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.

Deliqua Isom | Fitness and Wellness Empowerment Coach, Author & Speaker

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to always believe in myself, be in control of my own destiny. Meaning not allowing someone else to be responsible and call shouts for my business that don’t truly have my best interest in mind. Read more>>

Billie Jo Konze | Voice and On-Camera Actor

I used to be averse to the idea of discipline, even though I was a straight-A student. But practice or having a routine just sounded terrible. I still kind of feel that way, but learning how to be my own boss and hold myself accountable to get things done has been extremely important. As an actor, you’re just a freelancer. Until you get the role, everything is up to you-memorizing your lines for auditions, making sure your home studio is top notch, getting new headshots, researching the industry, taking classes… If you don’t hold yourself accountable to constantly improve, you’ll fall behind everyone else. Read more>>

Joan Leslie | Spoken Word Poet & Comedian

Get you a project management tool that works for you. If you are an independent artist doing a lot of the behind the scenes work, you need something to keep you on track. We need reminders to answer that email, revise that script, get on that person’s calendar, etc. Asana is my tool of choice, but you’ve got to find a system that works best for you. Read more>>

Timothy “TYMMYT” Trumpet, Jr. | Rapper & Musician

Take your time to make what you want. For the longest time I felt like I was in a rush, that I needed to look like someone else or act like someone else in order to achieve my goals. Being an artist taught me that all things take time to be great and everything will fall into place when it needs to in the exact way it should of you just stay diligent, go at your own speed and build with what you have. Read more>>