We love rebels and people who challenge the status quo, conventional wisdom and mainstream narratives and so we asked some really bright folks to tell us about one piece of conventional advice they disagree with.

Megan Woodard Johnson | Fine Artist

There is a strong conventional belief that you can’t make a living as an artist, and the resulting advice is that you need to be sure to have a ‘backup plan’. I just do not believe that’s true. Artists are the ultimate creative problem solver, so we absolutely have the ability to figure out how to make a career from our art. And the world needs art – it’s everywhere you look – so there’s clearly a demand. If you start toward any goal with an underlying belief that you aren’t going to make it, and need a ‘backup plan’, you’re programming yourself to fail from day one. Instead, recognize that it will take hard work, and in many cases you’ll be blazing your own trail, and then get to it! Read more>>

Dani Oprea | Music Producer

I disagree with the advice “if you love something, make it your job.” While I think many people are excited about the idea of doing what they love for money, I believe it’s important to separate money-making pursuits from your passions. I’m not saying that you can’t make some money off of the things you love, but as we all know, money can be very stressful. If you bring that stress into your passions, I think it can ultimately make you hate the things you love to do, or at the very least, make them less enjoyable. Read more>>

Ceaira Thompson | Owner @ Ceaira’s Sweet Shop, Owner @ Grand Lake Cookie Company

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I worked for the previous owners of my ice cream shop for 2 years before I bought it. In that time, I learned how to do everything their way, the “right way”. I trusted in their methods of doing business and I never once questioned it because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It took years for it to dawn on me that even though everything they did worked, perhaps I could do it even better. Once I shifted my thinking, I figured out how to get my shipments cheaper, how to better retain employees, Read more>>

Vanessa | Photographer

That you have to be selfish and cut-throat in order to succeed. I believe that if you treat people with respect, and kindness, they will happily come back. A lot of clients that I meet find me through word of mouth, so it’s important that people feel safe and respected in your presence. Meeting people where they’re at, understanding them, and doing everything in your power to make sure their experience is fulfilling, is very important. Read more>>

Rylan Coleridge | Founder of the U R Loved Project & CEO of Ry Grace

I disagree with the idea that you should “fake it until you make it.” In my opinion, that’s you changing to be like someone or something else to fit a role or mold that others want you to be. If that’s the direction you go then you lose a piece of yourself and your not authentic to you. You can only be the best at being yourself, so I don’t think you should ever “fake” who you are. Read more>>