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.

Salima Bhimani

I’ve always had this inner sense that quivers in me when it’s time to level up or find new opportunities to shape the world. It’s a voice I trust and a call to reimagine my channels of impact. My core work has always been about unlocking opportunities and forging connections where they might not otherwise exist. For example, by the time I was 19 I built an international leadership program, bridging gaps in difficult and abandoned economic, environmental and social contexts to address local needs. This inner calling and audacious disposition to dive into often messy and dynamic problems led me to the tech industry in 2017. An industry brimming with unprecedented promise and challenges. Literally shaping who we are as humans and how we meet every day needs. Consider this: By 2030, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy, transforming industries from healthcare to transportation. Read more>>

Tiffany Gurholt

No one can humble you like a teenager! I spent 16 years teaching Middle and High School English. There, I was taught not only how to deal with a number of personalities in the classroom but also their parents. My most valuable lesson was patience and hearing people out. I was able to create strong relationships with both my students and their families. I think this helps me now because I’m able to connect with pretty much any type of personality. I listen my client’s vision, but I also try to get to know them and make them feel comfortable in the little time we have together. I make them feel safe, comfortable, and seen. These are all things I did with my students in the classroom. Photography is all about the connection between the subject and the photographer. If you can’t make a connection, you cannot portray the emotion of the subject in your photo. Read more>>

Joe Meyer

Kindness is a powerful force that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates positive environments. It’s a choice to treat others with respect and empathy, regardless of differences or challenges. Kindness fosters connection and understanding, showing others they are valued and supported. Acts of kindness can inspire and uplift, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the moment. In a world often filled with stress and conflict, kindness offers hope and unity. It’s not just an action; it’s a mindset that transforms individuals, communities, and the world, reminding us that compassion and care are at the heart of humanity. Read more>>

Tabitha Frazer

The most important lesson in all of my previous work experiences is the value of making personal connections. Without these connections, growth and collaboration do not exist. No matter what career field, job, goal, or life choice – connection with other people either builds or hinders the potential for expansion. Connection also allows us to experience exposure to other avenues, perspectives, and ideas that have not been considered before – allowing for greater knowledge and ultimately more clarity around our own desires and paths to get from one point to another with greater ease and a feeling of cohesiveness. Read more>>

Hannah Jones

Starting as a receptionist at a talent agency with no industry knowledge, I worked my way up from the ground floor. One of the most valuable lessons I learned early on was how to navigate different personalities and adapt my communication style to fit each individual. I quickly realized that success isn’t about waiting for direction—it’s about taking initiative, seeking out responsibility, and making your own path forward. Read more>>

Coral Mcclellan

Throughout my career in the fashion industry, I have cultivated a diverse portfolio of experience across product categories, including contemporary footwear, women’s accessories, apparel, and sleepwear. While I am passionate about all facets of this field, I have come to recognize that true success often lies in engaging with a category that you feel a genuine connection and aligns with your own interests and values. I’ve approached each role with a strong commitment to excellence; however, I found that my drive and passion truly flourished when I was excited about the products I represented. Read more>>

Gerardo Pena

Before I became a full time artist I worked as an operations/sales manager in a cleaning company. For many years I felt like I waisted my time doing that job when I could’ve invested time making art. I was miserable and filled with regret feeling like I lost many important years of my youth not following my dreams. The ironic thing is that when I started making a real stable income from art, many of my art colleagues would ask me how I was able to accomplish it so fast and it was thanks to that job. In that job, I learned to market myself, manage contracts and deal with people, which is something most artists do not learn in school. Read more>>

Kellie Lauth

The most important lesson I’ve carried into my role as a CEO is the power of strategic imagination and intentional design—a lesson shaped by two seemingly unrelated, but equally transformative experiences: leading a K-8 STEM Title I school and designing window displays for Ralph Lauren in my early retail days. Read more>>

Chrishan Wright

Before founding Blaxit Global, I led digital marketing for a major consumer packaged goods brand. My role required a deep understanding of the product and a clear grasp of the diverse needs of the customers who used it. Let’s start with Ralph Lauren. As a teenager, I had the incredible opportunity to design window displays for one of the most iconic brands in fashion. Every display had to tell a story—elegance, adventure, or nostalgia—using only mannequins, props, and a creative eye. It was about creating an emotional connection that made people stop, look, and engage. I learned how to take a blank canvas and craft something magnetic, purposeful, and unforgettable. I also learned that small details—like the perfect lighting or a subtle placement of a scarf—could make all the difference in creating that spark of inspiration and compel people to spend their time and money. Read more>>

Cecilia Shin

An important lesson I learned while designing for shows is how big of a role chance and luck play for someone in my field. I had a difficult first year in NYC when I moved and was searching for professional work in theater while trying to survive in the city. During that year, whenever I thought I would not land my next gig and would be out of work the next month, I would get an email about someone recommending my name, asking me to interview for the job. Read more>>

Rob Rodrigues

I worked for many years as a Senior Designer and Design Director at the Jones Apparel Group, I had the opportunity to travel the world for both Inspiration and Product Development. Travel coupled with the day-to-day seasonal design cycle gave me a broad perspective of the business world and how product fits into it. Read more>>

Anna Heid

When i was a PICU nurse, I learned how to critically think and time manage, You have to always be ready to handle the next task, and some are more urgent than others. I learned how to realize which tasks are most vital and that it is okay to do things out of order. You have to take on the most important think first, and then get to the rest. This has helped me in my job as an influencer because time management with brand deals is important. Not as important as nursing, but I can organize the deals by which is needed quickest. Read more>>

Elite Recordings

During and in the aftermaths of the Covid-19 crisis – before starting the Elite Recordings collective -, the significance of creating community became very apparent. The strength of having a network in which all participants can contribute with their expertise and in their areas of interest, as well as the joy of being able to create music with such talented individuals and getting to learn from one another – has been such an incredible process. In another aspect, community is so important on a personal level as well and working so closely with such a supportive network of people has never felt more important, personally. It has become a very family-like dynamic. Read more>>

Mary Lewis

I’ve learned two valuable lessons that have significantly shaped my professional career. The first is the importance of knowing your business—understanding every aspect of an organization, from its mission to its operations and the unique challenges it faces. The second is the power of a compelling story, which can inspire action, unite people, and create meaningful connections. Both lessons have proven essential in navigating leadership and driving change effectively. Read more>>