Lessons From My 16-Year Journey in Corporate Tech and the Leap into Entrepreneurship

When I started my career as an entry-level developer in 2007, I didn’t have a blueprint for what my career would look like. I didn't imagine that 16 years later, I'd leave a successful corporate career to pursue a passion-driven path in art and entrepreneurship. But what I've learned along the way is this: no career path is linear, and growth often comes from the most unexpected places.

In this post, I want to share a few key lessons from my journey—lessons that helped me climb the corporate ladder, but also gave me the courage to step off it.

1. Technical Skills Are Just the Start

Early in my career, my focus was simple: become the best developer I could be. I poured myself into learning new systems, coding languages, and solving technical problems. This earned me promotions and trust from my peers. But as I moved into mid-level and senior roles, I realized that technical skills alone weren't enough.

What I learned is that mastering your craft gets you in the door, but building relationships and influencing others keeps you in the room. For anyone early in their career, my advice is this: don't stop at technical expertise. Learn how to communicate your value, both within your team and to higher-ups. The technical work you do matters, but so does how you present it.

2. Take Ownership (Even When It’s Not “Your Job”)

There were moments throughout my career when I could have waited for opportunities to be handed to me, but those weren’t the moments that moved me forward. What pushed me up the ladder were the times I took ownership of challenges—whether it was stepping in for a scrum master, leading a project through a critical phase, or solving production issues.

The real growth happens when you stop thinking of tasks as "yours" or "someone else’s" and start asking, “What can I do to make this better?” Taking ownership, even when it's outside your scope, helps you build credibility and makes you the go-to person when new opportunities arise.

3. Mentorship Is a Two-Way Street

One of the most rewarding parts of my career was mentoring junior developers and new hires. What I didn’t expect, though, was how much I would learn in return. Mentoring not only sharpened my technical skills but also improved my leadership and communication.

If you’re not actively mentoring others, I encourage you to start. It's a powerful way to pay forward the help you’ve received, but it also pushes you to grow in unexpected ways. Every question a junior developer asked forced me to re-examine my own understanding, and in doing so, I became better at what I do.

4. Visibility Matters—Build Your Personal Brand

For many years, I relied on my work to speak for itself. I thought that if I worked hard enough, the right people would notice. While that happened to some extent, I came to realize that visibility doesn’t just happen—you have to create it. Whether it’s presenting at department meetings, contributing to internal forums, or building relationships across teams, getting noticed is as much about showing your work as it is about doing it.

For those of you who are heads-down in your projects, I encourage you to take a step back and ask, “How can I make sure my contributions are seen?” It’s not about being boastful; it’s about making sure your impact is recognized.

5. There’s More Than One Path to Success

Leaving a 16-year career in corporate IT to pursue my passion for art was one of the scariest decisions I’ve made. For years, I thought that success meant climbing the corporate ladder and staying on it. But as my passion for art grew, so did my understanding that success looks different for everyone.

For some, success is becoming the next VP or CTO. For others, it’s about starting a business, creating something of their own, or even taking a leap into an entirely different field. The important thing is to define success for yourself—and be brave enough to chase it.

Closing Thoughts

Your career is a journey, and no two paths look the same. Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about making a leap into something new, remember that growth happens outside your comfort zone. Take ownership, build relationships, and never be afraid to redefine what success means to you.

If you’re interested in learning more about career transitions, personal branding, or navigating the challenges of corporate life, feel free to reach out. I’d love to connect and share experiences!

What’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned in your career? Share it in the comments below!