#purposedrivenwork

What Gen Z & Millennials Value Most at Workplace in 2025 | Workforce Priorities | Skill Development

What really matters to Gen Z and Millennials at work?

Deloitte’s 2025 survey reveals some surprising insights into how the next generation of talent views career growth, purpose, and well-being.

Here are a few highlights:

✅ Skill development tops the list with 88% of Gen Z and 89% of Millennials seeing it as essential. ✅ Purpose matters, with 89% of Gen Z and 92% of Millennials saying it’s the key to job satisfaction. ✅ Soft skills matter too, with over 8 in 10 believing they’re critical for career growth. ✅Leadership isn’t everything - only 6% of Gen Z set leadership roles as their top career goal.

For recruiters, HR teams, and employers, these insights show how workforce priorities are shifting, and why paychecks alone won’t keep the next generation engaged.

“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence, it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” — Peter Drucker

In today’s world, success is not just about profits — it’s about people, purpose, and positive impact. A conscious organization doesn’t just react to change; it leads with awareness, empathy, and values.

1️⃣ Anchor in Purpose: Teams perform better when they understand the “why.” 2️⃣ Lead with Empathy: Connection builds trust and growth. 3️⃣ Encourage Openness: Every voice matters. 4️⃣ Support the Whole Person: Value well-being, not just performance. 5️⃣ Balance Accountability with Compassion: Ownership and empathy go together. 6️⃣ Think Long-Term: Act responsibly for people and the planet.

Let’s create organizations that perform with purpose and lead with heart.

And Why We Serve Others First

In any creative journey worth its weight, there’s a ladder. You don’t just jump to the top. You climb—step by step. Here’s the progression we believe in at Mill Creative Lounge: Purpose → Creations → Opportunities → Elevated Creations → Exponential Growth → Personal Goals Met.

It’s not a checklist. It’s a cycle. You give to others, you build trust, you open doors—and everything grows in return, collectively.

1. Purpose: Your Why That Grounds Everything

Everything starts with purpose. You need a reason deeper than “I want to make content.” Purpose is your North Star. It’s the filter you use when someone offers you a gig, a pivot, or a contract.

Research backs this: organizations that integrate purpose at their core tend to unlock more meaningful creative opportunities and stronger alignment across teams. Purpose gives creators clarity in a sea of possible directions.

When your purpose is “helping others tell stories,” or “creating safe, elevated space for voices,” your every creation is a potential handshake, not a solo flex.

2. Creations: Raw Works, the First Attempts

With your purpose thriving, you begin creating and you begin to find creative solutions to perceived limitations. These might be imperfect creations, but necessary. They’re the seeds.

In the creative industries (films, media, design, software), growth often comes from a flood of first attempts, experimentation, and iteration.

Even the greatest creators started with small works that spoke to someone. The act of creating is your proof of concept within your community, your audience, your allies.

3. Opportunities: Doors That Open Because of What You Made

As you create, people see. They reach out. They propose collaborations, request bookings. That email you almost didn’t send becomes a meeting. That Instagram series becomes a sponsorship pitch. That podcast pilot becomes a guest slot.

In the creative fields, opportunities often follow visibility and connection more than “perfect positioning.” Because industries are networked and relational, showing your work invites the world in.

Here’s the secret: opportunities don’t just come because you “market well.” They come because your purpose and creations resonated with real people.

4. Elevated Creations: Stepping Up the Craft

Once opportunities arrive, your creations evolve. What once was a phone video becomes a short film. What once was a simple logo becomes a full brand identity. What once was one podcast episode becomes a serialized season.

Elevation means investing more in craft: storytelling structure, lighting, sound, design, editing, narrative arcs—whatever gives your work more weight, impact, and longevity.

5. Exponential Growth: The Leverage Phase

When your creations are elevated and your purpose is clear, you begin to scale—not just in size, but in reach, impact, and sustainability. People talk. Partnerships form. Your work’s echo widens.

