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.

Dominika Duricova & Pavel Rusko | Dominika: Part time traveler, full time purchasing manager; Pavel: Part time traveler, full time psychologist & HR

We love traveling and have always wanted it to be a big and important part of our lives, so we try to focus on that and travel whenever possible. The trip to the USA was definitely the biggest and most adventurous we have ever taken, as our home is in central Europe. I wouldn’t call what we do a business yet, but we definitely have that ambition. Read more>>

Rachel Houtteman | Gluten Free and Dairy Free Content Creator

I started my gluten free and dairy free food Instagram @rachylivesgf in 2019, when I was a senior at Michigan State University. I discovered I was gluten free and dairy free in 2015, the summer before I was heading to college. It doesn’t seem that long ago, but in 2015, there wasn’t as many alternatives on the grocery store shelves for those of us with food intolerances. Read more>>

Rachel Broome | Somatic Psychotherapist & Founder

Starting a business wasn’t actually ever in my plans. I was committed to providing good trauma therapy and somatic experiencing to folks in the community who don’t typically have access to services, but unfortunately working in the non-profit behavioral health world had some setbacks. I found I had more and more clients and less time to spend with them and didn’t feel I was able to support these humans the way I knew they needed. So, in January of 2022, I decided to open Somatic Love & Healing, LLC. to better serve my community. Read more>>

Abigail Valentine | Personal Wardrobe Stylist and Image Consultant

For over a decade, I worked as a Costume Designer, shopper, and stylist in the TV/Film Industry, mostly working on scripted television dramas. I thrived in the fast-paced, and creative lifestyle that came with working in Hollywood. However, when I became a mother, my priorities shifted and I found myself wanting a more sustainable work/life balance. After moving my family from Los Angeles to Arizona, I knew I needed to reinvent my career. My time in the fashion and entertainment industry helped master my eye for styling, tailoring, and shopping for all body types and price points. Read more>>

Isake T. | Founder & Managing Director

Mood Living Co is a merging of three of my passions; interior design, culture and thriving communities. Throughout my 20’s I always had a desire to start my own business, but I’d talk myself out of it because I had a stable career and was earning a decent income. However, after a few years in the corporate world I knew it was time to take the leap but I didn’t know what I wanted to sell. Read more>>

Crypto Jamie | Crypto content creator

I worked in professional sport for 11 years and realised, although it seems like the dream job – it’s not freedom. I was working every weekend & restricted on when I can take holidays, early mornings and late nights. It was rugby league and the money isn’t great, I was working 2 jobs at the time to try and have a more comfortable life. Read more>>

Matthew Engdall | Automotive and Pet Photographer

I started my photography business because I wanted to combine my two passions together, and honestly, try to make it a profitable venture. So I started Matt Engdall Creative, LLC and labeled it under the business type of Design and Photography services. Although I primarily do automotive photography (the two passions I mentioned earlier), I recently added Pet Photography and am slowly branching into adding Portraits to my list. Read more>>

Brittany Rhodes | Virtual Assistant for Vacation Homes

I started my business to provide excellent services to clients to maximize their profits on their investment as well be as hospitable as we can be to the travellers who stay at any of our locations. I wanted to help provide an excellent guest experience at low costs to my clients. Read more>>

Alexandra Brenner | candlemaker

Candle leftovers are much too valuable for throwing away – that´s why I recycle them and pour jar candles from it. What´s special about my manufacturing process: I pour many single layers and create colour gradients. For my single-colour candles I work together with my sister – the prints are designed by her. Read more>>

Debi Novotny | Children’s Book Author | Literacy Advocate

When I became a parent, I marveled at how my children learned to read their first book . . . it was pure magic! I was drawn to the idea of becoming a teacher, and went back to school to get my Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. My first teaching job was in Kindergarten at Rover Elementary, where I continued to teach my entire career. Read more>>

HUGO SALAZAR GONZALEZ | Breeder & AI Engineer

Starting Bengal Paws Arizona, LLC was a decision deeply rooted in our passion for Bengal cats, a dedication to their care, and an appreciation for the potential of digital content creation and AI engineering to elevate our trade. We identified a niche in the market for a breeding program that was comprehensive in its approach, focusing on the health, growth, and unique personalities of the cats, while also utilizing modern technology to improve and streamline our operations. Read more>>

Jennifer Cullin | Stationery designer and retail shop owner

I went to college and earned my teaching degree, wanting to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher. After several years in the field, I decided I wasn’t happy or fulfilled with what I was doing. When I was a child, I loved creating and being creative on a daily basis-that freedom and feeling was missing from my life. I always kept a little dream in the back of my mind that I would love to own a shop one day, but felt stuck by the career path I had chosen. Read more>>

Kiersten Monroe | Licensed cosmetologist Hair and Makeup Artist

My thought process of starting my own business is being able to provide structure, foundation and security for myself and my family. I am a mother to a beautiful five year old little girl, Gemma. I am a daughter to a mother who never gave up on me. I am a partner to a man that is a hard worker, a wonderful husband and a man that would do anything for his family. In today’s society it isn’t enough for just one parent to work. Unfortunately both parents need to be working full-time…. Read more>>

Linda Burnham | Licensed Medical Esthetician, Certified Laser Technician

There were multiple factors that drove me to start my own business. Not only did I start my own business but I changed my career entirely. Some would refer to this as the “mid-life crisis” phase of life. I was burnt out in my profession and I no longer understood my “why”? Why am I here? Honestly, it felt like a life sentence. I was doing my time. And I had this magical number in my head of when my time would be up. Read more>>

Emily De La Cruz-Rosado | Business Owner & Floral Designer

I started as a hobby to get me out of a bad place. I was diagnosed with an autonomic small fiber neuropathy which is basically nerve damage through my whole nervous system. Because of that working a 9-5 job was no longer an option. It set me on a path of self-discovery and growth. Read more>>

Nicole Santoro | Dog Treat Baker & RN

My thought process behind starting a business in 2021 manifested from a questionable and unstable healthcare system. As a Registered Nurse, I didn’t know if I wanted to be in that environment anymore, so I told my daughter, Alex, who was 13 years old at the time, to think of something we could do together. She loves to bake, and within a couple of days, she presented me with a business idea–homemade dog treats! Read more>>