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

Jon & Joel Flynn, Wall

I’m an Audio Engineer by trade and I used to run sound for concerts when I graduated from school. I learned quickly that the technical skills are important but your people skills and the way you interact with artists, management and fans is equally or more important. Read more>>

Becca Bloom

In the early part of my event planning career, I thought I had landed a dream job. A place where I could grow my skills and learn new things. I was so excited about what was next and the opportunities I was going to encounter. Read more>>

Liz Tran

During my formative years from age 15 to 20, I immersed myself in the craft of building McKenzie River drift boats in a logging-centric town nestled between two rivers in Western Oregon. Every aspect of the process became second nature to me: Read more>>

Jiabin Li

In the design and production of the idea is certainly important, but there is no perfect idea, sometimes in the absence of ideas when you can try to produce the first to design the physical basis for the development of the secondary design, to be more efficient than the empty thought of the perfect design in the process, to be much faster! Read more>>

Aaron Gross

Stellar food and beverage programs are vital, but hospitality is the key and Customers are number 1, take time talk to your guests and when the opportunity arises get to know them personally, it really makes a difference. Read more>>

Saskia Christian

The most important lesson and experience that I had in a prior job was the realization of the significance of my own talents and gifts. I was repeatedly told by a few leaders that I possessed remarkable resilience attributes, but I didn’t fully understand the magnitude of this statement until I transitioned into a completely different work environment. Read more>>

Madeline Miller

Many years ago, I wanted to leave a role I had been in for several years, working tirelessly and continuously having to teach myself the industry ropes. Read more>>

Andrew Pickens

Before being a successful full-time international musician, Dru worked a 9-5 corporate job in the hospitality and healthcare fields. While joggling his corporate jobs he was also a Worship Leader/ Worship Director at Lifegate Church (Kansas City, Mo.) Read more>>

Skylar Zhang

I’m always learning from the projects I work on and the talented filmmakers I work with. Unlike other regular full-time jobs, the nature of our work requires us to constantly meet and work with new people and personalities. It could be challenging to find your place and easy to doubt yourself. Read more>>

Dr. Kelsey Knight

The most important lesson I have learned so far is that it’s up to you to make your dreams a reality. As long as you stay focused and work hard, you can be successful. Read more>>

Leigh Anne McGill

The most important lesson I learned on a prior job was not to take peoples behaviors personal. I worked at a dentist office and the dentist would become irrate when things didn’t go how he wanted. Read more>>

Eric Nehrlich

Early in my time at Google, I was struggling because I was working 8am to midnight most days (including weekends) but not having the impact I wanted to have. Most of the successful people around me were doing the same. Read more>>

Patryk Piekarczyk

Out of grad school I accepted a job at a big box gym. I was earning $10 an hour out of grad school. I know most people would’ve considered that to not be a good opportunity but the experience I gained from that job helped with my career and business going forward. Read more>>

Louis Anderman

I consider myself a refugee from the film industry, and one lesson I learned there that I still take to heart is that a quick no is always better than a protracted maybe. I occasionally get approached for custom projects; Read more>>

Tony Henson

The most important lesson from any job I’ve had that has helped me as a professional artist was working in tobacco from age 9 to 18 years of age. Read more>>

 Gillian Crippen

I worked for a successful photographer in Tampa Bay and he was very professional with each gig he had. He showed up early every time and focused on the client’s needs throughout the process. Read more>>