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.
Nia Chantal
They say your 20s is like a waiting room but I choose to see it as a dressing room. A time where I can try on different careers and experiences to see what suits me best – and I’ve definitely done that over these past few years. From hosting interviews on a red carpet to creating and establishing Atlanta events for Bumble to managing a nationwide team of on campus influencers for countless major brands, the thing that is common amongst them all is the connection and interaction with people. Read more>>
Roger Woodard
I would find the first basic color salon that would hire me and dive in. I would take every penny i make and reinvest in my knowledge of my craft. I wouldn’t asst in a salon unless there is a very clear and promising path to working behind the chair. I would also be careful who I receive my knowledge from and verify before I assume they knew exactly what they were talking about. Read more>>
Mani Bhushan.
How did you scale up – often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Read more>>
Elizabeth Golden
If I was starting over, I would spend more money in my first year. I’ve always been reluctant to spend money unless I knew there was a guarantee that it would be worth it, but I’ve found this has actually cost me more money in the long run. For example, when I started, I didn’t buy the best of the best gear. I would buy cheaper gear, which I would outgrow in a year or two. Read more>>
Jade B.
If I were to start over I would have practiced one thing more, consistency. I would be so much further if I would have stayed consistent and focused more. Working a 9-5 really got in the way of my business and instead of working on my business daily, I didn’t. I would sporadically do things here and there and I let any little thing get in the way of my goals. Read more>>
Crystal Mercado
If I was starting over, I think I would simply start sooner. Having my own business is something that I had been wanting to do for a long time and I just wish that I hadn’t doubted myself for so long and had just launched it sooner. Otherwise, there is not a lot that I would change. I’m a strong believer that things happen the way they do for a reason. Read more>>
Parish Hodges
If I were starting over, I would believe in myself and push myself harder. Though I work on-air, I’m very shy sometimes and don’t feel confident in my talent. Now that I’ve actually started my own YouTube series, “On Par with Parish,” I feel more powerful than ever. I prove to myself every day I’m capable of making my dreams come true, but need to stay consistent. Read more>>
Christian Green
If I were starting over I would tell myself to not be scared and to jump out there with confidence. For a while I did not believe in my talents as a creator and missed out on great opportunities that could have helped my career as an artist early on in the beginning. I look back and wish I would ave said yes to certain projects and figured things out along the way. I wish I traveled more for art events and shows to experience different things and network. It’s not always about how fast we get there because I believe God puts us where we need to be at the time. Read more>>
Wesley Sandiford
If I was starting over today within my industry, I probably would’ve spent a lot more time studying my craft. I started my business at the beginning of the pandemic, essentially when it comes to videography, and I think even though I did take time to study using platforms like YouTube and skill share, and just following people who were more into the industry than I was at the time I think I would’ve taken more time daily especially during the beginning pandemic where I was sitting home not working I have a lot of free time to even to basically make a studying my craft a job. Read more>>
Nickie Riley
I would’ve joined tiktok sooner and documented my mistakes as a new business. It’s important to me for people to see the growth process and I enjoy watching new business form from scratch. Not only is there a community there to support you, but it’s also humbling to look back and a great way for others to learn from your mistakes. I love sharing knowledge. Read more>>
Abigail Hernandez
I would definitely stop being timid. A lot of what I do now I have known forever but because I was so shy I just wouldn’t step up to the plate. Read more>>
Lynn Marie
If I were starting over, I would tell myself to have more patience. Being an independent artist you never know what is going to happen. One month you could be booked every day with writes, shows, writers rounds, ect. and the next you might be doing nothing besides your day job and taking care of every day life. I think it’s important to remember that creativity has a life of its own. Read more>>
Gezelle Guillard
If I could start over in regards to real estate, I would connect with my current broker, (714 Realty) where I am given, hands on training, and daily meetings. where we are allowed to express our questions, and concerns instead of thinking it’s not the right question or the right time. When I first started, I was so eager to gather experience, if anyone wanted to see a house, I would schedule it. 0-10 panned out. Or they went to other agents, Causing loss of gas time and money, but now I request potential clients or clients to fill out a buyers or sellers agreement, where, I will give them the upmost due diligence. Read more>>