Is there ever a “right” time to start a creative career? Our goal has always been help people pursuing their passion. Helping those people often means helping them think through important decisions such as when to start, when to take the leap. Below, you’ll find our conversations with successful creatives reflecting back on when they had to decide whether to start or wait.

Asia Robinson

If I could go back in time, I wish I would have started my business sooner when I was more financially stable. I think starting your dream business when you are in between financial spaces could be a blessing or a curse or a mixture of both. Read more >>>

Vickie J. Lin

For most of my life, I believed I’d have to spend 20 or 30 years climbing the corporate ladder before I could follow my dream of becoming a gallerist and curator. It felt like something that belonged in a “someday” category – after I’d proven myself and had earned enough to be financially stable through my career in B2B SaaS tech sales. Read more >>>

Wendy Karlin Pace

Many factors led me to start my company. The story is, I founded Pace Setting Media because my son was heading to college, and I needed to stay home to care for his younger sister, who has Epilepsy and couldn’t be left alone. That was the main reason for starting then, but I’ve always known I wanted to be self-employed. Read more >>>

Tony Belleti

If i could go back in time, i don’t think i would change a thing honestly. I’ve been so blessed with the opportunities I’ve been given that I’m just happy to be alive and well with the will, and ability to chase my dreams. I started making music seriously when my brother introduced me to a now good friend named Duwana. Read more >>>

Lauren Jane Barnett

I often wonder if things would have been easier getting a degree in creative writing. It would mean that by 21 I would already ahve contacts in the industry and a colleciton of short stories or even a novella under my belt. If I went on to do a Creative Writing MA I could graduate with a book deal or an agent at only 24. Read more >>>

Shari Brown

If I could go back in time, I would’ve started my creative career much sooner! When I was first signed to TTP, it was December 2020, and my first book dropped in January 2021. At the time, I was in the military, so my focus was always the mission. Read more >>>

Jean Larie Flaherty

I’ve played guitar and wrote songs since I was in high school, but didn’t focus on that path until my youngest graduated high school and I was 50. I kinda kick myself in the rear for not at least practicing during those years, but Moms are busy and that was my job, raising 3 kids to be happy, independent adults. Read more >>>

UREL BRG

I released my first full song when I was 21, but it wasn’t because I lacked interest or passion—it was mainly because I didn’t have the right connections, access to instruments, or knowledge of music theory. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I had started my music career in 2015—perhaps I’d be much more established by now. Read more >>>

Sayako Hiroi

If I could go back in time, I would not have wanted to start my creative career any sooner or later than I did. My path was not linear. I studied ethics in Tokyo, then spent four years working in sales and marketing at a manufacturing company. At the time, I often wondered if I was drifting away from what truly mattered to me. Read more >>>

Pravin Betala

Absolutely, I would have started sooner. Coaching has been truly transformational for me. The things I once imagined doing 10–15 years down the road, I’m doing today. Back then, I didn’t yet have the courage or maturity to begin—but with a gentle nudge from a coach, I took the leap. Read more >>>