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.

Joseph Washington

So I was living my dream life as a Professional Poker Player in Las Vegas.

I was having some decent success, but I wasn’t happy, & had a lot of stress going.

So I decided I needed a change & wanted to be an entrepreneur.

I seen how tough it was to run a business, so I wanted to go with something with low cost while also being versatile being able to work with people. Read More>>

Kelly Lorenzen

It started with a desire to create a life I didn’t need a vacation from. After 20+ years of owning and operating small businesses, I know the challenges entrepreneurs face—especially the overwhelm of trying to do it all alone. I started KLM Consulting, Marketing, and Management to be the partner I wish I had in my early days of business ownership. I wanted to build a company that not only helps small business owners grow and thrive, but also gives them back time—time to focus on what truly matters in life. Read More>>

Frank Richardson

It really started with God. He saw the gift in me before I did. I’ve always loved capturing real moments and seeing people light up when they see themselves through my lens — that joy stuck with me.

My amazing wife helped birth the name Richer Moments Photography, and from there, it became clear this was more than just taking pictures. It was about using my eye to serve others, honor God, and create moments that last. Read More>>

Jasmine Nelson

Before I started Umber By J Lenay, I was silently battling what I now know is called hirsutism — a symptom of PCOS caused by excess androgens, which led me to grow thick facial hair along my neck and jawline as early as puberty. At the time, I didn’t know what was happening to me. All I knew was that I felt ashamed, embarrassed, and stuck in an endless loop of trial and error. Read More>>

Val Hill

My good friend and I always had a dream of owning a business ever since we met in Business School back in the 90’s. In 2005, after working a while in corporate America, we started getting serious about our dream and we investigated many different business opportunities from Real Estate to Food businesses to other franchises. I stumbled upon Sport Clips and after looking into it, it really resonated with us. Sport Clips was focused on guys and providing a little bit of pampering which was very unique 20 years ago.  Read More>>

Annie

My husband and I grew up ranching, we are both the fourth generation to continue ranching in our families. We knew from the start we wanted to raise our boys that way. I grew up in Wyoming and am partners with my parents on a ranch up there and my husband and I are partners with his mom and dad on a ranch here in Aguila, AZ. We are so blessed that we get to raise our three boys, 9,7, and 3 in this way of life. Read More>>