We asked some brilliant entrepreneurs, artists and creatives to reflect on lessons they’ve learned at prior jobs. We’ve shared highlights below.

Steffie Molla

While I’ve been making art all my life- I’ve only had my business as you see it and started heavily sharing my work for almost 2 years now. The past 10 years has been college & various jobs. My current job is a ES art teacher. Both higher Ed schooling and various jobs in corporate and non-corporate setting taught me any important non-art related skills that I think many freelancers need to keep in mind. Read more>>

Nicholette Driggs

One of the most important lessons I have learned from prior jobs is to move on from places where you have outstayed your welcome. You know the feeling, you’re left out of meetings, they don’t CC you on emails, whispers when you enter the room, You can never do anything right. Or maybe you have outgrown them. You no longer feel challenged in your work. The passion you felt is gone. You dread going in to work. Read more>>

Aliyah Sims

One of the most important lessons that I learned from my previous career is resiliency and how to always hunt the good stuff. When I first started Sunflower Kitchen, I was transitioning out of the military. The lifestyle that comes along with being a soldier, a wife, a mother and a new business owner was one that required great perseverance. At least yearly, we were always trained on master resiliency. We were taught that no matter how difficult situations may get, we should always hunt the good stuff and find positive aspects of every situation. Those trainings have stuck with me to this day and I continue to live with that attitude of “hunting the good stuff”.. Read more>>

 Jimmy Hall

Though my past jobs aren’t what I ended up ultimately doing, the lessons learned inspired the ethos of Tree Fifty Four. For example, during my time in the Air Force I learned discipline and integrity. I use these now to make tomorrow easier by making todays work count and providing a consistent, quality experience throughout the entire Herbal Lineup. Read more>>

Katisha Johnson

The most important lesson I learned from a job was always have a plan B! I say that because my original professional background is in law. I was a paralegal for many years, my husband and I, We actually met at a Law Firm in Downtown, Chicago. We were both top paid, senior paralegals with heavy workloads. We commuted from Indiana during the week in order to build someone else’s dream, all while raising four young children. Read more>>

Amanda Little

I worked at Target for over 10 years. It was my first job right when I turned 16. I truly believe that working in the service or retail industries can prepare you for almost anything else in life. You deal with wonderful, terrible, rude, amazing customers every single day and that job really helped me to understand people a lot better. Read more>>

Valerie Leuchs

For 15 years I worked in sales, marketing and merchandising. I jumped around and tried different careers but I didn’t find one job that really called to me until I became an Artist. However, I gained so much business experience working in those roles. As a salesperson, I became comfortable reaching out and connecting with potential partners even though I have received many rejections. Read more>>

Kyra Beasley

Before going into business for my self, I worked in sales and marketing. Like anything it had its ups and downs. I worked with talented people who were great at their job. I also worked with people who had the ‘wolf of wall street’ mentality, which never ends well. Most of the business practices were out of integrity, which led to the business shutting down, losing employees, and eventually rebranding. Read more>>

Wendi Ramirez

It’s not a lesson learned by one prior job which I based my decision to be my own boss upon. It’s the simple knowledge gained by all prior job experiences which confirms I can’t abide by someone else’s schedule or set of rules. I feel the ticking of time that can be stifling so I want control of everyday I have. Read more>>

Daniel Edwards

During my time working as a Disability Case Manager I was responsible for approving or denying claims which determined if people would receive income replacement while being out of work. I saw time after time, mental health providers would not complete paperwork for their clients who were out of work which resulted in additional stress for the clients, and the claims potentially being denied. Read more>>

Tommi Cole

The most important lesson that I’ve learned in this process as an artist is to study and do my research. There was a situation where a guy reached out to me on Instagram about doing a music video for me and he wasn’t going to charge me anything to do the video. I was super excited and I told him I really appreciate the opportunity I’m thankful that you would take the time to invest and believe in me. Read more>>

