We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.

Epiphany Wells-Booker

Honestly? I didn’t exactly choose the creative path—it kind of snuck up on me and refused to let go. I have always been an artistic person but back in 2019 things changed. I was laser-focused on training to return to the women’s professional tennis tour after a major health scare with lupus. At the same time, I was tying up the last few credits for my undergrad degree. I was offered a opportunity to complete a large amount of credit if I completed one final assignments. Read More>>

Nevaeh Riddle

Pursuing the arts, theatre specifically, was the only thing I could imagine myself doing. I tried to picture a future doing anything else, and I kept coming back to theatre. I hadn’t shown interest in performance until I was in high school, which, if you know any other artists, seems late in the game to start, but I really loved it. I found myself seeking every opportunity to be involved, and it eventually became my ‘thing.’ I never had a dream job or something I felt drawn to until I fully immersed myself in this world.  Read More>>

Kimberly Cotterell

I’ve always naturally gravitated toward the arts — whether it was learning an instrument, being in an art class, or any moment that allowed me to explore entertainment or creativity. I had a deep love for it from the very beginning. As I got older and realized I could actually turn my passion into a career, it became a no-brainer for me to pursue my dreams. That journey started with becoming a professional dancer, and eventually expanded into modeling. Read More>>

Lorenzo Raines

My talent ever since I was a child was art/drawing. I’ve always had the passion for art of all forms and as time and technology has advanced, it has made my passion and wiliness to learn more intense. I love learning anything new and innovative that can take my work to extraordinary heights. My career didn’t start out as an artist (graphic designer). A lot of my career started working in the military and occupations associated with the military. Read More>>

Tori Davis

Creating has always been in me. As a kid, I was the one putting on plays, singing, dancing, cracking jokes and anything to make people feel something. I’ve had ADHD all my life, and while that made some things tough, creativity was the one thing that locked me in. It gave me focus, freedom, and joy all at once. I fell in love with musicals, acting, the drama, the emotion. Everything about performance lit me up. Musicals, acting, storytelling—they all gave me a way to express myself when words didn’t always come easy. And over time, that love grew into something deeper. Read More>>

Tianyu Wang

Growing up surrounded by animation, comics, and games, I was always fascinated by the immersive worlds behind the stories. From the emotional impact of The Lion King, to the dreamlike atmosphere of Studio Ghibli films, to the stunning visuals of Avatar, I became curious about how these fantastical environments were created—and how I could one day build my own.
That curiosity led me to drawing, and later to a three-year foundation in art alongside my high school studies.  Read More>>

Asmita Puri

I’ve always had a love for fashion, storytelling, and sharing the little moments that make up everyday life. Even as a kid, I was the one curating outfits and documenting everything around me. I’ve always been a creative person, but growing up, I didn’t see a clear path where creativity could lead to a “real” job. Like many, I thought being artistic was something you did on the side, not something that could actually support you. Read More>>

Calyria Jyvonne

pursued an artistic and creative career because it has always been a part of my life. I started acting at 3 and writing at 7, and those early experiences shaped how I see the world and how I express myself. I also come from an artistic family. My grandmother is a singer and my grandfather was a self-taught guitarist, so creativity was naturally woven into my upbringing. Over time, I realized that I didn’t just enjoy performing and writing. I felt a deep calling to tell stories that matter and to create space for voices and experiences that deserve to be seen and heard. Read More>>

Clyknesia Nicholson

It has always shown me and others exactly who I am. Poetry has been a joy, and outlet, a safe space and an escape since I was 9 years old. I survived through a very traumatizing childhood and through it all, poetry was there. She cradled me on days when no one else would. She’s caught tears she didn’t cause, and soothed my being with just a few words. I pursued it because it chose me first. Read More>>

Sof Delgado

I have always leaned towards the creative since a young age! I grew up in a family of incredibly talented artists, all of which pursued careers unrelated to the arts! My mom’s a beautiful singer and lover of music, my dad can draw like nobody’s business, my aunt has incredible crafting skills and creativity, the list goes on and on. There is value and worth in finding passion and joy outside of the arts and I know the adults in my family enjoy the careers they lead currently. Read More>>

Keren Selah

Honestly… I didn’t choose this path , this path chose me…and i absolutely fell in love with it. Being a creative became my life & it’s so fitting & fufilling. Read More>>

 Laura Austin

I’ve always been a creative person—whether it was through stand-up comedy, improv, or writing, I’ve always found joy in expressing myself and making people feel something. That same drive naturally led me to the world of hair. Even as a kid, I loved working with my hands, experimenting with color, texture, and style. Hair quickly became my favorite medium because it’s personal, ever-changing, and such a fun way to help people express who they are. Read More>>