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

Veronica Dress

My very first job was in a transitional living home for young adults experiencing homelessness. In many ways, this job changed the trajectory of my life. I was tasked with facilitating our Life Skills curriculum for any new residents (which was hilarious, as a 22 year old with very few life skills of my own), and as we waded through the material together, I learned how to adapt. An anxious human, I used to cling to following the guide we were given for the program. I quickly learned that, actually, what folks really need is a space to share, be curious, show up authentically, and have their boundaries respected and honored. Read more>>

Bethany Dwyer

I am currently transitioning out of the profession of Equine Dentistry. I have spent 24 years in a predominately male dominated industry. While it has been a very rewarding experience on many levels; I am now watching young women take the lead in research and be viewed as a valuable asset worldwide. After hearing God’s call into a different type of work, I began to unpack the shifts and changes that had taken place in my profession. Women stepping into a powerful role, a legislative battle that ultimately resulted in a licensing program through the board of veterinary medical examiners and a massive amount of knowledge that has been gained about how we are able to maintain a horse’s mouth. What I realized to be true for me, partially in how I chose to run my business and in restrictions out of my control, I lacked the ability to run my business autonomously. It is a requirement for me personally, to have autonomy even in collaboration. Read more>>

Danielle Beinstein

In my early 30s, I was working at an EdTech Start up as an Online Community Manager. In that role, I would interface with users, but I also wrote all the copy and developed the program’s “voice.” It was an opportunity that showed up quite unexpectedly and it was the last job I had before I created my current offering. In that job, I worked for and with the COO who was really logical, very scientific in his approach. brained in his approach. And he said to me, “Danielle, wherever you go in life, whatever you do, you have a real gift in translating right brained concepts to left brained people {like me].” His reflection was a revelation but also the job itself brought me much more in touch with myself; I came to understand my skill sets far more thoroughly. They ended up cutting my role due to lack of financing. Being let go from that position was quite scary, but it forced me to go out on my own. Read more>>

Matilda Corley Schulman

I grew up on and around horses. And I think the one thing I will forever take with me on the journey ahead that they have taught me, is to always lead with kindness and empathy. I tend to catch ride. So I get paired and show horses that I have no prior relationship with, build a relationship with them as fast as I can, and bring them up the ranks in whatever job they are meant to do in the showjumping world. I think sometimes people forget that a little kindness, a little patience, can go so, so far in understanding another being. And what that kindness or patience can do for that person. People might not remember exactly what you said to them, but they will almost always remember how you have made them feel. Read more>>

Molly MArtin

One of the most important lessons I have learned at a job is the importance of boundaries and rest. Especially in the mental health field, it’s easy to overextend yourself with taking on too many clients, skipping breaks, or carrying emotional weight outside of sessions. Early on, I learned that constantly pushing myself without rest didn’t make me a better clinician, it actually led to feeling depleted and less present. I started being intentional about setting boundaries with my time, protecting space to rest, and allowing myself to disconnect when needed. I’ve found that when I take care of myself, I show up more grounded, patient, and effective for the people I support. Read more>>

Millard Walton

The most important lesson I’ve learned came when I was working as a warehouse manager at Amazon — a job I took during a time in my life when I felt like I had failed.

I’d spent over a decade running my family’s homeless shelter, The House of Hope, a place my grandfather and I built our lives around. I started working there at 12, ran it by 24, and gave it everything I had until I was 35. I saw it as my purpose. But after watching it slip away due to internal challenges I couldn’t stop, I carried guilt. I felt like I let my family — and legacy — down. Read more>>

Jan Jackson

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my career is that my professional brand is not separate from my personal brand. The values I uphold, the way I communicate, how I treat others, and the standards I set for myself all follow me whether I’m in the boardroom or at a community event. I’ve realized that authenticity, consistency, and integrity shape how people experience me both professionally and personally. Building trust, fostering relationships, and earning respect come from being the same person in every space, and that alignment has been key to my growth and leadership. Read more>>