Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Seli Santiago | Artistic Creator

I kept getting asked if I made “this/these” or if I could be booked. And I didn’t want to have to choose, so I created a business that acts like a brand. Helping others to avoid confinement in one craft, product or services. And allowing me to share the prolific creator in me. Read more>>

Grace Thomas | Personal Wardrobe Stylist

After spending a large chunk of my career working in corporate, I came to the realization that the path I was on was no longer serving me. I wanted to own my future, use my time and energy to build something that had my name on it, and create a career that brought me joy. In my corporate journey, those were things I was regularly told I could not do and I didn’t want to feel like I was giving up who I was anymore. Read more>>

Chantel Schick | Hair extension tech, hair mixologist

Not to be dramatic, but Sith Queen Extentions is a business that saved my life. At 26 years old, I made the decision to leave my job in the oil-field. Just when it felt like homelessness was the next option for me, a small business was born. Hi, my name is Chantelle, and this is the story of how I became a business owner. Read more>>

Sarah Ann Lesslie | Chocolatier/Chocolate Maker/Boss Lady

When I was about 20 years old, I had taken a workshop which ended with a drinking chocolate ceremony. It was so potent, I felt so good I wanted to share that feeling with other people. I actually called the people doing the workshop to ask them if I had taken any drugs or supplements. Read more>>

Shulamit Urenia | Caterer/Owner of Kashrootz Catering

I wanted to create an opportunity to provide food to the community that reflects the taste and spirit of my mixed cultures. Providing food that is prepared Kosher involves its own unique requirements. My family origins are from Zacatecas, Germany, White Mountain Apache and Sephardic Nations. Read more>>

Daniel Iannaccone | Film Photography Enthusiast and Educator

I was already utilizing my bathroom as a personal darkroom space but the challenges of setting up and breaking down my enlarger and chemistry to print and develop became frustrating. There had to be others out there facing the same issues. After posting some of my work on a Facebook photo group I was invited to join a small group centered around film photographers in Phoenix, Arizona. Read more>>

George Karakasidis | Writing & Advertising Freelancer

Back in 2016, while waiting in my car for the traffic light to turn green, I saw some palm trees across Poseidonos (‘Zeus’) Avenue in Athens, which reminded me of numerous movie scenes in Beverly Hills or Hawai. I took a picture instantly and made a collage later back home with a picture of similar palm trees in the famous U.S. island. Read more>>

Kay Samuelson | Embroidery Artist

I’ve been disabled and chronically ill for the past 7 years, and I am physically unable to work a regular job. I spent years without any income, and knew that if that was going to change, I needed something really flexible that I could do from bed. The most flexible option was starting my own business, using a low-energy skill. Read more>>

Natasha Bercant | Beauty, cosmetic and personal care specialist

My thought process behind starting my business, was in fact of investing in myself. This includes waking up everyday and loving what I do with my time. Furthermore, owning my own business gave me the opportunity to be more “free and flexible” with my work hours, Read more>>

Sean Cox | Proprietor: Finders Keepers Records

I tripped into it. I spent most of my life in the concert industry working in ticketing/front of house management. The pandemic/lockdown happened and my position was one of the first to go. I had to pivot. Read more>>

Janet Payne | Jeweler/Artist

I was working with a life coach and she asked me, “what do you find yourself doing when you loose track of time? That is your passion.” My answer was, “Walking on the beach.” I knew I had to somehow find a way to make a living walking the beach. Read more>>

Tim Bluhm | Musician and producer

The guys in the band and I were teenagers who started a band. We didn’t know we were starting a business! There was perhaps some awareness of that when the gigs started paying better than my dishwashing job. When we started working with management company and record label it still felt to me like it was their business instead of ours. Read more>>