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.

Amanda Paolicelli

My resilience comes from a lesson that’s been woven into every chapter of my life: with every painful moment, you have the power to turn it into a powerful opportunity. I’ve lived that truth over and over again. It became undeniable during one of the hardest seasons of my life—a traumatic breakup that completely shattered my sense of self. I was left questioning everything: who I was, what I believed in, and whether I’d ever feel whole again. Read More>>

Jessica Macias

Our resilience is rooted in faith and our up bringing. Its something that i think we’ve developed and something only life can teach.

David grew up hustling in the streets of NYC. As a kid, he’d be out in Chinatown selling imitation bags, and when it rained, he’d switch to umbrellas. He was always thinking ahead, always finding a way to make something happen. He cared for his younger brothers and taking them to school on the train. He had to grow up fast. That drive and grit is part of who he is, hes not afraid of challenges and tackles them head on. Read More>>

Stephanie Mahaney

I think resilience is rarely something you seek out. More often, it’s something you uncover when life demands it. There have been several pivotal moments in my life that forced me to pause and reassess, and more importantly to take stock of what was truly important to me and prioritize accordingly. This foundation served me as I launched my own firm, and I’m so proud of the growth we’ve had: What started as a one-woman operation has since become a nationally recognized design studio with a team of passionate creatives. Read More>>

Kenyon Glover

I was taught resilience from a very young age. If I failed at something, I was taught to keep trying until you get it right. I have always believed that things can get better as long as you push through the adversity. And I have gained the confidence in my ability to cope with and solve problems. Read More>>

Kendall Mager

As the Program Manager of Case Manager at Aliveness Project, a community center and clinic for people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS, resilience comes up often. The relationships I’ve built with people at Aliveness Project and the deeply important community work we do give me a sense of purpose. Read More>>

Valentine J. Brkich

My resilience comes out of necessity. When you have 16 different jobs in 24 years, you have to be resilient. I never understood why I switched jobs so much until I was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 49. Suddenly, it all made sense. The only job I’ve ever enjoyed was when I decided to work as a freelance writer. It gives me the freedom to work on what I want, when I want. Of course, working for myself demands a completely different level of resilience. Read More>>

Nina Bashaw

Oh, that’s easy, I’m Gen X and a middle child. I was practically raised on resilience. I grew up in the era of latchkey kids and playing outside until it was dark, where independence was a given and whining got you nowhere. As the middle child, I had to figure things out on my own, keep the peace, and speak up when needed.. Read More>>

Gorsha Jolly

My resilience was first formed in my bedroom at age four, practicing scales and arpeggios on my violin. Love and encouragement from my parents, along with the promise of progress, showed me that resilience brings a reward—a reward that helps you push through hard things and share your skills with those around you. Read More>>

Christy Lee Rogers

Resilience is something you earn from falling down enough times. But you need to believe in yourself and be fearless to rise back up. My resilience comes from knowing that all of my failures build character and new creative inspiration. I use that darkness. Read More>>

John Riddlebaugh

I’ve had moments when I felt like walking away, but quitting is something I have a hard time doing. I’ve quit doing some types of modeling and acting, mainly because they didn’t seem worthwhile to me. I also have some friends who, despite being brutally honest, have also been supportive. Read More>>

Jay Rose

I believe I get my resilience from #1 God but also the fact that I know it’s always light at the end of the tunnel and so far anything that I have ever went through it was only temporary never final! Read More>>

Aquilla Smith

Feels like the moment I finally said, “I’m taking control of my life,” that’s when all hell broke loose. But what I thought was a breakdown… was actually a divine setup. A cosmic classroom where pain became my professor, And  The Most High? My headmaster. See, I didn’t realize then—chaos was the currency of my calling. Read More>>

Melissa Stone

We are all capable of far more than we often give ourselves credit for. The biggest obstacle standing between us and our potential? Fear. It’s a shapeshifter, manifesting as self-doubt, the fear of failure, or the anxiety of the unknown. It can paralyze us, keeping us from pursuing our dreams and living the lives we truly desire. Read More>>

