All of us are where we are today partly because of our own efforts and partly because of the advice, guidance, influence and inspiration provided by others. At Voyage we have the good fortune of connecting with so many of the city’s hidden gems – from entrepreneurs and creatives to athletes, researchers and more. We asked them a simple, but important question: what is the best advice, personal or professional, that you’ve ever received?
Cecily Maurae – Freelance Model & Activist
The best advice I’ve received can be applied both professionally and personally: Fail and fail fast. When I first heard this I thought, “Why would I try to fail? My goal is to succeed!” My perfectionist heart wept at the thought of failing! I have since learned that failure is necessary in order to succeed. Every failure or mistake we make, whether it be a failed relationship or a failed business endeavor, is an opportunity to learn and grow. The important part is that we fail quickly so that we learn what does and doesn’t work for us soon enough to adjust our behaviors. I can’t count how many times I’ve failed, but I can tell you: my heart is no longer perfectionistic. My heart is open to failure and responds with love and determination to better myself every day.
instagram.com/cessiguess
cecilymaurae@gmail.com
Bookmans
“Arrive on time and be ready to engage with the day.” It’s always worked for me!
Rob Vega – photographer and entrepreneurs
This is the best advice I’ve ever heard, from Denzel Washington, “At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about what you’ve done with those accomplishments. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.”
Erin Green – Natural light family and portrait photographer
There are 2 pieces of advice that have helped me the most as a business person and a creative: 1 – always avoid comparing yourself to others as each person has a different vision and is at a different point in their path; and 2 – the most meaningful and cherished photographs show connection and emotion, not perfection.
eringreenphotography.com
instagram.com/eringreen_photography
facebook.com/eringreenphotography
Christine Cuenca – Physical Therapist
The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is purpose! It is great to wake up each day knowing you have a purpose. It is either making my patients achieve their short term/long term goals with their rehab at work, making it a goal for myself to lift /squat heavier at the gym, or looking forward to head on a new adventure / hike on weekends. It makes all the difference and better meaning to thrive in life.
Jesse Csincsak – Retired pro snowboarder, Winter Olympics Host and Winner of season 4 of ABCs the bachelorette
Nothing really good nor really bad lasts for very long find that happy medium.
ArizonaHomeCheck.com
@JesseCsincsak
facebook.com/JesseCsincsak
Pete Carreno – Tattoo Artist
Find what you love to do and do it for a living, that way you will never work a day in your life.
Instagram – PETE CARRENO
carrenobookings@gmail.com
Maura Kirby – Angel Intuitive & Reiki Master
The best advice I have received is to live life as my authentic self and align with my inner truths. By doing so, I found the courage to stand outside the norms of society and follow my heart when establishing Grace Labyrinth Wellness Center. Initially, I hesitated to publicly express myself as an Angel Intuitive with my Reiki work. I feared judgment from others and what the world would think of me. I then chose to embrace my fears with compassion and grace. And I am now so blessed to support others through Angelic guidance and Reiki healing as they connect with their true selves.
gracelabyrinth.com
instagram.com/gracelabyrinth
Tay – College student trying to find my way through social media and my friends
The best advice I have ever gotten is to treat people with the upmost kindness and respect. No matter what race, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, we are all people, and we all deserve to be respected and treated with kindness.
Ashley Merkel – Speech-Language Pathologist & Adventure Blogger
The best advice I’ve received, which has been reoccurring throughout my life, is that you don’t need to take a straight path to get from point A to point B. In fact, if you meander a bit, you’ll probably end up with a lot more opportunities for learning and adventure along the way.
ashinthewild.com
@ashinthewild
Blake Williams – professional photographer
Taking pictures for many years I’ve come a crossed some awesome constructive criticism and advice handed to me but to be completely honest if I were to say the best advice I’ve gotten thus far would have to be just to keep doing what I’m doing as long as it’s what I love to do. Because when you’re doing what you love it’s not work!
@blakewilliamsphotos.com
@blakewilliamsphotos
Abria Reece – Model | Makeup Artist | Vegan | Activist
Some great advice I’ve received is never conform to other peoples expectations or ideas of you!
Straight 928
Debbie McKee – Eclectic Visions
We would have to say the best advice we have received would be “Don’t forget where you come from,” because that is the reason behind what we do any why we represent the 928 area code and the amazing state of Arizona.
instagram.com/straight928
facebook.com/straight928
Megan Bursey – Writer
The best advice I’ve received is to do what makes you happy. After that, everything else will fall into place. It’s important to realise we are free to delight in the present and let go of the past. Creating a life we want for ourselves is slow and deliberate process.
Joncie (JD) Dilworth -Entrepreneur
The best advice … “ Do what others won’t so you can have what others don’t!”
@jd_barba
facebook.com/jdbarba1
jdbarba.setmore.com
Kimsey – The Bubble Tap Trailer, Arizona Owner
In business, admit to your mistakes and do so with confidence, not apologetically. With each failure, it means you’re that much closer to success.
taptrailerco.com
instagram.com/bubbletapphoenix
facebook.com/bubbletaptraileraz
linkedin.com/company/12987016/admin
Alyssa Wagner-Doetsch- Photographer
The best piece of professional advice I’ve ever received is to never give in to fear. Everything we want to accomplish is just on the other side of fear, and I’m learning how to overcome my fears a little more every day.
@alyssareinephoto
facebook.com/alyssareinephoto
alyssareinephotography.com
Papago Archery Association – A club made up of families and individuals who enjoy the sport of Archery
The best advice I’ve received is ‘Always be training your replacement’.
PapagoArchery.com
facebook.com/PapagoArcheryPhoenix
