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.

Jessica Nicole Dickerson

I actually made a lot of mistakes in my journey to becoming an actor, but I will say the best thing I did, and would NEVER change, is starting. People will have different opinions on what’s right and wrong, but you need to what feels best for you. Some of the mistakes I made that I wish someone told me, is firstly you don’t need to go to college. Read more>>

Elena Moraru

The thing that I would do differently if I was starting over is I would have more patience with myself and with how life unfolds. I don’t think there is anything that I could have done differently besides that, that could have taken me to today faster. As an interior designer, it takes time to find your identity and as nature does not rush, I don’t believe in forcing this process of discovering your true self in your profession. Read more>>

Wesley Ann Rice

If I were to start over today I wouldn’t have gone to college and I would have believed in myself to become a photographer. I always listened to my friends and family telling me that I should go off to college and deep down I knew that’s not what I wanted to do. So really just believing in yourself to get to where you want to be!! Read more>>

Meg McConnell

Before working full-time for myself in 2016, I freelanced on nights and weekends around my full-time jobs. With freelance projects I was saying yes to everything under the sun, underpricing, and letting the clients largely drive the process. At the end of 2020, after working as a full-time freelancer for four years, I founded Due West Design studio and really started to identify more as a business owner. This was something I definitely wish I’d figured out sooner! Read more>>

Dean Vlamis

When starting from nothing, I worked incredibly hard and was relentless. I found early success in reaching many referral sources. From early on what would have been ideal was to realize that I was becoming successful right away and that my method or model was working. I should have built a support team to promote this brand, this model which would have allowed me to grow even faster and stronger. Read more>>

Samuel Oluwafemi

Hi thank you, I believe it pretty simple for me if I wear to start over, i think one of the things I would is pick a niche, and invest in educational content from the people I look up to in that area.. because now I realize trying to do everything, been jack of all trade is a master of none. I got interested in so many aspects and area of videography and I would still say till now I’m trying to find my foot as per the area I want to get to be know for Read more>>

Teri Patrick

1. Growth doesn’t always mean more My mind would often dart to monetary gains when I thought of the word “growth”. I had to challenge myself to think more about what growth meant and ultimately I realized it doesn’t always mean “more”… more money, more clients or more projects. Growth can also look like slowing down, re-evaluating and pulling back so you can then spring forward. It also looks like failing, learning and overcoming obstacles. For me, growth is both mental, physical, emotional and financial. Read more>>

Kristen Contreras

The main thing I would do differently is start sooner! If I could go back I would have gotten my license at 18 years old, fresh out of high school. I would look for people in the field, interview them and find a mentor to help guide me in the process. I would also read more books about investing and real estate. I also understand that we are all on our own journey and God will bless us with the things we want when he knows we are ready for them. Read more>>

Bob Chitrathorn

I would make sure to start writing down my goals every day. I just started doing this about 10 years ago, I wish I would have started 18 years ago. Although I love to help as many people as I can, and I want to be that catalyst for improvement, I wish I would have realized earlier that not everybody cares as much as you do and I need to focus more on being the catalyst for those that care. Read more>>

Karen Ouzts

There are so many things I would do differently if I had to start over. I think one of the things that I have learned is that no one can open your gifts but you. What I mean by that is that Heritage Art Center was a blessing entrusted to me. I have made the mistake many times of seeking other’s opinions, advise, or help when I should have listened to my own heart. I am very appreciative of those who have shown up, that’s not what I mean. There are so people that have blessed me and so many people that have been in my corner, of which none of this would have been possible without. Read more>>

Laura Langfitt

When I first started Unbridled Biz, I constantly looked outside of myself for guidance like a lost puppy. It was a habit drilled into me all my life – parents, teachers, coaches, and bosses tell you what they expect. You respond. They let you know if something needs to change. Sound familiar? Read more>>

Kayla Strickland

I’ve been doing makeup professionally for about 10 years now. Directly after I graduated high school in 2007 I went to a community college in obtained an associates degree in early childhood education. I quickly learned that working with children was not my calling so I told my parents that I wanted to go to cosmetology school and with their support I did enroll.. after I completed cosmetology school I then went on to work at Walt Disney World doing hair and make up. Read more>>

Deja’Lynn Hicks

When I was starting my business, I was mostly doing crafts and t.shirts and very few hair bows. I had my hands in too many different pots, like a jack of all trades and a master at none. For example, I wasn’t spending enough time on the shirts and sometimes the vinyl was coming up after one wear, or my bows wouldn’t be properly secured and the clip would come off. Read more>>

Sarandon Smith

When I started in the industry 6 years ago there were some big name players in wedding photography pushing out educational content that was very influential for many budding photographers. Their educational programs were easy to digest and made breaking into the industry seem easy and straightforward. No wonder their “5 steps to a 6 figure photography business” style programs sold so well, they were so enticing. Read more>>

Hailee Moore

In a way, over the last three years, I have been “starting over” with Simply Hailee, slowly and thoughtfully., and in a different location than its place of origin. I built this business almost 10 years ago, in a major city within a highly competitive industry. When COVID hit, it was lights out for my business (for a while). Decisions had to be made quickly, and I packed it all up and moved back to my hometown, Fort Worth. Read more>>