By M.Michelle | February 19, 2025

Success On Your Terms

Don't be afraid to forge your own path

What does it mean to create your own path?

For some, it’s about chasing a dream despite the odds. For others, it’s about learning to listen to their intuition when the world tells them otherwise. The truth is, every journey is unique, and success isn’t a one-size-fits-all destination.


If you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or visionary struggling to reconcile your dreams with the reality of where you are, know this: Your path is yours to create. Let me take you through my journey—not just to tell my story, but to show you how defiance, determination, and trusting the process can help you define success on your own terms.

  1. The Courage to Forge Your Own Path

In 2011, I was at a crossroads. My intuition kept whispering, There’s more for you than this. It was a message I could no longer ignore. On New Year’s Eve, I packed my car and set out for Charleston, South Carolina—a city I’d never lived in, for a dream I wasn’t sure I’d reach.

There was no job waiting for me, no roadmap, just an acceptance to a local film program and a dream to hold on to. It was terrifying, but here’s what I’ve learned: forging your path often means doing it scared. The greatest opportunities don’t come wrapped in comfort.

What dream are you holding back on because it feels too big, too scary or too uncertain?

  1. Define Success For Yourself

Like many of you, I had an idea of what success was supposed to look like. For me, it was getting into a top-tier film school, graduating with flying colors, and making my way to LA to work on major sets. But life had other plans.

I withdrew from film school after a year because I couldn’t juggle work and a demanding program. On paper, it looked like failure. But my intuition reminded me that success wasn’t about following someone else’s script—it was about writing my own.

I stayed in Charleston, learned from mentors, and eventually pulled together a team to make my first short film. The process wasn’t glamorous. We faced challenges like casting changes and rewriting scenes on set. But here’s what mattered: I made it happen. That project taught me that success isn’t a straight line. It’s a series of pivots, rewrites, and lessons that ultimately lead you to where you’re meant to be.

Success doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s story. What’s your definition of success?

  1. Building a Brand on Authenticity

As creatives, we’re constantly faced with the pressure to emulate what’s already working. But here’s the thing: just like your path, your brand has to be uniquely you.

My journey to becoming a filmmaker and entrepreneur wasn’t traditional. I didn’t finish film school or work on Hollywood sets, but I’ve built a brand rooted in my authenticity, my vision, and my story. That’s what resonates with audiences—whether you’re building a business, sharing a story, or connecting with clients. Authenticity is the bridge between your dream and the people you’re meant to reach.

What’s the story behind your brand? How can you use it to connect with your audience in a meaningful way?

  1. Trust The Process

I won’t sugarcoat it: the process of forging your own path is messy. You’ll face doubt, fear, and failure. But those moments don’t define you—how you respond to them does.

For me, trusting the process meant learning that my journey wouldn’t look like anyone else’s. It meant understanding that the dream evolves as you do. And it meant embracing the idea that every setback is a setup for something greater.

Today, I’m living proof that you don’t need to check every box to succeed. You just need to believe in your dream, define success for yourself, and stay committed to the process.

What’s one step you can take today to trust your process and move closer to your goals?

Your Journey, Your Brand, Your Story

The beauty of forging your own path is that it teaches you how to lead with authenticity. It shows you how to build something uniquely yours, whether it’s a brand, a business, or a dream you’ve carried for years.

If there’s one thing I want you to take away, it’s this: Define success for yourself. Trust your intuition, lean into your story, and let your path unfold.

Are you ready to forge your path and build a brand that connects? Let’s make it happen—together.