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.

Ellie Hofer | elliemariephotography, portrait and couple photographer

When I started photography and took it seriously, it was right before covid hit in 2019. My sister desperately wanted her senior photographs taken in the San Juan Islands in Washington where we had previously vacationed. Like the rest of the family, Nikki, my sister loved it there and wanted that captured in this important moment in her life.

Allison Callahan | Fitness trainer

Being a personal trainer was a long time dream of mine. I found a love for fitness 10 years ago when I started my own fitness journey. I went from dreading my workouts to looking forward to them. I have always wanted to help other people not only meet their goals but also develop the same love and appreciation of fitness. Read more>>

Daniel and Liana Costa | Visionary Founders

We started On The Bit Inc. (OTB) to share our passion for Arabian and Half-Arabian horses. At the farm, we provide championship-level care and training to these incredible equine athletes and their riders. That means helping to create a bond, setting an intention, and working together to accomplish the goal.  Read more>>

Saguaro Blossom Events | Megan Keithley, Paige Sheppard, Stacey Shields – Co-Owners

Each of us has previous experience working with others and coordinating events. We are detail-oriented, organized, and creative; all skills that work well in the event decorating business. When we transitioned from our professional lives to become stay-at-home moms, we were each looking for ways to contribute to our household income, and we’d all been doing various other odd jobs. Read more>>

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Andrews | Founder of Bright Marketing Collective

After working in the corporate marketing sphere, I decided to go on my own. I wanted to create a business that truly cares about their clients and their growth. I wanted to have flexibility and wanted to give myself what other companies couldn’t (or wouldn’t) give me –growth, opportunity, and employee morale. Read more>>

Katt Kassidy | Event coordinator

I created a small Tucson party called CRYFEST EMO NIGHT where locals could listen to music and I even decided to incorporate art and dancing into the parties. These hybrid shows gained a lot of notoriety around town and we were even talked about on local radio stations! In the beginning this idea came to my partner and I as just a simple birthday party idea… Read more>>

Casie Allan | Fitness Instructor & Creator of The Er Fitness Method

The idea for The Er Fitness Method started in the middle of Covid when my family and I were on an extended vacation in Mexico. Life was so weird and things had changed so much in just a matter of a few months. I had recently received another fitness certification for a group fitness class at my local gym, but with the gym closed and classes canceled, Read more>>

Madeline Hernandez | Master Florist

My thought process behind Florecita was one grounded in authenticity and love. I wanted a brand that was going to be true to me and my culture. Both my mother & grandmother shared a love for flowers and gardening. I would spend summers as a young girl in Mexico playing in my grandmothers rose garden & summers in Boston as an adolescent visiting nurseries with my mother. Read more>>

Amy Koenig | Chief Marketing Strategist

Starting a marketing agency has been a combination of feelings, including ‘I am the luckiest person in the world to do what I love’ and ‘is there enough coffee to get me through the day’? My thought process in starting a marketing agency – was in all honestly, not an overwhelming thought process. Through a series of career events, I was guided with ease into starting Intellective Marketing Consultancy, (IMC). Read more>>

Emily Edison | Childbirth educator & birth and postpartum doula

Pregnancy, birth and postpartum is something that I have been passionate about ever since my own journey into motherhood 7 years ago. But it wasn’t until my second pregnancy that the fire was lit to make it my life’s work. I was only two months postpartum when decided to take the leap of faith and start my childbirth education business. Read more>>

Beatrix Whilde | Actor & Photographer

I began taking black and white photos when I first traveled to the UK to visit family in 2018. It began as a hobby, that turned into a passion. From there, I began taking photos of friends during their performances, which I fell in love with because it captured them in their most vulnerable and joyous moments on stage. This led me to the decision that it was time for me to pursue photography seriously, with the hopes of giving and spreading that same joy to others. Read more>>

Jewelz Dagod | Record Label Owner, Philanthropist

I am originally from Nigeria, how I was raised is that if your not going to school to be a Doctor or a Lawyer, be a businessman. I was always an indipendant individual and quite rebellious as a child. I did not like people telling me what to do from an early age. I always felt I was smarter than everyone, I always felt humanity was silly choosing war over enjoying this planet. I never really liked listening to people’s advice Read more>>

 

Shiran & Marlene SKM Aesthetics | Owners

The decision to open a med spa for SKM Aesthetics typically stemmed from our desire to help people feel and look their best. We offer a variety of non-surgical cosmetic treatments and wellness services, such as laser hair removal, injectables, skin rejuvenation treatments, to name a few. Read more>>

Jacque Belobraydic | Full Time Kindergarten Teacher of 35 years and Planet of the Crepes Co-Owner

Background re: Planet of The Crepes: The Food Truck was started in 2010 by Jessica Krauss. She had a vision, pursued it, and hit Tucson being consistently rated among Tucson’s Best Food Trucks since its conception. Bailey and Makenzie worked with Jessica for many years. The Nottingham family purchased the business in May 2016. Read more>>

Alexandre Barros | Entrepreneur

Always be dedicated for every Job in my life . I working a lot, sometimes not got .right value for my time . I decided to work for myself. . Be owned my schedule , my business , my future. Read more>>