Do you remember the moment you realized what you wanted to do professionally? Was it magic? Was it scary? We wanted to hear from some of the most talented artists and creatives in the community and so we asked them to tell us the story of the moment when they knew they were going to pursue a creative career path.

BIG Honey

I have wanted this my entire life! I used to have dreams I was performing on stage in a large arena! I used to sing Whitney on my broomstick dreaming of being an entertainer. Read more>>

Alyssa Martin

After working in a cooperate setting gor years, I felt monotony slowly creeping in and the only time I would feel myself come alive again was when I was creating artistically. When I let myself fall into artistry, the world fades away and I feel lit from within as I swim through the experience. Read more>>

NOA MAZAR

My parents would probably tell you i was born a drama queen. My dad has this story about how the only way he could get me to sleep was if he danced around with me in his arms in the middle of the night when i was a baby . Music spoke to me , movement, action. music was always around me because my dad is a musician (among many other things) From a really young age, It was obvious to me and everyone around me that i would find myself in entertainment. i was participating in plays, taking dance classes, making music videos with my friends. Read more>>

Sheldan Wilbon

It was never something I wanted to pursue professionally. Making things just being creative in general is everything to me. I’m in love with what I do. I never did anything for the money just did what I love everyday. Knowing and hoping one day it would get acknowledged. Read more>>

Katrin Ignatova

I’ve been drawing ever since I was about 2 years old and I haven’t really stopped since. When I was in elementary school, I found out that my art teacher at the time had previously worked on some of my favorite animated films. She was beyond inspiring to me because she made me realize early on that there are many professions out there for people who draw. As a result, I started to work very hard on improving my skills and building my portfolio early on. I decided I wanted to go into animation when I was about 13 years old and with the help of my parents, I attended Ringling College of Art and Design with a degree in Computer Animation. That’s where I learned about all the different aspects of animation and filmmaking, and I got a chance to make a short 3D-animated film as my thesis project. Read more>>

Jay Saffi

I first knew at the age of 12 years old. I felt inspired, motivated and full of energy every time I was in the studio. I enjoyed being a sound engineer for other artist and being surrounded by creatives from my city. I took opportunities and risks to further my career and focus full time on making my own music. Read more>>

Terrah Aldi

From a very early age I knew that I would pave my own path. I never quite fit into the same box as my peers and was always looking for a way to make things “better” or “bigger” or “fancier”. As an example (that has nothing to do with my career path) in 6th grade wood shop all of my classmates made a spice rack. I made an entertainment center and my dad had to borrow a truck to pick it up from the school. I have always been that way. “Go big or go home” as they say. Read more>>

Aimee Lewis

Before diving into college, I went on a year-long trip, hopping between various countries. Initially, my sights were set on becoming a physical therapist, all stemming from a knee injury I sustained during junior year of high school. But, picture me nestled in a charming treehouse in Cambodia, diligently working through those university applications. Right then and there, it struck me – photography had evolved into much more than just a casual interest. Read more>>

Jordan Cordel

Honestly, it all started freshman year of high school. My high school had a talent show called Memorial Idol and I decided to perform. I went against all the upper class men and still came in 1st place. It definitely put a fire under me to pursue my R&B dreams. I started writing more and volunteered to do more performances. Once I turned 18, I found a studio and started working just pay for studio time. Read more>>

Kimily Jiang

As a fashion designer, I first learned about this profession in high school, around 2008, when I watched the Beijing Olympics and saw that each country’s clothing had its own national symbol, which I found beautiful and distinctive. From that moment on, I became increasingly interested in fashion design, and I started using all the resources around me to search for and learn any knowledge related to clothing design. I began following fashion shows of various brands and gradually entered the fashion industry. In fact, what really set my future path was a show I saw online from John Galliano, a talented designer. Read more>>

Paz Sintes

Being born in Barcelona and the youngest of five sisters, I started to draw fashion sketches at the age of 8, styling my sisters, collecting fashion magazines and recycling and customizing my mother clothes. Cinema, especially old glamorous Hollywood movies and musicals movies, with its music, dancing and especially its luxurious clothing, inspired me since I was very little. Good classical music was always present at home too. My mother played Spanish guitar and drew landscapes in charcoal as a hobby. My father loved classical American Jazz music. Read more>>

Nikki Taguilas-Morales

I actually just talked about this with my husband the other day. Writing was always there for me, but it felt more of a hobby than what could be a career. I wasn’t really taught growing up that creative endeavors were something to be pursued in order to make a living. It was kind of the thing that kept you sane while you pursued something else to make a living. But from the 5th grade, when I was first published (shout out Iowa Test of Basic Skills!), I knew I loved doing it. I would write mini-stories in my journal, never a true diary entry. Make up stories with my grandpa. Read more>>

