Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Sunny Wight | Co-Founder and Executive Director, Mindfulness First

I Co-Founded the non-profit Mindfulness First, and we teach mental health wellness life-skills in K-12 settings. My thought process behind this organization was born out of an stress-induced illness I experienced at age 35. At that time, I utilized trauma understanding, mindfulness and social-emotional techniques to help heal and live a healthier, more balanced life. I kept thinking, ‘why didn’t I learn these skills as a child’? PE has been mandated in schools for over 100 years, but we’ve never been given the skills to manage our mental, emotional world. These thoughts inspired me to help facilitate the ‘missing piece in education’ – mental health education. Read more>>

Lenina Rassool | Journalist and Producer

The Womxn Show is a television programme that seeks to make visible that systems that respond to gender-based violence. The idea was born out of witnessing the disparities between public narratives on responding to GBV (including legislations and policies) and what was really happening on the ground: policies and legislation was not being implemented on a ground level. I read a quote the other day that said: “The cover-up is worse than the crime” and that is the type of experiences I saw (larglely) women dealing with when they were approaching our justice system. Having been a journalist for many years though, I realised that this part of the GBV process is rarely covered and we sought to change that. Read more>>

Qira Lewis | Chef, Medicine Woman & Energy practitioner

When I started my business, it was in 2020 when all of the restaurants and serving places were closed. So when I saw the need for clean food, delivered to people stores that as when I started my business. With a goal of providing affordable nourishment that was made with love and intention and fast, for now, we are continuing to provide meal prep, cater, retreats, cater events cater lunches for businesses and other nourishment offerings. Read more>>

Grip Face | Artist

I started to create very early, since I was very young I always knew I wanted to be an artist. Art has always been the perfect tool to communicate with the environment and I could not live without it. That’s why I have focused my entire professional life in relation to it. Read more>>

Matthew Diana | Musician, Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, Content Creator, Investor, Lender

I wanted to create a business because the things I was doing to help people needed to reach more of them. I also realized I wanted to have complete focus on it so I could give my best so making an income off of it would have to be priority. It’s hard when your distracted with other things when you need to be focused on the things that mean the most to you and give your life purpose. Read more>>

Stephanie Lindsey | Founder of JMLearning Inc. & Teacher

As a teacher of Special Education for 25 years, I began to realize that not only do identified students with an IEP need individualed instruction for academic success, many other students could benefit and grow in an alternative learning environment. Read more>>

Shelly Ward | Owner of Hello Baby Imaging, Sonographer & Mother

When I started working at my first job as an OB Sonographer in Rexburg Idaho I immediately fell in love with obstetrics. While working there I found out that I was pregnant with my first baby. The care I received was incredible! My coworkers were amazing during all my ultrasounds, I just loved my whole experience! Shortly after having my oldest daughter, I made the decision to take a break from work and stay home with her. I absolutely love being able to stay home with her, but I also missed scanning so much! We moved back here to Arizona in 2021 and again found out I was pregnant! My experience was a complete 180. Every ultrasound was like a whirlwind it went by so fast. I felt rushed at every appointment and didn’t feel like I even had the chance to see my baby during my second pregnancy. That’s when I knew I wanted to create a space for moms to get top quality care while also giving the time and attention every ultrasound deserves. A space where they can actually have time to ask questions, as well as bond with their baby. Read more>>

Jaden Greer | Brand Owner and Creative

My thought process behind starting my business was trusting that it is what God wants me to do. Being so I really tried to focus and trust in what he was telling me and the path he had me on. My first design came from God just telling me to draw in my notebook before I had a big meeting to go to and I’m glad I stopped, listened, and drew that sketch in my notebook because I get so many compliments on my first collection to this day! Read more>>

Christopher Dash | Owner of DashTees

To look at me, I a quiet person. With that being said, I have so much to say and express. I believe everyone’s has something to say and be told. My thought was everything should be on a Tee… within reason lol. That’s what got me started. Read more>>