Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2017 64 S uccess is a very subjective term. By definition, success is the accomplishment of an aim or a goal and it doesn't mean exactly the same thing to everyone. Not knowing what success in your life looks like can make the process of becoming successful even more challenging. I asked a cross section of community leaders, business leaders, family and friends all from different walks of life and in various stages of their growth process "what does success look like to them" Here were their insights. "I measure success in three ways. First and foremost, how do you perceive yourself? Are you content with your progress professionally and personally? Secondarily, how does your family perceive you? Kids, spouse, parents, etc... Are you respected and loved within your family? Finally, how does the rest of the world view you? Are you seen as a person of integrity and high moral fiber? Do others want to be around you because of your positive energy?"— Jeremy Grunin, Grunin Holdings "Success is the Journey and the many people you are able to take for the ride. There is a reason you never really know when you have arrived." — Kenneth J. Malagiere, Owner, Narcissus Florist "In order to succeed in life you must first start with a dream(s), establish your goals and don't stop until you achieve them. You also need to celebrate your successes. For me…. Success is knowing that I have contributed to making the world, our community a better place. I do this by supporting our most vulnerable, the children. Believing in them and helping them to develop their dreams and achieve their goals. There is nothing greater than seeing the look on a child's face of accomplishment and self-confidence!" — Sue Sedivec, CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters "Success is a two-way mirror, because I measure success of myself differently, than another person looking at me. My success is measured by a comfortable living, supporting my family and having the ability to give back; whereas an observer may recognize my success by my name in the paper, an award I received or a recipient of a donation I made. Collectively, success is an achievement of the betterment of life!" — Phil Brilliant, Owner- Brilliant Environmental "I think success is in knowing why you are doing something. Not just getting it done." — David W. "I define success as doing what you are passionate about and making positive change to the world around you." — Julie Wolff, M.ED., BCBA Behavior Specialist, Howell High School "Success is defined in so many ways. For me success is measured by the feeling of accomplishment that comes from within. A job well done is success. Success is not measured by wealth or cars or possessions or power. Success is helping a child choose a successful career path. Success is watching parents burst with pride on graduation day because their child has met with success and in some small way I had a part in that. Success is the joy you see in others because you did something to help them succeed." — Nancy Weber-Loeffert, Vice Superintendent OC Vocational Technical Schools "Success to me has always been an ability to provide for my family, meet all of our "needs," while also providing a few of our "wants." Being able to do this in a career that is very fulfilling, most of the time, is an added bonus." — Jonathon Petro, Attorney "Success is achieving the goals that I have set for myself and never allowing failure to negatively impact my progress. I think success is hard work, rarely does it come easy!" — Nisha Wolff, Executive Director- NYC "Success, to me, is being able to wake up every day and do what I love to do. Some days, that is lead a Chamber of Commerce event. Others, it is snuggling with my family. It could be volunteering, crunching numbers, or meeting new people. When I say "yes" to something, it is out of joy, and to me, there is no higher form of success than that." — Noelle Carino, CEO Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce "Anyone who has happiness in life has success." — Lori Hall, Mom and Manager- Tuscany's Thank you to everyone who offered their personal insights on what success looks like to them. S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T RO WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS? Ralph E. Wolff , PSA

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