Julie Dawson

I realized I had a passion for entertaining people when I was 2 years old and started performing in dance. As a kid, I wanted to do anything I possibly could to make people happy, laugh, and put on a show. I then became involved in school & church plays growing up, which lead to on-camera acting in commercials, TV shows, and feature films. The first time I set foot on a movie set it just felt like magic to me. I was about 16 years old and was cast as an extra in the film “Dan In Real Life,” starring Steve Carell, whom I got to briefly meet on set. I was fascinated by all of the cast & crew working together to create something special for others. Read more>>

Frank Whipple

I’ve been interested in creativity from very early childhood, surrounded by family members who were in the arts as musicians, writers, and painters, and enjoying that atmosphere which seemed so natural to me and full of interesting people who were their friends and colleagues. Growing up in the Hollywood area also allowed for a focus on these pursuits as that creative energy was so pervasive and created a stimulating environment, although I can’t say I was very serious or disciplined in my teen and early adult years, though I did some painting and drawing and was passionate about playing guitar for quite a few years, and had quite a few musically inclined and artistically talented friends during that time. Read more>>

Andy Yi Li

My journey towards becoming a filmmaker has been a captivating evolution that took root during my teenage years and fully bloomed in my early twenties Before embarking on this creative path, I had worked as a financial analyst in a tycoon real estate company. Yet, even while projecting a future of success in the corporate world, I couldn’t ignore the image of my life in my fifties, and it wasn’t the life I envisioned for myself. The allure of promotions and financial success paled in comparison to the true passion that had ignited within me. Read more>>

Austin Albert

I’ve always had a love for music and how it affected others mood. When I had beats I made that gave other people goosebumps, I knew I had something going. Read more>>

Julia Washington

When I was five years old. It was at the county fair. I was performing in my first dance recital as the sleepy Care Bear. It was more than just fun being on stage. Read more>>

Courtney and Stephen Stahl

Courtney: As soon as I entered college, I fell in love with songwriting. It was then I knew I wanted to pursue music full-time. Stephen: When I started playing guitar at age 9. Read more>>

Johnny Metro

Beginning from the time I was very young I knew almost immediately that I wanted to perform or create for others and its been a drive that has never left me since. I truly don’t feel whole unless I’m sharing or creating something that an audience can enjoy or relate to. My massive love for movies, music, and television was always a huge motivating factor for me because storytelling is how people truly come together. Every time I make a video I get such a kick out of the idea that my creation might make someone laugh or even add some some joy in their day. Read more>>

Travis LeRoy

I was 13 years old. I went to see Motley Crue on one of their first tours. I managed to get to the front row. It was so cool (and loud)! Looking back, that concert made a big impression on me. It was the beginning of me wanting to pursue a career in music. Read more>>

Kyaunnee Richardson

Music has been apart of my life since the very beginning of my life. It was everywhere while growing up. I had been singing in chorus since I was in elementary school on up into high school. My mom already knew I was going to be a singer but I made the decision when I was 14/15 years old. That’s when a little known musical called “The Phantom of the Opera” persuaded me to become and opera singer and pursue it professionally. I saw the film in 2004 with my choir and I wanted to know more about this musical. I bought the book and any CDs I could find of the musical — from the London Cast Recording to a knock-off version. I became obsessed with it. In 2005, my dad took me to see it at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts when it was on tour. Read more>>

Vedika Sinha

I have always known I wanted to be a singer. I remember, as an 8 year old, running home from choir practice on Monday nights to watch “The Voice Kids” and imagining myself up on stage. I used to consider it as a dream and thought I would find another passion that I would eventually pursue as a career, but this “silly” dream of being a popstar never really went away. I did not fully accept it until I was 17. When I was applying for colleges I realized that singing is what I want to do. I knew that I wanted to major in music, and if I was serious then this would have to be my “all-or-nothing” moment. Read more>>

Gareth Stehr

I feel like somehow I always new that to be a creative was my path and my goal. when skateboarding came in to my life and took over I knew that that was all that I wanted to do or could think about. And as painting and drawing art art started to become a part of the skateboarding it helped both aspects greatly until eventually the art took over the skateboarding too and being a creative I that way was more fulfilling and exciting. Read more>>

Katherine “Kae” McSpadden

Since I was six or seven. I started by tracing in my coloring books and creating new outfits for Disney princesses and eventually, I began to trying to draw various cartoon characters freehand. The first character that I was able to draw well without tracing was DeeDee from Dexter’s Laboratory when I was seven years old. Throughout my school years attending the International School of Luxembourg, I learned about various traditional art styles from various countries such as decorating pyansky eggs, origami, henna tattoos, and many more. I wanted to be an artist of many skills and can adapt to many styles. Read more>>

