We asked folks we admire to share one piece of conventional advice that they disagree with.

Dr. Pat Lindsay “Pinky” Catalla-Buscaino | Founder + CEO of Kuwento Co. & Filipino American Community Leader

In the Filipino American culture, many parents and relatives will encourage, influence, and impose youth to pursue a medical career pathway, such as the popular nursing field. It has become a common knowledge that Filipinos are in the medical and nursing industry, with multi-generational families who are nurses. Being a nurse is a professional occupation and offers good benefits and salary to raise multi-generational families. It’s a tried-and-true profession where financial success and stability is inevitable. I respect and honor our Filipino American nurses because it is a difficult profession and American healthcare would not exist without the blood, sweat, and tears of Filipino American medical workers. Read more>>

Darrell Merrill | DmNerd Artist(Artist, Graphic Designer, Freelancer)

“Art isn’t a real job” I work at my job almost 24/7. It’s not something that just comes easily. Just because I see something in my head or in my dreams doesn’t always means it goes onto paper, canvas, etc easily. There are times that I draw something and I hate the way it comes out, but I keep working at it until I’m happy with it. A lot of the times I dream artwork ideas then wake up and write them down so I don’t forget them. I keep notes of my ideas handy and try to fit them into themed art shows if possible. Read more>>

Vally O | Poet, Influencer, Social Media Manager, Image Consultant

A piece of conventional advice that I disagree with is, “Find your passion”. Oh, the pressure of this statement alone… I’ve found out that my life flows easier when I abandon the idea that my passion is something to find. The truth is, I didn’t “find” anything, rather I surrendered and partnered with my life. I let go of conventional, traditional, and the idea of “the right way”. There is no right way. Just a way. There is no wrong way either. You must build your passion. You do this by doing what humans do best- live. Also, you will find that you actually have multiple passions. Read more>>

Khilah Boone | Cosmetics Vendor & Wholesaler

You should start your business with an LLC. First of all, an LLC isn’t the only business formation you can have, and secondly I always tell future business owners now that you don’t need an LLC to get your feet wet. Too many people are scared to start a business because they don’t have the money for an LLC yet, which makes zero sense to prioritize first before you even have a business name, nor website, and you don’t know which business you want to start. Read more>>