We asked some insanely talented artists, creatives and makers to tell us about when they know they were going to pursue a creative career.

Olivia

I always knew since I was very young that I wanted to be creative. While growing up I always was found putting on shows in our living room, drawing and painting, making home movies with my grandma, trying on costumes and wearing them around the house and even to dance class, and sneaking off to my mother’s vanity to play with makeup. I took a heavy interest in art class. I even had a teacher who always encouraged me and it has impacted me to this day to pursue the arts. Art and pop culture have played such heavy roles in my life and I have always known that I wanted my life to have a place in them. It’s been such a challenge to pinpoint exactly where but I am grateful for all of the trials and errors that have brought me here. Read more>>

Austin Eisenring

I had taken a photography class in community college where they taught us the basics of photography, followed by training assignments on what to look for when shooting. After leaving that class, I had to take what I knew from learning and convert it to what I want to pursue. I tried landscape photography, nature, and some events, but what really stuck to me was portraiture. From there, I learned the skills and techniques they do, combined with what I learned from before, and then used it to run down this path to where I am now. Read more>>

Blk Jay

ive always been one for overconfidence to the point of seemingly delusional. growing up I wanted to be in the NFL. I practiced hard and had dreams of playing for a pro team even though I never showed the talent necessary to play the game at that level. Just true belief in that goal. With music, I have the same confidence but the reason I knew I could do this professionally was because every time I performed, released music or spit a freestyle with the homies, it was met with reverence. as opposed to football, I showed true ability to do this at the highest level. culminating in a show I performed at in front of a large crowd and they all started chanting my name. that was the moment I knew I was meant for that path. my talent and work ethic matched and ive run with it since then, its been a true love of mine. Read more>>

Selinay Mutluer

I’ve always felt that music was my calling, even from a very young age. Growing up in a home filled with music, I was always singing or experimenting with instruments and my parents were my biggest supporters. They encouraged me every step of the way, and I’m so thankful for that. My music teachers at school played a big role too. They believed in me, always giving me opportunities to perform in talent shows and pushing me to refine my stage presence. Read more>>

Phia Moore

My music journey began in the choir room of my middle school, singing folk and Americana under the leadership of my choir teacher and soon to be mentor, Tom Kell. This space opened up an entire new world for me that I didn’t know existed: music. As I continued my journey the 2020 Covid pandemic hit. My sophomore year of high school stripped away and loneliness set in. As a way to combat the isolation and depression, my mom signed me up for a songwriting class at The Songwriting School of Los Angeles. Guided by the teachings of Rob Seals, I engulfed myself in writing, using it as a lifeline. This is when I knew music would be my future. Read more>>

Lena Hermann

I’ve always enjoyed baking and experimenting with flavors and textures. It fills me with joy to see my family and friends enjoy my baking creations. A few years ago, I stumbled upon an instagram account of a baker from my hometown in California. I was mesmerized by her work, and even more that she was able to support herself and her family from her baking business. A thought crossed my mind, “what if I would give it a try too?” I shared my idea with my husband and another close friend, though unsure if this path would work for me. Both my husband and my friend encouraged me to go for it and I’m so glad I did! Read more>>

Marquita Newton

In 2008, I realized I needed to move in order to find more opportunities. I relocated to Atlanta, GA, from the small town of Texarkana, AR. At the time, I was working as a correctional officer, and I made the decision to sell everything I owned to start fresh in Atlanta, hoping for more options and a new direction in life. Although I attended college right after high school in 2002 on a Band Scholarship, majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in Print and Broadcast Journalism, I assumed that as a college graduate in 2007, I would easily find a job at a radio or news station. My dream was deferred, but not forgotten. After college, I worked in retail and corrections, still searching for my place in the world. I was frustrated that I wasn’t making the income I had expected with a bachelor’s degree. Read more>>

Melanie Damore

I was barely a conscious being, yet in Kindergarten, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I yelled out, “artist!” I have always loved working with my hands, and now, in my 30s, my passion for art has only grown. It allows me to slow down and think clearly when I often feel scattered. I avoided becoming a practicing artist for many years because it was always seen as “irresponsible” and “impossible.” The funny thing is, it’s been the best job I’ve ever had, and it has completely unfolded on its own. What I’ve learned, and want to share with others, is that the hard stuff isn’t so hard when you love the path you’re on. Make your own decisions and choose your own future. Chase your “impossible” dreams and quit your soul-sucking job. If you want something badly enough, the sacrifices hardly even matter. Read more>>