Brian Delate

For me, a combination of things. For one thing, I learned over time to either succeed or fail, but don’t quit. As a kid, I quit a lot. In high school, I gave up with achieving. That changed when I when I was drafted into the army, where I was subjected to a strong structure. I was excellent with the tasks at hand and learned i possessed leadership skills and confidence I didn’t know I had. The war in Vietnam went even further with the responsibility I was handed. There were times over there when I wanted to give up and somehow I didn’t. That overall work ethic became an asset with college following the war. And allowed for taking risks as far as my career in the arts. Read More>>

Amy Lustig

I believe my resilience comes from within. Life has thrown me plenty of challenges but I’ve always found a way to bounce back. I’m also fortunate to have strong support around me and was raised with the mindset to never give up, no matter how tough things get. Read More>>

Annie Ashurov

My resilience comes from two places: my family and my purpose. As a mother of two, I wake up every day knowing little eyes are watching me — learning what perseverance looks like, how to show up with compassion, and how to build something from the ground up. That keeps me grounded and motivated. Read More>>

Corey La Rue

My resilience comes from the refusal to concede or give up on myself or my goals.

This stems from my childhood where I did not have a choice or the support to allow myself not to preserve over the obstacles thrown in my way.

I pull from the depths of myself and my inner strength to keep going-even when it looks like the odds are against me, I retain at all times a supreme belief in myself. Read More>>

Damon Cho

Ever since I opened the business, I’ve always felt a responsibility to make sure our food and service meet — and hopefully exceed — our customers’ expectations. They’re paying for an experience, and it’s our job to deliver. That mindset has pushed me to work harder and stay genuine in everything I do. Read More>>

Ryann DeYoung

Resilience, for me, doesn’t come from just one place—it’s woven from every chapter of my story. I think it started in northwest Iowa, where I learned what it meant to show up for others, to work hard, and to stay grounded. The quiet strength of that small-town life taught me to keep going, even when things weren’t easy. Read More>>

Tristan Boston

My resilience comes from the almighty creator. Every opportunity and closed door are a promotion or protection from God. I’ve always felt we are spiritual beings experiencing human existence. What keeps me going are the calling and promise gifted in my heart. We all have different destinies and having the discernment to identify life’s validations, warnings and guidance help insure you’re on the right path. My faith lifestyle has led me to believe everything happens for you beyond our understanding.  Read More>>

Eduardo María

A magnificent question, something I ask myself often and always end up with the same answer: Puerto Rico. Keep in mind that my home country is one filled with many many years of history and culture. And most of those wonderful things that makes us the people that we are is the resistance that our ancestors and us day by day have had to endure because of those who seek to use us, and every time they try to do so we rise up again, with a smile on our face, with a song under our sleeves and we sing to the pain, to bid it farewell and live for the promise of another day. Read More>>

Mengting Hou

Being an entrepreneur is ultimately a test of resilience. Between the ages of 18 and 23, I started four e-commerce companies—completely from scratch. No money, no family connections, no mentors. I had to solve not only practical and financial problems but also push through constant discouragement and self-doubt. There were countless sleepless nights. Read More>>

Paulina Liquidano Rak

My resilience comes from my upbringing, faith, and overcoming obstacles. I was born and raised in Poland and immigrated to the U.S as a child. I believe that was the first time I had experienced having to be resilient, and also what has greatly contributed to how I remained resilient in other situations, such as completing my doctorate, pursuing photography, teaching myself various creative skills, and daily problem-solivng. Read More>>

Hawks Salonee

“Where I’m from, resilience is non-negotiable. If you don’t have it, you’re not going to make it. People will talk down on you—whether it’s friends, your community, or even family. No one is exempt from it. For me, resilience comes from a mix of things. My mom worked tirelessly to get me to where I am today, and my friends helped me build tough skin. But at the end of the day, it’s about how you put it all together: you either believe you can or you believe you can’t. And that, for me, is what resilience is all about.” Read More>>

