Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.
Zachary Hollander | Videographer/ Photographer
To me it was pretty simple: I wanted to have control over my days and what I got to do on a day to day basis. I worked as a busser/cashier for 8 years and then second jobs here and there and deciding to start my own business seemed like not only thew smartest thing to do, but also my only option at that time to really take control of my life. Read more>>
Jessica Phillips | Dance / Yoga Studio Owner & Instructor
All my life I grew up in the dance world so I had seen many wonderful ways of managing a school or company in addition to many not so great ways of being managed or dealt with as a student or professional dancer. In those 20 years I suppose I was taking unconscious note of all I liked and disliked about the dance world and all the ways I saw opportunity for growth in a healthier way of raising dancers. Read more>>
Candice Kratzer | Karuna Horse Rescue Director
Karuna Horse Rescue & Sanctuary believes we can shift the basis of our relationships with domesticated horses, from use to connection. For years now, equine enthusiasts from all walks of the industry have promoted a more compassionate relationship between horses and their humans. Natural horsemanship programs, such as Liberty training, are well-developed training philosophies that teach us how lean into a horse’s natural behavior with compassion, awareness and understanding. Read more>>
Aracelli Lopez | Restaurateur
I started my business during covid, and my end goal was to have a restaurant. I knew it would take time and I had to put in my 10000% effort so when I got the opportunity, I didn’t think twice. I was a bit intimidated at first, but I reminded myself that this was what I wanted. Read more>>
Keith Eshelman | Co-founder and CEO of Parks Project
I wanted to make a difference in the outdoors and use business as a means to support parks. Read more>>
Jeff Barnes Jana Dunow | Sibling Podcasters
The thought process behind starting our podcast was purely selfish. We love baseball and we love to talk about it. It would be great if we could make this our full time career and support ourselves, but we do for the love of the game. Read more>>
Leslie Bryant | Founder and Service Dog Trainer
I wanted to provide a service that was not readily available in our area to help veterans, law enforcement, and first responders with PTSD. Read more>>
Shae Nicole” Sanders | Beauty Influencer & Content Creator “
WigSlayers was founded to educate, inspire, and motivate through wigs and hair extensions. Our brand quality gives customers the confidence to achieve their desired aesthetic look. Read more>>
Rula Diab | Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
As a clinician who has always been passionate about working with children with special needs, I have always dreamed of creating an environment that would enhance their quality of lifestyle and enable them to achieve their highest potential. Starting my own business was a natural step for me to take, as I knew that there was a need in the community that I could address. My vision was to provide children with autism with the services and resources they need in a safe, loving, and caring environment, and I started by offering ABA therapy. Read more>>
Deb and Jamie Tull | Mother and Daughter Vintage Good Sellers
The beginning of Rust and Crust was more of a fun hobby that paid for itself. Searching for antiques and vintage items isn’t easy. Requires many hours, blood, sweat, and patience! It’s something my mom has done for many years and I joined her because I also caught the treasure hunting bug! My mom now does the business full time to support herself. Read more>>
Haley Mosley | Virtual Assistant & Social Media Manager
My decision to start my own business was driven by a desire to find fulfilling work that aligned with my passions and strengths. After exploring various roles and industries, I realized that there was no perfect job or ideal boss. This realization, combined with my desire for financial freedom and the need to avoid clashing with superiors, motivated me to become a business owner. Read more>>
Julie Ann Mulkay | Photographer
The goal was to be able to work and earn a living where I could still be a mother/wife and take care of my home, and family. Being a photographer fills me creatively and I can also use it to help my own family. As I was trying to figure out what to major in way back when, my school counselor would say, “Where are your grades at? Where you are doing best in your classes, is where you should major.” I was a straight A student! I was still unsure of what to do. Read more>>
Madeleine Chaffee | Designer and Maker
I’m not sure there was much of a thought process – I sort of fell deep into it! I’ve always been a bit of a side hustler – making and selling things on the side in addition to whatever my day job was. I used to work full time as a Product Design Engineer, and about 5 five years ago, after being really burnt out, I craved a huge life change and moved from Australia to Vancouver, Canada. Read more>>
Oluwakemi Nwabuokei | Fashion Designer/Makeup Artist
Moving to America from Nigeria after high school, my thought process was to introduce my cultural background to people through my artistry, designs and creativity. Read more>>
Stealing Oceans | Artist
It was pretty simple, I loved music and I wanted to make my passion my job. Read more>>
Michael Nolde | Videographer/Photographer
The process behind starting my own business was more of a passion. While I worked with other professionals in the media industry I saw how they adapted on their own by creating their own freelance business. These professionals were able to pick and choose projects they were interested in or had a passion for. Some strictly did film, others did broadcast, commercials and photography. Read more>>
