We asked some brilliant entrepreneurs, artists and creatives to reflect on lessons they’ve learned at prior jobs. We’ve shared highlights below.

Laura Madden

You don’t have to do just one thing! I’m an actor in education and trade so I went to New York and did the bartending-at-night-audition-during-the-day grind for about as long as I possibly could. Read more>>

Gabriel Pons

Before I became a full-time artist, I worked in the architecture profession and during those years, I had gained experience working with a variety of different trades (building contractors, engineers, interior designers) as well as different personality types. Read more>>

Mark Montoya

As a former giftware developer it was critical to ensure the sales force understand the background of the design direction.Staying ahead of trends was important. Read more>>

Lily Marroquin

I’m from El Salvador and before I got into the Film and TV industry, I was a journalist. In fact, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being one! But my time in that sector taught me that authenticity Read more>>

Nicole Woodford-Shell

Before I opened my business, I had been a registered nurse for 8 years, and it was a very important aspect of who I felt I was at the time. Read more>>

Branndi Lewis

Before I ventured into a career as a freelance creative, I worked as a full-time teacher in a public performing arts high school. At the time, I whole-heartedly believed that I had the most ideal job. Read more>>

Adam Schmitt

Most of the moments that inform my career as a physician come from the years of training. In addition to all the practical knowledge that is imparted during internship, residency, and fellowship, there are many emotional, moral, and socially formative moments along the way. Read more>>

Marie McKenzie

Years ago while working in the ED I was assigned a sexual assault victim. She had been assigned to another nurse who refused the assignment, so she was moved to one of my assigned rooms. Read more>>

Tifani Bogue

One important lesson that I’ve learned in a prior job would be to push past frustration and tiredness to get things done but doing it right. Read more>>

Devon Duerr

I learned the importance of structure and discipline both when creating and when taking care of basic business tasks. I graduated with my degree in Accounting and Business Administration and was Small Business Consulting Sole Proprietor for 16 years before I stepped away from that work and became a full time Spiritual Teacher. Read more>>

Chantilly Bronxville

Since a very young age, I have always worked. Not because I needed to work when I was 16, but because I liked it. I started off with odd jobs here and there and a lot of volunteering. Read more>>

Elitia Mattox and Cullen Mattox

We created what we wished existed. We were dating, we had unhealthy workplaces, and work cultures and we were navigating difficult family relationships. Read more>>

Andrew Bennett

As a young photographer, one of my mentors gave me an amazing piece of advice on how to evaluate what projects to pursue, and whether it’s ever worth it to work for free. Read more>>