Every day, our team is focused on how to help our audience and community reach their full potential in every part of their lives – personal and professional. Building confidence and self-esteem is one of the most essential requirements for success and below we’ve presented some of the conversations we’ve had around how to build confidence.

Niki Bente

This is a forever battle for me. Being in this industry you’re constantly around amazing talent, beautiful people, and it’s easy to compare or think you are aren’t doing enough. I think that taking a minute to appreciate your own gifts and what makes you unique, is one way to mitigate those pressures. Read more>>

Jaida Pervis

Developing self-confidence and self-esteem is definitely an ongoing process that involves both self-reflection and intentional actions. Personally, I’ve found quite a few strategies to be effective such as understanding my strengths and weaknesses which is huge for any business owner. 1. Understanding my strengths and weaknesses has been crucial. I regularly reflect on my achievements and learnings from challenges, which helps me build a realistic self-image. Read more>>

Michael Ho

I developed my confidence from a young age due to the fact my dad was always tough. He taught me lessons at a young age and always told me growing up. “As an Asian American growing up in Long Island, NY in the 1960’s life wasn’t always easy”. My dad endured a lot of bullying, racism, and fear growing up. He always told me as a young boy that he raised me to be strong minded, confident, and resilient. Read more>>

Hugo Orezzoli

In my case, I think age has a lot to do with it. I’ll be turning 60 this year, and I feel more confident than ever, much more than when I was younger. I’m not so concerned with being liked or disliked, I don’t try to fit in, peer pressure has no effect on me whatsoever. I’m very happy to be myself and to believe in myself. Read more>>

Kazuma Tanabe

First of all, I’m one of many guitar collectors and music lovers. I’ve worked for a Japanese guitar manufacturer as an overseas sales manager, product designer, and artist relations for 7 years. The guitar market is already overflowed now, but I tried to design what I want according to my favorite American vintage guitars and bizarre guitars produced in Japan in the 1960s. Read more>>

Kazuma Tanabe

Tieranee “Melo” Wilson

It took me 25 years to truly feel secure within myself and not allow my insecurities, fear and self-doubt to continue to keep me stagnant. I had to basically succumb to my own self-sabotage, self-inflicted wounds and was beyond tired of being a victim, so i made the decision to no longer perpetuate the same narrative(s) in my life. Read more>>

Camry Brown

My confidence and self-esteem developed from acquired values and self-actualization to identify my passions and evolving purpose. Challenges inspire me to revolutionize rejection and embrace preparation during the process despite inevitable adversities. Rewardingly, my confidence and self-esteem are reinforced and safeguarded. As a result, I am motivated to serve others to thrive confidently. Read more>>

Angelica Montejano

I began my career in the beauty industry at age 17. I started out as a receptionist at a salon. They helped me a lot with professionalism to help with self-esteem. They used to tell us, you need to be confident as if you were on stage. That really helped younger me break out of my shell. In beauty school at age 19 I felt confident knowing we were all learning at the same pace but I really had no clue what it was going to be like once I started taking my own clientele. Read more>>

Élishia Sharie

In my youth, I struggled with confidence and self-esteem. I faced frequent teasing and experienced a deep sense of insecurity. Developing my confidence was a gradual process that primarily unfolded in my adulthood. It was during this time that I made a conscious decision to embrace and celebrate who I am fully. Read more>>

Ifunanya Nweke

I believe that confidence is knowing that you have something of value to give. I also believe that community thrives when that giving becomes reciprocal. So if I’m doing the math correctly, it means that I believe that individual confidence is the key to thriving communities. Read more>>

Gustavo David

I don’t think I’m fully confident, but I do love myself with my flaws and bright sides, which makes me mentally strong to keep going. There’s gonna be black days and green- blue days, sad days and OK days. Whatever comes, I can comeback to myself. Read more>>

Jill Pavlov Vazquez

People always see me as this confident, fearless person, and I think it’s hilarious, because I’m the most anxious, phobia-filled person in the world. The trick is to fake it until you make it. That sounds simplistic, but it works. If I walk into a room full of strangers, I don’t have to be the timid, unsure, scared Jill. I can put on my confident face, light up the room, and act as if everyone is there to see me. Read more>>

Diane Gelman

It took me a long time to gain confidence in myself and my artwork. I started out fairly confident when I began my long journey to becoming an artist. I was trained in Food and Nutrition previously and had a long career in Food before transitioning to becoming an artist. I started by randomly painting about 60 vegetables in my kitchen with no training and discovered that I liked to paint. I went to a local community college and took Painting 101 courses for 3 years. We moved and I switched to taking painting classes at an art school. Read more>>

Jan Melnik

I really felt there were two linked questions that tell my story authentically. Of course—as with all of the content I provide in my answers—please feel free to delete/edit out as appropriate. How did you develop your confidence and self-esteem? As someone who delivers a number of keynote talks every year and have been told that I effectively channel confidence and self-esteem in doing so in a way that’s very engaging, I acquired this ability from extremely humble roots. Read more>>

