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.

Abe Robinson

I’ve had many of jobs I think something like around 30 of them. One lesson I learned early on is I do not play well with authority, So having a boss was intolerable most of the time specifically the micro manager bosses. So while at any of said jobs I pushed myself to take that boss position as soon as possible. Read more>>

Riley Smith

In my earliest work experience, I learned that merit has very little to do with success. Read more>>

Chanel Bee

In my past role in corporate cannabis sales, I confronted a challenging yet transformative realization: the importance of honoring one’s true self. This position demanded a level of conformity that felt increasingly constricting. My natural outgoing and creative personality, along with aspects of my personal life, such as being polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous (ENM), and my passion as a content creator, were aspects I felt pressured to hide in a professional setting. This experience of suppressing who I was on a daily basis led to a profound personal awakening. Read more>>

Jasper Johns

I’ve learned from experience the importance of hiring well. As a student, this was brought to my attention in a lecture I watched by Robert Davidson called “Being Successful is No Accident.” He tells an anecdote about a commission he had with three apprentices that took three weeks to hollow the back on a fifty foot totem pole. Years later, he found someone who could do that job in two days. The point is to hire people because you know they have certain talents and that these talents will free you to use your time and creativity elsewhere. Read more>>

Lisa Owen

I have learned many lessons in my professional career that haven gotten me to the place I am currently – a place I love tremendously – as a business owner with a ton of freedom, doing what I love and want to be doing. Through all of my experience, one of the most powerful and important lessons I learned is to decide what I want. Sounds simple, but it is really amazing how rarely people think about what they WANT to have happen. This applies to so many areas of business and life. Read more>>

Jules Shuler

As far as I can remember, I always knew I wanted to help people feel better. As a little girl, I always said I wanted to be a doctor. I became an EMT at 18, went into directly into college at USC as a Health Promotion and Disease Prevention major, I interned at hospitals, surgical centers, got a Master of Public Health, became a strength and conditioning specialist, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and now combine all the behavioral change theories from my education with my real-world application of movement science and nutrition to be where I am now: helping women reclaim their bodies, their health journeys, and helping them find a renewed sense of self in their 30s and beyond. It is more fulfilling that I could have ever imagined. Read more>>

Saxon Cwalinski

Prior to joining Smallwood’s Yachtwear, I had moved to New York City where I got my first real taste of what a high pressure sales job was. I moved there with the hopes of making it big but with no real plan. With no Bachelors degree you have to work a little hard for people to not rule you out right off the bat and the only way I was getting people to speak with me was by walking into offices and stores with a print out of my resume asking to speak with the manager. I was finding a little success but it was tough. Read more>>

Alicia Hauff

Before taking the leap and starting my art business in the autumn of 2021, I worked for several years as a nurse practitioner in community health–carceral and homeless health. I cared ( and still deeply do) about holistic health, health equity, and system innovation. Every day, I showed up in the clinic to solve whatever issues for folks who walked in the door. Read more>>

Elaine Brown

I have worked in the nonprofit arena most of my professional life, I have learned the value of Volunteerism and the appreciation of Volunteers and Donors. I have worked at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Ballet Austin, PBS/Austin City Limits and various other organizations as both Staff and as a Volunteer. Read more>>

Patrick Stiles

When I was in highschool I had two main jobs. One was playing piano for ballet classes at a ballet studio, the other at McDonalds. One day I called in sick to the ballet studio because I had to work a training shift at McDonald’s to secure my big promotion to crew trainer (which was something that I really wanted). Someone that knew the studio owner told her that she saw me working at McDonald’s that night that I “called in sick”. Read more>>

Kellen Kacal

I’ve been incredibly fortunate in the ways The Lord has provided for me in my past work experiences. But one experience in particular has been most valuable. At the time I just started growing in my career as a regional sales liaison with a home health company when I was offered an opportunity to move into management at 23. The experience gained from that position, and my business mentor at the time, was nothing short of Gods’ work. Read more>>

