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.

Jennifer Harms | Owner Operator and Artist Instructor

Wow, you’re job is so easy! You just get to paint all day! I hear it all the time, and I equate it to when someone says something must be free if it doesn’t have a price tag. I honestly wish that just painting was all I had to do. Running the studio involves everything any other business has to do. I have employees to pay, and schedule, and unlike many other businesses, we are a specialized skill set. We have to be bartenders, artists, teachers and customer service. There is inventory to order and keep track of. Stock to figure out what will and won’t sell. Marketing. Social Media. Franchise standards. And bills… all the bills. Read more>>

Alisha Clark | Interior Designer & Stylist

Whenever I meet someone new a natural part of the conversation tends to be what we each do for work. When I tell people I own an interior design and decorating firm they often reply with “I wish I could do something fun for work.” The truth behind the picture-perfect homes you see on your Instagram feed is they represent a full-blown business in the background that is just as rife with unglamorous tasks as every other job. Do we get to work in a creative field? Yes.
Is it fun exercising your right brain to dream up beautiful spaces? Yes.
Do we feel lucky to be able to do something we love? Yes. Read more>>

Candace Gasper | Owner and Founder of Digital Candy

There’s a lot of thought and strategy that goes behind a post. Even something as casual as a meme can go through round after round of deliberation. Social is very strategic and even the most unassuming post is designed to appear that way. Read more>>

Alexis Ziemski | Photographer

When first started out, I thought that if I had great photography skills, I would have a successful business. While that is somewhat true, it’s also not the case…….in order to run a successful business you need to be able to navigate multiple skillsets. While yes, you are a photographer…….you are also the customer service expert, the social media navigator, marketing director, website wiz, creative director, book keeper, etc. The sooner you realize that you’re going to need to become good at a LOT of different things, the sooner you can start improving all them all. Don’t get me wrong, great photography skills are important, but you need to have a LOT of other ones if you’re going to make a business out of it! Read more>>

Lisa Andrews | Registered Dietitian

Being in the nutrition field for 30 years, I assume that everyone knows the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Nutritionist. I joke that RD stands for “Real Deal”. Here’s the numbers: Dietitians must obtain a 4-year degree, complete a 6-10 month dietetic internship, pass a 4-hour exam, and maintain 15 hours of continuing education each year. As of 2024, someone that wants to become an RD must also complete a Masters Degree. On the flip side, a “nutritionist” may or may not be a dietitian, For example, someone could do an online course in nutrition and say they are a nutritionist but not have nearly the qualifications that a registered dietitian has. Read more>>

Molly Meek | Beauty Pro + Mindset Coach

I have been in the beauty industry since 2009 and have seen it through the last decade plus of growth. I feel like so many people see beauty professionals and think it’s just a fun hobby, and that there isn’t much money to be made, or that all we do it hair/esthetics/etc and I’m here to bust those myths. Foremost, the amount of money to be made is insane- however there is massive amounts of work that needs to be put in, in order to see those dollar signs and watch your bank account triple. The majority of those outside our industry don’t realize how much most stylists are making. I out earned my parents dual income household 6 years ago. Read more>>

Jemannie Luong | Owner, Picnic Party Cincinnati

There is a lot of thought that goes into preparing a picnic! From the color scheme to the weather, picnic planners have to prepare as much in advance as possible. More importantly, we have to be transparent with our guests so that they can be prepared as well. For example, sunset is much earlier during the colder seasons. That means the latest a picnic can begin outdoors is 5:30pm. That will give enough time for set up and tear down before it gets dark. Additionally, if the weather is below 60 degrees, I generally make guests aware of the cold and see if an indoor picnic is an option. Read more>>

Erin Eurenius | Estate Planning & Certified Elder Law Attorney

Often, I find that many outsiders to the legal industry are not familiar with the specializations that are available for our profession. We widely recognize that for medical issues, you find a specialist in the area. The thought of going to a general practitioner for a specific heart issue seems absurd. The same goes for the law. My practice focuses solely on estate planning and elder law. I assist any adult over the age of 18 with their needs for the appropriate legal documents for estate planning at their stage of life. Having a well-thought-out estate plan can make a huge difference for the people you leave behind. I often say that estate planning is the ultimate love letter. Read more>>

Jenae Criswell | Owner and Baker

I think one thing that most people don’t think about is the time and effort it takes to get from placing the order to get the product(s). I don’t just bake and decorate. For example, with my presales, there’s a lot of time spent looking for inspiration, coming up with designs, purchasing cutters, making and baking the cookies, decorating the samples, taking pictures, creating the order form, marketing the sale, etc. It’s so much that goes into the process of what’s posted. I have to be a big social media presence because that’s where a lot of my customer base comes from besides referrals. Being a small business, it’s just me running the whole show and there is so much that goes into it. Read more>>

Ashley Akins | Owner of Sweetly Bronzed

Spray tanning and sugaring hair removal may seem like simple beauty treatments to some, but to me, they are my absolute passion and a core part of who I am. I’m not just a technician; I’m a hype girl, committed to turning someone’s day around and making them feel incredible. When people leave the salon, they’re not just transformed on the outside; they’re filled with confidence and positivity. My job allows me to be with people during their most significant moments. I’ve shared the joy with women finding out they’re pregnant and being the first person she tells. Read more>>