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

Tiffany Chang

There is a quote by Annie White that sums up a lesson I keep having to learn: “You can’t make someone love you by giving them more of what they already don’t appreciate.” I held a job as a conductor at an academic institution for three years. I don’t think I’ve ever worked harder in any other job. Read more>>

Grayson Niles

Of all the great advice/lessons I’ve learned from work I always have one I think about on nearly a daily basis. I wish I could remember who I originally heard this from, but the idea is that the only two things you can ever really control in life are your effort and your attitude. Everything else relies on a number of other factors and variables, but how much effort you give any given situation, and the attitude you have towards it, are entirely our own. Read more>>

Stephanie Leininger

Boundaries. Boundaries with my clients, business and expectations. I learned this from previous employment in the opposite way. As I worked for this company, and a few prior to this one, no matter what the client asked for you said yes. Even if the week was already packed or you had to switch around your personal life on short notice to make them happy. Read more>>

Flynn Hendrix

The most important lesson I’ve learned from a job is putting value in yourself, defending it, & realizing that the best you have to give at that time is more than enough even if someone tells you otherwise. I learned this the hard way. I’m guilty of having a perfectionist mentality, even to my own detriment. This was not healthy in an environment where you’re told “you’re best is good…but you can always do better.” It was phrased as “positive discontent.” Read more>>

Janice Chun

Before I worked in TV Animation, I was a VFX artist working on films like Avengers: Infinity War and Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The hours were brutal but I was coming straight from college and had rose tinted glasses being able to see my name on the big screen. It was rough but I was willing to work those hours chasing big names and even bigger studios like South Park to Cartoon Network. Read more>>

Heath Towson

In my first job out of college, I was employed as the programs and operations coordinator for a non-profit. I was required to manage lots of projects and programming for our historical museum, managed by our non-profit. Because we had such a limited budget for programming, I had to learn to use what we had in house, could fundraise for or could afford for minimal expense. Read more>>

Charlene Lanzel

“Do it right the first time.” I worked for many years as a mural painter at one of the top companies in New York City. Time is money, so we were encouraged to work quickly, trying to get projects done as fast as possible. Mistakes were inevitably made as we rushed around the studio. Read more>>

Goodie Supreme

I was working for this company. My boss had been on this job, I’d say, maybe 15+ years. They fell ill one day mid shift. Before they were in the hospital good, the company was already asking me to take their position. I learned a few things that day. First, take them days off, perfect attendance means absolutely nothing if you die on the job… Read more>>

Kristy Weeks

You never know what people have been through in their life. I’ve worked in several high intensity environments over my career, a rape crisis line, a domestic violence shelter, a case manager for families in the child welfare system, elementary school, etc. One of the things that you learn in a very different way doing this job is that you never know what experiences people have had. I’m always heartbroken by the pain we as humans can inflict upon each other, but am also heartened by the strength and resilience that can arise from these experiences. Read more>>

Darrell Williams

An important experienced I had in a job that helped me as a business owner happened after 9/11. Following the tragedies of September 11, 2001, I was selected as one of five key leaders, from 30 senior managers to direct emergency action communications for the Vice President of the United States, to include duties as an Air Force Two Command Representative. Read more>>

Hopper Seely

I used to work graveyard shift at a wine & spirits distribution warehouse. There we would load trucks with hundreds and thousands of cases of wine and random liquor from 5:00 in the afternoon to 5:00 in the morning. I was always tired, but I would always do my best to get the trucks loaded perfectly and efficiently to improve our loading times. Read more>>

Doug & Amanda Neuendorf

Both Doug and Amanda have held a wide variety of jobs over the years; pizza restaurants, country club, commercial dishwasher repair, corporate veterinary medicine and multi-unity management, sales jobs in the legal industry, etc. Over the course of our years we’ve held onto the strategy that no matter what, we’re ready to outwork the other guy. It’s easy when it’s your passion, and Doug never thought he’d be a “farm guy,” but the country life has sure grown on him! Read more>>

KEHSA CHESTER

The most important lesson I learned from a prior job. Customers/ Clients by into the person before the product. When I worked for K-mart after college my position was Lead Fashion Associate. My responsibilities were floor layouts and organizing apparel to make them appealing to the customers. Example: If summer was approaching as soon as they walked in the store they would see swimsuits, shorts, and, sunglasses etc. Read more>>

Dj Miller

The biggest takeaway I’ve gotten from working my last job is seeing that people aren’t as interested in what I’m selling more than they’re interested in me. As a trainer, I’ve found people are more drawn to chemistry and connecting. Sometimes in a 60-minute training session, I’ve had clients confess their life story to me for 45 minutes, and then workout for the remaining 15. That time, in no way, is wasted. Read more>>

Megan Nager

Before I started my own production and marketing company, I worked full-time as an actor and comedian which – as most creatives know – comes with just a few (and by a few, I mean several) challenges. It’s hard to earn a livable wage in Los Angeles working as a creative, so early on in my career, I decided to apply to jobs that would provide me with experience behind the camera. I went on to fill several roles on various sets – whether it be as an extra, a PA on, an assistant editor, an assistant director, and as a producer. Read more>>

DeVonnda McCormick

I have always been in management. When you are a manager you learn to deal with all types of people. So when I started my business I learned you can’t talk to everyone the same. Take the time to learn people and their background. I’m a really direct person but everyone can handle to be so brutal. Do as a manager I have learned how to think before I speak. Read more>>

Samantha Salmon

I was working in a fast-paced, high-pressure job that demanded my full attention and dedication. Like many others, I was caught up in grind culture, which drove me to experience burnout, fatigue, and immense stress to the point of exhaustion. One day, while going through my daily ritual of pulling a card from Trisia Hersey’s “rest deck,” I stumbled upon a powerful message: “Your body is sacred, and exhaustion does not honor the sacred.” Read more>>