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.

Marissa Gámez

In my past corporate roles, I learned lessons in adaptability. I was working with big Fortune 500 companies in Legal and Contracts, navigating intense deadlines and unexpected challenges. At first, it felt overwhelming, but over time, I realized that being flexible and open to change made all the difference. When I decided to leave corporate life and start Míra Matcha, that lesson was everything. I knew that the journey wouldn’t be straightforward and that I’d have to adapt and find creative solutions, just like in my previous roles. Starting my own business brought its own set of unexpected challenges, but every time something got tough, I drew on that experience. It’s what’s kept me grounded, resilient, and excited to build something meaningful for my community.  Read more>>

Sarah Brennan

One of the most important lessons I learned at a prior job is to know when. I had a very short stint in corporate America working for a major telecom company as a financial analyst. Anyone who knows me would likely be laughing by now. There is nothing corporate about me and numbers are not my strength.  I’m sure deep down I knew this wasn’t the longterm path for me but I had to pursue what I thought was the best decision, post grad school, for me. I’d just earned an MBA and it didn’t compute to me at the time that I could use that with my Undergrad degree of Advertising & PR.  I lasted all of 4 months at said job. From the quiet cubicles to the endless spreadsheets, it just wasn’t for me. You know the feeling you have when you are firing on all cylinders and truly aligned with what you’re meant to be doing? This was the exact opposite of that. I wasn’t great at my job and deep down I didn’t love it.  Read more>>

Cole Cook

I had the pleasure of playing Minor League baseball from 2010 to 2015. Being a professional athlete taught me to be comfortable trying for lofty goals, and that achieving such dreams takes stating a goal and working towards it. These might seem like rather pat takeaways from two decades spent on baseball fields; but the people I saw who achieved what they set out to never wavered in their belief that it was possible, and never stopped working to make it possible. It’s a balancing act that when done perfectly creates a razor’s edge that can be the bow of the ice breaking ship that’s most likely needed to get you where you’re going. On one side you have an unshakable belief that you are going to reach your destination. It is written – nothing can stop you from achieving these dreams. On the other side is the daily sharpening of the axe, the steady turning of a wheel. One betrays the other. If it is, indeed, written; then working is unimportant. And if, indeed, it does take hard work and dedication, than surely it is not preordained. How well one can balance these dictates how sharp the razor’s edge becomes – too far in either direction blunts the blade. Read more>>

Westside_elliot.

I’ve always called myself a “perfectionist.” After enough unfinished and scrapped projects though, I had to admit that trying to be a “perfectionist” was the roadblock to my growth. I had a job where I struggled hard. I brought my “perfectionist” approach with me and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get it right. My manager at the time gave me an advice that stuck with me. “You just need to fail more.” That changed my approach. I just said to myself, “f*** it.” And I carried that into my music. I learned in sales that in order to get one right, you need to get a hundred wrong. I started creating habitually, and the first song I had ready, I released it. Ever since then I have been releasing a new song every other week, consistently. I couldn’t care less if people disliked the songs, because I chose to be content with whatever I have created and released to the world. I hope to maintain this attitude as much as I can, not just with music but with everything I am pursuing. Read more>>

Kareena Lee Ebony Baker

One of the most important lessons I learned from my past job experiences is that common sense is not universal. What seems obvious to one person might not be clear to another, and this taught me to communicate clearly and set detailed expectations in my business. The second lesson was to never settle for a job that doesn’t fully value your skill set. Recognizing my worth early on allowed me to invest in myself and pursue opportunities that aligned with my strengths, ultimately helping me build a business where I could thrive. During my time as a head chef, I was responsible for managing a diverse team of employees ranging in age from 18 to 65, each with varying skill levels. This experience taught me a crucial lesson: common sense isn’t universal. For example, tasks that seemed straightforward to me were sometimes challenging for others, regardless of their age or background. I realized that everyone’s experiences and knowledge are different, and it’s important not to make assumptions. This taught me to be patient, communicate clearly, and provide thorough training to ensure everyone was on the same page. Read more>>

Nicole Dest

Working at Foot Locker taught me how customer relationships shape the entire experience. It wasn’t just about selling shoes; it was about connecting. I remember a regular customer who came in often, just to talk sneakers. By taking the time to listen and remember his preferences, I saw how genuine interactions could build trust and loyalty. That experience taught me that business is built on relationships, not just products. Now, with Naked Frogs, I bring that same focus on connection, creating a culture where each interaction is meaningful and every customer feels valued beyond a single transaction. Read more>>

Kaelie Osorio

At the start of my professional dance career, I danced for the NBA as a Los Angeles Laker Girl. Representing an organization like the Lakers came with a lot of responsibility and expectations of perfection. This kind of role and dancing was different than what I expected myself to do in my career. Naturally, I had imposter syndrome. My own mind would tell me horrible narratives about not fitting the part and I believed them. Identifying with my negative thoughts made me question my dancing ability in rehearsals, criticize my looks at games, and overthink every little thing I’d say at community events/promos. Outside of the conflict in my mind, I loved the job, my teammates, and the organization as a whole. However, I was not operating on love for the opportunity, I was operating on fear of not being fit for it. On game days, when we would walk onto the court for the national anthem and player intros, Thomas Bryant was on the Lakers team at the time, and he would repeatedly yell “get your mind right!” I adopted this saying and constantly said it to myself and my teammates. Read more>>

Liliana Andreia Gonçalves

Let me share a significant lesson I learned from my previous corporate job. It was at a fast-growing company that everyone wanted to be part of. After applying to over five roles and waiting six months, I finally got an interview call. I was ecstatic – I had manifested it, and it came true! However, reality soon hit differently. Being the only person without a college degree, I felt like an outcast. Our team of four was each handling the workload of five people. I felt overloaded, underpaid, and isolated. The work environment was tense – our computers were monitored constantly. Things became more challenging when I discovered I was pregnant just as my contract was nearing its end. I pushed myself incredibly hard to prove my worth and secure a permanent position, which I did. However, after returning from maternity leave, the situation worsened. I was made to feel incompetent, and nothing I did seemed good enough. Read more>>

McKenzie Kellar Williams | The Disco Chick

“Your career- and therefore, your happiness- is no one else’s responsibility but your own.” I have thought about this ever-so-important strand of words A LOT since I first heard them on March 30, 2023. This is absolutely the most important lesson I have learned from a previous job, which in return has helped me as a small business artist (The Disco Chick). Let me give you some of the backstory… In 2020, I graduated from The University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) with a degree in business after studying Management Information Systems. Years and years of hard work and determination led me to a path that was pretty much laid out for me: I was on my way to start my big-girl-real-world job at one of the Big 4 accounting firms as an IT Audit Associate (wow! very official, right?!). Fast forward to March 30, 2023- I was 3 years, 2 firms, and 2 promotions into my big corporate career and I was telling my manager I was leaving… I couldn’t do it anymore (“It” being: this job. This job that was not life or death. This job that caused such an impact on me and, overall, my mental health). Read more>>