We asked some of the brightest folks in the community to open up to us about the most important lesson their business or career has taught them. We’ve highlighted some of those responses below.

Kayla Price | Model & Public Figure

The most important lesson my businesses taught me was that no matter what, what’s meant for me will always be for me. As business owners we tend to get discouraged when we see someone look like us, sell the same thing as us, or have similarities in our businesses. At the end of the day we just have to keep in mind that people support us and shop with us because of who we are and who God made us to be through this business. No one shops with us just because of the name we go by. Of course the name is the first thing that gets their attention, but who you are and how you operate through your business is what keeps you know. That has been one of my biggest accomplishments this year. Read more>>

Ashley Strickland | Professional Wedding & Portrait Photographer

The most difficult decision I’ve had to make was the decision to leave corporate america and pursue my photography business full time. It was something I’ve wanted to do for years, but I let fear stop me. I was raised to go to college, get a good job with great benefits and a 401k, then retire. That was ingrained in me early on. So you can imagine the fear I felt when I realized, that after doing all that, I wasn’t fulfilled & I wanted more. For 13 years I played the corporate game and I was sick of it. Even though I was tired, I was scared of what my family, friends even coworkers would think if I left. How would I make money? Could I really succeed without the comforts and false sense of security working for a large corporation brought me? Eventually I stopped betting against myself, stepped out on faith and have been flying ever sense. Read more>>

David Perdue | Comedian, Actor, Podcaster, Writer

I think the most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make is the most difficult decision any of us must make regularly. Whether you are in the arts, business, or whatever the decision to listen to, sit with and ultimately believe the voice within above all of the other voices of negativity that may surround us will always be the most difficult decision. We are bombarded with so many voices that tell you why you shouldn’t do something that is on our hearts, but when we”re able to listen to that initial voice, the one that encourages you to simply attempt that scary thing with conviction is difficult, it typically stands up to much louder voices of criticism around us all. Read more>>

Korby Bohannon | Recording Artist & Audio Engineer

The most important and devastating lesson I’ve learned in this business is that everything you have can be taken away from you at any moment; it’s a very fickle business and at any point in time the industry can say, “okay, we’re done with him!” That fear of the rug being pulled from under me makes me want to do everything I can to stay on top of the game and keep grinding and climbing. Read more>>

Cody Bolden | Country Musician & Part-time Handyman

Hard work is the solution! Patience is also key, but hard work seems to be the common denominator. I’ve found that if you do something long enough with the right discipline, you’re bound to be successful at it. If you want to be better, work harder. Read more>>

Tracy Gober | Photographer

For me, the most difficult decision would be shutting down social media for a while during this pandemic. It was a very hard decision to make, I felt I needed to take a break to regroup and this was the best time to do it. Sometimes our most difficult decisions can turn out to be the best decision. What I mean by that is, since removing myself from social media my business has still continued to flourish. I”ve gained new clients and continued to work with previous clients. The business doesn’t stop just because you removed yourself from a certain platform. I believe in what I do and I believe in myself! Read more>>

Shamikia | Personal chef & Entrepreneur

The most important lesson that my business/ career has taught me is that, you have to be willing to learn, listen, be consistent, and put yourself around good genuine people that are willing to help you achieve your goals. You have to be around the shakers and movers as friend of mine would always say. Get with people that are interested in what you’re interested in, doing what you’re doing so you can learn from one another and possibly build with one another. What I also learned is that you have to be very true to yourself and the work that you create, never be something or someone your not, it’s very hard to mimic something that’s not in you naturally. When you are your authentic self everything just flows better. Things just seem to come out right in my opinion. Read more>>

Robin Shockley | Legacy/Visionary Leader. TalkShow Host. Community Advocate. Professional Maximizer Entrepreneur. Motivational Speaker. Actress. Author/ BLOGGER & Magazine Columnist

The most difficult decision that I’ve ever had to make was choosing to walk away from a life I’ve always known for over 28 years. i was married at a very young age of 18 years old. I left momma and went straight to husband just to escape thinking I knew it all. But I took old family habits with me that created a lifestyle of domestic violence and secrecy in the home while serving in the mega church and community for many years. I kept this secret from most everyone with a few select people because of the status of leadership we held. When I left the marriage and decided to start my life as a free bird so to speak and break generational curses from my past family life, I lost almost everything. Read more>>

Jessica Blass | Wedding Photographer

In the journey that is running my own business, the most important lesson I’ve learned is to ditch the idea of “perfect.” In essence, that chasing any standard of “perfect” that I set for myself is actually hindering to my work and what I have to offer my clients. I am a textbook perfectionist. If I didn’t get a 100 on a test as a kid, I was a failure. I can easily fall victim to the “all-or-nothing” mindset. I’m sure it seems silly to throw out the idea of “perfect” as an artist, especially a wedding photographer. After all, isn’t that the word every bride wants to use when they describe their wedding and their photos? It turns out, “perfect” can easily get in the way of me doing my best work. In the past, it’s been easy for me to procrastinate a task because I can’t complete it as “perfectly” as I wanted to. Read more>>

YaGass Sey | Media Entertainment Interviewer, Wardrobe stylist, Host and Creative Director

The most important lesson my business has taught me is surprises and growth go hand and hand. When I first started doing interviews, styling, and selling merchandise many surprising factors popped up along the way like outgrowing an old studio space and having to find another one, learning how to build good business credit, linking an IP address to your new website, etc that throw you off your allotted schedule and force you to take some time to learn something new. Although at the time the inconvenience is aggravating, it forces you to take the time to grow and apply your new-found knowledge to grow your business or brand. Read more>>

Sedrick Dunson | Founder, Owner and Creator of Phat Ash

The most difficult decision I’ve made was quitting my job without being a major financial contribution to our household and going on the road with my wife, Danielle. My wife is an IT Consultant. For the past 6 years, she would contracts that would take other states where she would leave home on Sunday and return on Thursday. When our youngest son left home to attend college, we decided that I would accompany her on the road. I quit my job and begin the Phat Ash Brand. With her support, I was able to brand and market the Phat Ash brand for the past 1 year and 10 months. I stepped out on faith and with the belief that I had a brand that would make an impact in the cigar community. Although the decision was difficult, I feel that it has contributed the brand to have a certain amount of success in a short period of time. Read more>>

Olusegun “Fatdawgbeatz” Akinlosotu | Music Producer & Co-Owner of F.R.E.S.H Apparel

The most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make was making the decision to give everything up I had going on, pack up everything I owned and move to Georgia to pursue a music career in 2014. Music has always played a major part in my life and has opened doors for me to travel and experience life in a different light. Read more>>