This is where your growth is no longer linear, but exponential. The multiplier effect of good stories with social value becomes real. Because the more you serve, the more people trust you, the more they invest in you—and by extension, the more opportunities come.

Creative industries globally contribute significantly to GDP, jobs, and cultural value—showing that exponential growth via creativity is not fantasy, it’s real economics.

6. Personal Goals Met: Your Dreams, Financial Security, Fulfillment

All the previous steps circle back and do, in fact, serve you too. The freedom to spend time with family. The ability to choose projects you care about. The income stability to keep doing this work. The recognition that opens more doors. The satisfaction of not just making, but meaning.

This is not selfish. It’s the natural result when you build in the authentic order: purpose first, service next, excellence always.

Why Serving Others Is Non-Negotiable and Rewards You Too

We don’t merely believe in serving others because it “looks good.” We believe it because it’s the only way you build something that lasts. History is full of stories of ambition without foundation—and those tend to crumble.

In creative leadership, the wise creators are those who spark others’ ideas, combine strengths, elevate communities rather than isolate themselves.

When you serve others’ dreams, you build alliances, trust, reputation—and those become part of your structure. It’s not a hustle tactic. It’s the art of reciprocity grounded in authenticity.

At MCL, we want collaborators who dream bigger together—not people who want to “win” alone. Because when our purpose is a creative safe zone where brilliance is elevated, everyone’s work benefits.

Start Climbing This Ladder

Revisit your purpose. Write it down clearly.

Publish something imperfect today.

Share it, invite feedback, let opportunities come.

When doors open, elevate your craft intentionally.

Scale with care and generosity.

Watch your dreams align with your impact.

If you ever want a space to make that climb less lonely, Mill Creative Lounge is here. Book a session, join a collaborative event, or ask us about co-creating something that merges your dream with ours. We believe—with our name on it, it must be done well.

Let's climb together.

Mastery Journal: Business Feasibility Reflection

In my original Mastery PDL timeline goal post, I wrote about wanting clarity and direction for Showsay. Back then, my aim was to hold the vision up against reality and see if it could stand. This course—Business Feasibility—gave me that chance, and more.

1. What was my original goal for this course?

My original goal was simple: test the strength of Showsay’s idea. I wanted to know if what I believed in could hold up under the weight of research, analysis, and structured evaluation.

What I didn’t expect was how much it would challenge my perspective. I thought I’d only be asking, “Can this business work?” Instead, I also had to ask, “Why does this business matter?” That shift was eye-opening.

2. How was this goal met by the course?

The feasibility process gave me both clarity and confirmation. It didn’t just point out potential revenue streams or market positioning—it showed me where Showsay has real promise and where it needs more work.

I came away with a stronger sense that the vision is not only possible, but also purposeful. That was exactly what I had hoped for when I set my original PDL goal.

3. What did I learn from this course?

I learned the discipline of grounding vision in structure. A dream on its own is fragile; when tested against research and planning, it becomes sturdy.

One of the biggest lessons for me is that Showsay’s mission goes beyond just providing a tool. It’s about giving clients purpose—helping them not only communicate but connect with intention. That’s a new goal I didn’t have at the start, and it now shapes how I see the work moving forward.

4. How will I apply what I learned personally and professionally?

On a personal level, I’ll be using feasibility methods to keep myself honest. No more relying on inspiration alone—I’ll set milestones, timelines, and measurable outcomes as I move forward with Showsay. For example, when planning the next feature release, I’ll evaluate not just “Can I build this?” but “Will this deliver real value to the client?”

Professionally, I’ll apply the same mindset in client work. When I coach someone preparing for a presentation, I won’t stop at delivery skills. I’ll also help them weigh their purpose: Does this speech align with who they are? Does it create the impact they want? The same frameworks that test a business can help a person clarify their message.

Closing Thought

Behind every thriving career and successful team lies one simple truth: asking the right questions.

