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.

Azul Duran

When I met my partner, Andy, six years ago, I was working at a gas station. They told me I should have my own business. I laughed and told them they were crazy. At the time, I was just trying to survive in a system that wasn’t built for people like us: minorities, LGBTQ+, anyone who doesn’t fit the mold. Read More>>

Devin Fox

I think the story behind why I started my own business will sound pretty similar to a lot of other creatives. I was stuck in a rotating door of sub optimal positions where I was undervalued and underpaid. Read More>>

Kacey Boivin

I spent five years working for corporate beauty and waxing companies and another three and a half years in a small, locally owned business. Over that time, I saw what I loved about this industry, and also what I wanted to do differently. I realized the only way to truly bring my vision to life was to create my own space. Read More>>

Sara Martinez

Honestly, starting my art business came from this deep need to share more than just drawings — I wanted to share emotion and connection. Art has always been how I express what words can’t. After going through vision surgeries and having to relearn how to see and draw again, I realized how much I wanted to make my art mean something. Read More>>