We’ve been fortunate to connect with so many brilliant, thoughtful entrepreneurs and creatives and we regularly ask them about the most important lessons they’ve learned over the course of their careers. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Vaishnavi ( Vaish ) Prabhakaran | Industrial Designer, Researcher & Strategic Storyteller

One of the most valuable lessons my career has taught me is the importance of remaining open-minded to opportunities, even if they may not initially seem like the perfect fit. I’ve come to realize that inspiration and valuable experiences can emerge from unexpected places, and by embracing this mindset, I’ve been able to cultivate a richer understanding of myself and my passions. Read more>>

Jim Nieb | Actor, improvisor, and acting coach

I was born in Ohio but raised by a widowed mother in the Virginia suburbs outside of Washington, D.C. Although I had three older half-siblings I had to spend a lot of time alone using my imagination for entertainment. Read more>> 

Mike Sullivan | Artist

I was born in Buffalo and raised just outside of Detroit — I had a love of creating art (drawing and painting) from a very young age and my father, who was in the auto industry in marketing and worked very closely with professional sports teams in promotions, brought me to many pro and college games. Read more>>

Kely Pinheiro | Cellist and Arranger

I’m from Niteroi, a vibrant city near Rio de Janeiro brimming with artistic talent. Growing up surrounded by such a creative energy undoubtedly fostered my own artistic inclinations. Read more>>

Noah Cutwright | Cartoonist & Animation Director

Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, I lived of a healthy diet of cartoons. I would spend most of my days flipping between Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Disney to satisfy my cartoon fix, and whenever a new animated feature would come out I would beg my parents to take me. Read more>> 

Jesse Kove | ACTOR

I was born in Los Angeles, California. I was raised in the film industry. My father is Martin Kove ever since I was six months old. I basically grew up on film sets. This has always impacted me greatly as I have always loved creating telling stories and going into different worlds. Read more>>

Vanessa Nottingham | Actor / Producer / Co-Founder of Divergent House

My background and upbringing really impacted who I am today as I had the best mirror, my parents. Growing up in South Florida, I had a first hand experience at how hard my parents worked to get to where they are today. Read more>>  

Matalin Racster | Director & Writer

I am from Indiana, famously the location for any book or television show where they want the audience to feel like the characters are seriously in the middle of nowhere. When I was growing up, all I could think about was getting out of town and following my dreams. Read more>> 

Anastasiia Horban | Owner of catering company, chef

I’m from Ukraine. All my life I was dreaming about restaurant or other food related business. I got my Hotel and Restaurant management master degree, but still accepted job at non food related company. 7 years I spend going up my career in big industry of recycling and ecology. Read more>>

Ava Walker | Founder/CEO of Beyond Our Kin

Where are you from and how did your background and upbringing impact who you are today? I’m from Cleveland Ohio, I love my hometown and graceful to have been rooted in authenticity. My upbringing was very unique, although I grew up without my parents. I always had friends who adopted me into their families, who really cared about me. Read more>>

Gustavo Katz | Events and live entertainment manager

I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That’s the arts capital of my country. I was surrounded by inspiring music, films and theater all over, from TV, school and even weekends activities with my family. That big mix made me have a special eye for the Arts and a passion for everything creative. Read more>>

Abigail Villanueva | Actor, Singer & Fitness Instructor

Well, I was born in Okinawa, Japan and moved to small town Missouri when I was seven. Like many minorities, I faced challenges that made it difficult to fully accept my identity, or even know what that is. Read more>>

Tashia Farries | Chef

I was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana, right outside of Chicago. The area I grew up in was more like a village, we were all family and looked out for one another. I was taught early how to hustle and survive whether it was from my grandmother who owned her own business, my mom who worked overnight to provide then eventually started a day care, or family members who street hustled to make ends meet. Read more>>

Xiao Xu | Illustrator/Graphic Designer

I was born and raised in Shanghai, China. My formative years unfolded within the confines of a Shikumen house, specifically on the first floor of one adorned with the literal translation of “stone warehouse gate,” nestled in an alley. As a kid, my energy does not cease. Read more>>