supposed to be and since then I have loved performing live. It’s incredible. SoB: That’s exciting! Thinking back over the last 15 years as an artist, what do you think is the biggest lesson you’ve learned on this journey? AW: It sounds simple, but I think the biggest lesson I learned is that you can’t give up. I’ve seen so many of my fellow musicians and artists give up because it was taking so long but the opportunities could be right around the corner. The other big lesson I’ve learned is that your priorities change and that’s OK. Maybe you want a family, or your passion has changed. But mostly, I think what helped me get here is that I didn’t give up. I had said if I didn’t have a record deal by 30, I’d quit but then I turned 30 and I thought, dang – I’ve already put in 11 years. I can’t give up now! So, I kept going and it took me to 33 to get my first record deal. SoB: Perseverance! That’s really what it’s all about. What would you say is the biggest surprise along the way so far? AW: Honestly? It’s the same answer.
Although many think it does, it truly doesn’t happen overnight. You must be the hardest worker in the room, and no one can want it for you more than you want it for yourself. There was a time when I questioned if this was what I wanted for myself and my husband said, “I can’t want this for you more than you want it for yourself,” and that stuck with me. It almost rewired my brain, and I worked harder than ever to make it happen. We sometimes see artists shoot to big fame and they’re called “overnight successes”, but no one sees the years of work it took to achieve that so-called overnight success. “You must be the hardest worker in the room, and no one can want it for you more than you want it for yourself.”
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • VOL 24 ISSUE 2 21
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