Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Sabetha Price | Herbalist, Master Trainer, CEO

I honestly feel like this creative career choose me! Each time I attempted to be a “corporate girlie” freedom was calling my name. I did not like the feeling of someone being in charge of when I could leave. It made me feel trapped. The crazy thing is that everytime I felt like I could be doing something else more creative my department would “magically” disappear from the company.  Read more>>

Keisha Tillis | Actress

I worked at Chris Tucker’s Comedy Cafe back in the late 90’s. I was in school pursuing a pre-med degree when I was introduced to a lady who was putting on a stage play. I went to work that day and because the auditions were held downstairs from the cafe, I went to audition on my lunch break. Read more>> 

Allison Lam | Architectural Designer

Truth be told, my decision to enter a creative field when I first applied to college was from a desire to have fun in my career. I couldn’t imagine myself at a desk job with no room for creative freedom. I wanted autonomy over what I did and to be excited by new projects, innovative ideas and changing technologies. Read more>>

Ainsley May | Photographer and Videographer for Elevate Branding Agency| Visual Marketer for KWPR

I pursued an artistic and creative career because it truly is my passion. I have always been a creative from a very young age. All throughout my education the one thing I always looked forward to was my art and photography classes. I knew that when I was finding my career path that I wanted to find something that truly made me happy. I feel so grateful to have found that! Read more>>

Karen Tamminga-Paton | visual artist

I was one of those kids who could draw. My earliest memories of drawing was with my dad who loved to move pencil and pen around on paper. We would snuggle up on the couch and create scenes together. Read more>>

Jee Su Kim | Photographer & Artist

I cannot really think of a specific moment when I decided to pursue an artistic career. I’ve always had a passion for fine art and a deep respect for artists since I was little. Creating something has always been very rewarding for me, and those moments have made me feel the most alive. Read more>>

Chudi | Rapper/Singer and Event Host

I’m first and foremost a fan of great music. My childhood was listening to Michael Jackson, Kenny G and Afrobeats from my parents, Sean Paul and Outkast from my cousins, Usher on the radio and Green Day from early 2000’s movies. Learning the words, the dances, the music video plots: it all meant so much to me.  Read more>>

Chef Jayaun Smith | Personal Chef/Restaurant Owner/Catering

The feeling of being able to express myself through my work. One of the most important things for me when it ever came to anything in life was always being myself. Since in culinary arts you get to speak to others through food, I knew that was always something that I loved about this path. Read more>>

Tatenda Abel Chabvonga | Artist & Producer

I was born musically gifted and I honestly felt like me having to pursue my dreams and focus more on my gift to become the Artist and Producer I am today. I’m proud to say that I’m still growing and learning as I progress with my career because I feel like me having to express myself through art and being creative is what makes me who I am a person. Read more>>

Victoria Dugger | Artist

Living a disabled life I think prepared me a lot for being an artist. You have to be creative to be disabled. The world isn’t neccessarily built to accomodate people like myself so there were challenges that I had to really overcome. Read more>>

Liliana Ramos | Artist

Art has consistently played a significant role in my life in expression. Since I could remember, I would be doodling and sketching characters to friends and family. In high school, I found my passion in oil paint by the way oils capture  depth and luminosity while allowing for detail work. Read more>>

Tia Rix | Jazz Vocalist

I don’t think that I actually chose an artistic career. Seems to me that music was just something I had to do. It definitely was a love thing!I came to performing straight ahead jazz a little later in my life. My father pleaded with me to NOT pursue a music career.  Read more>>

Ly Iris | Fine Artist

I chose to pursue a creative career because it’s intertwined into the very fabric of who I am. Growing up in the dynamic streets of the South Bronx, New York surrounded by the pulsating energy of the city, I found solace and inspiration in artistic expression. Read more>>

Anya Dessalines | Singer and Songwriter

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up singing and was always involved in music in some way. Like any little girl, I had hopes and dreams of being a star, but when I got older, I discovered all the amazing things music had to offer. Read more>>

Amoy Lawrence | PR, Marketing & Communications Specialist

I believe that my path into this creative career was predetermined. I am firmly convinced that I have been called to pursue the vocation of a writer. Unlike any other pursuit in my life, writing flows effortlessly from me. As they say, one’s purpose is a fusion of innate talents and what brings joy. Read more>>

Zilan Zhou | Industrial Designer for Toy

I pursued a career in creativity because I demonstrated a strong inclination for hands-on activities since childhood. Every year, I would personally craft birthday or holiday gifts for my parents. I would design dynamic pieces, such as cards with rotating small accessories or paper spiders that crawled out of gift boxes. Initially, I wasn’t aware of my deep interest in design. Read more>>

Adrianna Dyson | Creative and Fashion Stylist

Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my late grandparents’ house with my older cousin. My grandmother was always sewing or doing crafts, while my grandfather was a professional painter, and my cousin was constantly drawing. I basically mirrored everything everyone around me was doing. Read more>>

Brianna “Breezy” | Creativepreneuer

Ever since I was younger I’ve been in love with all forms of art. Music, art, dance, acting, writing, all of it is an expression from the soul and I love seeing it come to life. From an idea to seeing it executed is what I really enjoy and appreciate. I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a creative in some way. Whether it was dancing or singing, writing or acting, I had to create. Read more>>