Zoe Gunter

I always struggled to find what art medium was perfect for me. It seemed like everyone else in my art classes knew what they liked the most. It never felt right to me, and I knew that as soon as I discovered fiber arts, specifically crocheting. Obviously, it took me a few months to learn to crochet, but I knew I wanted to keep doing it when I did a project involving crochet in my art class in December of my senior year of high school. People in my class thought it was odd to use yarn, I mean our class didn’t even discuss any fiber related art, which was probably why it took me so long to discover it myself. But once I had finished the piece, my teacher really liked it and wanted to show off the work I was doing. It felt right, it was the first artwork I was truly confident and proud of. My first crochet piece will always have a place in my heart, because it lead me to where I am today. Read more>>

John Eubanks

Most of all my life, I had some involvement in music, arts, entertainment. Whether it was, choreographic dance, to gymnastics to drumming in various school bands, aside from education there was fun. However, I was always conditioned and driven to be able to provide for myself in a long sustaining career. Once God swayed these things in my favor, there was more time to not only dedicate but fund my ventures as an artist/creative. Since 2022, I have been professionally recording myself and releasing my art into the world. I am looking forward to what the future holds. Read more>>

Watson Side

I’ll admit, I was a pretty annoying kid. I feel like that’s usually the gateway personality to a career in the arts. Yes, I did put on shows for my parents at home. Yes, I did take acting classes all through my schooling, and yes, I did do community theatre. I did every talent show and and every Spring musical. And most importantly, I was very annoying. I always thought I’d get into show business later in life. It was really never a doubt in my mind or my parent’s mind. They quickly realized that school was probably unnecessary for the career path I was choosing to follow, but they wanted to me to graduate regardless. My junior year of high school I moved from New Hampshire to California to live with my grandparents. Why? Read more>>

Olivia Paulson

I believe that when I was young I knew deep down that I was meant to do something with my love for music. I grew up very shy and my source of expression was dance, so that became a main focus in my life early. I aspired to dance professionally, but in high school I started having complications with my back and dealt with a lot of pain from the stress I was putting on it. Toward the end of schooling, I was in and out of chiropractors, physical therapy etc. and started to lose hope that dance was something I could do as a career. I directed my focus to computer science because I was really good with coding and it seemed like a good path to take. Read more>>

Rebecca Soul

Ever since I was a child, I knew I was destined to be a creative. It wasn’t something I chose; it was who I was. My favorite activities were singing and drawing, and for the longest time, I was convinced I would become a painter. That changed the day I first heard Adele and saw the album cover of her sophomore release, 21. When “Rolling in the Deep” came out, I was captivated. Despite having no experience with pop singing, my classmate and I put together a little band with two of our other classmates and performed the song at our elementary school talent show. To our surprise, we won! During that time, the only singing experience I had was thanks to the classical music choir I was a part of at school, where I was singing in a completely different style. This opened my eyes to the possibilities of pop music. I loved it so much that when I was alone in my room, I would take pictures of myself on my Nintendo DSi and use black-and-white filters to create my own album covers, inspired by Adele. Read more>>

Jessica Herrera

I believe I knew I wanted to pursue an artistic career as a teenager, probably 13 years old. As cliche as it sounds, I grew up singing in church and local community events. In doing so, I recognized how it made me feel to perform and sing something that I resonated with—and how others resonated with it as well. That feeling I speak of is not only the exhilaration of performing but also being able to connect with people through music. Read more>>

Tatiana Rose

I’ve been brought in an artistic and musically gifted family whose talents influenced me to always be in the performing arts. Graduating from a performing arts highschool I was determined and committed to becoming a full time dancer upon graduating. Due to an unfortunate injury that set me back from the others I decided to let go of that dream. Upon returning home to LA where I was born I started hosting parties and events and although that was very fun, it was not fulfilling because I feel and have a passion for music. So I began to learn how to dj and the rest is history Read more>>

Deja A. Ross

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue an artistic path was when I was about 5 years old. I was in our TV room in the basement of our home and I watched the film Crooklyn by Spike Lee. I remember that was the first time I cried watching a movie. Even at such an early age, I felt seen through the lens of the main character Troy and her journey of navigating being the only girl surrounded by older brothers and the overall ups and downs of childhood. I knew there was some type of magic in what I experienced watching that film and it stayed with me all these years. I would also perform solo shows for my family and run around the house doing impressions of characters from the show Mad TV. I think my family knew that a career in the arts is what I was meant to do before I fully realized it haha. Read more>>

Joshua Crossno

The first time I realized I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally was back when I was in middle school. I started to really get into the alternative community with the fashion, music, and overall aesthetic. I even spent the next 7 years in band class learning how to play multiple instruments to pursue a career in stage performing. After high school I did join a couple of bands playing a few shows, but I eventually fell into the world of makeup & content creation. Read more>>

