Deciding to work for yourself is often cited as the best decision folks in our community have made. Hearing the same response over and over led us to ask them about the next best decision folks have made and we’ve shared their responses with you below.

614ase | Music Producer & Entrepreneur

The decision that was really imperative for me would have to be choosing to stick with my passion at times where my dreams really just seemed like dreams. When you’re chasing something that people around you don’t understand or have never seen , their innate instinct most times will be skepticism. I think it was important for me to block out that noose and find people that shared the same ideas , but also challenged me to grow. At the end of the day we get one life and while I definitely can take advice , I’ve learned t take it with a grain of salt. Read more>>

Sara Hanif | Multidisciplinary Animation Artist

The most important decision I’ve made—and continue to make—is to push my boundaries. I’ve chosen not to confine myself to one technique, one style, or even one role. I don’t see myself solely as a 2D animator or a director; instead, I’m constantly seeking opportunities to learn and grow.
As I expand my knowledge across different fields, my ability to dream bigger and envision broader projects grows too. I feel like a bird, soaring freely, exploring new creative landscapes. My journey began with design and graphic design, then evolved into illustration, which led me to motion design and eventually animation. But even within animation, I’m continually exploring—whether it’s diving into new aspects of animation production, advertising animation, or storytelling techniques. Read more>>

Nicole M. Jones | Executive Coach & Management Consultant

The most pivotal decision I made in my entrepreneurial journey was leveraging the network I had built over my 30 year career. I contacted coaches, consultants, and fellow entrepreneurs I met throughout my career to seek their advice and guidance. In many ways, this was inspired by Jim Collins’ concept of the “Flywheel” from his book Good to Great. He describes the “Flywheel” as a massive, seemingly overwhelming force that requires both strategy and momentum to set it in motion. Transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship at the age of 50 felt just like that—daunting but full of potential. Read more>>