Carrington Brown

My confidence and self-esteem comes from being clear on the truth that my purpose and calling will only be complete as a result of submission to my creator that gave them to me. As a believer in Christ I recognize that God created everyone as the solution to a specific problem. As people, it is our responsibility to obtain clarity on that problem and seek wisdom on what we can create to solve that problem. Read more>>

Heidi Nicolle

Starting creating online can definitely be scary at first. You are opening your heart and creativity to the world. You have no clue how they will respond, especially when you see how much online criticism there can be. When starting, I knew I wanted to build a community that focused on spreading love not hate. Read more>>

Sarah Ortlieb

A relative once told me: “If you receive a compliment, whether you believe it or not, treat it like a gift. Accept it, say thank you, and understand that if you hear that compliment enough coming from others, it must be true.” .I have been teaching muscle-development and critical thinking skills using art, math and science (all very related in the field of ceramics) for my entire decade-long career.Communicating with the parents of children whom I have taught has been the best learning experience, the best boost to my self-esteem.Read more>>

Pawel Cichonski

I was simply fortunate enough to be born with many gifts like fast learning, fast thinking, excellent memory, curiosity leading to multiple interests, self-discipline, erudition… As a kid I naturally gravitated toward hanging out with much older friends and still felt equal in terms of personal development and maturity. I was surprised when I learnt in primary school that other kids struggled with orthography while I just knew how to spell words.

George Wood

After years of surviving trauma and abusive situations, once I went through the healing process and got to the other side part of what Jesus showed me was, I can do anything! Part of what got me through those situations was recognizing my value, worth and strengths. Read more>>

Jules Lavallee

My bold journey has been an anomaly. I have always known at a young age that the power of the word and media hold the key to success. I wanted to be an Anchorwoman. I wanted to make a difference in the world. I realized quickly that I would have no say to the stories aired, the men in the executive office determined the stories. I then went to write for Software Magazine and CIO Magazine. Read more>>

LaNaja Love

My confidence and self esteem developed slowly but surely. I was always very shy and timid when I was younger. I never really had a voice until I got to high school. After I finally graduated and stepped into the business world I became aware that if I don’t network and meet people my business could not thrive. A huge part of being in this world is knowing who you are and being full aware of your morals and values. Those two things play a huge role in how you view your self and how the world views you. Read more>>

Robin Marriott

I have always been an overachiever, and seem to always gravitate to leader positions which put me in front of people. I was greatly encouraged by not only being a member of a high school band, but was drum major leading the band and also performing in front of people on a regular basis. I also have been in charge of several organizations throughout the years where I have been in a position of speaking and leading. I believe competing in speech tournaments as a teen, performing with a band, developing other talents like painting and my strong involvement in church all helped to develop my confidence and self-esteem. Read more>>

Richard Maneen

Building confidence can be a tedious task for some creatives, since it is a mix of trial and error and self-discovery. Starting out, I viewed every shot as horrible and I was constantly comparing myself to other photographers. But, I learned to embrace my style and personality, viewing my growth as a journey rather than a one time mission. Read more>>

Lianne Jedeikin Goldsmith

I’ve often wondered about what has enabled me to tackle the diverse projects and careers I’ve experienced throughout my life. Looking back, I realize I chose roles at work that I was clearly underprepared for, embracing challenges with an overoptimistic ‘I can do this’ mindset, even when caution might have been more sensible. Interestingly, each situation offered me a new learning experience that enabled me to reach higher. Read more>>

Henry Zhao

I don’t know if practice makes perfect, but I do know that it’s really hard to not get better at something after you practice it for a decade. I think confidence and self esteem too are, in a way, something you practice, simply by putting yourself in certain environments and accepting small “failures” over and over again. Read more>>

Kayla Aguirre

I love this question for so many reasons but mostly because confidence and and self-esteem is something I work on everyday. In the past I would constantly put my self down, say harsh things to myself and compare myself to others but over the last few years I’ve really prioritized myself and done a lot of work on my self love. I’ve used workbooks and really dived into affirmations and positive self talk. I think these are the key things that have gotten me to where I am today with my confidence and self esteem. Read more>>

Kara Worrells-Gutiérrez

I remind myself that I’m living my life. I’m wanted where I want myself, and if my work isn’t fun or fulfilling for me, then why else would I engage? I tell myself mantras like, “you’ve got this,” and, “this is just right now” when things get harder to deal with. I go over what I’m grateful for and what I’m lucky to have: a roof over my head; food in my fridge; clothes in my closet; friends, family, and chosen family who I love; opportunity each day to make decisions for myself. Read more>>

Latravia Cropp

Building confidence and self-esteem is a gradual process that involves self-reflection, positive habits, and mindful actions. Here is how I built my self esteem and confidence: 1. **Set Realistic Goals:** Start with achievable goals that allow you to experience success and build confidence over time. 2. **Celebrate Achievements:** Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. This reinforces a positive self-image. Read more>>

Sharai Robbin

Developing my confidence and self-esteem in both my personal and professional life came through my relationship with God. I didn’t start off in business, or even enter adulthood, with the confidence I have now. I often questioned myself, my worth, my talents, and my abilities, unsure if I was good enough. As a bigger girl, I felt constantly judged. I disliked the spotlight and, like many insecure girls, tended to shy away. Read more>>