Slo Cove

I’d say that the first time I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music professionally was halfway through high school. I had been playing guitar almost all of the time and was also in a metal band. I’d listen to cd’s some of my friends had burned for me and had a used ipod classic that had been gifted to me. The ipod had all sorts of music on it that I’d listen to and try by ear to play guitar along to the songs. My mom kept telling me that I should be looking at colleges but I didn’t know where to go nor did we have any money to send me to college. At that time nothing else interested me but music and it was kind of scary because my senior year was approaching and I didn’t know yet how I would be able to take this huge interest in music and form a career around it. I also didn’t sing but I had also been making songs on my own and programming terrible sounding electric guitars over drums and synths on a cracked software program. I kept telling myself that I could just learn how to enhance what I’m already doing that I could make a living that way.  Read more>>

Zygmund De Somogyi

Growing up, I always felt like the “problem child” of my extended family. I was a troubled kid, for sure – I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (then Asperger’s Syndrome) when I was 5, and I found communicating my own emotions and needs to be difficult, if not impossible. For the longest time, I’ve also remembered struggling with a sense of belonging; growing up in a Filipino diaspora household – while incredibly culturally fruitful – cemented in me a sort of lack of national identity. I’ve never felt truly at home in the UK, but I couldn’t consider myself entirely Filipino, either. Read more>>

Nancy (xinxuan) Gao

I started learning to draw when I was four years old, but it was purely out of interest and as a hobby. Growing up in a small city in China, the education system wasn’t very supportive of pursuing art as a major. The peer pressure and expectations from school pushed me to focus solely on academic competitions until high school. As I got older and started thinking about college and my future career, I realized I couldn’t give up my drawing classes. It became clear that art and visual communication were essential parts of my life. At that moment, I decided to pursue art as my career. Read more>>

Mikaela Mcekron

From a young age, I felt destined to pursue a creative path. At just five years old, I declared to my parents my dream of being a “paparazzi,” unknowingly expressing my desire to be a photographer. I loved the idea of capturing the beautiful things I saw in my day-to-day life. A few years later, I wanted to be a chef, often waking up early on Saturdays to whip up omelets and pancakes, inspired by chefs like Emeril and religiously watching the Food Network. My love for art blossomed from a habit of doodling on any and every piece of paper that crossed my path. My journey did not end there though in my sophomore year of high school, my art teacher really pushed me to create and explore my talents through drawing and painting. Read more>>

Ayumi Nakao

When I visited an artist’s studio in New York, I realized I wanted to become an artist. He was actually living and painting in the studio, which was exactly how I imagined an artist’s life. I have loved drawing and painting since I was a child. Although I knew it would be difficult to make a living as an artist, I couldn’t give up on my passion for creating, so I kept painting. The month-long trip to New York was a great opportunity—it felt like I was connected to him and his studio by a thin thread. He showed me that my dream could become real. I realized that we only live once, so I decided to follow my heart. I decided to become a painter. Read more>>

Shelby Juan

Ever since a little girl I always knew I wanted to do something creative with my life. Growing up I was surrounded by pretty artistic parents, I remember I used to watch my dad draw his work displays (he used to work for Coca-Cola and he was in charge of sketching the holiday displays and building them) and I’d be so amazed at how he would bring them to life every time. My mom has also always been a D-I-Y girl and I’ve always admired that! It was almost inevitable that I’d be a creative myself. Read more>>

Michele Boll

I think I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. One of my earliest memories was when I was quite young. My grandmother used to babysit for me when my parents went out. She always brought pads of paper . I would spend the evenings drawing until I fell asleep. Unfortunately, one day she brought glue. I decided to wallpaper over the new wallpaper in the living room. That did not go over well! However, wanting to be an artist did not seem a viable path as I grew up . There was always the fear that I would not be good enough, and that it was no way for a woman to have a career. Read more>>

Md Sazid Ul Haque

I was an art lover from very early age. Although, I did not know how to draw something in my childhood. I always looked the beautiful wall paintings of my primary school. In my college, I met a friend of mine who introduced me camera. The hunger of not being able to draw as a child stirred from within me again. I was introduced to digital photography. Just to stay on the creative track, I enrolled in fashion design at university. But I started devoting more time to my photography and art related projects. I loved lifestyle, street type photography the most. In one critique session at university I saw the work of a designer where he was telling a story through his collection. I started to discover fashion in a new way for the first time. The urge to work started in me. I decided after undergrad I would start my own fashion line. But my friend Onamika said “Let’s start a line together”. In my head then it seemed that we are always more powerful than I. We started fashion line ” SAZID & ONAMIKA” back in 2017. Read more>>

Jada Lee

I first knew that I wanted to pursue a music career when I was in high school. I had flirted with the idea growing up, but it wasn’t until then that I made my decision. It was my senior year and I had to decide which college to go to and what my major was going to be. Up until that point, I’d been focusing my studies on becoming an OB-GYN. I was dual enrolled in a community college, taking AP courses, etc. However, music was also a significant part of my life outside of academics. I was involved in the concert choir, participated in All Shore and All State Ensembles, and took part in a production called “Rock and Roll Revival.” For as long as I can remember, my two dreams have been to become a doctor and a singer, so I had a big choice ahead of me. Read more>>

