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.

Moneee Monroeee

If I was starting over in my life. It would be to just do stuff that fits me and my authenticity, as I have been doing since being a teen. Having self-respect for myself on any occasion. When it comes to having less capital, I would have a budget planner and live humble until all of my dream investments and goals are up. It takes money to do stuff, but you have to know how to maneuver in order to get stuff done. Keeping people out of my life who don’t have goals, high self-esteem, etc. would definitely be something to change. Putting myself around successful people with goals, a genuine heart, and loyalty would be the way for me to rebirth my life and to just move smart and slow. Read more>>

Kiana Diaz Figueroa

Throughout the course of my journey of trying to turn my passion into my full-time income, the things that have helped the most in the growth of my business have been support from my local creative community and professional business support. Early on in starting my business I took an intensive business planning course from a local non-profit that really helped me understand the fundamentals of running a business. While that gave me a good foundation for understanding business, I was very anxious about putting my work out there. As an introverted artist, my inclination is to want to stay buried away in my studio making the things I love. It took a while (a couple years), but eventually I worked up the courage to apply to local markets and events, and in doing so I ended up meeting many other amazing creatives in my area who were also working hard to make their dreams come true. Having a community to lean on, ask questions to, and feel supported by was another huge leap in my creative career and this network also lead to new opportunities to show or sell my art. Read more>>

Sacia Ashe

If I were starting my agency over again from scratch, I would invest less in business education and more into my actual skills. While understanding business is very important, one of the biggest differentiation factors you can carve out in the service-based industry is above-average skill level paired with great communication. I invested heavily into my business and marketing skills too early on, when looking back my time would’ve been better spent improving my craft, networking, and gaining as many strong case studies as possible. I would also focus more on making connections. Your network is truly your net worth nowadays, and it’s worth the time to go to in-person events. The connections I have got me to where I am now and continue to be one of the top ways we grow as an agency. Read more>>

Emilee Lopez

If I were to start over I would invest in the right mentor or coach for me. As a new business owner I went with a popular coach with a low cost program. It felt as though I was taking the right steps, and honestly her program did help me set a bit of a foundation but she had SO many students that I wasn’t getting the guidance I needed to really figure out who I wanted to serve and what I wanted to do. I spent TWO years searching for the right fit and just taking the jobs I could. I finally met the right coach with a smaller but more expensive program who was able to give me the guidance, community, and inspiration to figure out the business owner I actually wanted to be and I have been blessed to grow in my position, be referred to many people and become a figure known for Email Marketing and strategy work. Read more>>