Gina Locklear, founder of Little River Sock Mill and zkano
“Find something that you care about, that gets you excited, that means so much to you, and try to make it your job that you do every day.”
Image: Liesa Cole Photography

Angie Cook, co-founder of Hester & Cook
“Live each day fully present in that moment. Don’t let the fear of the future rob you of what is happening right in front of you.”
Image: Ashley Hylbert

Alice Randall: “My biggest accomplishment, I hope, is that I have been a very good mother … “

Caroline Randall Williams: On her biggest accomplishment: “At this point in my life, I have taught over 500 students … I have helped further the education of 500 kids.”

Olia Zavozina, founder of Olia Zavozina wedding dress line
“I am a perfectionist, so the best piece of advice for me is to just finish! I could go on forever working on a project until it’s perfect, but I need to learn to just finish the project instead of overanalyzing it.”
Image: Ashley Hylbert

Chandra Johnson, owner of SOCO Gallery
“The best advice was given to me by another mom. She said that one of the greatest things you can do for your child is to allow them to be themselves. I have repeated this often to myself, as a parent, to encourage my children to be who they are, not who I think they should be.”
Image: Zaire Kacz

Shawne Reece Jacobs, owner of Anne Barge
“When in doubt, don’t.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Lauren Bush Lauren, founder of FEED
“I have this quote by Minor Myers hanging in my office and intentionally look at it every day as my North Star: ‘Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.'”
Image: FEED

Andra Eggleston, textile designer
“The most important things in life are the things you cannot see, smell or touch. They are deep inside your gut. They are the things you must feel with your heart. Your intuition is everything, and it is important to exercise it as much as your body and your mind. It is an immeasurable tool.”
Image: Ashley Hylbert

Dee Ann Turner, vice president of corporate talent at Chick-fil-A
“My work life was from Chick-fil-A former president Jimmy Collins, who said, ‘It’s kindness to refuse immediately what you eventually intend to deny.’ I talk about this idea in my book. We try to be nice sometimes and not tell people the truth, but the kinder thing to do is say no immediately, rather than dragging it out and disappointing someone by raising their expectations and not fulfilling them. My mom advice is, whether it’s at the end of the day, the end of the month or the end of a season, you have to look back and say, ‘I did the best I could. I wasn’t always perfect, but I did the best I could.’ I think especially as a mother, when you’re raising three kids, have a career and are involved with many things, sometimes I think we hold this really high standard for ourselves. When everyone else lets us off the hook, we don’t let ourselves off the hook.”
Image: Jeff Roffman

Laura Vinroot Poole, fashion professional and boutique owner
“Esse Quam Videri, or ‘To Be Rather Than To Seem,’ North Carolina’s state motto, has always been close to my heart. I try to remember it in every aspect of my life. My father always said that if everyone likes you, then you’re probably doing something wrong and not being honest about who you are. As painful as that may be, accepting the fact that you can’t be everything to everyone has served me well and allowed me to do what I do best.”
Image: Chris Edwards

Connie Cathcart-Richardson of Nashville Fashion Week
“There’s only one you. Just be you. Another that I like, and it took me until I was much older to figure out is, You don’t get if you don’t ask. In business, throw yourself out there and ask. Even if they say no, it’s a compliment to them that you asked! ‘Love always wins’ is another. Just be nice, okay? And another that I’ve been saying lately, ‘Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.’ I need to learn to take my own advice!”
Image: Ashley Hylbert

Molly Sims, model and author of The Everyday Supermodel
“Women are really hard on women; women are the most critical of all. Don’t listen to the critical, even the thing in your head telling you that you aren’t good enough, you don’t look good enough — you just have to put it away. But at the same time, I will say to these girls that it is best to feel good. If you feel good, you look good, and if you look good, you feel good. So it goes both ways. Sometimes that means you try to be disciplined. I am not going to sit here and tell you I eat M&M’s and cheeseburgers all day long. I work out. I watch what I eat. But that is what makes me feel good. You just have to push those haters away.”
Image: Jeff Vespa

Lauren Genkinger, founder Adopt a Golden Atlanta
“Listen, think and then speak.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Dolly Parton
“I have always tried to follow the light. I seek the good and the possible and understand that there are no real failures, just lots of opportunities to learn.”
Image: Dollywood Foundation

