Experience is often valued because of the lessons prior jobs have theoretically provided us with. While hearing about those lessons isn’t a replacement for actually experiencing it, we thought it would be very helpful to create a space where sharp and generous members of the community can come together to share stories and lessons learned at prior jobs for the benefit of others.

Afton Johnson

I used to manage a tattoo studio. That’s where I say I got my ‘street degree’ from. I did go to college for a BA in Operations Management, but really everything I needed to know, I learned from managing the studio. I learned about SMART goals, breaking down a monthly goal for each artist, what they needed to make daily so we could meet our entire goal. I learned about maintaining supplies, doing supply orders, cutting costs where needed, trying to figure out the best price option for supplies Read more>>

Blair Mielke

I have learned that the number one most important thing in this industry is communication. This applies to your leaders, your work mates, your clients, and yourself! Communication and kindness ALL DAY LONG. Let me tell you why. Reflecting back on my time as a fresh, baby stylist I am reminded again and again at just how important it is for people to be heard. I think this is why managers of an older generation talk at you so much. They know that they know what is best and they know that you need to know it too. Read more>>

Melissa McIntosh

This question tends to get me every time because when I look back on the journey, it humbles me to know the many paths and obstacles it took to get to where I am today. For some who know, I currently work in the healthcare field. After a year of non-stop networking and putting my resume in many hands, I had finally landed my first job in my field. It was an exciting experience at the time. I remember getting the phone call from the recruiter asking me to come in for an interview. Read more>>

Lucy Hawk

Before I started working full time as an artist, I spent most of my life working in the service & hospitality industry. I spent many years working at a small bed and breakfast that prioritized providing authentic customer service. We spent a lot of time connecting with our guests, talking to them and getting to know them on a personal level. We would only make recommendations for activities that we would do ourselves, listening to what our guests were wanting and recommend accordingly. Read more>>

Becki McKenna

Before I moved to Florida I was an Event Manager and Wedding Planner. This required an overwhelmingly amount of attention to detail and making sure the client was taken care of. I spent months planning an event down to the minute of when the guests would be finished with their meals. Having this background has taught me how to be incredibly detailed with organizing a space and communicating with my clients on what their expectations are. Being a wedding planner was a much bigger event but just as important as making a house flow with purpose and function. Read more>>

Kim Folsom

It might sound cliche but as I’ve gotten older, I feel that I’ve gotten wiser. One of the most important lessons I’ve taken away from my 25+ years of experience is that there’s no such thing as failure, it’s learning and recognizing the lessons. You really have to learn from all experiences, good and bad, and then adjust accordingly. That’s the driving force behind the idea of perseverance. I recently gave the commencement speech at the City University of Seattle graduation ceremony with my underlying message about “persisting and pushing through.” Read more>>

Kimberly Williams

I technically started working at the tender age of 10. My title? “Mini-Manager” at my fathers establishment in Atlanta, GA. I was like his little shadow, following him around to absorb as much knowledge of the business as I could. For this reason I was able to receive both “front of house” and “back of house” training. Even at that age I understood the importance of providing exemplary customer service….to both internal and external customers. Read more>>

Jovi Champ

A valuable lesson I learned at a previous job was the importance of building strong relationships. I’m a big advocate for having open communication to ensure that everyone has a chance to share their opinions, ideas, complaints, questions, and feedback. But whether it’s with a professional colleague, friend, or family member, each relationship you build with another person adds another beam of support to what you’re building for yourself. Thankfully, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside some amazing colleagues – some of them have even become my close friends. Read more>>

Billy Mick

I worked with the entertainment creative team at Universal Studios in Orlando for a very long time. It was the perfect training ground! In theme park entertainment, it’s not “the show must go on” it’s “the show WILL go on” I have carried that with me everywhere! It’s great to be able to turn on a dime, and make a show happen. Also, I got to work on a lot of film shoots during my time there and learned how to really make stuff happen with nothing! Now when my husband and I do a music video, we oversee every aspect of it. I’m very thankful for my time at Universal, I am a better performer and more resourceful created because of it! Read more>>

Sandra Abi-Rashed

One thing I learned throughout my career was the importance of Making Things Personal. We seem to forget that the “What’s In It For Them?” is such a crucial element to rally people around a common goal. For Mentoro, a non-profit mentoring program originally launched in Montreal (with satellites in Miami and New York), having mentors and mentees embrace a larger purpose was key to having them feel part of a movement. We wanted to create a culture that reminded mentors and mentees that they are part of something bigger, focus on “We”. Read more>>

Emily James

Every job prepares you for the next. We are always learning and evolving. Several years ago, I was a caregiver. That job taught me to be gentle with people. I carried those lessons into my next job working in a call center. Everyone has struggles. Having empathy towards others is an important customer service skill. Things are never perfect in any job, but turning those struggles into lessons will help you in your next endeavor. All of my previous jobs prepared me to be a business owner by teaching me work ethic and tenacity. Read more>>

William Ingram

The most important lesson I have ever learned from a previous job is to never, ever have another “job”. I vowed to never exchange time for money again. Now, I understand that you will need to do things and spend time to create ways to make money but when you doing things you don’t want to do or spending time to get a paycheck from a company that is not yours, you are essentially wasting time and life. Read more>>

Ariel Paxton

As a creative, I feel like I’ve learned to wear so many hats. This can be a great thing especially if you are working freelance but sometimes doing it all can be stressful. I’ve heard the saying Jack of all trades, master of none. When I heard this saying I realized how important it was not to stretch yourself too thin. It’s exciting to work on more than one project and for someone people including me, it’s even more exciting to write it, produce it storyboard it, and animate it. However, you have to remember that you are not a machine. You need breaks, time to sleep, and a healthy work-life balance. Read more>>