We asked some of the brightest folks in the community to open up to us about the most important lesson their business or career has taught them. We’ve highlighted some of those responses below.

CJ Ellison | Freelance Illustrator/Concept Artist & Social Media Assistant

It’s not supposed to be linear, not your life and not your career. It was a hard lesson to learn but when I first started I genuinely thought that if you work hard at A, you’ll end up at B. Now I think that’s more the exception rather than most people’s reality. My original career goal was to be a 3D animator working in a studio. Now I’m a freelance digital painter and social media assistant most days. It came about from different opportunities not panning out the way I expected them to, trying completely new things, and questioning what I really valued along the way. Read more>>

Colton Wagner | Private Chef/Business owner

Never slow down. When I was 15 years olds old I got my first job in the kitchen. Little did I know for the next 12 years I would “never slow down.” I don’t mean I never relaxed or took some time to myself. That’s important too. What I mean is I did everything I could to get to the next step. Read more>>

Elyssa Edgerly | Fine Artist

Trust in your process! Trust your journey! Let your community encourage you and push you farther along your creative path. When I show up authentically and openly share what I do…the web of support appears. We need to unabashedly put our creations out into the world. I’ve learned that I need to leap into my confidence as an artist and trust that a community out there will connect with and feel inspired by my work. I know this is true for other artists as well. Read more>>

Sylvia Murphy | Travel Business Owner

My business has taught me a lot the biggest lesson being is that support comes from strangers before it comes from your loved ones or people who know. Many people want to be business owners but believe that they have to have a whole network of family and friends and truth be told there is a whole world of strangers, and your support will come from them first before it comes from any one you know. Strangers are the best and most honest people. Read more>>

Cherie Smith | Medicare licensed manager & hostess

Staying consistent and setting higher standards once a job is complete to achieve more! I find myself lacking in areas if I am not finding myself consistent in my career or the duties that my career requires me to perform! Read more>>