Gen Z and the Workforce: Creative Entrepreneurship at Pima
By Lourdes Leiner, for Marketing Communications, and Strategic Outreach
Can you turn your creative dreams into a reality in today’s current economy? Pursuing a professional path as a creative can feel overwhelming, especially for students navigating myths about what it takes to “make it” as an artist, designer, or entrepreneur. In a first-ever collaboration between Pima’s Southern Arizona Technology & Entrepreneurship Center (SATEC) and the Center of Excellence in Arts, that question came alive as an audience of inspired Pima students gathered for a lively discussion on turning imagination into impact.
Emmy-winning entrepreneur Jessica Wegner, founder of Naked Rebellion, and award-winning creative director Julie Bonner, also an instructor within Pima’s Arts Division, led a conversation that blended insight, humor, and honesty about the realities of creative entrepreneurship. Their discussion centered on how young creatives can transform their passions into sustainable careers, providing strategies for networking, branding, and establishing multiple income streams in an ever-evolving creative economy.
“It’s refreshing to see where you can start,” said student Niclone Kogis, who attended with her daughter, “I was scared for her future, but now I know she can take steps for her success.” Niclone Kogis' mother remarked.
Networking as Creative Community
Students were encouraged to take initiative and approach professional connections with intention. Wegner and Bonner recommended learning about events in advance, attending them prepared with questions, and setting clear goals for what you hope to achieve. Be memorable: follow up with thank-you emails, reintroduce yourself, and request time to meet and connect. They emphasized that building a creative community strengthens professional opportunities. For example, collaborating on projects or workshops with peers can lead to shared visibility, mentorship, and referrals. Joining creative groups or attending networking events can help artists and writers discover opportunities they might not find alone, such as exhibitions, publications, or funding for projects.
Thinking Like an Entrepreneur
Wegner and Bonner discussed the importance of understanding the audience and the market.
Think about your target demographic and where goods or services should be sold. Test your products and explore the user experience. Collaborate with industry members and consider their perspectives throughout the development process. Once refined, scale your work to local markets and events around your city, and always meet your deadlines.
To build a stable career, creatives were encouraged to develop multiple income streams, including products, consulting, teaching, and freelance work. Establishing a cohesive brand is key. Create business cards, maintain a professional website, and remember that “you are what you post” on social media and beyond.
“I feel inspired by seeing two creative entrepreneurs doing so much in such a short amount of time,” Zahra Fotics, a current Pima student, remarked.
Reframing Failure and Embracing Authenticity
As the presentation settled, the conversation shifted from speeches to active dialogue within the community, and a generational exchange of information began. Students bent forward in their seats, ready to bridge the gap from aspirations to application. Hands raised from across the room. What followed was a candid exchange that turned abstract advice into custom-tailored guidance.
The panelists encouraged students to turn their vision into sales by building portfolios with a strong narrative and a distinct point of view, highlighting the nuances that make their work unique while communicating the emotions and values their brand stands for. The speakers also shared their mental processes for recovering from the inevitable failures and rejections of pursuing creative work.
“Reframe failures as opportunities for growth and boundary building. Allow yourself to feel disappointment, but move forward,” Panelist Julie Bonner reminded the group.
“I feel inspired by seeing two creative entrepreneurs doing so much in such a short amount of time”
SATEC: Pima’s Business Incubator
By the time the final question faded from the room, the room felt lighter and filled with the confidence and excitement of new possibilities. It was clear that the afternoon’s lessons went beyond advice for creatives: they offered a roadmap for how to think, act, and grow as a professional in an unpredictable world.
The Southern Arizona Technology & Entrepreneurship Center (SATEC) is Pima Community College’s innovation hub and business incubator, supporting entrepreneurs in technology, manufacturing, business, and the creative arts. SATEC provides mentorship, incubation programs, advanced prototyping resources, and flexible membership options to help founders transform their ideas into real, scalable businesses. Students and community members alike can get involved in SATEC’s workshops, networking events, Fireside Chats with founders and professionals, and Toastmasters Club meet-ups. Whether you’re launching your first venture or expanding an existing project, SATEC provides the guidance, resources, and community connections to help every entrepreneur turn ambition into achievement.