Everyday, somewhere, there is an aspiring artist or creative daydreaming about pursing their creative career full time. Everyday, there are countless creatives thinking about whether to pursue their passion more seriously and so we wanted to hear from folks who’ve made the leap. We asked them to reflect on if they wish they had started sooner or if they feel they would have been better off if they had waited a bit longer.

Liana George | Fiction Author

Most definitely! Every since I was a little girl I dreamed of being a writer and published author. I pursued it passionately in high school and even started out as a journalism major in college. However, fear and imposter syndrome wrapped their spiny tendrils around my heart and mind and I left my writing dreams behind. Although I went on to other careers (teacher, stay-at-home mom, professional organizer/business owner), I never stopped writing. But in 2017, as I was on the precipice of turning 50, I decided it was now or never to make my childhood dreams a reality. Tired of playing it safe, I began working on my novel. It took 3.5 years, but on December 31, 2020 a small press offered me a 3-book contract. Read more>>

Amanda Bellinder | Hairstylist & Salon owner

I started my professional hairstyling career by enrolling in cosmetology school in June of 2005. I graduated from UCF with a degree in Broadcast Journalism in December 2004. I was always doing my friends hair, whether a hairstyle or coloring, all throughout college. I had no intentions of doing hair professionally until more and more people kept telling me I was in the wrong profession. It wasn’t until after I graduated college, and my first job in journalism didn’t work out for me that I decided to go to cosmetology school. Looking back I wish I would have known I could have dually enrolled in cosmetology school while I was in high school. Then I could have worked as a hairstylist to pay my way through college. Read more>>

Julie Willan | Fine Artist

There are many times I look back and wished that I would have attended an art school to study fine art. I lived in a location that really catered to creativity but I just didn’t have the direction or guidance so ,I chose to study graphic arts for two years. After those two years were up, I new that graphic design was not my passion so I enrolled in the Equine management and training program, which was definitely a love of mine. I trained and worked with horses for the next 6 years until I discovered Decorative painting. Decorative painting was an amazing outlet to apply my creative talent in peoples homes by painting murals and trompe L’oeI and various other old world finishes. Read more>>

Ashley Douglas | Vegan Author & Content Creator

If I could go back in time, I wish I would have started my YouTube channel sooner. Back in college, I always dreamed of creating a lifestyle channel. I can only imagine how big my channel would be now if I did haha. Honestly, God probably knew it would not have been the perfect timing. I was able to acquire so many skills through job opportunities that I am now able to apply to my work today. In a way, I feel more equipped for this new journey I am on with content creation. Read more>>

Reckless Ryan | DJ/Producer/Podcast Host

I started my creative career when I was roughly 13 or 14, so the age isn’t really what I wish I could change, more so how I went about getting into the “scene” or career. If I had both the Maturity and Financial knowledge I have now, I definitely think I’d be further on my path of a full time career in the creative world, but it’s the little things you learn through trial and error, and just growing up in general that lead you down the paths you’re currently in right? Haha!A big thing I would change is just thinking I was owed anything, be that money or the best time slot or anything like that, when I really hadn’t earned it nor deserved it in most instances. Read more>>

Traci Rhone | Film Producer

I wish I had started my journey in film production prior to my father’s death. My father was a famous playwright, author, producer, and director. He is well known for the cult classic movie THE HARDER THEY COME; as a child, he would often bounce ideas off of me. It was his way of communicating and loving me. I did not understand at the time the process of creating, and the process of love from father to daughter. Upon his death, in 2009 a great hole filled my already empty soul and I sought solace wherever I could find it. Read more>>