Helping more people thrive doing what they love or are passionate about means helping more folks learn from those who came before them and so we asked successful entrepreneurs, artists and creatives to tell us what they would do differently, knowing what they know now, if they were starting over.

Darian Stitt

If I were to start over today knowing what I know now I would focus more on the quality of things rather than the quantity. When I first embarked on my entrepreneurial journey I was about waves more so than motion. Waves look cool for the time being but crash eventually, I’ve learned the hard way slow motion is better. Read more>>

Kaitlyn VanderMeer

Thank you so much for having me and taking the time to learn a little more about KP (Fit)ness. I started my business relatively quickly and it has been a learning curve since. My business was up and running its first class within 7 weeks (and that was with me being out of town for about 2 of them). Read more>>

Sid Fleeks

If I were to start over, my top priority would be nurturing my mental health and practicing self-love. My creative journey began during my time at Florida A&M University, where I faced numerous hardships while balancing the demands of being a college student. These challenges included the loss of family members and recurring financial struggles that almost prevented me from completing my education on multiple occasions. Read more>>

Hassan Del Campo

Knowing everything that I know today, if I had the opportunity to do things differently I would. As an entrepreneur, I dove head-first into my business and figured out things along the way. While this may have accelerated my growth as a business to a certain extent, I missed out on some real opportunities to set up my business for success. Read more>>

Camiel Gary

If I were starting over today what I would do differently is believe in myself. I was heavy into makeup back in 2010 but I stopped once I got to college because I got picked on. That was the first mistake I made instead of pushing through and not caring, I gave up. If I would have stayed consistent like I am now, I wouldn’t feel like I had to catch up before I created my business. Read more>>

Nolen McCafferty

So the most obvious expenditures in the woodworking industry are tools. Tools and equipment can be purchased for pennies on the dollar by finding older, used items, or can cost into the tens of thousands of dollars by buying brand new name brand tools. As a fledgling company starting out, most of us have limited funds and are looking for those used deals on equipment, or those new tools sold at discount stores. Read more>>

Alisa Arnhalt

Six years ago, I sat on my living room sofa, scouring interior design blogs like I did every afternoon, wishing that I could design beautiful spaces for others. With a background in finance and no interior design degree, I didn’t see this as a possibility. Then it hit me – I could stage houses. No degree was necessary and I could do what I love. This idea launched Linden Creek Home Staging. Read more>>

Louis Savinetti

I started my real estate career with a well established team in Tampa. Being apart of the team helped me build the foundation for the realtor I am today. I ended up leaving the team after six years and going off on my own. One of the things I would have done differently would be to go off on my own earlier. My career really took off after my third year. I was selling a lot of homes and making good money for the first time in my life. Read more>>

Brandon Gorrie

Starting from scratch today, I’d begin focusing more on finding what others value in hiring a photographer and creative director instead of spending that much more time on perfecting my craft. Waiting to serve businesses and clients for the sake of reaching a superfluous level of skill is an opportunity cost that I was unaware of when I started. Read more>>

Brittany Yates

If I were starting over I would take the time to plan more and do a little more market research. Like many others I can be impulsive, especially when it comes to my future. I have high expectations for myself and I truly believe I can and will accomplish anything I want. However, when you’re impulsive you can make mistakes because you’re making hasty decisions and not thinking things through. Read more>>

IMANI ROGERS

I would have definitely got a agent to help me scout and make sure my contract and paperwork was beneficial to my budget. I have been strictly independent as far as modeling since I started at 17! I have never had anyone represent me nor take credit for any work I have done, however if I would have signed I would have gotten compensation that I deserved and also more opportunities in line Read more>>

Emily Christy

Growing up I was very creative. As a kid I loved to draw, paint, and perform. All things creatively based were what I was interested in. However, I was told from a young age that creative jobs are not realistic. I enjoyed writing, but being an author “isn’t realistic”. I was in the performing arts for ten years (acting, singing, dancing, etc.), but making a career out of that “isn’t realistic”. Read more>>

Jacob Farmer

It took me a long time to get my first customer. I spent a lot of money on advertising that needed to be revised. Mailers were something that needed to produce more fruit for the cost. I may have gotten only one customer from that. At the time, more research into advertising in Memphis was needed. Read more>>

Christian Normandia

I would say if I were starting over, what I would do differently is that I probably wouldn’t have left my 9-5 so soon to start the company. While I don’t think I left at the worst time, I certainly made things harder on myself by leaving when I did. A good rule of thumb for when to consider making the full leap would be to get as close as you can to your current income from your business as you do your 9-5 before leaving. Read more>>

Kylah Currie

Starting my business has been one of my biggest accomplishments. Before I got busy it was so easy to focus and plan and market without being distracted. Owning a business comes with many trials and tribulations. There is a lot of trial and error that I have experienced. From inventory and pricing to marketing and reaching out to customers. Read more>>

Carey-Lee Dixon

If I were to start over today, armed with the knowledge and experience I have gained as a growing entrepreneur, I would focus on honing my strengths and cultivating confidence right from the beginning. During my initial journey, I struggled greatly with imposter syndrome and confidence. I encountered challenges in fully embracing my creative skills in graphic design. Imposter syndrome plagued me, and I often compared myself to other designers who I believed had received formal education in graphic design. Read more>>

Selena Martinez

I definitely would definitely research my niche and targeted audience. The reason for that is because without knowing your target audience or niche,it can bring on challenges in the future. For example you may be unsure as to whom your trying to reach, or what your ideal customer is. And so researching all of this before you start helps with any challenges you may encounter. Read more>>

Rob Phillips

This is a great question. First, the industry has changed drastically in the 6 years that we have been kicking around in Salt Lake. When we launched in 2017 there were only a handful of breweries in Salt Lake, some focused on distribution, some focused on their restaurants, and some had some blend of both. Read more>>