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

Nadya Zeitlin

I’ve tried many hats before becoming an artist: office manager and receptionist, project manager in advertising agencies, marketing manager in a movie distribution company. All these positions have one thing in common: a lot of important paperwork. Contracts, invoices, receipts… It was a huge part of my life: prepare or request them in time. I think now the received experience helps me tremendously while working on grant applications and later – reporting process, if any. At least, mentally, which is the best starting point for starting any paperwork! Read more>>

Chad + Tressie Zellner

Alright, story time. So we’ve been shooting weddings for about 15 years. Early on in our business I didn’t have a care in the world. We were traveling the country/world shooting weddings and loving every bit of it. Cut to a few years into our business and we have our first child. That moment changed everything for me. I went from not a care in the world to “omg I’m responsible to the wellbeing of another human” in a very short amount of time. Read more>>

Khalif Hollis

One of the biggest lessons that I have learned was that there are many things in life we as people won’t understand, but you must take each lesson as a chance to learn and grow from it. While being a photographer for eight years I learned many things in my journey. One of the many lessons that I’m learning while on this journey was to not take any moment for granted. Read more>>

Paula Dixon

Many of us possess great strengths, these strengths can come in various forms. For some it is more creative and for others it is more strategic. And then there are those that have a combination of the two. While working at a small residential firm I had experienced a human resource/management situation like nothing I had ever encountered before. While the manager was very knowledgeable on accounting the firm lacked a professional leader. Read more>>

BeanieCheech

One thing that pushed me into the entrepreneurship direction was a 9-5. Even though I use a 9-5 to fund my creativity being the foundation of my youth, as any man but more so the Black man your faith is in the palm of someone else’s hand. It was when I realized doing the right thing in a workspace could also cause you to lose your job. It doesn’t really matter if you’re a hard worker. As an employee you will never be paid what you are owed and you will always be overworked. Well, overwork yourself for your own company. Read more>>

Nicole Pacheco

My background is real estate. Being in a new home sales and management for 12+ years taught me very valuable lessons. You have to have ownership mentality and understand that your customer is number one. Follow up and follow through are crucial in any industry, whether you are your selling a million dollar home or one dozen beautiful cake pops! Referrals are a business owner’s life line. Treat your customers with the upmost respect and deliver an incredible product & you will be successful! Read more>>

Ronald Bonnette

It’s Okay to Say “No” … Get a Job You Enjoy. … Don’t Work Only for Money. … Never Stop Learning. … Be Productive Outside of Work. … Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance. … Be a Team Player. … Look After Yourself. Read more>>

Josh Loera

Before I took the leap to be a full-time artist, I worked as a Sales Engineer in the Civil engineering industry. Before that, I worked most summers between school years as an intern for construction companies. An internship I was able to get an interview for because my uncle worked at the company. I wasn’t a particularly strong student academically. I focused more on the social and leadership aspects of college. Many organizations I participated in and lead in were latino-based. An effort to meet more Latinos and have a home base in a mostly white university. Read more>>

Endre Barath.

Having been a Captain in the US Army, I learned the importance of good leadership, trust, ethics and flexibility. All of these key traits can undoubtedly be applied to my career as a Greater Los Angeles Realtor. Clients must feel confident in trusting the advice they are given by their Realtor just as in the military, soldiers depend upon the direction and advice they receive. In both positions, one must also be ethical and a clear communicator. Read more>>

Danielle Parker, PsyD

Once I started to feel confident in my career, I would often forget that what seems obvious to me, may not be for everyone else. Sometimes I would jump the gun and share a form of knowledge or insight with my clients, and I could tell that it was not helpful for them. One of my supervisors shared with me that even in our profession, timing is everything. I could have the most accurate interpretation of what my client is struggling with, but it would only be useful for them if they were ready to hear and acknowledge it. To this day, it can be difficult for me to be patient and not rush the process, but I can tell that my clients truly benefit from me meeting them where they are at. Read more>>