Can One Be Successful Without a Super High GPA?

Hi,

So basically I'm just wondering how much my GPA will hold me back in terms of being successful AFTER I get my first job? Even though I have a lot of intellectual curiosity, ask good questions, read outside of class, my GPA is still very mediocre and I don't even go to a target school nor am I in a quantitative major of study (just finance). Somehow, something always goes wrong that turns my GPA lower than I would like, but at the same time I don't think that I'm a complete idiot either. My question is, given that so many people in finance these days are incredibly smart (summa cum laude from Wharton/Harvard with amazing ECs to back it up) can someone still be successful in this industry despite lacking academic pedigree and a super high GPA? If so, what must one do to makeup for these deficiencies? PS: by successful, I don't mean just megafund partner or something, but just a solid performer with a good reputation at his firm/with clients.