Abraham Lopez

I first noticed that I wanted to peruse a career in the entertainment industry when I was in high school. I remember when my godmother would come visit me and my family during the summers and I would go with her to production meetings and on set. I really fell in love with the industry and how a team of people come together to create a story visually and share it with audiences. I wanted to pursue a career doing that and make it my job. Read more>>

Preston Bishop

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. My talent for drawing comes from my mom’s side of the family. When I was younger, maybe 10 or 11 years old, I remember one of my older brothers got a small tattoo and I thought it was super cool. I don’t remember previously paying much attention to tattoos before that point, so when I saw that my brother, who I looked up to, got one, I just thought it was the coolest. Around that same time, Miami Ink was airing on tv, and I was like “oh, not only is this the coolest job ever, but you can make money from it too?!” Ha! That’s when I knew that I wanted to tattoo for a living. Read more>>

Effy Han

I realized my passion for acting when I discovered that TV characters are real people acting. This concept intrigued me: while we live one life as ourselves, acting allows us to experience various roles in one lifetime. I’m captivated by the idea of living multiple lives through acting, making it the most exciting pursuit for me. I want to be an actor. Read more>>

Ricardo Venegas

I first knew that I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path when I started getting a bunch of compliments on my beats. What really made me realize I was actually good and made me want to do this professionally was when a artist that I used to listen to actually liked my beats and asked me to send him some. That’s when I really said “hold up ima take this music serious”. I knew I could really do something with the stuff I was just doing for fun and actually be serious about this music stuff. Read more>>

Cait Curley

I began advocating for various causes in 2015 on social media. It seemed like a good way to connect with a significant amount of people and have my opinions heard. Before the advocating, I didn’t find use in social media. I was never on it. As time passed, I began to hone in on what type of content/art was preforming best. I found that I was able to create a captivating photo/video to lure in an eye and then educate in the captions. I fell in love with content creation and telling stories through a phone screen, it’s become a deep passion. It took me several years to figure out how to remain true and genuine to my creativity while making a career out of it. The brand evolved beyond activism into brand deals and partnerships. Read more>>

Stefani Rabideaux

Ever since I was a child who first held a pencil in hand, I knew I was going to be an Artist. It runs through my blood. My Grandmother was an artist and my Mother, too. I grew up watching her hand draw her favorite bands from the 70s and 80s while my Dad played drums in a band in the other room. Our house was flooded with passion and creativity. I was also lucky enough to grow up in the 90s and be surrounded by, what I believe to be, the most creative and enchanting decade for young minds. Film, animation, and music were booming with wild, mesmerizing themes which led me to believe anything was possible. There was no doubt in my mind that I would be an Artist. Read more>>

Anaïs Sylla

I knew I wanted to work in a creative field since I was a child. I studied music and I always sang. However, I dared to embark on this path late, at the age of 27 when I began to record my first compositions and I assumed this side of my life. Read more>>

Kimbell Sadler

I’ve always had a love affair with art. I think it even began way before I was born when my parents named me after a beautiful contemporary museum in Fort Worth called the Kimbell Art Museum. But it was not until 2 years ago that I started toying with the idea of making my own art. It started with a chance encounter with the most vivid and intoxicating alcohol ink renditions displayed at the East Austin Studio Tour by Julie Pelaez. There was something that compelled me to just reach out to her and ask her to teach me and her kindness and willingness to help me basically set me on my path of artistic self-discovery. The colors beckoned to my heart and I simply had to follow. Read more>>

Corbett Kesler

Discovering your artistic talent later in life and finding success through your passion is a remarkable story. It’s wonderful to hear how something you created on a whim, like my beaded skulls, not only impressed the girl but also set you on a path to discovering your true passion and building a successful art career. The fact that I’ve sold over 100 pieces of art in just five years is a testament to the value and uniqueness of my creations. Balancing my teaching career with my art career requires a lot of dedication and time management, but my passion for art is driving me forward. Read more>>

Marcos James

The arts is something that always resonated with me. However, I was initially very active in sports. I was a very promising hurdler in the 100 and 200m specifically. Heading into my teens, I did an audition for a performing arts academy. I thought at the time, it would be something interesting and fun to do after school. With the training I was receiving in the arts, I started to excel as a performer and realized that it was important for me to continue. As I developed and became more advanced, I eventually chose the arts over sports and essentially never stopped and never looked back. Read more>>