We asked some brilliant folks from the community to tell us about the most important lesson their business or career has taught them. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Jasmine Weston | Home Baker

The most important lesson that my business has taught me is time management. Read more>>

Kat Goduco | Professional Photographer + Founder of KALARÔ Gear

In the 11 years that I’ve been a full-time entrepreneur, the most important lesson I have learned is to do what you say you are going to do. Professionalism goes a long way, and keeping your word goes even longer. “Deliver as promised” is a motto I like to keep in mind constantly, whether providing an image for a client or a valuable product. If I had to pick another important lesson, I would say that during hard times and/or even when things are good, keep on going and pushing yourself, always stay active. Read more>>

Courtney Khail | Contemporary Artist

That there is no shortcut. To be successful, you have to show up each day and do the work.  Also, be prepared. Don’t wait for an assignment to get things done. Go ahead and read the books, create the templates, make the connections- all long before you may need them. That way, when an opportunity comes up you’re ready. Read more>>

Chelsey Opare-Addo | Resume Writer @ Not Your Mother’s Resume

When I started my Resume Writing business, my first instinct was to be the stuffy, professional businessperson that people expected me to be. Resume Writing is serious business, and I wanted to show my professionalism by showcasing a façade, a shadow of myself that I deemed “professional.” It wasn’t until I showed up authentically that my business really kicked off. I found my voice and shed the ‘prim and proper’ version of myself that I created to survive in Corporate America. I curse in real life, so I cursed on social media. I’m imperfect in real life, so I showed my imperfections and vulnerability on social media. When I learned how to show up authentically, my ideal clients were drawn to me. I was no longer lost in the sea of other professional Resume Writers. My clients understand that when they work with Not Your Mother’s Resume, they are gaining a unique experience. Read more>>

Tara Thomas | Tour Publicist/PR

The most important lesson my business has taught me is to always be myself. Never be a representative be true to you and be true to the people that you were working with it last longer. Read more>>

Samya Houessou | CEO of ShopFromMya

The most important lesson my business has taught me is that consistency, planning and revaluation is the key to successful results regarding any project. I’ve learned that carefully planing, learning to take failures as lessons, fixing mistakes and continuing the project can bring prosperous results for anything I do in life, not matter how small or large the task. Read more>>

Delene Musielak, MD, FACP, FAAP | Physician, Speaker, International Best Selling Author, Health Coach & Entrepreneur

Growing up I have always been a perfectionist with very high standards and expectations of myself. I remember if I got 98% on an exam, I would be frustrated about not getting 100%. My parents always had to remind me that it was still an A, and that I did do a great job! With that being said, I have always been very regimented. When I got home from school, I would have to get my homework done before doing anything else. If things didn’t go exactly the way I planned, it would really bother me and I felt like I didn’t do a good enough job. It’s a good thing I have awesome parents who supported me and reassured me. The benefit of these habits did help me through medical training very much though. It kept me focused and on point. However, after having my triplets, it was very difficult to make three babies stick to my schedule. I will say, they definitely had a routine, which was a saving grace; they feed and slept at the same time which did help my sanity. Read more>>

Kara | Florist & Herbalist

My business has taught me that I am capable of much more than I thought, that I am a person who never gives up and that as long as I do this I will keep growing and learning and becoming better. I started out focusing on quality, brand, image, then focused more on profitability, growth, marketing, now currently am focused on employee training and development, being a strong, focused leader and growing an amazing team. Read more>>

Paula Moody | Senior Director of Programs at Families First

My first job after college was at a non-profit. I worked with teens in a group home as a Resident Advisor, direct care staff. That was thirty years ago, and I’ve learned a lot about social work and human behavior. Over the years, there were two very important lessons I learned. I had a former supervisor tell me in my early career as a social worker that you are not responsible for a client’s success or failures. I never forgot those words of advice. What it taught me is that it’s “not about me.” I learned that what defines “success’’ or “achievement” for clients is determined by them, not me. All I can do is commit to doing my best, listen and respect each client I am working with and understand that they have a path to success that has to work for them, not for me. As long as they get to where they want to be, that’s what is most important. Read more>>