Readers often email us asking us for advice about new businesses they are thinking about starting and we often find that many of them don’t have a framework for thinking about a more fundamental question: why should or shouldn’t you start a business?

Below, you’ll find how successful entrepreneurs from across the city thought about this very question when they were considering whether to start their businesses.

Sabine Garrido | Baker and Cake decorator

I had wanted more flexibility with work hours, since my daughter was small and it would have been very difficult working as a pastry chef otherwise. I love what I am doing and could not imagine working in a different field. Read more>>

Monica Milewski | Therapeutic Astrologer

In recent years, Astrology has grown again in popularity, however most of what I’ve seen in the social sphere is a misuse of Astrology. Instead of empowering people to discover their true energetic alignment and gaining more compassion for the depths of our personal expression, I’ve seen it generally used as a divisive and manipulative tool, which saddens me greatly. Having received a Masters of Social Work and Masters of Child Development, I not only entered the field of Astrology with a deep foundational awareness of the human psyche, but also a framework of client ethics and how to not abuse those searching for healing and answers to life’s biggest questions. Read more>>

Danielle O’Day | Owner and Head Pastry Chef

Ever since I was a little girl I was creating and dreaming. This entailed all sorts of things, my interests led me down roads filled with creative writing, fashion, but baking seemed to have made the largest impact on me. I had so many ideas, I felt as though I was about to burst. My mother and father owned their own business, he was a landscape architect, perhaps it was instilled at a young age that this was the thing to do. Or perhaps I was apprehensive to stand under someone else’s umbrella as it may have hindered the rainstorm of creations I had daily. Read more>>

Chandler & Staci Herdt | Health & Wellness Enthusiasts

Staci and I first joined Perspire Sauna Studio as members and quickly fell in love with its benefits and overall experience. We thought it would be the perfect wellness offering for our community. While on vacation, we shared our experience with our friends Mark and Steph Fielder. One conversation led to another, and we ultimately decided to partner to bring the Perspire experience to more people in the East Valley. The benefits of infrared sauna, red light, and contrast therapy are well-documented and have a real impact on overall wellness. Read more>>

Dr. Marisel Pacheco Schweitzer | Educator and Parenting Coach

After working for more than 18 years in public education within Title I schools in central Phoenix, I observed a troubling trend: over 50 percent of our Latino children were starting kindergarten already behind. This realization prompted me to delve deeper into the issue through my doctoral research, where I discovered a critical factor—when families are empowered and understand their role as their children’s first and best teachers, their children are significantly better prepared for academic success and for life. Read more>>

Tim Young | Franchise Owner

Growing up, I saw firsthand the impact a family-owned business could have on people’s lives. Although it wasn’t always easy, I admired the respect my father earned from other companies and the difference we made in our community. Working for someone else never inspired me; it was just a necessary step to reach my ultimate goal. I always envisioned creating my own culture and values. While Express is a franchise and not entirely “my” company, owning this location has brought me tremendous happiness and freedom. Read more>>

Sally Shore | Fiber Artist

After a career in graphic design and designer showcase volunteer management, I had the luxury of not having to earn a living. I had been weaving since college doing commissions for architects’ and designers’ clients, and I began weaving with ribbon in 1992. With all the materials I collected, I needed to have a space separate from our home to work in, so my first studio was established in 1997. Read more>>

Sydney Steer and Mari Castro

After working as hairstylists at a high demand and high volume salon, we realized we lost what was most important to us, the quality of work and client connection. We had strayed from what inspired us to enter the beauty industry in the first place. Although we’ve always loved working behind the chair, we started to feel complacent. Our daily work life was predictable and consistent. However, working at that high volume was no longer sustainable for us. Our passion started to diminish and we were no longer able to provide our clients with the quality and experience they deserve. Read more>> 

Stacy Johnson | Health & Wellness Coach, Business Mentor

When my oldest son was about 2, I looked at his feet. I thought wow, his feet look just like my dad’s… and I froze. If the outside looked like my dad, surely the inside did! My dad had his first heart attack before I was born. Heart disease was weaved into my life from go! I never met my paternal grandfather and my uncle died young…heart disease… I started volunteering with the American Heart Association (AHA) in 2008 to get educated on how to live heart healthy and prevent heart disease in my family! I learned that 80% of the risk factors are mitigated by lifestyle changes and choices. Read more>>