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.

Naomi Barnes

My prior job I was a sales associate at Ulta Beauty. I learned on a more professional scale the importance of self marketing and proper time management as a consultant and the relationship between consumer and product development. I learned this by observing on a daily basis my coworkers and through close conversations with some of the clients, from lower class to the more upper classes. And even though makeup isn’t exactly my thing (completely), I’m very inquisitive so the thought process was a natural move but to see the interaction and hear some of the conversations as well as partake in my own I will never forget. I remember my manager at the time saw me come in, after watching me quite a while regarding work ethic, and said to me, “Naomi you come in the building as a DM”. To me that was a big compliment because she was in a successful position in the company and even though I didn’t see myself long term in the company I knew the compliment was based on traits that can not only be applied to everyday but also to my own art business. To be compared to a District Manager and I had only been with the company for about a month up until that point! Read more>>

Ulrika Lerner

My background and BFA is in interior design and there I learned the process of a creative project from the spark of an idea to completion. To understand this process and the discipline of design has been very helpful and translates well, for me, to visual art. Whether it comes to art or design one uses the same elements – line, shape, color, texture, scale etc. to achieve successful composition, depth, balance, harmony and emotional reaction/satisfaction. I think it has demystified the idea of creative work for me and allows for a practical and straightforward way to create. Read more>>

Max Gehlofen

After Art University i founded a restaurant and catering service with a good freind of mine. These years told me that nothing is for free. I realized that there is a lot of effort in things that others dont see. During this time i learned to adapt to problems and get through trouble ive never heard of before. After a few years i recognized that dedication and hard work make me happy in a way. So i lost my fear to do my art for a living. It was time to make a decesion so i closed the shop and started to prioritize my art and put everything i learned in the restaurant on top of my artskills to get through. I think without the etime in the restaurant i would have been to naive in businesscases, to make a living with my art. Read more>>

Amy Walton

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that a “no” doesn’t always mean “no.” I was in the nonprofit fundraising sector for years. When you ask for a monetary gift or sponsorship, you don’t typically receive a “yes” the first time (although many times you do). Just as I did in nonprofit development, I massage relationships with potential coaching clients–people who have consulted with me but who, for various reasons, don’t commit at the time of the consult. I want women to know I believe in them and that they can trust me. It can take time, but I do believe that the women with whom I am supposed to work will be the ones who eventually commit. I am not a salesperson, because I get tired of being trolled on both LinkedIn and Instagram; but I do take the time to earn someone’s trust and believe that their “no” will become a “yes” at some point–if I am the right coach or teacher for them. Read more>>

Jenn Lopez

Never go into business with friends. If you can, do it on your own. And don’t be afraid to go out of your own! For such a long time I held back leaving my job fearful that my clients wouldn’t follow, but they did! And looking back, I wish I would have left the job earlier & went into my suite sooner. Read more>>

Karizma Stylez

The most important lesson I learned at a job is one that transformed my life forever. It’s a lesson about courage, resilience, and the unwavering belief in one’s own potential. Looking back, it feels as though every moment in my journey was preparing me for this revelation. Read more>>

Renae Mansfield

I would say my biggest lesson came while at my job as a Paramedic and Career Firefighter over the last decade . “Just keep pushing – You’re stronger than you think”. When I went to the fire academy, not only was my physical strength put to the test, but my mental strength as well. While all the fires were controlled, they really do throw you right into the fire! There were many times when I wanted to give up, tap out, call it quits, told myself I wasn’t cut out for this – especially when it was 100 degrees outside, wearing 70 pounds of gear and breathing equipment, pulling 200ft of 2.5 inch hose filled with water (which weighs a lot! haha) up 2 flights of stairs feeling like I was about to throw up in my mask. I learned how truly strong my mental strength had to be to overcome the desire to give up when things got difficult, which has carried me through the unforeseen difficult times that came in more recent years. Often times we limit ourselves in many different ways and excuses, but anything can be overcome with the right mindset – you just gotta keep pushing. Read more>>

Zak Nelson

There are many stories that come to mind that I could tell but this one in particular stopped me in my tracks while it was happening. It taught me a lot about the importance of how powerful an attitude can be, how it affects others, and how it can slowly destroy the whole dream and goal of what you wanted to pursue in the first place. Read more>>

Heather Hanson

Not many people know that before I became a professional photographer, I spent years working in Asset Protection and Loss Prevention for luxury retailers in Minneapolis and San Francisco. While it might seem worlds apart from photography, that experience taught me skills that have profoundly shaped my approach behind the camera. Read more>>