We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Jaiden Smith

An important lesson I learned during college was that it’s perfectly acceptable to take a different path. When I started at the University of South Carolina, I always felt somewhat out of place. I struggled to relate to my peers, which led to a sense of isolation and caused me to miss out on many of the social experiences that are often seen as defining moments of college life. After some reflection, I realized that a traditional four-year university experience wasn’t the right fit for me at that time. I made the decision to move back home without a clear plan for what would come next. Read more>>

Maddi Rowedder

Throughout all my schooling, spanning many different courses and avenues, one truth has remained constant: we are nature. This profound lesson has shaped not only the way I live but also the way I’ve built my business and how I interact with the world. The seed of this understanding was planted during my time in massage school. My teacher was someone I deeply admired—an endless well of wisdom with stories that felt like treasures. Her tales always wove together her experiences with people and her deep, intentional connection to the cycles of nature. She didn’t just teach us anatomy and technique; she lived in harmony with the rhythms of the earth, honoring the seasons and the natural ebb and flow of life in everything she did. Read more>>

Tia Lashaé

One of the most important lessons I learned during my undergraduate studies was about the depth and complexity of project management, and it fundamentally changed my perspective on my career. At the time, I was already working as a project manager while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in project management. I approached my studies with a certain level of confidence, believing that I already knew most of what I needed to succeed in the field. Read more>>

Michel Thomann

I was 12 years old when I started cooking at home. My grandfather was a farmer and had a farm. At 14 I prepared a BEP in cooking. Afterwards I learned a lot when I worked with super chefs. It was hard at the time and the chefs were very strict. I worked every day between 14 and 18 hr. Often I cried in the evening all alone, but I hung in there. With time I learned to work hard and alone without complaining. My dream of the beginning was a nightmare. Read more>>