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.

Aaron Scott | Founder & CEO

The inspiration for our organization stemmed from the belief that individuals, particularly boys and men, who have positive role models and mentors are more likely to navigate life’s challenges successfully. There is a profound impact that positive mentorship can have on character development, self-esteem, and the overall well-being of individuals. I recognized the potential for creating a ripple effect, where empowered and inspired individuals go on to make meaningful contributions to society. Read more>>

Devon Yancey | Founder & Marketing Professional

I’ve worked in marketing in a lot of capacities and have gotten experience from some of the best in the business. From small agencies, big agencies and in-house marketing departments. I had been taking on side marketing projects under the name, Yancey Social, as a freelancer while working a full time job marketing back in the summer of 2022. By the of February of 2023, I was experiencing some growth and biting at the bit to expand my brand to further grow my business. This meant letting go of my safe full time job and turning Yancey Social into a social media marketing agency. I had put myself in a great place to give myself the opportunity to work Yancey Social into an agency. Read more>>

Belqui Ortiz-Millili | Food Blogger, Recipe Developer and Marketing VP

I wanted to be able to physically be home for my children. Especially my youngest son who is high support needs autistic. Being home allowed me to have therapists come to our home for him while I worked. It was and is still the best part of having my own business. I also do contracting work in marketing for Spanglish Asadero, a seasonings company part-time at home. Another win-win for me. Read more>>

Be Tarino | Owner/operator of Kingman Fruit Creations

I was making creations at home for friends & they all pushed me I should go big or stay home, lol. So I decided to purchase a commercial bldg, renovate it up to the local Health Dept. recommended standards & open my doors! Read more>>

Shawnte Hernton | Fashion Stylist & Digital Merchant

In starting this Fashion Styling business, I wanted to be the one to break the narrative that there are so many rules to fashion and give a new and different perspective. I love to show clients variety of ways on how to wear pieces and help to get the most out of what they spend. I am able to help clients think creatively and out of the box to create unique looks while providing the best client experience. Read more>>

Brenda Soto | Hypnotherapist, Past life regression therapy, Self mastery coaching

I have a degree in Human Services and that is where my career started over 20 years ago. I soon realized that through a conventional approach to Human Services my clients were never going to achieve the changes in their lives they were looking for. I started practicing Hypnosis therapy 5 years ago as a way to unlock the true potential in my clients. When somebody walks into my practice I see them for what they could be, I see their potential. My approach is to not just help people overcome their personal limitations, my goal is to help them evolve into a new being. Read more>>

LESLIE HAMPTON | Baker

I have been a store manager for over 20 years. I’ve run stores from one hundred thousand to 20 million when COVID hit my life changed. I was no longer able to work in retail due to age and health but I love being around people that’s what makes me thrive. so I had to take the best of retail and make my own I am a person who loves to be around people I love customer service but what would make me smile the most was a reset. I love to make things look perfect. when you bake it the same you want it to look perfect that’s the first thing they see. we are all drawn to things by what we see and then what we smell and lastly, what we feel there is nothing like a flaky crust when you first bite into it so I decided to do what I do best customer service and the most amazing product. But now when I put in 80 hours I am investing in myself. Read more>>

Maryann Erickson | Jewelry Artist

Like many people my business started out as a hobby. My mother was an award winning quilter and when my husband and I sold our business, I wanted to do something creative but didn’t want to quilt and compete with my mother. She gave me a book on making jewelry and it was love at first sight. I began by teaching myself with wire and after I felt comfortable with that I learned to work with sterling silver, copper, brass and gold. Now I am in my studio everyday. I love making and selling jewelry. And even though my mom passed many years ago, I still feel close to her because I use the chair she had for quilting everyday in my studio. Read more>>