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

Donald Gialanella

After a decade-long career as an Emmy winning Network TV graphics producer in New York City, I made the decision to quit my job and pursue a life I was passionate about – being a sculptor. Read more>>

Bee

At my first salon job, I started while I was still in cosmetology school. So I was a “apprentice” , and had to essentially clean up the salon, shampoo guests while the stylists ate lunch, do laundry, you know. After I graduated, I was promised a growing career, and started taking guests one day a week until that day was booked out for a few weeks – and would continue to apprentice the other days until then. But the catch was, that they didn’t go into detail about, was that every guest I had come into my chair was going to have to be someone that I personally brought to the salon. Read more>>

Brianna Gaynor

I have learned that the job of a leader is not to be served, but to be the biggest servant. Prior to starting my business, I worked with a few business owners. At times I struggled with being spoken to in a negative manner or given work I felt overwhelmed and ill-equipped to handle. Read more>>

Natalie McRae

My former career was in fashion, I started and ran a kid’s clothing brand for four and a half years. It started as a hobby but quickly became a full-time job, and as a one-woman-show it took a lot from me. In 2020 I decided to close that business and pursue a career in fitness, it was the best decision I ever made. Read more>>

Sharda Ferrell

As a creative, it’s important not to put limits on what you can do. Early on in my creative projects, I would put myself in a box. For example, I would say I’m a portrait artist. I only do portraits or I’m a YA author. I only write young adult stories. I’ve grown as a person and creative by doing things that I was once uncomfortable with doing. Read more>>

Angela Winston

I’ve had many jobs in many different industries, because I always got bored and wanted to try something new. My parents always came down on me for this, because in their generation, you got a job and stuck with it for decades to move up in that one industry. I just couldn’t find an industry or type of work I really loved. Because of moving around to different jobs/industries, I learned a ton of different skills from many different people that has helped me get to where I am today. Read more>>