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.

Lance Cowart

The biggest thing for me is taking time to myself. I make time to understand my needs and wants. I allow myself to make sensible choices , that will guide me spiritually and emotionally. I think of building confidence and self-esteem, focus on recognizing your strengths, setting achievable goals, practicing positive self-talk, taking care of yourself physically and mentally, stepping outside your comfort zone, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and celebrating your accomplishments, rather than comparing yourself to others. Read more>>

Tamsin Alawa

For me, confidence and self-esteem have come from a mindset shift—I try not to dwell on the things I can’t change and instead focus on improving the things that I can. Rather than seeing my insecurities as fixed flaws, I view them as areas of growth. This shift in perspective has helped me approach self-improvement with curiosity rather than self-judgment. Read more>>

Denise Crittendon

When I was in my teens and twenties, I was always the shiest person in every room I entered. Actually, withdrawn is a better word to describe me. I was naturally quiet and had a tendency to go within, soul search, think and write. This tendency was exacerbated by a few uncomfortable childhood misfortunes that made me doubt myself more than I probably should have. Then one day I discovered affirmations. This might sound like an exaggeration, but the power of thought was my salvation. I began reciting positive statements to myself, out loud in the shower and silently in the mirror. I also recorded a few of my favorites and listened to them while I slept. The transformation was so overwhelming that longtime friends were surprised by the new me. I felt like Dorothy must have felt in Oz when she suddenly realized the power was in her all along. I was thrilled. I also felt compelled to share this magic. I decided to volunteer at a local girls home, so I could talk to misguided or abandoned young ladies and let them in on my secret. I wanted them to know they weren’t stuck. I told them they could do anything and overcome any obstacle by tapping into their own mind and using it to change their world. The girls were so receptive I ended up writing “Girl in the Mirror, A Teen’s Guide to Self Awareness,” a book that focuses on youth empowerment through affirmations, forgiveness, gratitude, etc. As a result, speaking engagements began pouring in and I accepted the challenge. I wasn’t shy any longer. My self-esteem had skyrocketed, and I was ready to take on the world. Read more>>

Autumn Marmie

I developed my confidence and self-esteem from learning to just be myself. All of my life I tried to be what I thought society wanted me to be. I still struggle sometimes with imposter syndrome behind the chair, but I have learned that is a normal human trait and I have to remember to give myself grace sometimes. I read something online one time that said, “You spend your whole life trying to be like yourself.” That sat with me and gave me some clarity. Being myself I have attracted great friends when I moved to Columbus from a small town in Ohio, I created a brand where new clients feel like friends before they even sit in my chair and I have gained the confidence to turn away a client that does not feel like a good fit. I am not for everyone, no stylist is. That’s the beauty of the craft is you are able to specialize in whatever you choose. Read more>>

 Dina Thabit

My confidence and self-esteem have evolved over time, shaped by experience and learning to trust myself. Growing up, I was taught that confidence isn’t about perfection but about facing challenges head-on and growing from them. Even with over 20 years of experience in retail, launching DinaDecor was a leap into the unknown. It pushed me to trust not only in my skills but in my instincts and vision as well. Read more>>

Abi Gwen

For me, confidence is a decision I make every single day. In today’s digital world, it’s easy to fall into the comparison game trap. Gone are the days of your business being niche and unique. With social media, every business similar to yours is displayed on your feed. It can make it feel like everyone and their mom is doing exactly what you’re doing. This mindset is extremely limiting and leads me to think “what could I possibly have to offer?” Read more>>

Kymberly Read

I’d say my confidence and self-esteem developed through experience– lots of it, honestly. It started in the restaurant industry, where I spent 25 years working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. In that world, you learn to trust yourself because you have to. You’re constantly solving problems on the fly, interacting with all kinds of people, and handling stress with a smile. It pushed me to step up and believe in my ability to get things done. Read more>>

Cassandra Lomax

Growing up, I had the privilege of being raised by a Pastor and First Lady, which naturally placed me in the spotlight as part of the first family. My Granny Lemons always reminded me to “Be a leader and not a follower,” a principle I’ve carried with me in everything—from the way I carry myself to how I present myself to the world. My Papa Lemons reinforced that by teaching me to “be sweet” and constantly encouraging me. He showed me that confidence and boldness mean little if your spirit isn’t kind and genuine. These values, instilled in me from an early age, shaped my self-esteem and allowed me to move through life with both confidence and grace. Read more>>

Spoorthi Kumar

Growing up, I traveled constantly. New countries, new languages, new cultures—each trip an immersion in uncertainty. Ordering food, asking for directions, even reading signs became small triumphs. I learned that confidence isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about trusting yourself to figure it out. Read more>>

Nicole Lal

I was raised by a strong, independent Hispanic mother who always encouraged us to do what felt right for us. She let us figure things out on our own, guiding us from a distance and only stepping in when absolutely necessary. Because of that, confidence was instilled in me at a young age, and it grew naturally as my curiosity led me to explore different experiences. Read more>>