I believe in the power of stories, and as the founder of a storytelling company, I have one too.

I began my career as a graphic designer and motion graphics creative, but over time, I felt disconnected, spending more time behind a screen than with people. I knew I wasn’t tapping into my full potential. My passion for creativity and innovation was calling me to something greater. Eventually, I became a creative director, working with global corporations across branding, marketing, and sales over the span of 20 years.

Then, life changed. My sister suffered a severe mental health crisis that left her with brain damage and in a vegetative state for four years. That experience shattered me. We endured emotional devastation and financial collapse while desperately trying to save her. I went into isolation, practicing yoga to manage my grief, and put my life on hold to help my parents. I even started a small organization to support people with neurological disabilities, raising funds and awareness for our family and others. But when my sister passed, I knew I had to live differently. I shut down the organization and began seeking a new path.

I took a leap of faith, moved to New York City, and launched a fashion brand. But I quickly realized two things: I needed to learn business, and the fashion world didn’t align with my values—it felt empty, without purpose.

Around that time, I became surrounded by friends who were life coaches, and I fell in love with the personal development world. It taught me emotional intelligence and helped me grow. Then, by a stroke of luck, I landed a role as a Producer for Netflix. It was a game-changer. Being immersed in stories and witnessing the power of bold, high-impact marketing inspired me deeply.

After my contract ended in 2018, I moved to Paris and explored the startup ecosystem, networking at Station F and interviewing entrepreneurs. That’s when “Successfully” was born—as a podcast and marketplace showcasing entrepreneurial journeys in a celebrity-style format. Being an art lover I kept visiting book stores, and I dreamed of creating a photography book featuring real, remarkable people, not just the famous. But then the pandemic hit. I found myself locked down in Paris, alone, like so many others, and was forced to reflect deeply. Eventually, I returned to the U.S.

Determined to focus on purpose, I spent a year studying sustainability and corporate responsibility through London Business School online, and completed certifications in social change through Penn State. I also became a certified Executive Coach. While I wasn’t ready to give up on Successfully, I needed stability and a career path that aligned with my mission.

In 2022, I tested my idea and launched a photography book featuring powerful life stories from people around the world. I created my own marketing campaign, and people were signing up, people from New Zealand, Switzerland, NYC, Singapore, Brasil, and other countries. I coached each person personally, combining my background in production, creative direction, and executive coaching to bring their stories to life. I even surprised them by featuring their faces on billboards in NYC—on my own dime. It was my way of creating the kind of bold campaigns I once built for Netflix, but this time, with my mission, and for real people.

In 2023, I became a Business Advisor for Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses program—another pivotal moment. I learned how to grow businesses from the inside out, across all industries. It gave me the confidence, education, and language to scale Successfully with strategy and purpose.

What I love about Successfully is that it’s not just another feature magazine that labels people as successful.
It’s a platform to celebrate life—and the often-overlooked aspects of people’s journeys that we rarely get to hear. It blends the power of PR and marketing with purpose, creativity, and a deep commitment to personal development.

To me, it brings together everything I’ve learned throughout my career. It may not be for everyone, but based on the conversations and feedback I’ve received, there is a real market for people like me, those who value authenticity, depth, and meaningful storytelling.

I've had to start over many times. I’ve sacrificed everything to fund this company myself. I've missed out on other paths in life, including starting a family. But like most entrepreneurs, this work is deeply personal to me. Today, I finally feel ready—ready to grow Successfully into a serious, competitive, mission-driven company. I’m seeking the right partners, team members, and funding to take it to the next level.

The years of searching weren’t wasted—they were divinely orchestrated to prepare me for this. I know that what we’ve created is unlike anything out there. Our stories are real. Our people are extraordinary. And it’s time to let them shine.

With love,
Lizet Zayas