Olivia Hoppe

I’ve had a lot of people throughout my life who’ve encouraged me to pursue art. From my Dad, teachers in school, friends, my husband Frank, and family members. Without their encouragement, I probably wouldn’t have stuck with it. Read More>> 

Meaghan Kessman

I think my resilience comes from living through moments where I’ve had no choice but to find strength. Losing my home in the Palisades fire just six months ago was one of those moments. It was heartbreaking; everything was gone in an instant. That kind of loss shakes you to your core, but it also forces you to focus on what truly matters. I leaned into what I’ve always believed: that calm and clarity can be created, even in the most chaotic situations. Read More>>

Jon Carter

I grew up in the countryside of Minnesota, where the nearest neighbor was a car ride away and the cost of a plumber was astronomical just to get to you. So, like many kids raised rurally, I learned early on: if something breaks, you fix it. My parents didn’t preach it—they lived it. That mindset of self-reliance stuck with me. Read More>>

Mike Kistler

I believe it is important to have something to believe in. Because of this, I have never given up on my artistic endeavors. I shall take breaks, or have negative thoughts, but I always carry on. I also continue with music and art, because it fulfills me. Read More>>

Starrla Noble

My resilience comes from the women who came before me, my ancestors. The ones who endured in silence, who survived despite being unheard, unseen, and underestimated. Especially my mother and grandmother.
Their strength runs through my blood. They carried burdens with grace, endured storms without recognition, and still managed to create beauty, hold space, and pass down wisdom in whispers. I am here because of them; their grit, their magic, and their refusal to break. When I feel like I can’t go on, I remember: they did. Read More>>

Zara Tariq

My resilience is layered—built over years of surviving, healing, and choosing to rewrite my story. I grew up in a complicated and emotionally heavy environment that taught me how to be self-sufficient from a young age. I lost my brother as a teenager, and that kind of grief never fully leaves you—it just reshapes the way you move through the world. Read More>>

Heather Cash

I don’t think there’s just one answer to that question. At first, I wanted to say I’ve had to learn resilience throughout my life, but honestly, I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t think I had to. I think I chose to. I recognize that a lot of people have been through things similar to what I’ve experienced, or worse, and didn’t always find that resilience in themselves. So, it’s something that I am very grateful for. Read More>>

Kenyana Holden

My resilience comes from navigating an industry where representation, especially for women, is still lacking. As an entertainment professional, I’ve spent most of my career in rooms where the decision-makers are almost always men. While conversations around inclusion have become more common in recent years, our corner of the industry often feels overlooked. It’s one thing to be a minority, it’s another layer entirely to be a *woman* in a male-dominated space. Read More>>

Teah Ojeda

I get my resilience from necessity. From growing up with the constant awareness that there would be challenges waiting for me at every turn and knowing no one was coming to rescue me.

For me, resilience was less a choice and more a requirement for survival. I learned it through always having to make a dollar stretch, watching my family navigate financial hardship, and figuring out how to get what I needed even when resources were scarce. I didn’t have a blueprint for success laid out for me… I literally had to define it for myself. Read More>> 

Paul Springfield

That’s a question with layers — like baklava, only mine’s packed with grit, not pistachios. The short answer? Life. The long answer? Keep reading.

I was born to an unwed teen in the 70s — a time when “social safety nets” were more like loose threads. By age three, I was climbing countertops for food, sometimes raiding the trash, and yes, Milk-Bone dog biscuits were on the menu. Responsibility wasn’t optional — it was instinct. Read More>>

Waleska Pantoja

My resilience comes from starting over more than once. I left my home country, Venezuela, to chase a better future in Norway, without knowing the language or what to expect. Years later, I moved again to the U.S. and started from zero, building two businesses with nothing but faith in my vision.

First came MEND Miami, my social media agency, where I did everything myself—learning, adapting, growing. Then Pink Margo Jewels, my jewelry store in Houston. Opening a retail space in a new city, with all the risks and responsibilities, pushed me beyond my limits. Read More>>