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.

Talia W Di Giulio | Visionary Online Leader & Podcast Host

When I first dived into the entrepreneurial space, I was willing to fail forward. It may not of been exactly what I wanted to be doing but I threw myself in the deep and was willing to be coach able and learn skills I yet had. Over time, it allowed me to get clearer on who I was and what I wanted to create and ultimately what I wanted to stand and be an example of! I would say the most important factor behind my success today is I stayed consistent on my vision. I knew that everyday would have me closer to either creating my own vision or building someone else’s. I was willing to stay consistent always and at 29, (shy of 30) I now live in bali with my husband and puppies, a thriving multiple six figure online business and the environment I always dreamed of. There were many road blocks along the way but I never lost sight of my vision and always held that feeling within me. Read more>>

Kristina Yu | Illustrator, Designer & Founder

Since starting Cheery Human Studios, one of the most important things I’ve learned is how crucial it is to have a mission statement for your business / career. When I first started, I was a bit lost creatively. I knew I wanted to make cute and colorful artwork, but in the beginning, I did not take the time to ask myself what the intention behind all of that work was. That worked out great at first, but eventually, I got a little burned out making what I had been making for quite some time and I realize now it was because I didn’t have a mission statement to drive me forward. In time, I realized how important it was to reflect on my values and strengths and how I wanted to convey all of those things through the work I was making. It was in that time of reflection that I was able to define my creative mission statement and make work that I feel is now the best reflection of the kind of art I’d like to make going forward. Read more>>

Mark Slavkin | Arts administrator & Advocate

For a long time I believed the most important thing for a leader is the outcome of our work. What programs have we created? What outcomes have we achieved? Over time I have come to conclude that our most important legacy is how we have served others. My greatest pride and satisfaction come from the success of people I have supported and mentored over the years. While any specific program or project may come and go,the people endure and can help change the world for the better. Read more>>

Wilma Torres | Co-Owner

The most important factor behind the success of our business is our quality and attention to detail. Our priority isn’t just about making money, its creating lasting and trusting relationships with your clients so that they can keep using your services. It’s easy to get one client for your event and make money off that day, however if your focus isn’t on the quality of your product and the detail you put into making sure the client is satisfied, then you’ve already lost them for future opportunities. It’s great to be part of someone’s bridal shower or gender reveal party or any special event actually. We love that we bring an extra spark to an already exciting event. We are happy that we get to share a little bit of drip onto their backdrop.To see their faces light up and to know we helped with a small portion of that really makes your day and makes us feel honored. Read more>>

Ray Sarno | Entrepreneur, Designer & Web Developer

I have a strong general love for learning and strive to always be improving in everything I do, especially my work. This has served me very well, and has become a core value of my company’s culture, allowing us to grow. I know that today I am a better designer, developer, and CEO than I was a year ago, and a year from now I will be better still. This benefits my team, my company, our work, and our clients. There is always an opportunity to learn at any moment. Whether you are doing something for the first time or the thousandth, whether you succeed or fail, there is an opportunity to learn and grow. In fact, it may be impossible not to learn in at least some small way from everything you do. But by consciously incorporating self-reflection and awareness of learning into every task or project, one can maximize this growth, which compounds over time. Read more>>

Sonia Lee | Celebrity Men’s Groomer

The most important lesson my career has taught me is to do the best I can do and not compare myself to others in my field. I make sure to listen and keep learning from my own mistakes and learn from my peers. I do my best to stay connected with my higher self to serve my clients and give them the best possible version of me that I can. Read more>>