In this expert talk, we explore three essential reflections that can reshape how you lead, collaborate, and grow:

🔹 How to deliver expertise that feels deeply personal and relevant. 🔹 How to create meaningful impact in every customer and client interaction. 🔹 How to make sure your work energizes you, drives growth, and feels truly fulfilling.

Whether you’re a leader, consultant, or team member, these questions are designed to help you reflect, recalibrate, and move forward with clarity and purpose.

The Future of Beauty: Why Permanent Makeup Artists Are Thriving

Are you dreaming of a career where passion meets purpose? The beauty industry is evolving, and Permanent Makeup (PMU) is leading the charge. As a PMU artist, you have the power to change lives—not just for your clients, but for yourself too. Imagine waking up every day to do work you genuinely love, earning a comfortable income, and enjoying the flexibility to live life on your own terms. That’s the magic of PMU, and I’m here to tell you why it’s the ultimate career choice in 2025.

My name is Elizabeth Crespo, and as a Master PMU Artist and Instructor at Ohio Micropigmentation Center (OMC), I’ve had the honor of watching students transform their lives through this incredible craft. Let’s dive into why PMU is thriving and why it could be the perfect path for you.

1. Career Flexibility

One of the best parts of being a PMU artist is the freedom it offers. Whether you’re looking to work part-time while raising a family, build a full-time business, or even travel while offering your services to clients worldwide, PMU allows you to design your career to fit your life.

I’ve seen students start by working out of small studios or even from home, and eventually grow into owning their own thriving businesses. You’re not tied to a desk or a strict schedule—you’re in charge of when, where, and how you work.

2. Unlimited Income Potential

Did you know a single microblading procedure can bring in $400 to $1,000? And that’s just one client. Imagine what’s possible when you start building your client base! With PMU, your earning potential is directly tied to your skills and dedication. As you gain experience and establish your reputation, you’ll have the freedom to increase your prices and choose the clients you want to work with.

I’ve had students who started with nothing but a passion for beauty, and now they’re earning six figures—all while doing work they love. There’s truly no limit to how far you can go in this industry.

3. Creative Fulfillment

PMU isn’t just about technique—it’s an art form. Each client is a unique canvas, and your job as an artist is to enhance their natural beauty in a way that boosts their confidence and self-esteem.

Every time I see a client’s face light up after a procedure, it reminds me why I fell in love with this work. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the joy and empowerment you bring to others. If you’re someone who thrives on creativity and connection, PMU will feel more like a passion than a job.

4. Real-Life Success Stories

At OMC, I’ve been privileged to witness countless success stories. Take Kate, for example. She joined our PMU Master Course with no prior experience and a lot of doubts. Today, she runs her own studio and has a steady stream of loyal clients. She told me, “OMC gave me the skills and confidence I needed to succeed. The positive, uplifting environment made all the difference.”

Hearing stories like Kate’s never gets old. These aren’t just students to me—they’re family. When you join OMC, you’re not just getting an education; you’re joining a community of artists who uplift and support each other every step of the way.

5. Beginner-Friendly Training at OMC

Starting something new can feel overwhelming, but that’s why we’re here. At OMC, we’ve designed our courses to be accessible for beginners while still offering advanced training for those looking to refine their skills. Whether you’re interested in microblading, lip blush, or scalp micropigmentation, our programs combine hands-on practice with expert guidance to ensure you leave feeling confident and prepared.

And here’s the best part: you’ll be learning from me and my team of experienced instructors. We’re not just here to teach techniques—we’re here to mentor you, cheer you on, and help you overcome any challenges along the way.

Ready to Take the Leap?

If you’ve been searching for “permanent makeup artist training” or “beauty industry jobs Cleveland,” you’ve found the right place. PMU is more than a career; it’s a lifestyle that offers financial freedom, creative satisfaction, and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s make 2025 the year you step into your dream career. Join us at Ohio Micropigmentation Center, and together, we’ll create a future you can be proud of.