We love rebels and people who challenge the status quo, conventional wisdom and mainstream narratives and so we asked some really bright folks to tell us about one piece of conventional advice they disagree with.

Fredick Martinez | Photographer, Videographer, Creator

At first I was a little hesitant to make it official. I always utilized it as a getaway and breaking away from the daily routine as it was a passion. Then when I wanted to try out different techniques and needed more equipment is when I decided to make it a business. I was shooting with a canon t3i to begin and learn the basics. Read more>>

Jo-Anne Suriel | Intuitive Energy Healer

I have to say, I disagree with the advice to “Never give up.” As human beings, we’re constantly changing and evolving. Something that really interested you in your 20’s may not feel the same to you in your 30’s and 40’s. I started working in finance in my 20’s and, at the time, it felt really exciting and promising. I enjoyed learning about the different aspects of investing in businesses and interacting with founders. Read more>>

Marja-Lewis Ryan | Writer/Director/Producer

I have been a writer/director/producer for over a decade and the one thing I hear over and over is about picking a track. You must make movies OR TV OR Theater but I have found deep worth in doing lot of kinds of story telling. I bang on the piano and bake cakes too because the creative process has a sort of structure that defies form. I have learned so much from each of the areas I work in. Read more>>

Tyler Beveridge | Actor/Writer/Producer

“Be patient. The work will come.” I wholeheartedly disagree with this. In my experience, sitting around and waiting for jobs or gigs or anything to come to you is going to be spent sitting around doing nothing. You have to do it yourself. Read more>>

Elio Morillo | Space Systems Engineer & Author

The idea that ‘hard work speaks for itself’ is a common misconception. In reality, hard work is a fundamental component of success, but it must be coupled with effective communication and networking. Visibility is key. In my career, I’ve seen many talented individuals go unnoticed because they didn’t advocate for themselves or their projects. Read more>>

Joanne Mony Park | Writer / Director

I remember being told from a young age to give everything my best, no matter what, give it 100%, and never give up. I found this to be exhausting. During my final week before graduating NYU’s graduate film program, I bought natto at Manhattan’s Koreatown and experienced my first panic attack as I stepped out of an H-Mart. Read more>>

Astor Bonder | Tattoo Artist, Illustrator & Bird Enthusiast

I vividly remember meeting with an advisor at one point in art school, who asked me what kind of audience I was targeting with my work. At the time, I didn’t know how to answer that, but also my work at that time was much less public than it is now. I probably didn’t have a real ‘audience’ then, outside of my classmates. Read more>>

Liliana Yang | Filmmaker (Director, Writer, Actor)

I often hear people talking about your inability as a person, that you have to rely on something to achieve your goal. However, my life philosophy is accepting your weakness, solve the problems, and improve yourself, and always be confident about your own strength. Read more>>

Corisa Moreno | Artist / Play Activist / Educator

I once heard that to get ahead you need to cut things out of your life that take time away from working on your goals, like naps. I strongly disagree, Seth Godin. It’s this approach to maximizing time for work that has so many of us forgetting that we are here to live.  Read more>>