We asked some brilliant folks from the community to tell us about the most important lesson their business or career has taught them. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Evelin Martinez | Lady Boss

The most important lesson my business has taught me is that there are more important things than my business. Wait, what?! When we embark on our entrepreneurial journey is to build a better life, to get ahead financially, to help others, etc. To be transparent with you I got stuck in my business and rode the emotional rollercoaster. It got emotional and frustrating. I had to re-evaluate my choices and even asked myself. Why did I start this again? I started realizing, I’m neglecting the people and the entire reason I’m doing all of this. I felt so guilty for being stuck on my computer all day, literally. Accepting this realization helped me to make much-needed changes and adjustments to my business. I had to train myself to prioritize and manage my time. Read more>>

Jacqueline Tabbah | Stone Restoration Specialist

I have learned many lessons at International Stoneworks, but most importantly that being a woman in a male dominated industry is actually an advantage. I am a woman working in a man’s world in the stone industry, but I have turned this obstacle into a positive. I embrace being a minority in a male-driven industry and I celebrate my individuality. We provide stone restoration services to commercial and residential customers and I am able to relate to female property managers and homeowners. I also want my voice heard in the stone business, so I write a blog, “Written In Stone” where I discuss topics ranging from how to care for your marble kitchen to how to polish and maintain a lobby floor. Read more>>

Georgia Parker | Musician, Big Cedar Fever

The most important lesson that I’ve learned from being a self employed musician is to relax, and not try to force the outcome. The business is so much like the creative process. It’s just that, a process! It will always take time to build a genuinely interested audience, and will always take time to build relationships with the right people, and it will always mean so much more when these things happen naturally. I feel that people around you can sense when you’re doing something because you love it and because it’s what you need to do for yourself, not just because it’s your business. I’ve spent years in the past working 24/7/365 on marketing, booking, and trying to connect with the right people at the expense of my creativity and happiness. Even though this is the biggest lesson I’ve learned as a musician, I still practice implementing it all the time, just as i practice my instruments. Read more>>

Angela Ainsworth | Photographer/Creative Director & Photo Editor

There’s always time to make room to refresh and restore self. Business owners/Creatives often eventually find themselves burned out and that’s due to us taking less time for ourselves while balancing so much regularly. Focus is wonderful. Drive is wonderful but we have to remember to rest, refresh, and restore ourselves so that we can put out our best quality products, service and/or content. Read more>>