We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business.  Check out their responses below.

Emily O’Gorman

My decision to start Emily O’Gorman Travel came from recognizing a gap between how people want to travel and the reality of making it happen. Read More>>

Tony Benicki

It started by accident in 1994 when I was not making enough money from my corporate job as a financial analyst at Honeywell. We had our 1st child, a son, and another one on the way. My wife had decided to become a stay-at-home mom. I literally had $80 leftover every 2 weeks. I needed a way to make more money on the side. Read More>>

Josh Bullis

My thought process behind starting AZ Arms Depot was to create more than just another place to buy firearms online. I wanted to build a professional, secure FFL transfer location paired with a modern online storefront—something that offered a one-on-one, guided buying experience in a legitimate office setting. Read More>>

Melissa Woodforlk-Whyte

“My thought process behind starting my own business was never just about entrepreneurship — it was about alignment. I reached a point where I knew I could no longer shrink my gifts to fit into spaces that weren’t designed for my purpose. I wanted to build something that reflected my values, my faith, and my commitment to helping people transform their lives. Read More>>

Jodi Kovar

When I turned 18, I faced the unfortunate realization that there weren’t any studios or programs that offered high-level dance training or performance opportunities for adults. After dancing varsity in high school and winning a state championship, I wasn’t ready to stop dancing or start over in beginner classes. But in my city, that was the only option. Read More>>

Alejandro Sanchez

My thought process behind starting my own business was shaped early on by influence, experience, and personal reflection. While I was in college, reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki really changed how I thought about ownership, financial freedom, and long-term stability. It introduced the idea that building something of your own creates options that traditional paths don’t always offer. Read More>>

April Washinowski

The biggest reason I started Karma Aesthetics & Wellness was to make the aesthetics industry more accessible — both for clients and for new providers entering the field. Aesthetics can sometimes feel very competitive or intimidating, and I wanted to create a space that felt welcoming, educational, and supportive. Read More>>

Kristy Johnson

It all started when my cousin came to me with an idea for a mobile petting zoo. She is amazing with animals, but she needed a people person and so we decided to partner up. I felt like I needed to offer more than just being friendly. I quickly decided to pick up my paint brushes and begin face painting. Read More>>

Warren Norgaard

I didn’t start out trying to build a “business.” I started trying to build a space. A space where creativity felt accessible. Where people could walk in intimidated and walk out empowered. Where glass wasn’t precious or exclusive, but playful, expressive, and welcoming. I’ve always been drawn to teaching. Long before Milkweed Arts, I was helping people discover things they didn’t know they could do. Read More>>

Cara Isaac

I was preparing for retirement after 28 years as a 9-1-1 police dispatch supervisor and looking for a retirement job. I had spent my career dealing with everyone’s worst day and wanted something much lighter and something more geared to people’s best day. Read More>>

Hannah Murphy

I strongly believe in work life balance, and I wanted to have more freedom in my schedule. My work allows me to travel, and I’m able to explore new places before or after my project is completed. As a creative, I was not cut out for the 9-5 life and being in the same office every day. Read More>>