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My 3 Keys to Success: The Power of Strength
In the first part of this series, I introduced you to what I believe are the three essential keys to success: strength, heart, and intelligence. These are not just abstract ideas—they are the principles that have guided me through my career as the CEO and Creative Director of Lovingood Studios. Today, I want to dive deeper into the first of those keys: Strength.
Strength is often misunderstood. People tend to think of it as sheer force, physical endurance, or brute power. But true strength, especially in the world of entrepreneurship, goes beyond that. It’s the inner resolve that pushes you forward when everything else is pulling you back. It’s the ability to rise after every fall, to persevere through hardship, and to find resilience in adversity.
As I reflect on my own journey, I realize that strength has been the cornerstone of every success I've achieved. From the early days of producing video content before platforms like Facebook even existed, to now working with some of the biggest brands in the world—Disney, Vimeo, Monster Headphones, and more—it’s strength that has carried me through the inevitable challenges, failures, and doubts.
But where does this strength come from? How do you build it? And how can you use it to fuel your own entrepreneurial journey?
The Source of Strength: My Personal Story
I learned the meaning of strength at an early age. As I mentioned in my first blog, I grew up with a single mom and grandmother who sacrificed everything to give me a better life. My mother worked long hours, pushing herself to the brink so I could pursue my passions, enrolling me in performing arts classes, and never letting me settle for less. My grandmother, with her nurturing presence, made sure I had the tools I needed to succeed, whether that meant flashcards, voice lessons, or just a listening ear.
But the most defining moment of my life, the one that truly showed me what strength looks like, came when my mother was involved in a life-altering accident. She was hit by an 18-wheeler on the freeway, and the impact nearly paralyzed her. Her neck was broken, and doctors weren’t sure she would ever walk again. Most people would have given up—resigned themselves to a life confined to a wheelchair, accepting their fate. But not my mother.
She endured 18 surgeries. And not just that—she learned to walk again. Not once, but three times. Each time she regained her ability to walk, she faced yet another setback, but each time she fought her way back. Watching her battle against the odds, I saw what real strength looks like. It’s not about never falling—it's about having the courage and determination to rise again and again, no matter how hard the fall.
That kind of strength is deeply embedded in my DNA. It’s what drives me when the going gets tough, and it’s what has helped me overcome obstacles in my career, whether it’s a failed project, a lost client, or moments of doubt and uncertainty. It’s a strength that I believe anyone can develop, but it starts with understanding that strength isn’t just physical—it’s mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Strength in Business: Resilience in Action
As an entrepreneur, you will face challenges. That’s a guarantee. There will be days when nothing seems to be going right, when the results you hoped for seem far out of reach, and when you question whether you have what it takes to succeed. It’s in those moments that your strength will be tested.
When I started Lovingood Studios, I had no roadmap, no guarantee of success. The digital marketing landscape was constantly evolving, and I had to learn new platforms, adapt to new trends, and navigate the unpredictable waters of entrepreneurship. There were times when I felt like giving up—when the workload felt overwhelming, when revenue wasn’t where I needed it to be, and when self-doubt crept in.
But every time I hit a wall, I remembered the lesson my mother taught me: You only fail when you stop trying. Every challenge was an opportunity to grow stronger, to learn something new, and to push through. And the truth is, that’s what entrepreneurship is all about. It’s not about having an easy path to success—it’s about building the strength to overcome the hurdles along the way.
One of the key ways I’ve built strength in my business is by embracing failure. Now, I know that sounds counterintuitive—who wants to fail, right? But failure is a necessary part of growth. Every setback I’ve faced has taught me something valuable, whether it’s how to improve my strategies, how to manage my time more effectively, or how to better serve my clients. The strength to keep going despite failure is what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who give up too soon.
Building Strength: Practical Tips for Entrepreneurs
So, how do you build this kind of strength in your own life and business? Here are a few practical steps that have helped me, and that I believe can help you too:
1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Strength starts in the mind. If you believe that challenges are obstacles, you’ll feel defeated every time something goes wrong. But if you see challenges as opportunities to grow, you’ll approach them with a different mindset. This is called a growth mindset—the belief that your abilities can be developed through hard work, learning, and persistence.
Whenever I face a setback, I remind myself that it’s part of the process. Instead of seeing it as a failure, I ask myself, “What can I learn from this? How can I use this experience to get better?” That shift in perspective has been crucial in building my resilience and strength.
2. Surround Yourself with Support
No one builds strength in isolation. Just as I leaned on my mother and grandmother growing up, I’ve learned to surround myself with people who lift me up in my business. Whether it’s mentors, colleagues, or even clients, having a support system makes all the difference. They offer guidance, encouragement, and perspective when you need it most.
If you’re building your business, seek out a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Join online groups, attend networking events, and connect with people who understand the challenges you’re facing. The strength of the people around you will amplify your own.
3. Take Care of Your Health
Strength isn’t just mental—it’s physical too. As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and grind, sacrificing sleep, exercise, and healthy habits for the sake of productivity. But in the long run, neglecting your health will drain your strength.
Make time for regular exercise, eat well, and prioritize sleep. When you take care of your body, you’ll find that you have more energy, focus, and resilience to tackle the challenges of entrepreneurship.
4. Break Big Goals into Small Steps
One of the things that can sap your strength is feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of your goals. It’s easy to feel defeated when you’re staring at a mountain of tasks, unsure of where to start. The key is to break those big goals into smaller, manageable steps.
When I launched Lovingood Studios, I didn’t try to become a major player in the digital marketing world overnight. I focused on small, achievable goals—building a portfolio, landing my first clients, expanding my network—and gradually worked my way up. Each small win gave me the strength to keep going, and over time, those small wins added up to something much bigger.
Your Strength is Your Power
Strength is not something you’re born with—it’s something you build, one step at a time, one challenge at a time. It’s the ability to keep moving forward when the path ahead is uncertain. It’s the resilience to bounce back after every failure. It’s the determination to keep pushing, even when success seems far away.
As you continue on your entrepreneurial journey, remember that you have the strength within you to overcome any challenge. You’ve already taken the first step by pursuing your dreams, and that takes courage. Now, it’s time to cultivate that strength, to nurture it, and to let it guide you through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
I believe in you. If I could build my business from scratch, through every setback and challenge, so can you. The strength you need is already inside you—now, it’s time to let it shine.
Stay tuned for the next part of this series, where we’ll explore the second key to success: Heart. Until then, keep building your strength, keep pushing forward, and never forget: You are stronger than you think.