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

Quill

The most important lesson I’ve learned came from an unexpected place: a long-time job in sales. Before I decided to pursue music full-time, I spent years honing my skills in the sales industry. Recently, I was laid off, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in my journey as an artist. Read more>>

Yuchien Wang

Project management, hands down. At CuboAi, a tech company where I led the creatives for two product launches and a Prime Day campaign, I witnessed how ideas are only ideas until you execute them. Let me take you through one of our biggest campaigns of the year: Prime Day. As the creative lead, I was responsible for getting the marketing deliverables in shape for 8 countries. My team and I started from scratch. We honed in on the strategy and then tightened the creative direction, right in our wheelhouse. But what’s next? After several brainstorming sessions, the project was going in circles- never making it out of the drawing board.  Read more>>

Syd Young

Before I started OutWellness, I was a staff Physical Therapist at a pretty typical PT clinic. At this job, our weekly meetings were all about numbers—more clients, longer hours, increased revenue—never about patient outcomes or how to communicate compassionately. One day, after being hit by a car on my commute, I still showed up to work and was praised for it. Read more>>

Stephanie Michele Sweigart

How many of us go through our day-to-day lives picking ourselves apart, judging our every move, and wondering if we’re doing it right? It’s so very normal! One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on the job is that I am enough. I AM ENOUGH. This realization has been a powerful anchor through the ups and downs of my career. There have been moments when I’ve doubted myself, made mistakes, or felt embarrassed by something I said or did. But I’ve come to understand that these experiences are part of my journey. I’ve also had times when I’ve excelled, built strong relationships, and grown both personally and professionally. Read more>>

Erica Randle Davis

A very important lesson that I have learned coming from 15 years of Property Management Experience as a Property Manager in Multi Family as well as Single Family is always treat the customer and others how I would like to be treated no matter the situation. By doing so it created the realization that empathy and kindness creates a ripple effect. I have always kept that on the forefront of my mind no matter what I was dealing with in any given moment whether it was a good situation or unfortunate one. Read more>>

Suzy Beck

I’m have worked in the entertainment industry since 2006 when I graduated from Syracuse University. One of the first pieces of advice I received was to be kind and respectful to everyone around you because A) its the right thing to do and B) you never know when you will run into that person again. This is a small industry and things change rapidly. Someone who is a Production Assistant working under you one day may be someone who could hire you and be your boss the next. We are all adults working together in this industry and we should treat each other with respect and kindness no matter where we fall in the hierarchy of production. Read more>>