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.

Jasmine Cortez | Mom, Fashion Enthusiast & Owner of Jade los Angeles

My entire life i have worked for fortune 500 companies. I looked back at my life and realized my hard work had always been rewarded in anything i’ve worked for. I decided to finally take a leap of faith towards the financial freedom i’ve dreamt that i could create on my own. Read more>>

Arianna Flegel | Intimate Wedding & Elopement Photographer

The thought of being a photographer was stuck in the back of my mind for years before I started my business, but ultimately my love of photography isn’t the reason I made the jump. In all honesty – I just felt trapped. Working for other people always meant a routine with little opportunity for innovation, for creativity, for any of the things that are required to be passionate about your work. It’s a type of limitation that I believe exists even within creative careers like photography. I am constantly pushing myself to break out of that cage, try new things, and improve upon my work. Running my own business allows me the freedom to fuel the passion that makes any type of art good. Read more>>

Christian Klingeler | Artist

I have always strived to help others in my previous jobs, but they never fulfilled me. I never thought creating art would fulfill me in this way, but I now realize creating art affects people’s lives by evoking feelings and memories in their home. My wife is an interior designer and together, ChristianKGallery has created the unique fix to our clients struggle of finding the right art style for their interior design visions with the perfect balance of size and style. We make sure the commissioned artwork is meaningful to the client, with the right color palette, size, and installation location. We offer art elevation renderings and design consultations to every client. My clients have given me the most passionate ‘thank yous’ and express how the art has affected their lives. Read more>>

Stefanie Landes | Artist, Illustrator & Owner of Tiny Horse Studio

That is a good question. It may sound cliche, but for as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be an artist. Art and creating is something that makes me happy and something that I am passionate about. It is my form of meditation. I can devote all of my time to it or none at all, and it is always there for me when I come back like an old friend. A few years ago, I was going through some childhood memories and came across a poster I made when I was nine years old. It was an assignment that was meant to be “all about me”. Underneath the “3 wishes” category was my number one wish: to be an Artist. Read more>>

John Allen | Photographer

Honestly, I’ve always loved taking photos. So much in fact I had inquiries about photo bookings when I just used my cell phone for my personal Instagram. After years of working for other people I decided I had enough. So I invested in myself and bought my first ever professional camera and started! It’s been the best decision I ever could have made. Read more>>

Deepika Bhalla | CEO, Chateau Luxe Event Center

I’ve always loved to entertain! Several years ago in Chicago, I attended an event at an independent event venue that blew me away with it’s unique design, over the top opulence and stunning beauty…this was no standard hotel ballroom! Rather, it was the most beautiful event venue I’d ever seen! Fond memories of that evening stood in my mind for years to come, and I wished that Arizona had something like this. I started to dream of a venue like none other in Arizona at the time, where companies could have their sales conference or holiday party…where couples could get married and share their love. Read more>>

Evan Amos | Adventure Photographer

My process is to bring something that includes my create talent and artistic touch. I like working for myself and not being stuck into a job. The goal is to do what I love so it doesn’t become work. Read more>>

Jasmine Duenas | Lash and Cosmetic line

The thought process behind starting my brand was really solely only about makeup. I taught myself how to do makeup when I was like in 5th grade. I use to watch youtube videos all day, I really enjoyed doing my own makeup and was always told to become a makeup artist. I would do all my friends makeup for weddings, dances, etc. all the time but something about doing makeup on other people and that was it did not appeal to me as much as I thought it should, It just wasn’t enough for me. Furthermore, In my makeup process I always struggled with finding lashes that I liked and enjoyed wearing. Read more>>

Adrina Graham | Hand-Crafter of Inclusive Intimate Apparel and Luxe Apothecary Goods

When I started my business, it was to be more in control of my time so I could give more to my children. With having two special needs children, I constantly had to leave work early, call off, etc. to go to their schools, meetings, and appointments. With, then, selling and presenting at many pop-ups and events from Hew Hampshire to NY, I was constantly asked if I have a physical location for clients to attend. I finally decided to take the leap in 2018, and though there was a great deal delays– including totaling my car and becoming homeless for a month, by summer 2019, I secured my first brick and mortar store! It was a life-long dream come true. Read more>>

Lyn Thomas | Alligator woman

My thought process was simply wanting some good food. Something that was authentic, I was craving authentic Louisiana food. So we would go and visit so called Louisiana restaurants in the valley. What we were finding is that there was a lack of authenticity and flavors. We would get frustrated.. We were born and raised in Louisiana. I know the food and the culture. So the process behind starting our own business was bringing real Louisiana culture and cuisine to the valley. Read more>>