We asked some of the brightest folks in the community to open up to us about the most important lesson their business or career has taught them. We’ve highlighted some of those responses below.

Selah Jane Oliver | Ballerina with Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since being a professional dancer is that hard work and persistence pays off. Nowadays it’s very normal to seek instant gratification but with ballet it rarely works that way. There are days where I feel like a horrible dancer. I keep trying to apply that one correction for a perfect pirouette, feeling a little defeated in that moment, but soon with practice I can see the improvement. Ballet has taught me that what I want to achieve in life takes time. If you stick to what you want in life, to what your dreams are, you will succeed. Don’t give up just because you’re not where you think you should, or want to be yet. If you love what you’re doing stick to it, you will get to where you want to go. Read more>>

Lindsay Francois | Blogger and Social Media Manager

As I am going through the beginning stages of having a business and potentially turning my passion into a full-time career, I have now noticed now more than ever, why being yourself is as equally as important as any skill you will acquire. Now and days, it is extremely easy to start any business that you’d like to start. Whether that is a har company, skincare, Forex group, and so many others, everyone has all the resources at hand to make it happen. And although it is amazing, it also means even more competition. What ultimately led me to start my own blog is the power of my individual voice and the unique perspective I can bring to my audience. While maneuvering through your career or business it is as important to know yourself as it is to know your audience. When you add a little bit of you everywhere you go, you live an impact and are more likely to be remembered. Read more>>

Teresa Blumberg | Wedding & Event Planner

Team Work – I think in my business one of the most important lessons is how important it is to work as a team and to remember to have respect and gratitude for every person working with you on your events and by doing that you will find that everyone working within your team will want to go above and beyond to create a successful event or project. Read more>>

Julio Guzman | Real Estate Broker

When it comes to business we need to understand there are risk involved with starting business. Earlier in my career as an entrepreneur I decided I wanted to get into a Franchise and in 2004 I saved enough capital to open a Quiznos Sub restaurant. It started off excellent and I had a booming business out the gate. It was going so well I was able to secure another location on the other side of town. As a franchisee we didn’t have much say when to corporate decisions and part of those decisions at the higher level led to a quick decline in sales for Quiznos restaurants throughout the country. Our stores began to slowly decline and ultimately I had to close both stores with nothing left from savings. I still remember when we had to auction off the equipment to help pay the bank loan and seeing what I considered “vultures” at the time buy the equipment for pennies on the dollar. After a few months of depression. Read more>>

Jamie Angelis | Permanent Makeup, Lash, and Saline Tattoo Removal Artist

That no one is coming to help you or save you. If you want something…YOU have to go for it. You have to do what it takes, and put the work into your business, in order to receive the outcome or success that you are looking for. The good news is that there is a ton of people and resources out there to help you, but you alone have to take the steps in order to get there. No one is going to hold your hand or push you when you own your own business. You have to push yourself….even when you don’t feel like it. Read more>>