One of the most important lessons we learned is that our lives and our businesses will teach us along the way. We don’t need to know everything on day one because the challenges we face on day will likely be ones we are already equipped to handle. As we overcome challenges we get better and better and as the challenges increase in difficulty so too does our ability to tackle them.

We asked members of the community that we admire to share important lessons their business or career has taught them and have shared some of those responses below.

Trenese Johnson | Wellness Enthusiast

I am a professional licensed clinical social worker and I have worked in this field for over 25 years Social work is soul work. Social work is heart work. It’s is not just what I do, it was what I was born to do. I’ve been an independent contractor for over 15 years and my work has taken me on some amazing journeys. I am certified in many areas; however, my work with my Mindfulness certification and Trauma certification has had me to become more curious with discovering new ways to provide support to those seeking my services. One of the most important lessons my career has taught me is to always be guided by the principles and guidelines of the profession but to also follow my gut. Something wonderful happened when I turned 50 in 2020. Read more>>

Christine Cown | Co-owner Haven Yoga ATL

My business partner, Johanna and I (Christine) signed the dotted line of a love letter contract to own our yoga studio on Valentine’s Day of 2020. Little did we know that three weeks later, our entire world would be put on pause. During the following months, our build out halted as we held our breath (literally and figuratively). Read More>>

Jett N Jig | Designer x Model

To be patient. Many time we get so focused on getting there right now and forget that everything pretty much happens in steps and with something like a business, it’s important to focus on the large and small aspects of one. We may have started our business a while ago, but we have changed the blueprint of it so many times. That’s okay! And everyone should know that it’s okay to not hit “that mark” every time. Every failure is truly a lesson and we get very hard in ourself sometimes. All we can say is breathe , relax, recollect, restart. Read more>>

Jennifer Barnes | Realtor and Non-Profit Co-Founder

As I enter my “third quarter” in life, I have learned that the most joy in life comes from giving back. The second most joy in life is witnessing others’ joy when they realize the gift of giving back. I have spent so much of my life in achievement and goal mode, believing that my self worth was attached to how much money I could make or how much I could get done. I have come to realize that all of that achievement has its place, but life’s really valuable nuggets are in the connections you make and the joy and purpose you can give to others’ lives. The best days are the ones spent helping others doing something meaningful and that makes a difference in the community. Read more>>

JR Carter | Singer/Songwriter/Artist/Entertainer

The end goal is to become a generational artist and leave an impact on this generation and generations to come. Professionally, I want to be a record breaking, globally critically acclaimed artist and philanthropist, with my albums being number one on the Billboard charts, having received countless local and international prestigious music awards such as Grammys, American Music, Billboard Music, BRIT, World Music, etc. be mentioned amongst the great entertainers in my genres and inspire many upcoming artists to become great at the end of my career. Read more>>

Taeji Dudley | Lifestyle Photographer & Gamer

At the end of my career, I want to be a wealthy and famous photographer that has captured many moments that help inspired people to not only take pictures, but to have a passion for it. I don’t people to just pick up a camera and to start taking pictures knowing that they don’t have a passion for it. I want them to actually like do what they doing. I see my self living in a modern house that’s not too big and not too small with one reliable car. I’m a simple man, I dont need to have 10 houses with 100 car garage with a 100 cars. I want to be able to wealthy to the point where I can have money save up for the next few generations so they can be set for life and be able to follow they dreams like how I currently is. I want to be at a point where money will no longer be a issue and I can do what I want and when I want at any given time and not have to worry about is I’m going to have money left for a responsibility. I want to have a family with at least one to two kids. I want to be known by everyone by the work I did and how I carry myself. Read more>>

Travis Grant | Travis Grant CEO and Owner of DRPfit LLC

My end goal with DRPfit is to not just be a clothing company but a brand that people recognize and enjoy wearing. I created this company to provide normal people who want high quality apparel that’s more economically priced. DRPfit is just starting and my end goal at the end of all of this will be to be heavily involved in my community and provide upcoming entrepreneurs a guide to starting their own businesses. My company is a minority business and there are not many of us and my goal with DRPfit is to use it’s platform to help change that and get more businesses opened in my community. Read more>>