Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Justin Nace | Musician (Drummer)

I just feel that I have so much inside of me, and I want to be able to try everything I can to be able to express it and get it out. Music was always a passion of mine, and growing up in bands, you always dreamed of being able to make it big. Even with that dream, you always hoped it could happen, but knew that it would be a long shot. Many people look down on creatives or artist in the career field, or when people ask, “so what do you do” and you answer musician, they instantly imply that you’re just playing bars and local gigs. I started working when I was 12, from washing dishes at a farmers market, to working at a baseball card shop, a super market, to retail, I tried all kinds of things. At the end of the day, it just didn’t satisfy my want for something more creative and something I could express what I love. Eventually when I was given the change to go on the road, and tour with a band, I took it. I quit my full time job, cashed in my 401K, and got paid NOTHING, to hop in a van with new friends and tour the country. But in the end I wouldn’t have traded that for anything. It was what I loved and what I longed to do. Read more>>

Jessica Marie | Plant Chemist, Business Owner, Inspired Creative

After years of building and creating with fellow artists, I believe artistic career paths choose us. There is this innate drive within that won’t quiet down until expressed. We can try to pigeonhole ourselves into a version of what success may look like to others, but ultimately the voice of our souls continues to describe the vision of what we need to create. It’s a gift. Sometimes it feels like a curse when you’re up creating late into the night or you are woken up at 3 am by the voice telling you to get out of bed and go make this! I’m fortunate in that my creative endeavor has blossomed into a successful business. Every day I celebrate in gratitude. I am able to live a life I love and create products to share my passion for skin care rooted in plant power. At the end of the day, it comes down to passion. How loud is that internal voice? How much do you believe in what you are doing? How badly do you want it. Read more>>

Stephanie Sorosiak | Movement Artist & Baker

Creativity has run parallel in my life since I was a child. Everything I surrounded myself with involved being creative and thinking with an open mind. I’m fortunate enough that my parents encouraged creativity, so it only made sense to me to pursue it as a career. I knew from my teenage years that I would do something artistic whether that be with dance or another field. Now at age 25 I am doing a multitude of things creative and it’s awesome! I follow my passions where monetary success has never been at the forefront. My happiness, and the happiness that resonates with others, comes first. If I can bring a smile to someone’s face from a sweet treat or move someone emotionally with dance, then I know I’ve done my “job”. Read more>>

Courtney Larsen | Fine Artist, Muralist, and Wedding Stationer

I’ve always had a strong love of art and creating! Even as a child, I’d spend hours working on a project just because I enjoyed it so much. I knew going into college that my end goal was to be able to do something creative for my job. I loved art, but I also loved just making things in general. Throughout my early 20’s, it became very clear that creating was not just a fun hobby, it was an integral part of my personality and soul. I knew I would never be fully satisfied with a non-creative work life, and I felt it was important to listen to that feeling! I needed a job that would allow me to create every day, and to share these creations with other people. Read more>>