Redefining Winning: Success Defined by Slow Living

By Jenna Prieto

Founder of Mossy Turtle Skincare

A few years ago, I believed winning looked a certain way. It meant visibility, revenue milestones, and being invited into rooms that did not always make space for women like me. Success felt nearly impossible. It was measured by numbers, titles, and how often my work was seen or praised. I thought if I could just reach the next milestone, I would finally feel secure. Instead, I often felt stretched thin, disconnected, and exhausted by the constant need to prove myself.

Today, winning looks radically different, and far more sustainable. Success now means to me building something that supports my life instead of consuming it. It means clarity over chaos, alignment over applause, and consistency over the never-ending grind. I am an entrepreneur and creator who has built my business through seasons of uncertainty, reinvention, and quiet perseverance. What changed most was not my ambition, but my definition of victory. I no longer chase every opportunity placed in front of me. I prefer the slow lifestyle- waking up in the morning with my daughter and not immediately rushing anywhere- just enjoying a day in the garden with my family. Now I choose the opportunities that are built for long term growth rather than short term validation.

One of the most defining moments in my journey came through loss. A business I worked for and deeply believed in eventually let me go. At the time, it felt devastating. I had invested not just my time, but my identity into a version of success that was no longer working. Letting it go felt like admitting defeat. In reality, it was the beginning of something more honest.

That failure forced me to rebuild from the ground up. It stripped away ego and exposed what I actually wanted. I realized I valued creative freedom, meaningful impact, and work that felt aligned with my values, even on difficult days. The loss gave me discernment. It taught me resilience. Most importantly, it deepened my trust in myself. Without that experience, I likely would have stayed stuck chasing someone else’s definition of winning, even as it drained me.

Perseverance, for me, is no longer about grinding harder or pushing past every limit. It is about staying present through uncertainty and continuing to show up even when progress feels slow or invisible. It is choosing patience when momentum is quiet and courage when the next step is unclear. This mindset has allowed me to build a business that grows through intention, strategy, and community rather than burnout and urgency.

I have learned that sustainable success is rarely obvious. Often, it is built in the unseen moments. The days when you choose to keep going without applause.

The seasons when growth is internal before the world sees it. That kind of success lasts because it is rooted in alignment rather than pressure.

Most importantly, I try to model permission. I give myself permission to grow and change. Permission to change my mind. Permission to outgrow goals that once felt right. I believe deeply that we are allowed to win quietly, slowly, and on our own timelines. When people see success represented in more than one way, they begin to design lives and careers that actually fit them.

Winning no longer feels like something I have to chase. It feels like something I am actively creating, one aligned decision at a time.

Connect With Jenna

www.mossyturtleskincare.com

Instagram: @MossyTurtleSkincare

TikTok: @MossyTurtleSkincare