Jacqueline Silva

One pivotal lesson from my prior experiences, which profoundly influences my role as a co-founder of CORRE, revolves around the dynamic interplay of enthusiasm, patience, and mentorship. Throughout my educational and professional journey, the best lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t know what you don’t know. This realization, especially during the early stages of any new career opportunity, has been instrumental. Read more>>

Jamie Hollier

Regardless of what you are creating, focus on the people side of your product. Before starting Balefire, I worked as a product owner building custom software for the nonprofit and healthcare industries and I realized pretty quickly that building custom products, whether a ring or an application, is all about the people. In the software industry I was focused on the people side of what we were building, spending my time on understanding who our user was and why they needed what we were creating, along with an emphasis on education and creating a shared vision for all our stakeholders. Read more>>

Amanda Carlo

The most important lesson I’ve learned in many jobs over the years is learning to lead by example. You can tell a team member, employee or staff HOW to do their job, HOW to act, HOW to be the best at the role, etc. but the most effective way is for you to show them what is expected by doing it yourself. I’ve had many bosses who worked “in the trenches” next to me and many who were nowhere to be found during those tough times. Read more>>

Lana Allen

I believe all “failures” are opportunities to learn something valuable or insightful. These are lessons we can apply when we find our niche. In my case, the most useful ones have been learning to work as a team. This is a lesson the universe had to drill into me in very unkind ways…. because I don’t listen. I didn’t delegate well and I was slow to ask for help. My business partners Rishona and Leilani hold me accountable so I can remain communicative and collaborative. Read more>>

Alic Giles

I am currently, and have been, a police officer the last 10 years. During that time I have learned many lessons that have applied across several aspects of life, not just business. The most important of which, I would boil down to 3 key things. 1. Appreciate everything you currently have. 2. Constantly strive for improvement and growth. 3. Time in this life is short so do not delay action and chase your dreams. Read more>>

Sonia Singh

Let me start by explaining that although I am a business owner and proud of starting Yatri, I am also still a management consultant and am juggling my consulting career while growing my travel planning business. Throughout my career post-college, I’ve dedicated myself to the field of management consulting, starting as an analyst and progressing to the role of Managing Director. In this capacity, my duties encompass a broad spectrum—from selling consulting projects and overseeing teams across various regions to nurturing emerging consulting leaders and identifying emerging market needs. Read more>>

Tara Towler Cumby

I have learned a few lessons in the mental health field. The most valuable lesson I learned when I was an in-home mental health therapist was to be prepared for anything and set boundaries. I learned how to be a traveling therapist in the homes of children so my car became my office. I would bring art supplies and therapy toys to the homes of my clients. In-home therapy offers an up-close understanding of clients’ lives, demanding a nuanced approach that incorporates the lessons learned to provide effective and empathetic care.  Read more>>

Tom Virgin

Prior to becoming the Proprietor of Extra Virgin Press, a small independent letterpress shop, I was a Title I public high school art teacher for twenty five years. I had many jobs before becoming a teacher, but often those jobs did have a component of teaching. I had plenty of practice learning also, in earlier jobs, because prior to teaching I dropped out of college. The second half of my undergraduate credits were earned one or two classes at a time over the course of a decade. I was awarded an MFA in Printmaking after two years, and began teaching soon after. Read more>>

Charlotte Ratel

Ideas are very beautiful and complicated flowers that need lots of care to flourish. No ping-pong tables and free snacks will ever be enough to maintain a healthy creative team. Read more>>

Jimin Park

In 2016 freshly graduated from RISD Graphic Design department, I went into this mass production apparel company that most people would recognize when they hear the name. That was my first job and the only prior job. The title I applied for was a “Brand Designer” which I thought I could pursue my dream of being a logo designer creating the identity of the brand. In a way the job was still within that realm, but not quite. Read more>>

Aliguma Allan

The most important lesson that I have learned since starting a Skill development project is that , skills development has helped students both at school level and those that are not able to access formal education to build a strong foundation in the employment sector, which is accompanied with building great confidence, leadership skills and development to problem solving skills plus collaboration.  The end goal is, the youth have managed to become independent thinkers and can plan for their future. Read more>>