As an outsider, breaking into an industry can often seem like an impossible challenge and so we reached out to some very generous folks who agreed to share their stories of how they broke into their respective industries.

Reid Horn

I noticed something early on in working with the court systems. A lot of recovery work, especially with men, started with shame. The pattern was usually: break them down, point out their failures, then try to rebuild them from rock bottom. But what if we did the opposite? What if we started by being kind and curious with them, not by shaming them? What if we helped these men understand that even their worst behaviors were usually desperate attempts to meet real, legitimate needs, just in unhealthy ways? In our groups, I would talk about something most of us never questioned growing up. When a little boy falls off his bike and scrapes his knee, he’s stereotypically told, “You’re fine.” “Walk it off.” “Don’t cry.” But when a little girl falls off her bike? She’s asked, “Where does it hurt?” “What do you need?” That difference teaches boys to hide their pain and ignore their needs. And that training carries over into adulthood — into their marriages, their parenting, their mental health, and their addiction. Men aren’t broken. But we are often disconnected from our emotions, from our needs, and from each other. That’s what I wanted to help change. Read More>>

Kate Beever

I was wrapping up my internship at a cancer hospital in a major city and I knew I wanted to move back to my home state, but there were no jobs in my industry. In fact, there was no one else with my job (music therapist) working in my home state! So I knew I’d have to start my own business, and that meant educating myself on all the aspects that go along with business ownership – marketing, websites, legalities, scheduling, ethics. I also knew I wouldn’t be able to just jump in, so I got a ‘side gig’ (40 hours a week) at a law firm working for creative patent attorneys in litigation. I actually loved that job, and it almost made me switch careers and apply to law school… but I knew where my passion lay, so I stayed the course. I built my brand, I started connecting with people in healthcare and educating them about my field. I did a ton of inservice presentations, marketing events, and even created my own conference at the state house to advocate for my field. I would leave the law firm on my lunch break for meetings, and work on Saturdays with the first few clients I was able to connect with. Read More>>

Pearl Fu

I was an undergraduate at UCLA and started taking “aerobics” classes on campus. I was addicted from the start – the energy, the music, the routines… I found my bliss. All of the instructors were either UCLA students or UCLA employees. One day, an instructor approaches me and asks if I would like to become an assistant. Back then, there were no wireless microphones or sound systems embedded in the walls. The assistant’s role was to wheel out a giant stereo cart, plug it in along with a long corded microphone, and change records for the instructor. During class, assistants would be in the front to help demonstrate moves. Just the thought of being in front terrified me. I only agreed to audition because I was guaranteed a spot in class and would no longer need to wait in a long line. Read More>>

Lindsie Kongsore

My first job working as a professional actress, was in a production of The Wizard of Oz when I was six or seven years old. I don’t remember much, but I do remember that I loved playing a poppy flower. It was great because I did a little ballet dance and then “slept” on stage for an entire scene. But my first real job as a film actress was more recently. A film called “Stella Stevens: The Last Starlet” directed by Andrew Stevens. I played Stella, and it was an amazing expirience. I auditioned, got a callback the next day, and then flew out to film a few days later. I learned a lot on that set, and I recently got to see the film at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival. It turned out so great, and I am really glad I got to be apart of it. Read More>>

Daniel Sell

One of my businesses is paid promotions on social media. Up to just a few years ago I never really thought social media was anything more than something to keep up with my friends. But now, with over 180,000 followers across to platforms, I find myself working with rather large brands to promote a product that we use on the farm. But this didn’t just happen overnight, it took hard work to build my following up along with creating a reputable name for myself. Read More>>

James & Jennifer Johnson

*To many, Prestige Janitorial Services may seem like an overnight success—with award-winning recognition and operations in both Michigan and Chicago. But behind the polished finish is a story of hustle, resilience, and hard-won growth. “In the beginning, it was just us, a mop, and a mission to raise the standard of cleaning,”. The early years were filled with late nights, personal sacrifices, and constant learning. Growth came slowly—one client, one contract, one lesson at a time. The real shift came when Prestige moved from just offering cleaning services to becoming a trusted facility management partner. That meant investing in staff training, building systems, and improving communication. Read More>>