Leanne McQueen, artist
“Just jump in. I think that the hardest and the scariest part of starting any business is taking the initial steps. Yes, it takes time. Yes, there is a learning curve. But if you focus on pride, growing slowly and consciously, and surrounding yourself with people you respect, it is the most rewarding thing anyone could ask for.”
Image: Heather Thomas of Beall + Thomas Photography

Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, professor and cancer researcher 
“Don’t let someone else’s limitations define your reality, and don’t let them tell you what’s not possible. It may not be possible for them, but it may be very possible and realistic for you.”
Image: Eric and Jamie Gay of Eric & Jamie Photography

Danielle Rollins, entertaining expert
“My mother passed down the best advice given to her from my very sensible German great-grandmother: Fifty percent of the world will love you no matter what you do, and the other 50 percent will dislike you no matter what you do. Don’t waste your time trying to change the ones you can’t. Focus on the good 50 percent.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Katherine Clark, Southern author
“Don’t wait for permission. Don’t wait for a contract. Don’t wait for a sign from the universe. Don’t wait for a good time to do it. Just do it. Do it now.”
Image: Randy Hamilton

Paige Booker (left) and Alice Trahant (right) of Empire State Finery
PB: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
AT: “Be true to yourself.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Jenn Gietzen of Write on! Design
“Actor Chris Pratt posted this to Instagram: ‘I had to hustle hard and go hungry … And I never had a plan B. I never stopped believing. Ever. Don’t give up. Apply constant pressure for as long as it takes. It will break before you do. Go get it.'”
Image: CatMax Photography

Kasar Abdulla: “I truly believe the best way you can change the world inside you is to read, and the best way to change the world around you is to write and speak.”

Kristin Klingshirn of “The Bert Show” 
“Try easier. When you care so much about what you do, you can try so hard you end up stressing yourself out and ultimately taking yourself out of the moment. So … try easier.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Ellen Latham of Orangetheory Fitness
“I think from my father … it is called momentum shift up (a sports term). Basically, a human body can momentum shift up or down. What it means is you see the glass half empty or the glass half full. My father — he was a momentum shift-up coach who always told his players what they had instead of beating them down.”
Image: Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography

Laura Daily, Head Merchant at Cracker Barrel
“Roll your sleeves up and just get it done. Because I think when you really do some soul-searching, you know when you’re ready for a change. I had the experience and I knew that I was ready to take a next step. So, when you know you’ve done your homework and you know you’ve practiced, just do it. Don’t let fear hold you back.”
Image: Ashley Hylbert

Christi Paul of CNN
“No. 1: The most important things in life aren’t “things.” We can get so caught up in having stuff but, at the end of the day, what we have doesn’t equate to who we are. No. 2: If you live for people’s praise, you’ll die by their criticism. Don’t give anyone that much power over you; you’re worth more than that. Oh, and No. 3: Age, weight and salary are just numbers.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Michelle Workman, interior designer
“Two things: don’t be afraid to show people who you are with your home. It should look completely different from friends’ homes. It should very clearly tell people who lives there and what their interests are. And … do what your designer says! If you have gone to the trouble of researching for and hiring a designer, then you shouldn’t waste your time or theirs by fighting with them. Would you argue with your dentist, doctor or lawyer?!”
Image: Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography

Shanrika “Shan” Hardeman, Team USA basketball team member 
“Do what makes me happy. I understand that every decision I make I have to live with — whether it’s good or bad — so why not choose to do something that brings me joy? If I focus my energy on things that I have control over, I can influence the outcome to be how I want it to be. I create my own reality.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Julie Newman, founder of Give Her Six
“Don’t expect anyone to understand your vision. Seriously, it’s unrealistic and selfish. Get a notebook, write your ideas down and journal about it every day. Pray about it, reflect on it and piece the puzzle together — and when the time is right, you will know.” 
Image: Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography

Mary Ella Gabler, founder of Peacock Alley
“There’s a quote in the first chapter of my book: “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” And I think that says a lot. You just keep going. I wish I had more words of wisdom than that but I just think that if you’re really committed and you love what you do, you just keep pushing to make a difference.”
Image: Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography

