Is there ever a “right” time to start a creative career? Our goal has always been help people pursuing their passion. Helping those people often means helping them think through important decisions such as when to start, when to take the leap. Below, you’ll find our conversations with successful creatives reflecting back on when they had to decide whether to start or wait.

Amber Nicolle

I began my creative journey in my mid-20s. At that point, I had already experienced some life milestones—graduation, early career roles, and a period of self-discovery. My life was stable enough to take risks, yet still open to exploring new paths. This timing allowed me to bring a fresh perspective to my creative work, drawing on both youthful energy and the lessons learned from my earlier experiences. Read more>>

Andrea Maw

I started painting in earnest quite recently, at this later stage of my life, in my early sixties. It had been a very long time coming before I could fulfill my dream to be a full-time artist. I was given a strong foundation for artistic expression. My mother, who had an innate talent, and strong interest in fine art painting always had a canvas on the go over in the ‘self taught’ aisle. Mum’s time in her studio was evenings when four children and the family business had been put to bed.  Read more>>

Dan Mcardle

I would have loved to have started this creative journey several years ago. But looking back, I think the timing was exactly as it needed to be. The idea for launching a podcast began to creep into my thinking about 7 years ago. I enjoyed listening to various shows; I finally understood the “escape” of a great podcast. Up until that point, I had largely ignored the medium. Read more>>

Emily Zuzik

Given the perspective of life and wisdom, I would have definitely pursued creative work earlier in life. While I did begin the “work” of a creative career in my early teens, I never took the leap to bring it to people or get feedback from professionals. I would have had to find an adult support that could have helped me find the opportunities and get me there. I should have trusted the hustle and the talent more in myself instead of trying to find the “real job” fit to make it work. Read more>>

Jon-mykul Bowen

Sometimes I do wish I started a little earlier. For a little backstory, I didn’t start training and acting on a professional level until I was 16. I’ve learnt theater before but only with my school’s drama club. At the time, I was still toying with doing a science career or law career versus a performing arts one. I had a few choice meetings and realizations, and made the decision at the last possible moment in my high school journey to switch career tracks. Read more>>

Lynsey West

I’ve always been drawn to creative work, but I wouldn’t change the timing of when I decided to take painting seriously. For as long as I can remember, creativity has been a part of my life. However, the decision to pursue painting as more than just a hobby came at the perfect moment. Life-wise, I had been a stay-at-home mom for several years, raising my four children, including a set of triplets. Those years were incredibly fulfilling, but as my kids grew and the youngest started kindergarten, I found myself with more time and the right environment to focus on my art.  Read more>>

Manuela Dalle

I worked as a filmmaker for 20 years. I just finished my last documentary about a group of incarcerated people who dance in a high security prison. I’m super happy with this film and I will continue to accompany it across the country with special screenings followed by QnA, but since 2 years, I developed a ceramics activity and I’m blessed I found this activity. I feel like as if I was born for it. Read more>>

Michelle Navajas

Reflecting on my creative journey, I wouldn’t change a thing. Yes, I ventured into the world of writing later than most might expect—priorities and life’s twists and turns led me on a different path initially. But I’ve never regretted that delay. I truly believe that there’s a perfect time for everything, even if it means waiting a bit longer for the right moment. Read more>>

Mlou Del Rosario

I’ve been drawing ever since I learned how to use a crayon. I’ve been selling art on-and-off since I was in high school, maybe starting around 2012/2013. I would sell at local artwalks with my brother, who is also an artist. In college, I would make things here and there and was able to participate in campus art shows. But, it wasn’t until the most recent year or so where I’ve really started to be more intentional and consistent with my art endeavors as a profession. Read more>>

Nathaly Sánchez Angulo

Thinking back, I had would like to start my career as an artist and graphic designer soon, when I finished my career at the university I started working in an engineering company, the reality is that it was difficult for me to find a job as a graphic designer in that time so my experience as a designer does not have a good start, then with some years later I start to think in all I really like to do, and one of those things is paint, I like art since at university and then I bought some canvas, brushes and acrylics, so I painted some little works of art, and with the time I discovered the true answer, my real passion, have own artist brand, and start to work as a graphic artist with my paintings. Read more>>

Poetree Paige

Although media has changed drastically through the years, I wish I had started in my craft at an early age. I would have had more practice, thus being more skilled, and most likely had better opportunities. I felt (and still feel) like I always had the talent but don’t know how to get it out. Since I never had much finances or support, I have always found out and done everything on my own. It has been difficult navigating technology when I’m not used to it. Young children using it to their advantage has been an inspiration. Read more>>

Shekina Foster

I wish I had started it sooner. I was my own biggest hurdle and setback for a number of years although my father gave me the courage needed to do it. I lacked the confidence at a younger age to start this journey. Although I am Grateful that I started when I did, knowing the things I have experienced and lessons that I know now I would have chosen differently. I would have gained understanding and experience with life lessons that would have played huge impact in where my path is now. It would have helped my style and develop my sound more. So ultimately just go for it. Read more>>

Todd Saal

To be honest, I never really thought about it. I’m always searching for things that keep me interested and engaged. I can tend to get bored with things after a while. It’s probably why I was in the tech industry for over 20 years. There was always something new to learn. Things constantly changed and evolved. I created my own software company. Which gave me the opportunity to provide solutions in various industries. While I truly appreciated the financial rewards, the cumulative stress and health issues that started to arise and made me start to rethink the things that I really valued. So, life balance started to become a priority. Read more>>

Venus Sol

I only started taking my singing and music career seriously starting the beginning of this year 2024. I’ve always been interested in performing arts since I was in elementary school. I was in my school plays, drama club, choir, dance classes, and anything else I could try but I mostly joined groups revolved around music. I wrote my first full song with accompaniment in middle school in one of my after school music groups. It was about not falling into peer pressure and being an individual and my instructor came up with the guitar piece. It was such a cute song that I still sing 10 years later, I truly wish I had put myself out there then. Read more>>

Vincent Juarez

If I was able to go back in time, I would have started my “ career” a lot sooner. Being a creative artist is something that is always part of your life, so it was always apart of mine. It was never in my mind to make a career out of it until I had kids. I would make custom clothes for myself and it wasn’t till I had kids I started making clothes for them. That was the moment where I told myself that I can make a career out of this. At that time in my life I was working labor intensive jobs, mostly construction. I believe if I would’ve started sooner, I would’ve had the experience that I desire but like we all know experience only comes with time. Read more>>

Zeke Bleu

Reflecting on my journey, I do wish I had started my creative career a bit earlier. I often think about how much further along I might be if I had begun sooner. However, I also firmly believe that everything in life happens for a reason, and my path has shaped me into who I am today. My foray into music began in the sixth grade. I was quite young and had limited knowledge, but I was eager to learn and absorb everything my older sister taught me. If I had started my music career even earlier, say in high school, I might have bypassed the uncertainty of figuring out my path while waiting for my music career to take off. By the time I graduated, I could have already been deeply immersed in the career I had always dreamed of. Read more>>