It's always a good idea to reflect on the things you've done in the past year and how certain decisions have led you to where you are right now. If you're in the middle of setting higher goals, take inspiration from these creative entrepreneurs and girlbosses who have turned their passions into enduring careers and businesses. Whether you're an aspiring designer or photographer, a start-up founder, or going through a career transition, these words of wisdom might just lead you to your next "A-ha!" moment:  

"Always be true to yourself. Never sell yourself short and never settle. If you feel in your gut that what you’re doing is wrong, it probably is."- Nicole Hernandez-delos Angeles, TV and lifestyle personality

"Make the most of every opportunity to grow in your craft. Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and learn from new experiences. Be intentional about what you shoot. Find your purpose as an artist so that it’s not just a job but something more meaningful." - Sheila Catilo, photographer

“It’s okay to be interested in a lot of different things. It means you have a very curious mind. But once you take in all that information, there’s some sort of formula that happens inside you and whatever comes out, you give back to the world. You have to discover what that is – what you love spending time on whether you get paid or not." - Teresa Herrera Anthony, founder of Collective 88

"In this day and age of fast fashion, everybody is competing with each other and there’s a lot of white noise. The goal is to rise above it by coming up with something pure and authentic and sustain that in a way that also feels real.” - Rajo Laurel, fashion designer and founder of House of Laurel

"Don’t be afraid to ask help. Don’t assume you know everything. My biggest learning is you must find the right partners to work with because your partners will help you create the brand and make it bigger than how you imagined it to be." - Jacqe Yuengtian-Gutierrez, CEO and co-founder of Happy Skin and BLK Cosmetics

"When you have an idea, get to it right away. Own it and launch it even if you don’t have a website. If it doesn’t work out, then you pivot. Your biggest enemy would be overthinking. You will never be able to start if you overthink because it will never get to perfect – just polish it along the way. You fail fast, you learn and then you pick yourself right up. That way you’ll find your calling sooner. The most important thing is to just do it because you’ll never know if it’s going to work or not until you take action.” - Mikka Padua, Commander-in-Chic of Seek the Uniq

"Everything about design is intertwined. The disciplines of one creative pursuit, no matter how small, can be applied to the next." - Kitty of Craftsmith Guild

"Just be real. Be wise about it and hold a space for other people to also be that. People need to see more of that online and it goes a really long way. When you are truly who you are and you present yourself that way, there’s nothing to hide and be unsure of.” - Amber of A Momma Abroad

“One is you have to define your creative voice. Try to see what you’re doing differently and how it can be relevant and attractive to the international market. I still believe that it helps to look into Filipino culture - see how you can take elements from it then modernize it when you create your position in the fashion market.” - Amina Aranaz, creative director of Aranaz

“Be brave and don’t be afraid to take a risk. Even if your first buyer rejects you or your email to a department store is left unanswered, don’t let that discourage you.” - Rosanna Aranaz

"If you have an interest, whatever it may be, even if you think it’s useless for business, just keep doing it. It’s never useless. As long as you continue to work on things that you’re passionate about, I believe it will lead you to something bigger." - Tin Magsaysay-Matic, co-founder of Locavore

"Always be open to learning new things and understand that you don’t know everything. When you’re open to suggestions and learning from people who have more experience, it will be easier for you once your business starts operating." - Maggie Wilson-Consunji, Casa Consunji co-founder and TV personality

Studying really helps you develop your taste. Aside from good taste, it takes a lot of practice and research to hone your interior design eye." - Marilen Faustino-Montenegro, interior designer, model and TV host

Here's to making bolder choices and more fulfilling pursuits!