Self employed artists, question on success mileposts please

Hello, I need some advice from established freelancer/self-employed peeps here on how to best answer this.
“Provide three events that indicate that your business is on the path to success”
Would it be repeated employment, brand name clients? Long term contract or a steady influx of revenue?

What told you that you were on the right path, when it came to freelancing/3D modelling?

I’m thinking of going fully into this field and am doing some research.

Thank you