To start or to not to start, that is the aspiring entrepreneur’s question

Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Kamil Acero | Managing Partner of EduBookings.com

I think the main reason I wanted to start my own business, was to have the freedom to do something that I believed in and that was rewarding not just for me and my family but also for my clients. Read more>>

Ellie Descoteaux | Bakery Owner & Mimi

I always loved to bake and start doing so as a small child growing up in an Italian family. I first started creating and doing events at the age of 19 as a soap maker and did so for 3O years! Like many people you get burned out after so. Long. I decided lets sell my candies online that being said I opened another business, got my home inspection, insurance and I was off and running. Then Covid hit! I was swamped I was getting 40 orders a day and baking 15 hrs a day 7 days a week. Just 1 person. I love to sell and be creative with my brownies. I thrive for happy customers and there memories behind the cookies I bake or candies. Read more>>

Brian Friedman | Photographer

I had a good, steady job in my 20’s but it wasn’t fulfilling me the way I wanted or needed. And I knew that if I didn’t take the risk and start my own business, that I would regret it. I wanted to be a professional drummer initially but I also knew that wasn’t the right career for me. Ultimately when I decided to pursue photography as my career, I knew I had to totally “go for it.” Being my own boss was one of the things I’d always dreamed of, so combining photography AND running my own shop was the clear path. Read more>>

Casey Giakas | Potter

I co-own a small pottery studio and art gallery on St John in the USVI. I think I always knew I would do my own thing, I may not have known exactly what that business was but I knew I was going to have something. It has always been important to me that I live my life on my terms and I also knew that to remain true to myself I needed my job to be creative. I just remember thinking all I need to do is find something I love and figure out how to do it for my job. So I knew early on I needed and wanted to be in a creative and artist environment. Read more>>

Lily Petruske | Photographer

Growing up we’re always asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?’ For myself, that answer was constantly changing; for every person who asked I always had a new answer. I have always been a creative person who loves to learn and to try new challenges. Because of this I often found myself bored and moving on to new hobbies monthly. The one thing that has always been consistent with me over the past six years is my love for photography. Read more>>

Chantal Navratil | Chemical Engineer & Certified Makeup Artist

I knew there were gaps in the beauty industry I wanted to fill. Brands either were focusing on beauty or on science. I wanted to combine both and create a fun, science-focused cosmetics company that was affordable, sustainable, and had high-quality ingredients. Read more>>

Angela Rene’ | Designer & Entrepreneur

I always loved fashion and I learned to sew at an early age. I have always been plus-size since I was a teen, and I wanted the cute and trendy clothes that were always available in smaller sizes. I was tired of shopping and seeing limited sizes in the Plus Size Department, which was always hidden in the back of the store like the ugly stepchild! Due to my frustration, I started making my own designs. Read more>>

Joshua Silver | Founder and Director at The Outside Project Group Pty Ltd

The story of the Outside Project Group (The Outside Project) is an inspiring one. The Outside Project was created by Joshua Silver in Melbourne Australia. Silver was studying a double degree of Commerce and Law which ignited his entrepreneurial spirit. What started out as a passion project and creative outlet, rapidly evolved into a prominent online community. Since then the Outside Project has become a globally recognized media company behind the content and digital campaigns for major outdoor and travel brands in Australia, USA and Canada. Read more>>

Dee Fretwell | Fractional COO

Starting your own business comes with a need for separating your needs and your wants. A business is often started based on a deep passion or excitement around a particular service or product, but a sustainable business is built through consistency, commitment to strategy, and a realism about a passion and excitement. Read more>>

Storm Schneider | Fiber Artist & Crocheter

When I was growing up my mom was a small business owner and had this adorable little shop, she would take me with her to hang out at the store while she worked. I loved the energy, interacting with customers. Ever since then I knew I wanted to start my own business, when I was 18 I taught myself to crochet and when I posted my creations on social media for the first time showing friends and family I was shocked on how supportive everyone was after that I wanted to try to sell my crochet items, Read more>>