Experience is often valued because of the lessons prior jobs have theoretically provided us with. While hearing about those lessons isn’t a replacement for actually experiencing it, we thought it would be very helpful to create a space where sharp and generous members of the community can come together to share stories and lessons learned at prior jobs for the benefit of others.

Jennifer Funaro

I have learned a lot of lessons about myself and corporations from the previous positions I have held. I firmly believe that liking your job is 50% about liking what you do and 50% about liking who you work with. It is incredibly difficult to like what you do but dread interacting with your colleagues and clients and vice versa. Read more>>

Filippo

In the work, apart from a few people, trust very little, because all people are always ready to praise you, spur you on and encourage you until they no longer need you, and the most incredible thing is not in ordinary people who, in any case, may be through envy or for competition, they are always ready to give you a push down, but of those who disguise themselves as helpers, motivators and then destroy you, this is my personal thought also due to my experiences. Read more>>

Elise Park

I love this question, but I have a hard time answering it because there are just too many important lessons I learned at previous jobs. Honestly, so many of the skills, strategies, systems, or approaches that I use in my work today came from completely unrelated jobs that I did in the past. Read more>>

LeAnne Dolce, PMP

I think the most important lesson learned from a previous job was that I was not destined to be an employee and that I needed to follow my dreams. As a child, we all have such vivid imaginations and we think anything in the world is possible. As we grow and mature, it sometimes seems like life beats our dreams out of us. Read more>>

Kelly Kleisner

I worked for many years in corporate environments. Both restaurant groups and hotels. All the while I was slowly building my business, Mirabelle Bakery. Most of the hotel properties where I worked were high volume and luxury brands. I was also lucky enough to work in some very popular restaurants enabling me to further hone and broaden my skillset. Read more>>

Sarah Arnold

I wouldn’t necessarily say this was my job but it definitely was something that has molded me into a huge part of my why and who I am at this moment. .My journey into health and wellness started from my figure skating career. Before founding Humanity Wellness I skated for Team Canada at the International Level in Ice Dance. My journey in skating forced me to take risks, being vulnerable and persevering through stress times. Read more>>

Alexi Christensen & Marlee Olson

Throughout our experiences in a variety of settings including outpatient clinics, hosptials, long term care facilities, and schools we have always found the opportunity to assess what is going well and what could be improved within the environment to help kids succeed. Our foundational takeaway from our previous positions was how to apply an OT lens to the environment and to take a holistic and individualistic approach with all clients. Read more>>

LAURALEE SCHMIDT

I’ve been lucky in life to have extraordinary bosses. Even those that I butted heads with, still armed me with excellent tools for where I am now. However, when I worked inside Cosmetics Education & Sales I had a large territory I was accountable for. And to cover a large territory you must strategize. Read more>>

El Martillo Press

Right before starting El Martillo Press with my co-founder Matt Sedillo, I did some work typesetting, copy editing, and doing cover design for Edward Vidaurre of FlowerSong Press. This experience was foundational for me in getting El Martillo Press off the ground. Read more>>

Cameron Derby

The most important thing I’ve learned from my prior jobs is the art of time management. At my prior jobs working at multiple pet resorts as a dog party planner/photographer and daycare supervisor, time management was very important in order to take care of all the dogs safely and efficiently. Read more>>

LeShana Johnson

Create healthy relationships and maintain rapports that will last. Read more>>

Em MacDougal

I learned that no matter the situation, keeping a level head and not letting my emotions overcome me is the best approach. And also, not letting my job become my life and/or identity… My job/business, etc. is a part of me, not the whole me. Having that clear picture helps minimize burnout or, overcome it easier. Read more>>

Mikayla Roddan

Prior work experiences have taught me to value each customer as an individual. Each of my clients are looking for something that will reflect who they are and something they can be proud of sharing with their friends and loved ones. It is very important to me that I provide personalized experiences and deliver high-quality pictures with each finished gallery. No two clients are the same, so I continue to adapt and learn with each experience. Read more>>

Kyle Christie

For fifteen years I worked as a journalist before leaving to focus on my business. I learned that a career in journalism sets you up really well for business. Here’s a couple reasons why. 1. Time Management. As a broadcast journalist, you have to be quick, accurate and hit your same-day deadline. By bringing this into the business, we are able to promise a quick turnaround and work fast under a tight deadline. Read more>>

Tiondra Henderson

One of the most important things that I’d known previously, yet became engraved into my heart all the more while working at my previous job was, “People over money”. Yes, I want to make money. I have to make money, as a wife and mother of 5 little ones, ya know? I have a family. However, my clients are not just a number to me. They too, are my family. Read more>>

Erica Russell

The fastest and healthiest way to grow your business is to focus on profit first. My company uses a proven cash management system that allows our clients to be vigilant about their expenses and keep them informed about what’s going on with their money… positioning themselves for growth opportunities. My lesson on cash management came early when I was working on a job barely making ends meet and when that direct deposit hit… Read more>>

Steven Vargo

I’ve been in and out of full time jobs for the last 10+ years. I’ve bounced back and forth between my personal business and corporations quite strategically. Being kind, eager, and working hard have been the cornerstone values while working for someone else. I have hoped that these attributes would gain me more money and opportunity but I must admit that it hasn’t always been the case. Read more>>

Lauren Tyler Scott

An important lesson I learned early in my music career was while accompanying a fellow musician and mentor to a bluegrass music festival in Northern California. I was fresh out of college with a music degree and endless directions I could walk in, and he gave me advice that I’ve referred back to for the past decade. As one of the performers at the festival, he told me to observe all the musicians I saw working there. Read more>>