"The best lesson I have learned is to be patient," says Michelle Abramov, managing director of RIPCO Real Estate LLC.

"You want to create a work environment where employees feel trusted – a place they want to go to (and stay) when they come into the office," says Deb Donley, founder and CEO of Vocon.

"My advice to get a foothold in the industry is to take any available position that will get you in the door," says Mindy Mcilroy, president of Terranova Corp.

"I always advise younger people to find a mentor early in their career, who will give honest feedback and support," says Marcy Moneypenny, Avison Young principal and managing director.

"My job is not necessarily about the details or even the specific outcomes, but to guide my team at Hill West to do great work," says David West, founding partner of Hill West Architects.

"The best and most surprising lesson that I have learned is that anything can happen. You can't take anything for granted because what can happen, will happen– whether that's in life or in business," says Robert Nelson, president of Nelson Management Group.

"For the next generation, my advice would be to make a list of where you want to be in the next three, five or 10 years, and start backwards with what you will do to get there," says Keyvan Ghaytanchi, COO of BEB Capital.

"Be curious; find a mentor; ask for more work from the folks whom you admire," suggests Robert Byron, chairman, co-CEO and co-founder of Blue Vista Capital Management.