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.

Texas Organix | Texas Dispensary

The biggest lesson that we all have learned is teamwork and trust is a big thing in making a business go to the next level. You have to be able to count on your partners and their decisions as well as your own. Everything has something that they are good at and as a teammate you have to learn how to exist within a team and do your part. Read more>>

Jared Egli | Photographer & Licensed Drone Pilot

I am not a naturally extroverted person. However, trying to gain clients for an imagery business takes a lot of putting yourself out there and networking. Most of my initial clients have been from doing cold-calls. I got rejected 95% of the time, but the few that I did do work for have become repeat clients. Through that, I’ve learned to not give up and keep reaching out. And when you have someone willing to listen, make it count. Read more>>

T.Cody Montana | Rapper & Entrepreneur

The BIGGEST lesson I could ever be taught from both my business & career is no matter what NEVER FOLD. Nothing in this life comes easy. So to get where we are trying to go, we’ve got to be able to deal with hardships and still put in the OVERTIME. Nobody is in charge but me. If I want anything done, I got to make it happen. When you fold you’re losing focus. You’re giving up not only on your business & career, but you’re giving up on yourself and everything you stand for. I started my business because I have multiple talents and I live for every single thing that I do. Realizing no one was going to help me and that I had no resources to get me started was tough. Hence NEVER FOLD being the motto of my brand. Learning this helps me to keep pushing no matter what or how long it takes. Read more>>

Hilary Nichols | Clinic Based Community Organizer and Street Artist

One of the most important lessons my career has taught me has been the power of vulnerability. In my career as a clinic-based community organizer, it’s my job to build relationships with people to build a base of folks who can act together for health justice. When I’m meeting with patients or healthcare professionals, I’m always amazed at how other people will open up and tell their story to me when I take the first opportunity to share something vulnerable about myself. The nature of my work means that I am engaged in conversations that can be challenging, including experiences with illness, injustice, racism, and discrimination, so being able to share my own experiences with those things is something that I have found to be very powerful. Read more>>