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.

Christopher Knowles | Founder of Practise Makes Practice, Principle at (Bureau) Christopher Knowles / Creative Director / Designer

Traditional logic can only take you so far in being successful as a business owner or in a career. Listening to your intuition, and knowing when to take calculated risks, no matter how many people may disagree with you, is more valuable than gold. Read more>>

Chris Irving | Director/ Video Producer

One the greatest lessons I’ve learned from my businesses is listening. It might not seem like a big deal but it’s dire that you learn to listen so you know what your client wants, even if they aren’t the best at conveying it. If you can listen and read between the lines of what they are saying it’ll help you immensely. Read more>>

Imani M-Glover | Proprietress of The Lemonade Bar Beverage Brand

One size doesn’t fit all, do you and see what works and then repeat what’s working. Read more>>

Rahfeal Gordon | International Award-Winning Entrepreneur & Global Leadership Advisor

One of the most important lesson my business has taught me is that there is no right or wrong way of doing something. Many people will tell you what they believe is the best way for you to do something but even experts are wrong more than often. My business has taught me to be creative and non-traditional with how I market and treat my clients. If you have great data, did your homework, and a great circle of advisors, you can make your own decisions in whatever capacity you like. Read more>>

Mr. Al Pete | Founder of Mister Peterson’s Neighborhood/The MPN Network

That there are employees, there are managers, and there are the owners. During this administrative journey, I see more, by the day, that people will simply be employees to your, and even their own dreams. Employees will be disgruntle and talk down on the person that are in upper status and have upper standards that compliment their overall vision. Read more>>

Lisa and David Jones | Acupuncturist and Reiki Master

Patience. What we focus on will grow but we have to be unhurried and allow for the soul of what we do to evolve and become clear. Read more>>

Latasha ‘TaTa’ Stevens | Graphic Designer, Influencer, & Creative Soul

The most important lesson my business has taught me was…to always promote and market my brand/business no matter how slow sales may get…no matter if I get only a few likes on my social media posts…no matter what others perceive success to be. Success to me isn’t only measured by the amount of money my business has made over time, but also….the impact I leave on others…whether it’s 1 person or 1000 people. You never know who’s watching and rooting for you from afar…keep pushing! I was actually surprised at the amount of people I’ve never met that are inspired by my growth in business and how I handle the challenges that I have faced. Running a business is not for the faint at heart, there has been many successful highlights but also challenges that I’ve overcame. I’ve learned that you can’t only focus on the big wins you have to appreciate the growing pains that will build you up to be the best version of you and what you represent. Read more>>

T. Brown | Natural Hair and Skincare Formulator

In my business I have learned to be patient. When I first started out in 2016 I had the idea that I would get a website, post on social media and that the sales would flow. Boy was I completely wrong. I had so much to learn because I realized there was so much I didn’t know and this would cause me to slow down and have patients. There is no right here, right now way of thinking when starting or even running a business. It like having a baby and raising him or her. You nurture your baby, teach that baby how to walk, talk and behave which all takes lots of patients. As your business grows there will be new experiences which of course patients plays a major roll. It takes time, dedication, enhancing your knowledge on business tools and most of all patients when is business. Read more>>

Mica Callaway | Your Realtor That Can Relate

The most important lesson of many that I have learned is to embrace the lessons!! With any career or business you will find beautiful blessings in every lesson. They don’t go away! No matter what level of success you accomplish or achieve every lesson takes you to new levels. Embrace the lessons! Be dedicated to yourself and your vision. Because everyone isn’t going to see your vision nor will anyone be as dedicated to your vision as you will be. Remove people pleasing and reside in a healthy space where people bondage doesn’t reside. Don’t chase the money, only chase the passion. Because if you chase the money you will always be broke and never satisfied. But if you’re passionate about what you do, the blessings of the lord will continue to shower down financial blessings upon you. You will never dwell in lack… Take RISK!! Early in my career I wanted all the pieces of the puzzle to be pretty, perfect and put together. Imperfect people attempt to create perfection but it will never be to a final state because we will always be modifying and adjusting along the way as we grow. Read more>>