Success was established in 1897 by Orison Swett Marden as a way to promote "New Thought Philosophy", which taught positive thinking, life skills, and discipline.

[2] During its early years, Success contained literary contributions of several notable New Thought writers such as Napoleon Hill, Samuel Merwin and W. Clement Stone.

In 1954, the influential American businessman, philanthropist, and self-help writer W. Clement Stone launched the magazine Success Unlimited in collaboration with Napoleon Hill.

Contributors to the magazine included Norman Vincent Peale, Napoleon Hill, Harold Sherman, Preston Bradley, and Ben Sweetland.

In words of the Executive Editor, Og Mandino, the magazine sought to inform its readers how to become a "whole person - not just wealthy, but also healthy, happy and wise.