Alex Cohen | Musician
Not very complicated! I wanted to play music for a living and found out very quickly that music careers aren’t just being handed out and have to be created by the artist. Read more>>
clayton mueller | portrait photographer
I have always felt like a free spirit. During my university studies, I was able to express myself without any boundary. Since graduating and working at a corporate level with photography I felt limited. Always having to be careful with my thoughts and expression, so I quit and I am pursuing freelance photography full time. Read more>>
Astrid Kristabel | Content creator & travel photographer
As an outdoor lover and travel enthusiast, I’ve always loved exploring new destinations, immersing myself in different cultures, and experiencing the world in all its beauty. And with the rise of social media, I saw an opportunity to share my adventures with a wider audience and inspire others to embark on their own journeys. Read more>>
Dylan Capshaw | CEO & President of Stemistry
I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and do what I love. As far back as I can remember I have been starting small businesses and running them. I really find joy in creating companies and growing them. Plus, engaging with the community around me is super important to me and I’ve really been able to do that with Stemistry. Read more>>
Daytrails | Tucson Indie Rock Band
Tucson, Arizona has a growing music scene with an eclectic variety of artists, bands, and singer/songwriters. Beginning in summer of 2021, we formed Daytrails to contribute to this part of the Tucson community and add our own unique flare. The original sound of Daytrails was inspired by the easy-going nature of the surf rock genre and has only grown over time. Read more>>
Dashonna Taylor | Licensed cosmetologist and Haircare specialist
I grew up playing in family and friends hair at the age of 12. By the age 14 I had a full schedule servicing family and friends. It was at that age I thought about becoming a salon owner. I went to cosmetology school in 2009-2010. I immediately got my license and worked in salon since. I became a stylist and assistant at a salon in Scottsdale,AZ from 2010-2014. I spoke about my dreams from the beginning of that salon experience but honestly did not have a plan. it was September 2014 my plans became real life. Read more>>
Dina Zappone | Wedding Venue and Catering Owner
I grew up working at my parents pizzeria in Vegas since I was 7 years old. I saw my parents hard work pay off. I always new I wanted to be my own boss. Read more>>
Bailey Milbauer | HoneycombCLTV: Founder
I was incredibly inspired by the dance community back in 2012 when I was first introduced to it through a friend. The amount of community support that music can have is unlike anything I had experienced. I wanted to be able to re-create that environment whilst also incorporating more local non-profit presence in the events we were doing. Read more>>
Sydney Carstens | Business Owner
I wanted to create loungewear for men and women that can be dressed up or down. I love elevated loungewear myself, so I was super passionate about creating pieces that were similar. I believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. Read more>>
Dawn Cogliser | Family Nurse Practitioner & Certified Forest Therapy Guide
There really is no short answer this this question. It has been a long, sometimes painful, but always rewarding in the end process. Healing Mama Wellness was born in the early 2000s shortly after the birth of my first child. My family lived in New Jersey at that time. Prior to becoming a mother, I worked in the corporate world with all of its demands. I also a part time business as a Shiatsu practitioner. Read more>>
Alison Morquecho | Bookstagrammer
I started my Bookstagram at the beginning of 2016 because I didn’t have any IRL friends who loved reading and I needed to gush over books with someone. I didn’t start really building my account until 2019. I decided I wanted to work in book publishing. I went back to school and started growing my bookstagram. Read more>>
Kat Chacaj-Solis | Holistic Esthetician
I came from a corporate background and what I discovered when working for others was a lack of creativity and ownership over my work. It didn’t matter how hard I worked, my pay remained the same and that next raise or bonus was always just out of reach. I wanted to start something that reflected the amount of work I put into it. Read more>>
Tasha Wright | RN, CANS, BLS & ACLS
We had a lot of experience in our fields but felt something was missing from the patient experience. We felt too rushed, too pressured to up-sell, and often not impressed with the quality of product. We wanted to be able to spend more time with our patients- as much time as was necessary to understand them and their needs- and have control over product quality and pricing. Read more>>
Runar Berntsen Neil King Trick” Westbrooks | Founders and Owners”
Bud Brothers Presents is a lifestyle brand that launched in 2022, officially. It was founded by us two, Runar Berntsen and Neil “King Trick” Westbrooks. It’s a niche that truly was lacking. We specifically focus on creating Events, Concerts, Mini Tours in multiple genres of music. Furthermore we produce films (currently with 3 in development and pre-production). Some really hilarious, comedic stuff also being made, which seems to be lacking these days. Read more>>
Carie Ann Ochs | Healing Assistant
My thought process actually started with trying to help myself. I had various traumas from childhood and adulthood that I struggled with and I wanted to overcome them and be happy. I had always been interested in energy and minerals from an early age. Once I was able to see how well it helped me, I thought maybe I could help others get results for themselves. Read more>>