration is so fun and the taste testing part isn’t bad either! Read More>>

Courtney J. Green

My resilience comes from my personal vendetta I have with being successful . As a youth of course I had my day with not adhering to guidance. Only because their view was limited. The internet wasn’t out when most of the relatives and elders were born so moving into the future and being successful they wouldn’t have adequate information. When challenged they resorted to limiting resources and when asked they give bad information, no fault of their own its what was done to them. Read More>>