Sydney Torabi

There are plenty of lessons I’ve learned from prior jobs/experiences but one in particular sticks out to me. This was well before I thought about establishing my health and fitness business. Back in college, I interviewed for a job at a local spin studio. During my time there, I showed up, worked hard, and loved it. I established myself as a leader and continually put myself out there as far as wanting to grow more in the business and get to a “higher up” position. That meant going from general retail to operations manager (keep in mind, I had no experience in operational tasks at all at this time). Read more>>

Jared Evans

There are certain times in our life that are the most difficult, but the most valuable. I was in the Air Force for 4 years. It was really the hardest 4 years of my life. For many people it wouldn’t have been, it wasn’t the work, but my mindset about it. I was a bit younger, and less wise (that’s putting it nicely) but that’s no excuse. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after college, and my dad convinced me going into the military would be a good choice. Not having the courage to chase my dream of running a martial arts school, I reluctantly agreed to sign up with Uncle Sam. Read more>>

Wendy Hovland

I worked in public relations and community outreach before becoming and actor. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve brought with me from my experience in the business world is that I view the actors and creative professionals I interact with as colleagues instead of competition. I audition every day alongside hundreds of other talent for voiceover and acting roles. Read more>>

Julia Soto

Before becoming a business owner, I worked for a salon franchise for five years. It was through this experience that I learned many important lessons that would help me as I progressed in my career. I feel that the most important lesson I learned was in the area of customer service. When I began working for the company, management quickly realized my passion and devotion to customers and promoted me to Retail Specialist. Read more>>

Kenneth Nance Jr

I think the best and most important lesson that I learned at a job was when I was a Correctional Officer. It wasn’t a job that I particularly enjoyed, but I didn’t know what I was really doing with my life after I graduated, and I needed to bring some money in. That job paid pretty poorly, and I’d be working 12-16 hour days sometimes 3 or 4 days a week. I didn’t have a whole bunch of time to spend with my loved ones, nurture my friendships and relationships, or ya know…enjoy life. Read more>>

Raheel Ramzanali

The most important lesson I’ve learned throughout my years working in the sports media is that you need to focus on creating a network that will help you out finding new gigs and a network you can help out when they need help finding new gigs and work. Your network is the second most important thing as a creative. First being your actual talent and hard work. Read more>>

Brittney Guimond

There is a special beauty that weaves our paths. For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a teacher. I pursued schooling to become an educator for children right after I graduated high school. I worked in the field for about 4 years and through this path, I was brought deeply into my heart from little preschoolers who had such a bright look on life. Read more>>

David Mills

One of my first jobs after high school was at a lawn care maintenance facility in Rockville, MD. As the new guy, I got assigned all the jobs you might expect. I loaded and unloaded trucks, repaired equipment, made bank runs, filled in for absent service techs, stocked shelved, took inventory…. Read more>>

Hunter Jones

The most important lesson I have learned through my careers in both the fitness and dance industries is that your results are a reflection of your work ethic. With dance I see MANY students these days lack the drive to succeed. If a dance move is too hard they say they can’t do it before even trying it. With training clients I am here to guide them and give the best workouts for their goals, and educate them on nutrition. However, I can’t do the work for them outside of our 30minute/hour sessions. It is up to the client to be disciplined and put in the work necessary. Read more>>

Benjamin Deceuster

About 12 years ago, I went to an association meeting in the evening to listen to Bobby Epstein talk about the process that went into bringing F1 Circuit of the Americas race track to Austin, TX. At the time I was working for a national landscape company and was pursuing this project to close the deal on a multimillion dollar installation contract for the new track. Read more>>

Shae Rose

The most important lesson I learned on the job was while working retail at White House Black Market (WHBM). I worked at the highest volume store in the entire company at the time, and we had a motto with the abbreviation M.A.P.S – Most Amazing Personal Service. Shopping at WHBM was a beautiful experience overall. Unlike other stores, WHBM had a curated experience for each shopper from the moment they walk in to the moment they cashed out. My favorite part is the fitting room. Read more>>