Every twist in our story, challenge we face, and obstacle we overcome is an important part of our story. These difficulties make us stronger and wiser and prepare us for what’s ahead. As we grow and succeed we may imagine that soon the challenges will fade away, but in our conversations with business owners, artists, creatives, academics, and others we have learned that the most common experience is that challenges never go away – instead they get more complex as we grow and succeed. Our ability to to thrive therefore depends heavily on our ability to learn from our experiences and so we are asking some of the city’s best and brightest: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Arm of Casso | Sharpism Artist
The most important lesson I learned in this journey so far is that no opportunity is too small. You have to network and take every chance that comes your way, you cannot let anything slip because you never know who you can meet that can become a business partner, a collector, or just a connection for the next big thing that you are going to be a part of. This, prayer and treating people how you will like to be treated goes a long way!
Enna Chow | Fabricator & Draftsman for Film/TV
I think the most important thing I’ve learnt is that you can never stop being creative – never stop working to improve your craft no matter how small the progress. For instance, besides my day job in film I don’t always have side commissions to work on, and I think it’s important to always be working on something even if you’re not being paid to. This evil plant guy was actually something I made for myself as a quick fun break between projects, seeing as I’ve always loved old scientific specimen displays. And true this is my hobby and I love doing it, but I also do believe that it serves as skill practice for potentially being able to sculpt and fabricate for a living in the future, which is why this is how I choose to spend my down time after work every day. We should always be striving to make ourselves better, and be ready for when opportunity knocks.
Garron J Barrett | Artist | Advisor
Muhammad Yungai Fine Art artofyungai.com @artofyungai
I’ve learned to appreciate other creatives in their space. I continue to be inspired by artists I meet along the journey.
Ashley Cromwell | Esthetician & Certified Lash Technician
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey is that although being an entrepreneur can be tough at times; you have stay consistent, have patience, and always be authentic in what ever it is that you do. If you believe in your craft others will eventually see and believe in your vision.
mohinitribebeauty.com
@MohiniTribeBeautyAtl
Haley Hamilton | Embroidery Artist | Workshop Instructor, & Marketing Director
Photo Credit: Haley Hamilton
I’ve learned it’s possible to deliver joy to others by doing something I love. Whether that’s through adding touches of beauty to a home, stitching a one-of-a-kind keepsake, or teaching a floral embroidery workshop, having the opportunity to inspire our community makes my journey worthwhile.
https://haleyhamiltonart.com/
@hoopsbyhaley
Angel Dixon | Lash Artist & Certified Medical Assistant
Most important lesson I’ve learned is to Never give up & be open to learn more & HAVE PATIENCE. Lashing isn’t easy starting out , I’ve kept practicing to perfect my craft and I’m still learning everyday .
Misslashextensionsllc.as.me
@misslashextensions
Jonathan Meade | Weightlifting Coach & Dog Dad
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey so far is that you have to do more than you’ve ever done before if you want to reach your goals and unlock your destiny.
@rambobarbell
rambobarbell.com
Shacorya Williams | Natural Hair Blogger
A lesson I have learned during my journey is to have confidence and faith that everything will span out the way it is supposed to be in God’s timing. My course isn’t going to resemble others, and I am completely satisfied with it.
youtu.be/vHluG66VlG0
@Julietuncapped
julietuncapped.com
Suzie Tremel | Textile Artist
The most important lessons I’ve learned on my journey is to keep pushing myself to try new things and don’t be afraid to take risks. Risks can be successes or failures but either way they will teach you a great deal.
You will grow immensely from having had those experiences. Always try and push yourself outside your comfort zone.
