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.

Shekiaa Bellavarie: Social media influencer & Entrepreneur

The most important lesson my career has taught me is not letting fear or other peoples opinions stop me from trying something new and accompanied goals set for myself instead take that criticism and obstacles and turn it into a positive. Read more>>

Liletta Harlem: Communications Strategist & Coach

Being authentic and true to who I am and my beliefs has been the most important factor behind the success of my business and my brand. There are hundreds if not thousands of businesses that have the same products and services being offered but there is only one “you”. If you bring YOU into everything you do, people will buy into that because they believe in you and your story speaks to them personally. Read more>>

Rockwelz: Vice President of Mxnxpxly Music and recording artist

Time waits for no man. Ive seen alot of artists come and go. No matter what excuses we come up with, we are going to make time for the things we really want to accomplish. Read more>>

Ashley Shick: Hair Stylist and Salon Owner

Being a business owner teaches you so many lessons. The biggest one and most meaningful for me was self-assurance. When I went from being an artist behind the salon chair to owning the salon it was a big adjustment. It seemed so overwhelming. When I decided to open my own salon, I was filled with self-doubt. I kept asking myself who was I to think I can run a business. Who was I to think I could open a business this young? What qualifications do I have? I had so many panic attacks I didn’t think my heart could handle it. I was defiantly going to need Botox early. After each of these panic attacks you have no choice but to put it in the back of your head, go into work and grind. Day by day things start to come together and I started to see myself building something and it looked good. Read more>>

Toni Bornia: Makeup Artist & CEO

The most important lesson I’ve learned from my business is that success can not be given. It must be earned through hard work, determination and motivation. I also learned that all successful businesses started from a struggle that was created from a thought, a need or a dream and those whom found success never gave up. Read more>>

Cristina Briboneria: Entrepreneur, Certified Financial Planner®, and Managing Director, Private CFO® at oXYGen Financial

That sometimes it’s okay not having a “Plan B”. When I started my career as a financial planner, I knew that if i gave it everything I had as far as my time, energy, and the willingness to learn, I would be successful. In my 16+ years of being in the business, watching other colleagues and training staff, sometimes, people give up too early or right at the point that they are on the precipice of success because they had an out or “Plan B”. By not giving myself a way out, I’ve been able to learn different ways to think outside the box, grow to become a better leader, mentor, teammate, and see overall success in my life and industry. Read more>>

Erica Moore: Holistic Nutritionist & Interior Designer

Heath is definitely wealth! It’s more than a #hashtag and after the last year and half, we must all realize that this phase has greater meaning… I started this business with the desire to help others find solutions to their health issues. One huge lesson that my business has taught me is that people will pay for value. People pay for substance. They have to recognize that there is value in improving their health, by way of their nutrition. Read more>>

Dr. Bergina Isbell: Board-Certified Psychiatrist & Podcast Host

The most important lesson my business and career has taught me is to put God first, family second, and career third. It’s actually one of the principles that Mary Kay Ashe popularized with her Mary Kay cosmetics business and I’ve now personally learned that it is true. While I’ve been guided by integrity and compassion in my business and patients are aware of my personal faith, it wasn’t until recently that I began utilizing my insight into matters of faith and mental health specifically in my business. It has made things so much simpler to include faith in my teachings as opposed to only sharing general information on mental health. Read more>>