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.

Vivian Arcidiacono | Photographer, Artist, Designer, Art Director & Illustrator

I graduated in 1982 with a degree in Advertising. Imagine how exciting this time was to have the first degree ever offered in this field. Remember this was before Apple, before computers. Over the course of the past decades I have had the incredible fortune of having a career in the same field as designer of brands, art director and photographer. The number one lesson is to remain flexible. Also the fact that I love what I do, every day, makes my life so much more enjoyable. Love what you do and you will do it well. Read more>>

Kristin Bennett | Founder

I have learned that having the trust and support of the community where the work is being implemented are just as if not more important than the program planners. Our success has been because the communities we serve trust and support our work. Read more>>

Misty Flanagan

The most important lesson that being an entrepreneur has taught me is that you have to fail to succeed. Failing is how we learn. Failing is how we determine the necessary changes needing to be made to succeed. Failing is how we grow as people and as business owners. Expect to fail & embrace it. I believe most entrepreneurs are over achievers that come from a background where failure was not a regular occurrence so when we fail at building our own businesses, it hits extra hard. Why can we be such a good employee but not a good business owner? Well, because being a business owner is NOTHING like being an employee. Even if you are at the executive level as an employee, it’s simply not the same. There is a learning curve that isn’t taught to employees. Read more>>

John Amini | Commercial Real Estate Broker

It’s almost impossible to hone in on just one lesson, but the one that seems to ring especially loudly right now is simply the fact that, despite conventional thinking, business is best done and success most achieved when you work in the name of others. In my business, the days in which I am sincerely working on the behalf of my clients, and not to strictly my own benefits, are the days that I experience the most fulfillment and the days in which I do my job best. Read more>>

Jonathan Winfiele | President & Principal Owner

I love this question. This is something I have mentored my two children on, which is be a sponge and learn all aspects of your profession and go beyond. When I started my career, I was blessed with work with a Japanese firm which required you to learn all aspects of the business e.g. accounting, sales, logistics, distribution, credit, contract management, purchasing, etc. This enable me in my IT and consulting career to understanding how end to end process and system work together. We as Americans have a tendency to focus on one single department or process only in one’s career. My son just graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a Bachelor in Architecture, and I tell him after he gets his Masters degree and goes on to the work world learn all things around your profession e.g. landscaping, air conditioning, heating (HVAC), construction, etc. because it helps you become better in understanding the bigger picture. Read more>>