Abby Vetter | minimalist jewelry designer
Trilliant
The most important lesson my work on Trilliant has taught me is that it’s necessary to travel outside your comfort zone in order to succeed in anything. As a natural introvert, running festival booths as well as my online store for Trilliant forces me to put myself out there for others to see what I’ve created. Most importantly, it offers my two young daughters a different perspective on me aside from just being mommy. They come to festivals with me, helping to carry gear and even chatting up customers. My hope is that they see how an idea and a passion can become a reality if you put in the work.
etsy.com/shop/trilliant
@Trilliant_Atl
Lily & Luna | Antique Dealer & Historian
Lily and Luna Antiques
When you follow your passion, the work is joy and the people you meet along the way are true kindred spirits.
@lilyandlunaantiques
@lilyandlunaantiques
Aya Mackhoul | The Atlanta Foodie @atl.foodz
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey so far, is to be genuine. Not just with blog posts, but with everything in life. When you’re genuinely doing what you love to do, everything else just falls into place.
Nicole Gentile
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey so far is that we are all at different points in the journey, so if you can’t compare yourself to someone on step 20 when you’re on step 1! You never know how many steps or how hard someone has worked to get where they are, so you just have to push yourself to be better than you were yesterday.
Jessica (Jet) Houston | Jewelry Designer & Creator
The most important lesson that I have learned on my journey so far is that you have to have patience in all aspects of your business. There are many ups and downs as a business owner requiring you to trust the process. No matter what obstacles you are faced with always stay positive and never quit.
etsy.com/shop/goodvibewraps
@gvibewraps
Amanda McCabe | quilt designer | pattern writer, and occasional woodworker
Stay true to your own style of creativity, and do only the things that bring you joy.
jamesandgracie.com
@jamesandgraciehandmade
@JamesandGracie
Stephany Glassing | Abstract Artist
To date, the most important lesson I’ve learned through my journey is respecting the ebb and flow of life. I became paralyzed from the waist down due to a car accident when I was 19. For 35 years I’ve lived my life using a chair to get me from point A to point B but I’ve never let it be who I am. Throughout the journey, going from being a carefree teenager to an adult in a split second, the greatest thing I’ve come to realize that what is happening in my life at this moment may not be what I’m dealing with either 10 mins from now, a day from now, or week from now. I’ve learned to respect the ebb and flow of what life deals you and fortunately I’ve been able to use my artwork as an outlet to what I am feeling on any particular day, or moment. I’m not sure if this is part of aging or part of my journey as dealing with things no one wants, or expects, to have to deal with but I’m very grateful I’m at a point in my life where I can respect what happens, or doesn’t happen, and know that in the end it all works out how it’s supposed to work out. My artwork is a direct outpouring of what I’m going through. Sometimes I work on a piece for months, other times I create and pieces just flow out of me. A good balance of respecting the body and mental state at all times. I find myself, mentally, going to the beach (a place not easy to get to anymore) so a lot of what I do reflects the beachy vibe. Other times, it’s just the movement of color, shape, and lines.
Mark Haddad | Designer and Artist
Experiencing serendipity does not need to be a passive occurrence. My greatest inspiration comes from reinterpreting accidents and mistakes.
Kelly Rose Wilkinson | Graphic Designer & Art Director
Never be complacent. If you let yourself settle you’ll never find out what you could improve about your situation. And trust your gut. If you know there could be enhancements made, speak up. It may seem counter intuitive, but the goal isn’t really to reach your goal, it’s continuous improvement. So once you reach your goal, reassess and set another. Growth can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it’s so completely necessary.
bykellyrose.com
@kellyrose.psd
Patrick Bonsu | Designer & Illustrator
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey so far is to trust your instincts. And that goes for what you want to learn, what do you want to work on and ultimately who do you want to be. All those play a key factor into your work. This is a second part of that answer, but listening to what you hear when you ask yourself those questions is half of the journey. The other half is embracing what you hear.
Leah Atkins | Interior Designer
Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn
The most important lesson I’ve learned on my journey is to be confident and let it show. Don’t doubt yourself. Take the next step, no matter how much it scares you!
Allison Rosenbaum
The most important lesson that I have learned is that collaboration and communication with other instagrammers has helped the most in my journey so far. I have learned so much from other local accounts.
