Often we don’t have to reinvent the wheel to learn something new – we can just ask experts in the field who can draw on their experience to enlighten us. Below, we’ve shared insights insiders from various industries have shared with us.

DY-Nasty | CEO, Producer, Dj, Engineer, Owner

The amount of money & relationships it take to break an artist and how frustrating it become breaking a record Read more>>

Enisa Ray | REALTOR & French Macaron Baker

One thing about the baking industry, especially when it comes to making French macarons, is that it’s incredibly intricate and time-consuming. While they appear delicate and dainty, creating perfect macarons requires long hours of practice to master the technique. The process is precise, with small variables like humidity affecting the outcome. Ingredients can be expensive, particularly high-quality almond flour and flavorings. Many bakers also have to navigate the world of social media to showcase their creations, which can be demanding. Being a one-person show means handling everything from baking to marketing and customer interactions, making it a challenging yet rewarding endeavor for those who are passionate about it. Read more>>

A.R. Mauriella | Founder/Creative Designe

Arturo Rose operates in the fashion and apparel industry, and one thing about our industry that outsiders may be unaware of is the extensive supply chain and the global network involved in creating a single piece of clothing. While many people see the final product on the shelves or online, they often don’t realize the complexity and global reach of the fashion industry. The fashion industry is a complex, interconnected, and global ecosystem that goes far beyond what consumers see on the racks. Understanding these intricacies can help consumers make more informed choices, supporting companies that align with their values and priorities. Read more>>

Kari Crispo | Wedding Planner & Designer

One common misconception I hear about the Wedding Industry, especially Wedding Planners, is that there is an “off season”. There really isn’t an off-season! There may be an off time from weddings themselves, but we, as planners and designers, are constantly planning for what’s to come. For example, I usually take the last half of December and all of January off from weddings, but throughout that time I am still planning for all of the weddings happening the next, or even following, year. I love what I do and it’s so fun for me, so it’s never a problem to not have an “off” time, but the term “off-season” is one I hear quite frequently from outsiders! Read more>>

TaChe H. | Creative Love Coach

A huge trend in the relationship dating coaching market is singles being proactive and seeking relationship advice early, even as early as the pre-dating stage. While couples make up the majority of people seeking relationship advice, singles are now the fastest growing segment of the market. Coaching is a $2 Billion Dollar Industry and is rapidly growing since people now have many more intimate relationships than our grandparents, who were married ‘until death do us part. Read more>>

Sonji Jones | Self Love Advocate

Since waistbeads are an African traditions, I am often asked if it’s OK for them to be worn by other cultures. Is it cultural appropriation? My immediate answer is “no”. It is my belief that once you have researched the history, whether through asking questions or looking it up on your own, you then honor the history and enter a new realm of self love. Read more>>

Josh Caudle | Pastor

One of the biggest challenges as a pastor is having work life balance. Over the years I’ve improved on my time management in many ways. To be effective in anything in life you have to prioritize what’s important and what can wait. Also, I have learned it’s alright to take time for yourself. Self-care is so important and should never be neglected. Never feel bad or guilty for taking care of yourself. Read more>>

Nicolas Hogrefe | Executive Winemaker, CEO, & Owner

As people trend towards buying their alcohol at the supermarket, the small and local producers get pushed out of their local market. To supply chains you need distributors who will pick you up and you have to be able to supply the numbers and at the pricepoint that works for them. As mom and pop bottle shops shutter their doors due to the trend of large all in one place shopping this becomes even more forced. Unique artisanal products won’t be made if they can’t be sold en masse to stock resets at grocery stores if smaller retailers can’t afford them anymore as their wallets get lighter until they eventually close. Read more>>

Kate Ward | Textile Artist

Overhead. Overhead! I am just figuring out how to calculate overhead costs into my business model. Being that I work out of a home workshop, and have no storefront, I have never associated the cost of doing business with MY business. But there are so many expenses that creep in without preamble. Printer ink, for instance. I use printer ink for all of my shipping labels and invoices, but also for personal projects and school materials for my kids. How do I deduce how much each of my hat creations costs in ink? It’s crazy! So many of those seemingly tiny expenses that add up to a whole lot. Read more>>

Charhonda Muhammad | Clinical Massage Therapist & Entrepreneur

It can be very difficult to build the support of your community through therapeutic touch and it’s mostly because massage therapy once had a bad name, and you have to build trust before the support follows. The easiest way to do this is to get out in the community and attend events. I would suggest talking to as many people as you can about your brand and how you will help the community. Read more>>