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.

Chrissy Mcewan

During my time working in the NBA, I had an eye-opening experience that completely shifted my career trajectory. I was managing the premium department, and it was my responsibility to ensure our top-tier clients—people who had access to everything money could buy—had unforgettable, unique experiences. What I quickly realized was that the typical gifts or traditional meet-and-greet events weren’t cutting it for them. They wanted connection, authenticity, and meaningful moments with the athletes they admired. However, the standard approach was to host 30-45 minute meet-and-greets where athletes would awkwardly stand, take a few photos, and sign autographs. Neither the athletes nor the clients enjoyed these interactions. Read more>>

Curtis Simpson

The most important lesson I learned during my time in the US ARMY, which has profoundly shaped my career as an actor and author, is the power of resilience and adaptability. In combat, things never go as planned. You train rigorously, study every angle, and prepare for the worst-case scenario, but the battlefield is chaotic. It teaches you quickly that the only certainty is uncertainty, and your ability to adapt, make decisions under pressure, and keep moving forward is what defines success—not just surviving, but thriving. Read more>>

Patrick Ercolini

Before transitioning into the live entertainment industry, I spent time in the hotel and hospitality industry. One of the most valuable lessons I took away from that period of my professional life is how to truly listen to customers and anticipate their needs. In hospitality, it’s not just about providing a service; it’s about creating an unforgettable experience. Attention to detail and a customer-first mindset can turn an ordinary service into something unforgettable. Read more>>

Carolyn Laidley Arn

My current day job is in commercial real estate and I am a Senior Vice President at Lennard Commercial Realty in Toronto. When I joined more than 16 years ago, there were only about 30 people, and the firm has now grown to almost 200. At the time of joining, I was the president of the only Canadian chapter of CREW Network (Commercial Real Estate Women-a volunteer position) with 250 local members and over 6,000 nationally so the change drew attention as well as support from my peers. Transitioning to commercial real estate was a complete career switch after being at the top of my game in business development and executive project management at a commercial construction firm, which followed a 9 year career in commercial interior design. Read more>>

Dani Robles

The lesson I learned is the value of labor organization. When I was younger, I was a bit more optimistic about what work was like. They always frame work as the next big stepping stone when you’re in college. They have a whole entire culture just about “getting a job”. They have entire clubs or programs that are all about cosplaying as business leaders. I spent so much time as a part of an entrepreneurial origination thinking it would work great as a resume builder or a platform for networking. Turns out it didn’t, and that time would have been better spent practicing my instrument. Read more>>

Marilyn Monhoe

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from my career in healthcare administration, particularly as the Director of Operations in the ENT and aesthetics space, is the importance of setting firm boundaries between your professional and personal life. In corporate America, despite what many companies claim about valuing diversity and personal freedom, your actions outside of work can often be scrutinized in ways that unfairly impact your career. Read more>>

Esmeralda Ginez

One of the scariest thing that has happened to me is starting my business when Covid was just initially starting. I was working for a law firm and during that time I recall looking into classes to learn lashes because that’s what I wanted to do on the side for extra income. I took the courses and 3 months after we get shut down, hours of work were cut and the world was going crazy. I remember panicking because my hours were being cut, I had less money, and I had just paid my courses with the little money I had saved up. Read more>>

Tommy Nee

The most important lesson I learned in a job prior to starting my company, Sun Potions, is to always be proactive. If there’s something you can handle now, handle it. If there’s an issue you can foresee now, go ahead and take the steps to minimize it or eliminate it. As a business owner, surprises and things that are out of your control come up almost everyday but if you can be proactive about the things within your control, it makes those surprises much easier to deal with when they arise because you’ve attended to the other things and have the resources and bandwidth to deal with the curveballs. Read more>>

Lisa Wommack

I am completely self-taught. It’s probably more accurate to say that I’m a dedicated student of art, as I hope I never decide I’ve covered everything there is to learn. I was fortunate to have found so many artists on YouTube when I first started who were very generous with how-to videos and free workshops for new artists. I still follow many of them on Instagram, YouTube, and through newsletters. I am also part of an online community that has provided some incredibly valuable and detailed art business and marketing instruction. I’ve met some artist friends here in the U.S. through that group who are so encouraging and supportive of each other. Read more>>

Dr. Monica S. Hall

One mantra I acquired from owning a community center prior to starting my school is to value everyone as a stakeholder. From the custodial team to the CFO of the investor you’re pitching to – they each hold value and are stakeholders in the potential for your business to be succesful. Therefore, the opinion of the student in a school matters just as much as the suggestion from your tenured faculty. Valuing each aspect of your business and every person that comes in contact with your business not only attracts potential customers/clients, but also produces humility. Humble leadership is the cornerstone of my success story. Read more>>