Jeff Musser

I was probably 12 or 13 years old when I was enrolled in beginning art class when as a freshman in high school. The teacher, who I still talk to by the way, asked me to stay after class the same day I started. Of course, I thought I was in trouble. She brought out a few of my drawing I turned in for the days assignment and asked me point blank, “Did you do these?” I said, “Of course.” She paused with this puzzled look on her face, then she furrowed her eyebrows and said, “Draw these two again from scratch. I will give you five minutes.” I sat at a desk, recreated the drawings, with time to spare and returned them to her. She looked at them, looked at me, then looked at the drawings again. “Ok tomorrow don’t come to this class and go see this advisor. I am going to put you in my advanced class. Don’t worry about the scheduling, we will fix that.” As I left that classroom, I knew that I was going to be an artist. I didn’t know quite yet how or what kind of artist I was going to be, but I just knew. Read more>>

Candace Banks

While I can’t remember the exact moment I wanted to be a Fashion Designer, I do remember my first memories of loving fashion. It was when Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were big and had several of their movies as pre-teens and teens. I remember loving every single outfit and it was my first introduction on dressing how you “feel” and clothes as an expression. In alot of the movies, they wanted to portray the twins as opposites. It showed me how to dress as a “tomboy” who liked sports or a “preppy” girl who loved nail polish. I knew it was what I wanted to do. There is even a home video of me showing my mom a bathing suit I drew when I was 12! Read more>>

Lawrence Watson

I knew very young because I started being inside of recording studios at the age of 3 years old , then growing up having a Studio , Green Screen & Internet Radio it was bound to happen because I was around it so much. I started writing at 10 years old I really would say 9 but I really took it more serious then . I started recording really at 13 but I tried once before that since then I been on the journey Read more>>

Katelyn Sordo

I have always had a passion for films, from classics like Singin’ in the Rain to modern blockbusters like Iron Man. Each genre has changed my life and sparked my curiosity about the filmmaking process, like storytelling, acting, production design, and cinematography. I find that film and theater has the unique ability to evoke deep emotions within audiences, often revealing feelings they weren’t aware they had, or feelings we are told to hide in our society because it’s seen as weak. Read more>>

Agajuan Culmer

From a very young age, I knew I was meant to pursue a creative and artistic path. Growing up, I immersed myself in the vibrant world of the arts—music, acting, and modeling. Music quickly became my sanctuary, allowing me to express my emotions, tell my stories, and escape into melodies and lyrics. I was captivated by the performing arts, often spending time alone creating scenes in my mind and embodying different characters. I’d dress up, make up songs, and dream of being on a stage or screen. Read more>>

Christian Wolf

As cliché as it sounds, I don’t think I chose to be in the arts but more that the arts chose me. Ever since I was a child is was involved in some sort of performance. My first memory was putting together a dance and lip syncing for my parents in the living room. Then putting together “plays” which was more like planned playing, for the kids in the neighborhood. It wasn’t until I discovered magic and acting that I really thought about a life as a performer. Knowing that the career path of either was challenging at best, I started a local theater group with the city’s Parks and Recreation department, which allowed me to teach, direct and produce. This really informed my artistic sense and allowed me to use my training and interest in all the different aspects of the performing arts, so I didn’t have to pick just one path. Read more>>

Kenny Supreme

I first discovered my passion for music in high school when a close friend had a makeshift studio in her closet. I would often sing for her, but one day, we decided to record a cover of Lady Gaga’s “So Happy I Could Die.” As we mixed the song together, I had an eye-opening moment—I knew that music was what I wanted to pursue professionally. From there, we started creating our own songs, but eventually lost touch. However, I didn’t let that stop me. I took the initiative to book myself for events and found an incredible team of creatives who have helped shape my music today. Read more>>

Cata Claro

I grew up listening to my dad singing with his guitar and my mom playing concert DVDs all day long (Shania Twain, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Gloria Estefan, Queen, etc), so I knew from a very early age that I loved how music made me feel, it felt like home. All my childhood I was a very shy girl, and so it was very difficult for me to sing in public or even mention that music was something I would like to do, I kept it to myself for many years. When I was 14 years old my dad gave my first acoustic guitar, and I learned how to play and sing my favorite songs. Little by little I started to feel more comfortable singing in front of people, so I sang for my friends, at home all day, at school and then started uploading covers on YouTube around 2008. To my surprise those videos got a lot of attention and my career started with just my guitar and a little camera in my room. That’s when I knew I wanted to make music and my dad supported me 100% from day 1, it was his dream too. Read more>>