Helping more people thrive doing what they love or are passionate about means helping more folks learn from those who came before them and so we asked successful entrepreneurs, artists and creatives to tell us what they would do differently, knowing what they know now, if they were starting over.

Nikki O’Leary

After receiving my MFA in Photography in Boston, I began my journey as a professional photographer in Chicago with little local network. My goal was to teach, but I soon realized how difficult it was to land a position as an adjunct in a new city without a community. I was open to any work within the photo industry, but found it difficult to find a job that paid well enough to sustain me. Read more>>

Devon Moon

If I was starting everything over today from scratch I’d definitely have to start building my business credit ASAP. Instead of using my own money to fund and grow my business, I would invest in credit to get access to business loans, credit cards, etc. for marketing and business development. Building relationships with your banks and vendors is important for the long run. Read more>>

Dannika Stevenson

If there’s one thing I would change about SIPSAVORSOUL, it would be registering it as a 501c3 organization. When SIPSAVORSOUL was initially established, I offered catering services, and the meaning of my business symbolized putting my soul into every sip and savor I created. At that time, I was working as a community health worker and catering on the side, which was rewarding and profitable. Read more>>

Eli Meir Kaplan

I was just talking about this with a colleague the other day. If I were to start over I would go for it sooner. I spent a lot of time delaying pursuing photography and directing because I was too scared and lacked the confidence. Knowing what I know now I would have gone straight for my dream job sooner and worked extremely hard earlier event though success wasn’t a guarantee. Life moves fast. Read more>>

Tanya Hayles

If I was starting over (if we’re talking about my pre-pandemic business) – I would be louder about shouting my accomplishments from the rooftops. Years later, I am behind the folks who put themselves out there, didn’t have a closed-off Instagram account and didn’t always remind people of the amazing work that was doing. You are only as good as the receipts that people can see. Read more>>

Moonk Foonk

As an artist, if I knew what I knew back then, I would have been creating content, a YouTube channel, making products, selling stickers, and everything you can imagine an artist could do. I would have done what I did now and started small. Years ago, when I realized I didn’t want to be a Nurse Anesthetist anymore, I felt a little lost in the art world. Read more>>

Royal Dean

If I were to start over, complete reset and still know everything I know now, here’s what I would do differently: Read more>>

Dain Kim

If I were to start over today, there are several things I would definitely do differently to streamline my path to where I am now, and to do it with less time and capital. If I were to start over today, there are several things I would definitely do differently to streamline my path to where I am now, and to do it with less time and capital. Read more>>

SIX

If I were to start over today and do things differently,I would slow down and focus on building a strong foundation to build on. When I reflect on my thought process originally,I was very naive to the amount of effort it would take to truly attain my goals. I would’ve turned down a lot more opportunities that I committed to for pure financial reasons. Read more>>

Dom Davis

I did a lot of boot strapping and before I did research. I start doing a lot of research once I needed more capital and I should have done the research to start. Read more>>

Mark Broe

If I were starting my career over, there are three main things I would do differently to fast-track growth. First, I would choose a specialty to focus on from the beginning. In school I studied Media Production which gave me a well-rounded education in many different elements of the filmmaking process. Read more>>

Jasmin Smith

If I were starting over, I would write everything down. Read more>>

Jason Nelson

I would start off at the same starting off point cause I shoot with Lee .He really kinda got me to get out of my shell and he also got me my first publishing and I would say just being pushing from there I would push more and be myself a lot more then what I tryed to be for a lot of these days wanting to try somthing I think I would find a place to where I could make it possible Read more>>