McKel Hill of Nutrition Stripped
“I think it’s a mistake to think that there is a one-size-fits-all plan. We’re all unique and that’s the beauty behind it. My mission is to help people to feel their absolute best, so that means finding food solutions that fit their lifestyle.” 
Image: Ashley Hylbert

Bethany Newman, president and founder of ST8MNT 
“Believe in yourself. Bet on yourself. Be yourself. And girls can do anything boys can.”
Image: Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography

Beth DeBauche, commissioner for the Ohio Valley Conference
“When you are selected for a leadership role take time to be thoughtful and strategic. Don’t feel like you have to prove your competence. People already know you’re capable — otherwise you wouldn’t have gotten the job.”
Image: Ashley Hylbert

Mandy Kellogg Rye of Waiting on Martha
“You can be whatever you want if you work for it.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Jacquelyn and Elizabeth of Twine & Twig
Jacquelyn: “Honestly, my 3-year-old and 5-year-old kids are so inspiring. I love the way they look at the world and play in nature. They discover the most amazing things around them.”
Elizabeth: “Travel mostly. Growing up, I kept a collection of jars in my closet with materials and found objects from all over the world. To this day, if I need to feel creative again, I hop on a plane.”
Image: Piper Warlick Photography

Sue Joyce, founder of Ocean Tribe by Turkish T
“Be willing to look at yourself and your part during times of conflict. This is where you will find real growth, peace and understanding.”
Image: Mary Craven of Mary Craven Photography

Andrea Taylor, CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
“The best advice that I’ve been given was from my mother. She’s no longer alive but we celebrate her memory and her spirit every year at an event in Massachusetts and the theme is “Savor the Moment,” which was her advice to people. Life is very precious. None of us know how long we will be here, so while you are here, you need to fully embrace life in all its richness. Make sure you don’t have regrets. If there are things you want to do, you need to get started. Do them!”
Image: Eric and Jamie Gay of Eric & Jamie Photography

Xima Lee Hulings, artist
“I would suggest that most people are far and away more interested in your success than they are in your failure, so I would suggest being willing to share and open up to others. I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by how willing people are to contribute to your success. And by virtue of that, you should be as willing to contribute to others and to say, ‘Gosh, I’ve had that problem.'”
Image: Leila Grossman of Grannis Photography

Inventor Mazy Holiday, founder and president of WhatBox, Inc
“Surround yourself with people smarter and better than you. The hard part is ‘weeding your garden’ of the people that bring you down.” 
Image: Eric and Jamie Gay of Eric & Jamie Photography

Julie Chrisley, reality TV star of “Chrisley Knows Best”
“One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books — especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.'” — John Wooden
Image: Tommy Garcia/USA Network

Arlene Goldstein, fashion trend forecaster
“My wonderful parents always said to treat people as you want to be treated. It was wonderful to work at Parisian where customer service was such a priority and not done as a strategy, but because it’s just the right thing to do.”
Image: Eric and Jamie Gay of Eric & Jamie Photography

Alexis Jones, the face behind I AM THAT GIRL
“My family really are my biggest heroes, and they basically serve as the board members of my life, especially my mom and my incredible husband. I always say I’m a billionaire in love, and it’s true. They have all encouraged me to believe in the power of my dreams and to fight like hell to make them a reality.”
Image: Aisha Seay of Bold Photography

Laura Mills and Hillary Crittendon, founders of Brandshop
Laura: “Don’t sweat the small stuff. This applies in both life and career, but I think this is especially important for an entrepreneur. You weather a lot of ups and downs when starting a business, and I’ve found that being able to take an analytical rather than emotional view of any sort of setback has really helped me push forward.”
Hillary: “I’ve always found it is better to work together and collaborate than compete, especially in a world like retail, which can sometimes feel crowded. Many of the designers and creatives I greatly respect have taught me the validity of this suggestion through their example.”
Image: Piper Warlick Photography

Monica Kaufman Pearson, journalist
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Annette Joseph, photo stylist and lifestyle expert 
“Be present.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Anna Brumby of The Brumby Chair Company
“Don’t be afraid to do something unconventional and take a risk. Often times it produces the greatest rewards.”
Image: CatMax Photography

Jeanne Robertson, humorist and public speaker
“’You need to be yourself.’ I’ve made a living out of just being myself.”
Image: Piper Warlick Photography