We’ve been fortunate to connect with so many brilliant, thoughtful entrepreneurs and creatives and we regularly ask them about the most important lessons they’ve learned over the course of their careers. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Jessica Noble | Realtor and Brokerage Owner

I think the most important lesson I’ve learned in my career is that it’s ok to fail sometimes. I’ve found I’ve learned more through my failures or mistakes, than I’ve ever learned getting it all right. I was in escrow long before I became an agent and during the housing bubble burst of 2007, I was one of the casualties of the layoffs that were taking place. It was weird, I kind of knew it was coming and I almost welcomed it. BUT, I thought it would give me a chance to get back into the same industry and that actually proved to be wrong. That’s how I started my journey as a Realtor and ultimately to being a Broker and owning my own brokerage. I’ve made mistakes with clients over the years, I’ve failed and had to start over, but each time I learn a valuable lesson and I grow stronger in my business and in life. Read more>>

Mikayla Ellis | Craftswoman & Light Worker

The most important lessons my business has taught me…. Are the skills of patience, perseverance, consistency, adaptability as well as money and time management. Patience is one of the skills that has shaped me tremendously. I have definitely been taught plenty of patience, through my journey of growing a local small business. My perseverance has even been tested on a many occasions. As an entrepreneur, I’ve had to motivate myself to persevere even when I was ready to “call a quits.” As I move forward with Galactic Crafts, I have learned that staying “active” on social media does wonders for keeping my business ‘alive’ and ‘thriving.’ This includes staying in touch with my previous customers but also meeting future acquaintances. (Which involves me stepping out of my comfort zone as an introvert.) But when it comes to adaptability, I’ve found myself having to adjust and perfect certain aspects of my product. In order to provide the best customer service I can. Read more>>

Aleigh Phillips | Photographer

Easily the most important lesson my business has taught me is to value community over competition. Community over competition is something photographers preach about almost everyday and something I strive to implement. We live in a society where businesses are constantly trying to “out do” each other to make more of a profit but with photography your business blossoms once you start to collaborate with others in your field or others in fields that relate to yours and reach out to others with questions and for guidance as well. By valuing community over competition you will find your business is something that brings you happiness, you will receive endless education to better your craft, and the referrals that come with it boost your business substantially. Plus-it doesn’t hurt that you wind up with a million best friends. Read more>>

Esther Martínez | Artist

The most important lesson that my business taught me is that I should believe in me, I need to love myself, love my body, my smile, my live. Because when you love yourself and believe in yourself, you can show to the world the person you are, you can give your best in each painting, in each illustration … You make people feel the magic, the magic of your work. Read more>>

Mendy Hoffman | Owner and Founder -Velocity Stylebar

The most important lesson my business has taught me is to keep going, don’t quit. I have had the most personal growth in my life in the last 2 years of starting a business. Ask for help, rest when I need to and make time for myself, my family and friends. I have learned so much about who I am by having employees. Confidence in being me and learning to lean into the uncomfortable has been the most empowering part of starting my own business. Read more>>