We asked some brilliant folks from the community to tell us about the most important lesson their business or career has taught them. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Jon J Franklin | CEO of Ski Racing Media and of the World Pro Ski Tour.

That career movements go up and down. When you are getting going in your career, you believe and anticipate the momentum will always be towards success. But we learn that there are low points and high points and that success is bred from multiple challenges and set backs. From this you learn a few things. No matter the challenge, you can never stop. And the corollary is always go. Take the meeting, Go to the event. You never know what lies around the next bend and how it can impact you. Read more>>

Damon Stevens | Owner of Manual Ware – Maker, Design, Woodworker, & Fabricator

This would definitely have to be adaptability…be a problem solver, not a problem maker. Learn to live in the solution space. Don’t fixate on the issues that arise during creative tasks as there is usually a way around it. Every creative industry comes with failures, it is from these complications that we learn how to move forward with better solutions in the future. Reframing your brain to have a backup method of production can help you understand new ways of doing and making things. Read more>>

Elyse Whitt | Mom Photographer Educator

Before I started my photography business I was a middle school math teacher. From teaching, I learned good relationships can do wonders for your classroom. The same has applied to photography. I have made great relationships with my first clients. These families have then referred me to other wonderful families, businesses, and schools. Read more>>

Austin Connoyer | Wedding Photographer & Business Owner

I’d say the most important less my business has taught me is to always be open to opportunities and never be scared to reach out. A large part of how I’ve built my business is by having a community over competition mindset. I’ve never met a single person who got to where they are all by themselves. So many people in the wedding industry worry so much bout competition, that they don’t realize getting to know and working with people in your field is nearly always a win-win. We have so much to learn from each other and in a personality driven industry, we all set ourselves apart from each other in one way or another. Read more>>

Mandie Doom | Professional Tattoo Artist & Painter

The biggest thing I have learned in my tattooing career is meeting people where they are in life and appreciating each individual as the unique human being they are. You can learn something from everyone and tattooing has deepened my love for humanity. Read more>>

Laura Herbst | Animal Behaviorist BA

Currently, the most important lesson my business has taught me is: “Money follows passion.” Love is the compass of my business. Thanks to the dogs and compassionate owners, my business feels like a pack. We respect, accept, protect and explore! Read more>>