Do you ever wonder what life would have been like had you chosen a more standard path? Does everyone have these doubts sometimes? We wanted to find out and so we asked as many talented artists and creatives as we could and have shared highlights below.

Jennifer Kofler

As I become more proficient with the style and designs for Vivian Blooms Millinery and as they evolve and elevate I become more secure in my choice to work as a creative in the fashion headwear space. But, if I am completely honest, there is always a worry and a question about if I chose the right career path as a solo entrepreneur. That is a substantial part of my motivation to press on and continue down the path. Failure is not an option. Read more>>

Joel Junior

Being an artist should always be a synonym of happiness, it’s the way a person can freely express their feelings. But the reality of it shows the different layers of following art as a career path. So many factors must be taken under consideration, and as young artists we believe that we will make it big soon enough. But time goes by and despite the steps you’ve taken, you still feel stuck where you started. Then comes the fear, regret, doubts, and the desire to leave everything behind and settle for something more stable. Read more>>

Madeline J

This is such a common topic these days. The stability in having a “regular job” is unmatched. You know what is expected of you and you work on team with other people to strive towards collective goals. Those are things I miss about my corporate job, absolutely. But for the most part, I am incredibly grateful for being able to have full creative freedom and flexibility in my day to day. I make my own schedule and choose how much or how little I work. I do believe to some extent creatives need this. It’s hard to find creativity every single day so taking down time to reflect and step away from work is important for me in fueling my creativity. Read more>>

Heidi Grace Acuña

I definitely wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, honestly it’s hard not to! I think about the benefits of a regular schedule and a consistent income, and not having to wear so many hats as an entrepreneur. It’s not easy being an artist or creative in a world where we are underappreciated, underrecognized, and underpaid. It definitely gets to me, but nothing makes me happier than creating, and nothing comes as naturally as creating does. Creating eases me, yet it challenges me. Read more>>

Maria Cozette Akopian

I’m happiest when I’m creative. It’s the sudden thrill and fulfillment- it’s pure magic. I’m lucky to have realized that I don’t have to be just one thing, in fact my creative outlets nurture my professional platforms in many ways. I have a “regular job” and have my creative pursuits. I hate to call it that but I suppose my regular job is professorship. It’s my life’s purpose, not a job, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to impact so many young lives. They in turn inspire my music. At my very core, I am an artist so creativity is woven through all facets of my life. Whether I’m writing music, lecturing, or pitching to a marketing client, I do so artfully. Read more>>

Brad Young

I am happy as a creative, but I do feel like its important to diversify your interests so that you don’t get burned out in one specific field or type of art. For example, if you make most of your money in Real Estate Photography and can thrive in that field because you are also good at it, keep at it, but go shoot portraits, landscapes, weddings, or whatever else on your own time so you don’t burn out and start to dislike it. Thats what I have found and experienced so far in my career. You have to make sure you keep the love alive and sometimes money ruins that. Thankfully i’m lucky enough to make money and create whatever else I want in my own free time. Read more>>

Heather Martin

The short answer: yes, I am happy as an artist and business owner! However, that’s not to say I don’t have moments of sadness or frustration, especially since I am a pretty emotional person. But those feelings come from the love I have for what I do and the pressure I put on myself to succeed. That sadness is much different than any feeling of general discontentment and lack of fulfillment from the desk job I used to have. It’s like the ratios have flipped and now I’m generally happy and fulfilled instead of generally “meh”. Read more>>

Natalie Robles

I actually had a “regular” job right out of undergrad. I worked as an office manager at an elementary charter school for a little over a year, and then I worked as an administrative assistant for a program at a growing non-profit located in the Westlake and downtown L.A. area. The elementary school was fun because there every day was different – the kids were hilarious! I made some lifelong friends there as well. I remained at the nonprofit as long as I could – I was laid off due to budget cuts – but I absolutely loved the work I was involved in. I adored meeting the families we serviced face to face and interacting with them in so many different capacities. Read more>>

Sami Nguyen

While many might see creative jobs as ones where we do get o create all day, there is SO much back end planning, logistics and admin work that goes into creative and artistic careers that don’t get seen. At times, there can be so many tasks weighing me down as one person that having a “regular job” seems so appealing, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Each task is a lesson that helps me and my business grow! Read more>>

Nanxi Jin

100% ! My greatest joy stems from finishing a creative project, showcasing it to the world, and receiving recognition and praise from people I’ve never met. This serves as a profound validation for me. However, concurrently, I also aspire to hold down a conventional job and immerse myself in the typical nine-to-five work and life routine. As an artist, I find that the most significant challenge lies in maintaining consistency. Factors such as inspiration, a stable work schedule, and a reliable income all play crucial roles in shaping my creative process. Read more>>