We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.

Marie Ruskin | Lifestyle Blogger & Small Business Owner

From a very early age, I have always been creative and had an entrepreneurial spirit. I yearned to make things and sell them to anyone I could. I remember going to a craft show with my mom and seeing these decorative pens with the fuzzies on the end being sold by a vendor and thinking to my 11-year old self, “I can make those!” For reference, this was the pen Cher had in Clueless. Every Millennial girl had one, or wanted one, and I was here to sell her one! Read more>>

Mandy Shunnarah | Writer and Skater

I remember the exact moment I decided to be a writer when I was five years old. I was in my kindergarten class, and we were learning how to write with those chunky pencils with the triangle grips that made them easier to hold. At some point, it clicked in my head that letters form words, words form sentences, and sentences form paragraphs, and all the books I loved that my grandmother read to me were full of paragraphs, and someone got to write them. I thought, “Why not me?” Read more>>

Holden Nguyen | Recording Artist and Music Producer

I pursued a path that allows me to express myself artistically and creatively to act as an outlet for thoughts and emotions that I might not be able to get across well in other mediums. As a music producer, writer, and engineer, I have full control and final say of my creative output. It lets me tweak anything and everything I want, and that satisfies the control freak in me. Read more>>

Gregory Q Lee | Creative Entrepreneur

I pursued a creative career because it’s in my DNA. I inherited musical and creative abilities from my parents and extended family, so it was only a matter of time before I tapped into the creative genius God gave me. I credit my parents for truly encouraging and pushing me to embrace my talents. Read more>>