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

Nicolette Siragusa

Like most people, I’ve had a lot of different kinds of jobs. From a brief summer as a waitress, to a part-time receptionist job, to three years as a case manager, to fifteen years of ministry, to owning a non-alcoholic bottle shop, the thread that ties them all together is the importance of listening well. I’ve never worked in retail, and I’m not interested in selling you something that you don’t want or need. What I am good at is listening to people – why did they come in today? What flavors do they enjoy? – and introducing them to products I believe in. One aspect of owning this store that has surprised me are the personal disclosures that people feel comfortable sharing. Read more>>

Lesean M

I didn’t come into business with a perfect blueprint or a big team — I came in with purpose and pressure. I’ve worked jobs that had nothing to do with beauty or skincare — but every single one taught me something. One of the most important lessons I learned wasn’t glamorous: it was about capacity. I was working long hours and still trying to push my own business forward after clocking out. I realized quickly that there’s no one coming to save your dream but you. Read more>>

Lormarev Jones

I learned that you don’t accept all jobs you’re offered. Just because because you’re qualified for a job and would be good at it, doesn’t mean you are obligated to take it. Be curious, ask questions, investigate, especially about the person/people you will be working for, I ended up in a very abusive work situation because I had not done my due diligence. It was a rough lesson to learn for sure, but it stuck! Read more>>

Mary Howe

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my career came from working in healthcare—specifically as I grew into my role as a nurse practitioner. That role gave me a completely new lens for seeing people. I realized very quickly that I don’t actually know anything about the person sitting in front of me. That might sound obvious, but it’s a truth that applies far beyond the patient care setting—it’s relevant to how we treat anyone we meet in daily life. This perspective has brought me a deeper kindness toward others and a greater appreciation for the human experience as a whole. Read more>>

Heather Thurman

I cut my teeth at Macys.com back when “add to cart” was still a novelty. Nearly a decade in that scrappy, startup-meets-retail-giant world gave me a front-row seat to the art (and science) of understanding people. The biggest takeaway? Listen—really listen—to your clients. You can have the prettiest product or service on the planet, but if you’re not tuned in to their needs, their pain points, and what keeps them up at night, your message won’t land. In the era of AI and automation, I still believe that most powerful business tool is authentically caring about your customer’s success as much as your own. When they win, you win. Simple as that. Read more>>

Paola Nunez

In my previous job, I worked in sales and that experience taught me a valuable lesson about what it takes to succeed. I learned that consistency is key, you have to show up every day ready to give your best. I also realized how essential it is to be genuinely kind and attentive to customers, because building trust makes all the difference. Most importantly, I understood that having a deep knowledge of the product you’re offering not only gives you confidence, but also helps the customer feel secure in their decision. That combination consistency, kindness, and expertise has stayed with me throughout my career. Read more>>

Rebecca Bystrom

I have always lived life as an artist. “The creative type” called “gifted and told how lucky I am to view the world thru my rose colored glasses. My uncanny response to those responses & affirmations: Creativity is a blessing and a curse. Learning how to use my gifts for good is an ongoing life long education, that is why I am here. Read more>>

Jeremy Spivey

My “real job” is a corporate leader focused on customer service and customer success. For 25 years, I’ve worked directly with customers on challenging issues and problem solving. Sometimes, this involves travelling to them to meet face-to-face and see their challenges directly. Read more>>