Liz Seymour | Noonday Collection Independent Ambassador
It’s never too late to try something new – and in the process discover entirely new things about yourself and your capabilities. We are constantly evolving, and if we’re doing it right we’re improving with age!
elizabethseymour.noondaycollection.com
@lizseymour
Facebook: Style on Purpose with Liz Seymour
Briana Fountain | Designer & Wellness Blogger
The biggest lesson I have learned in my journey is to invest in myself and explore new avenues for growth. These two things are the key to blooming in both my professional and personal life. Professionally, this meant learning to hone my craft as I began trying new ventures for my wellness blog like Facebook groups. It also meant trying new things personally like pole fitness classes, eating at new restaurants, and making new friends. You grow through what you go through, so every new opportunity is a chance for growth.
@thebloomingbabe
thebloomingbabe.com
Joshua Saunders | Artist and Automotive Data Analyst
Search for what makes you special, unique and different from all others. Anything is possible with unique talent, hard work and passion. Always take the opportunity to serve others with your abilities because you never know what kind of impact you can make on a persons life.
etsy.com/shop/SincerelySaunders
Amy Michelle | Mixed Media Artist
Creative expression is so good for our health… mentally, emotionally, physically. And to remember how blessed I am to share my gift with others. I’m touched every day from people I meet or hear from because of my artwork. It’s an amazing feeling when I create something that brings joy or peace to someone else that may be going thru a tough time…or it just makes them smile! Truly a huge sign and reminder that this is my calling… xo
Muneer Awad | Criminal Defense Lawyer and owner of Stony Cigars, a local Cigar and CBD store
There are no mistakes–only lessons. This mindset discourages sulking, and encourages reflection…and often times my best reflections go hand in hand with a great smoke.
yelp.com/biz/stony-cigars-marietta
@stonycigars
stony-cigars.business.site
Larry and Emily Johnson | Food Truck Owner/Operators
The most important lesson we’ve learned is to be flexible. Don’t be afraid to change a menu item if it isn’t selling. Be willing to cater to the demographics of where we’re set up I.E. kids options, boiled peanuts or soft pretzels at a brewery or healthier options when doing a corporate event or movie production. And don’t turn free advice from others in the industry. You never know what good ideas are right there around the corner.
lilbitesfoodtruck.com
@lilbitestruck
@lilbitestruck
@lilbitestruck
Raiyah Elahi | M.S.c Exercise Physiologist | Teacher | Health Coach
To stay resilient no matter how hard it becomes, especially if you know what you have to offer others is beneficial.
When I started my children’s wellness enrichment school I was a scientist by academia and starting a company was nerve-wracking, as I was becoming an entrepreneur, I was scared.
I knew that a primary wellness school with healthy enrichment programs, could help in decreasing chronic disease and benefit a child’s long term health. Having no common business model to follow it was hard, I knew I had to stay resilient. I continued to meet with 100’s of other Founders/CEO’s, Companies, Incubators, Accelerators, etc. I remember being denied liability insurance coverage for my classes by eight insurance companies because had never heard of something like a wellness school for kids, I kept pushing. Luckily, a policy was created by an insurance company because the CEO loved the concept of a wellness school 🙂
Along the way, I have connected with so many great people who are on the same team for children’s wellness. Most of all its beautiful to see how children enjoy our classes and begin to build on healthy sustainable lifestyle habits.
foodfortinythoughts.com
@foodfortinythoughts
Dennis Santiago| REA
Be there first, be good second.” – in our line of work 86% of people choose the first agent they interact with. First step to be successful, is to be ‘THERE’, then you can worry about being a good agent for your clients/customers. I think this quote applies to anything in life as well – life isn’t lived in a couch/desk/behind a screen, you can’t fake experiences. Go out, experience, do whatever needs to be done, then if it’s something you want to do more than once, work on doing it right and doing it well.
@dennisinatlanta
@dennisinatlanta
dennissantiago.bhhsgeorgia.com
