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

Izaac Zevalking

I have always been a creative, but after schooling I worked in many different roles, from web designer to animator. When I relocated to Las Vegas I landed in the graphic design field. I quickly grew impatient at the creative decisions coming from the top, this was a theme at my other jobs but the world of Las Vegas graphics was much faster moving. Hence, the conceptual turn-over was intense. Read more>>

Skyler Locatelli

I wrapped up college with a BBA in Biz Management and fresh off a term abroad in Italy, I moved to Seattle and my first job was at an Italian Dessert Company. I wanted to not work a desk job and was fresh off the Italy trip so I said sure I’ll take a cafe Manager job. about 4 years into it I became part owner in the company and over the course of several years helped bring a 700K annual revenue business to over 1.3 million mostly by growing the company’s wholesale business, getting products in stores and restaurants across the region. Read more>>

Haleigh Watts

When I was in college, my university, MSU Denver, provided what seemed like an endless amount of opportunities to meet fellow students, engage with faculty, visit job fairs, listen to guest speakers, and just network in general. I remember having just switched majors from Social Work to Hospitality (what a change), knowing I wanted to work with people as the basis of my career, but unsure of in what capacity. Read more>>

Melissa Groven

I attended a small private college in North Dakota, called Jamestown College. I studied Elementary Education in college with the hopes of being a 3rd grade teacher. My two favorite classes in college were Elementary Art (LOVED this) and Children’s Literature. Carolgene had us do all sorts of hands on art projects in class, which I just loved. I also learned in Elementary Art class from my beloved professor, Carolgene, that art is about the process, not the product. Read more>>

Ellie Aldrich

I am in my final semester at Western Michigan University earning my bachelors in fine art. I have learned so many creative lessons that have pushed my creativity. One of my favorite classes I have taken in my undergrad is called “Writing About Art” it sounds boring, but it really helped me talk about my own art and learn to evaluate the art of others. Read more>>

Christy Duran

Always listen to your clients! A lot of time as a provider you don’t have to agree. Your Client knows best what result they personally are looking for and when you combine that with your experience you get the best results catered to them. Create a detailed treatment plan based on their own personal needs and goals. Remember they know their bodies best! Read more>>

Jennifer Ryan

I am a former nurse. One shift when I was working at the bedside, I was receiving an overwhelming amount of demands from patients, doctors and the multidisciplinary staff. All of the mindfulness teachings hit me at once when I connected that everything will be done, I will eventually clock out of my 12 hour shift and all I needed to do was to take it one breath and moment at a time with loving kindness for all whom I encountered. That has stuck to me (with ardent practice) to this day in every connection of life. Read more>>

Dionne Watts-Williams

For years, I was doing “all the right things” – sending out dozens of resumes per week, going to networking events, etc. (all while consulting here and there). I thought surely I’d land a “good job with benefits”. And I did…and FINALLY got what I thought was my “dream job” – you know – with a great salary and benefits. I even had a plush corner office and an assistant! Read more>>

Crystal Garrett

I’m an inquisitive person, I love learning new things. My entrepreneurial mindset has led me through several different career opportunities. From being featured in several TV and film productions to the music industry, where I was integral in producing several successful worldwide tours with award-winning artists to building single and multi-family homes. Read more>>

Alya Perez

Moving in your authenticity pushes out the people who aren’t for you and attracts the people who are. I remember when I first started my teaching, artist, dancing, and wellness journey; I masked a lot. Especially as a women of color I felt a pressure to conform, niche, and be a certain way. Read more>>

Elyse Preston

Prior to starting my own business, I worked in the non-profit sector, more specifically in youth development. I worked in community centers and schools and advocated at the local and state level for increased funding for after school and summer programs. While working in this space, I learned so much about the importance of self-compassion, authenticity and relationship building that really served me as a business owner. Read more>>

Nadyne Hicks

Christmas holiday of 2005, I visited my mother and couldn’t get out of bed. A few days had disappeared when my mom walked the stairs to the upper room and asked if I were okay. Being a former therapist, she sensed something was wrong. We talked and she asked me if I had thoughts of suicide and if I had thought of how I would do it and I said yes. Read more>>

Michael Rainville

I started making wooden toys, games, and household items before I started junior high school and was selling wholesale before I turned 16. I knew I wanted to expand the business after school and picked my college program to learn the things I knew I would need to know – engineering, marketing, accounting, business law, etc. I was pretty focused and often open with professors about my plans. Read more>>

Kazu Oba

While in college, I studied a ton of art disciplines, really trying to use that time to explore as much as I could. Yet often the best lessons were found outside of the University curriculum and off campus entirely: while chalk drawing in Florence, Italy, as a cook in Boulder and Denver restaurants considering how food is plated, tap dancing with friends after work, and in the more formal student-teacher relationship I shared with Boulder-based sculptor, Jerry Wingren. Read more>>

Adaeze Nwanonyiri

One of the most important lessons that I learned in college was do not underestimate any human that you come in contact with. There was a student that was an extrovert in my class and everyone viewed her as the underdog. Everyone looked past her as if she was invinsible because she did not fir the demographic. She ended up dropping out of the college because of this and a few years later I saw her on a billboard in Los Angeles promoting her business. Read more>>

Genevieve Barbee-Turner

Every single job that I have had was essential to starting my own business as a creative person. As a check out girl at the Golden Corral at 15 years old I was given the task of upselling to people who are there to purchase the cheapest meal possible: an all you can eat buffet. Every time though, I outsold my friend on the other register. Read more>>