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.

Mario Valencia | Entrepreneur/Multi-store franchise owner

My decision to start my own business was rooted in the concept of embracing risk – a risk I chose to take on myself. This step was driven by the understanding that without making a proactive change, life would remain static. It was a leap of faith, trusting in my abilities to navigate challenges and uncertainties. The core idea was to invest in myself for a better future. I believe that ‘the time is always now’ to give myself a chance, to seek more, and to step out of my comfort zone. This venture is more than just a business; it’s a journey toward personal and professional growth. Read more>>

Leigh Hendrickson | Owner & Creative Director

Starting All the LoveLeigh Details was truly a labor of love and a culmination of several factors that came together. First and foremost, my passion for weddings and events has always been a driving force. I’ve always believed that the details are what make an event truly memorable, and I wanted to channel that passion into something tangible. Secondly, I recognized a need in the market. In the Phoenix area, I saw a growing trend of couples who were seeking a simple solution to a stressful area of their wedding planning. I saw so many couples either spending thousands of dollars on a custom wedding suite of signage and details and having no use for any of it in the end. Or I saw couples in tears that they didn’t have room in their spending plan to afford beautiful signage. Read more>>

Renee Jackson | Owner of Ambitious Endeavors and founder of the Billionaire Boss Club

I found myself with a college education and graduated with honors, but when i got out of college, I quickly realized that what i was taught in college was not making enough money to support my lifestyle. a I worked for a couple of big companies like Godaddy but no matter how much I was a top performer, II stiill was struggling with finances. I knew that II could take the skills that I was doing while working with Godaddy and offer those same skills to the marketplace directly. Covid hit and I was forced to find ways to market my skills online to business owners that were struggling because of the lockdown and I found great success during COVID helping local small businesses to generate sales by using their social media to drive lead generation and sales. Read more>>

Raelynn Pring | Owner/Principal Designer: Studio Pring

When I decided to start Studio Pring it was brought on with a need to create something I was passionate about. I had been in the industry designing restaurants/retail/residential projects for 10+ years; I felt like I learned a lot from the experience but deep down always wanted to open my own company, so when I finally felt ready I made it happen. Read more>>

Ioana Cretu | Fine Art Artist, Graphic Artist, and Entertainer

Being a mom of 3 kids (at the time, 3, 3 and 5 years old) I couldn’t afford staying away from them for a full-time office job. Missing out on their milestones and spending so much time away from them was unimaginable to me. But bills had to be paid, and freelancing just wasn’t enough. Starting my own business not only gave me the flexibility I needed, working whenever I could or wanted, but also enabled me to do what I loved – ART in various forms. Read more>>

Nick Mueller | Chess nonprofit leader and educational consultant

Cochise Chess started as the Youth Chess Club at Bisbee’s award-winning Copper Queen Library in the summer of 2022. I founded the club in response to how few activities kids had access to during the summer months. Since then, I’ve continued to heed the wisdom of Cochise County’s citizens. As a result, the program has grown to over 300 members. This spring we will offer chess instruction in English and Spanish at 8 locations across the county and 2 in Sonora, Mexico. Read more>>

Steve Vicera | Pilates Studio Owner

Once I discovered the incredible benefits of Pilates firsthand, I knew I had found my passion. The way it transformed my own body and improved my overall well-being was truly remarkable. It was then that I made the decision to open my very own Pilates studio. But starting a business is never easy. It requires careful planning, research, and a willingness to take risks. I knew I had to understand the market and industry trends in order to succeed. So, I delved into extensive research to determine where the fitness and wellness industry was headed. I discovered that boutique studios and Pilates training were experiencing a surge in demand. Read more>>