Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Gracie Kruger | Permanent Makeup Artist

We have always been lovers of the beauty industry. We are customers of the industry ourselves , and the day I ( Gracie ) got the courage to get my eyebrows tattooed . I was so excited I knew I had to convince my sister n law ( Shawna ) to get them done herself. We have collectively worked in the medical field for 14 years . We both started as respiratory therapists and then I went on to pursue cardiac sonography. So we went to work early and got home late. Read more>>

Marigrace Pilger | Mental Health Activist

It’s funny because I had always wanted to have my own business someday but I just wasn’t sure of exactly what I wanted it to be. One day I decided to design a mental health T-shirt so that I could wear it and spread the word about mental health disorders and so many people liked the design that I thought others may also be interested in purchasing my designs. Read more>>

Marcus Kan | Founder & Agent

It was very spontaneous decision to turn Draw A Dot into a business. Originally Draw A Dot was just a side project I created on social media to showcase some of the amazing fashion illustrations I discovered on the internet. After running the account for 2 years, I gained a lot of artist followers and soon brands and marketing companies started to ask me for artist recommendations. From there, I have collaborated with brands on different illustration contests and represented a few illustrators in North America so I can help them to get jobs. Read more>>

Grace Marcellino | Photographer/Event Producer + Holistic Wellness Practitioner

Oddly enough I never planned on actually starting a business. I feel like the business started me! It became an organic creative process in photographing weddings, families, couples, home-births, headshots, special events, wellness retreats, and so much more. Everywhere I went I brought my camera with me and documented for people in my community. It became a passion and a creative process that led to my lively-hood and business/brand/my work! I tried for years to come up with a name and couldn’t decide on anything so just kept it as my name. Grace Marcellino Photo + Co. Read more>>

Ross Major | Founder, Director

Well, before it was ever really a business in any sense, it was a new passion I was exploring. I first became obsessed with bass music in highschool and started DJing during my senior year of college (2019). By the time I felt comfortable enough to play in front of people, we were in the brunt of covid – and obviously there were no shows to be played. Read more>>

Michelle Lukasiewicz | Founder, Goats with Horns Animal Sanctuary

I have been involved in animal activism for over 30 years. First becoming vegetarian and then vegan, I have always felt a kinship with animals. My family and I spent our vacations visiting sanctuaries even as far as England, but our favorite tradition was ThanksLiving at Farm Sanctuary in Orland California. Ten years ago, I was looking to return to my hometown in CA when I passed some land in AZ and thought “wonder if I could afford land to open a sanctuary?” Well, after being stuck in traffic on a Saturday afternoon in CA visiting family, I decided I was staying in AZ and buying property. Read more>>

Andrew Hall | Co-Founder of No Story Lost

We help people capture their parents’ amazing life stories. My Grampa was a LEGEND! He had the very BEST stories and he loved telling us about everything from pushing over outhouses to ski jumping in Kimberly on old wooden planks. If your family is anything like ours, you’ve talked about how you NEED to write down all the stories from a particular loved one! But it just never seems to happen. Read more>>

 

Noa Arias | Co-founder & CEO, Bloomers Intimates

My mom and I were sitting and folding laundry together while isolating during the first pandemic summer. She picked up an old, tattered pair of knickers she had purchased on a business trip to Europe years ago, and started lamenting how she couldn’t find anything like these knickers – high-waist, full coverage underwear that was still sexy. We set out on a hunt to find something similar to these knickers and, when we came up short, we realized there was a real gap in the market for sexy, comfortable, full coverage undergarments. And thus, Bloomers Intimates was born. Read more>>

Dr. Kim Harris | Naturopathic Doctor

I spent a lot of time working for other people and working in a female dominated business in the field of aesthetics is hard! Women tend to have a competitive mindset towards business and instead of helping each other succeed they will tear each other down in order to get ahead. I worked for several women in the area with this mindset and finally decided that I needed to just do it all on my own.  Read more>>

Megan Woods | Private Jet Travel

I bought my first airplane and learned to fly 10 years ago for personal purposes. Having connections all over the country through my equestrian sport, I quickly had many requests for “ride-alongs”. I also got to know a lot of fellow pilots, in aviation careers, and through them many air travel managers. It really is a small world in the private aviation sector. When COVID had detrimental effects on commercial air travel in 2020, the private sector really took off (!). Read more>>

Jessica Gallegos | Owner/Baker/Artist Delectable Sweets by Jessie

I started this business while I was very pregnant with my son who is now 7. I wanted to be able to stay home with him and be the one caring for him which was difficult to imagine as I am a single mom. Thankfully I have a supportive family, my parents have been instrumental in my success. I Initially started with cakes and other desserts as I have always loved to bake. After watching ALOT of food network during my pregnancy and my sons infancy I discovered decorated cookies. Read more>>

Beth Claxton, MD, IFMCP | Board Certified OB/Gyn and Certified Functional Medicine Medical Doctor

To begin, starting my own business was the very last thing I thought I would ever do. As a physician trained in Western Medicine, it became apparent to me early on that a lot was being overlooked in that model of taking care of people who were suffering and turning to me for guidance. After practicing in that paradigm for 25 years, I found Functional Medicine. At my very first training through The Institute for Functional Medicine, I began meeting practitioners who were opening their own practices using one rented room. Read more>>