Jennifer Hudson is an award-winning singer and actor. She has won two Grammys, an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her work on Dreamgirls, The Color Purple, and her self-titled album.

In one big room full of entrepreneurial, creative, badass women in Chicago, J.Hud ignited the fire in our bellies with her real-talk advice on business, personal growth, and more:

“If it’s not worth working hard for, it’s not worth it at all.”

“There’s no set formula for success. Success to me is what you love and what YOU value.”

Michelle Lee is the Editor in Chief of Allure. Since taking the helm in 2015, she has transformed Allureinto an innovative, multi-faceted brand that champions diversity and challenges old-fashioned beautystandards.