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.

Lydia Wilson

Yes, I do. I started a Youtube channel way back in 2012 and I let it go because I didn’t think I had what it took to be a Youtuber. I thought I needed better skills, better equipment etc when all I needed was more confidence and to not be afraid of making a mistake on camera. Read more>>

DJ J Blacc

I personally believe that I started my career at the right time during an early age, but I wish I would’ve been more in tune with my creativity as a DJ. Whether it’s having outside of the box DJ mixes, marketing techniques, and social media promotion. Read more>>

Jean Blackwell

I knew at the age of 5 that I wanted to be an artist – or that I was an artist. Other than loving glue, glitter, crayons, and creativity, I didn’t know what “artist” meant. My grandmother sewed and made drawings, and let me play with her materials; as I grew up, I embraced the idea that I was an artist. The idea of a creative career never entered my mind, not even as I graduated high school and adjusted to life as an adult. Read more>>

Emily Plas

YES! When I was younger a lot of careers of course were based on what financial security you would have. I was a dancer growing up and went to college for dance but changed my career choice because I wouldn’t “make any money”. I am grateful for the choices and experiences that I had but I do realize now that doing something you love and have a passion for is way better than doing something just for financial purposes. Read more>>

Amber Crane

Honestly, no; crazy as it sounds. Although I always knew that I was an artist, and as I stumbled for years over barriers of my own creations; those barriers were in fact were the experiences that have fed my understanding of human behavior. In fact, those moments are where I have birthed some of my “still brewing” ideas on how I will utilize that understanding to plant seeds for others. Read more>>

Richard Wygand

Sooner, I actually tried a few times, but I didn’t persue because I was told my art taste was evil and I believe it. That happened as a kid, and the fear of being evil left me paranoid for years. That lead me to years of depression and self hate. Read more>>

Laine Swanson

I’ve been an artist my entire life, but I did not pursue my passion as a business until 2021. Do I wish I had started my business and career sooner? Of course. But on the flip side of that coin, I know that I wasn’t the person or artist yet who could handle that dream and all the tasks and pressure that come with being a business owner. Developing myself as a person, my niche and skill as an artist, and my vision was key in being able to take those first steps as a solo entrepreneur. Read more>>

Diana Merkel

This is a really interesting question to me. I actually started my “career” as an artist when I was very young. I always had an entrepreneurial spirit growing up, and when I was about 8 I made art pieces and crafts and tried to sell them. Since then, I’ve been either educating myself in art (BFA), doing graphic design and branding, or working on art curation and installations. Read more>>

Jim & Tanya Disner

We were both almost 40 when we started this project. There are a lot of good reasons why we didn’t begin earlier. And while sometimes we wish we did, there are a lot of nice things about venturing out so late. We met when we were 14. On many a night we would sit around at Muddy’s, our favorite coffee shop, talking and dreaming about becoming performers. Could we get a sweet VW bus and trek about playing music? Read more>>

Gloria Shaoul

This is something I think about all the time. I always wanted to create and connect with people through social media. I knew this since I was a teenager, but I really didn’t have the self confidence I do now to make that first step and put myself out there. So although I wish I would have started sooner, I don’t believe I would have been as successful because I lacked the confidence, determination, and life experience I have now. Read more>>

Michael Dotson

I started releasing music when I was 24. I often think about how different things would be if I had started if I was maybe 18 or 19. I’ll be 30 in a couple of years and I’m constantly thinking “should I continue this?” Sometimes I feel like I’m past my prime but I cannot see myself doing anything else. Read more>>

Straats

I think starting young can be a beautiful thing. When we look back on the songs that we wrote when we were 15 and 16, the creation process is something that definitely stands out. It was purely just exploring sounds and trying to recreate things that we liked listening to. Read more>>

SkRUFF ZONA

I wish I would have started my career earlier. But I was focused on school and football at the time. I would just play around with it, just to see if I still had it. Read more>>

Brianne Squillante

I am really happy that I started my career as a creative when I did. I am a firm believer that everyone is right where they are meant to be and I do believe all of my prior experiences (good or bad) helped push me to pursue a career that I am passionate about. My move to Charleston, South Carolina after I graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from Auburn University was one of the most influential decisions I’ve made as an adult. Read more>>