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.

Nikki Metzger

The thought process behind starting BODI came from a mix of passion and purpose. We knew fitness was more than just working out — it was about creating a space where people could push themselves, feel supported, and build real confidence that carried into every area of their lives. We wanted to build something that reflected our values, not just join another franchise or follow someone else’s formula. By starting our own business, we had the freedom to create a community-driven gym that focused on quality training, a strong culture, and an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed. Read More>>

Dr. Dale And Jennifer Stern

We both felt a deep calling to do more—not just treating illness once it’s already taken hold, but helping people live healthier lives and prevent, manage, or even reverse metabolic disease.

As an internal medicine physician, Dr. Dale often sees patients arriving at the hospital with advanced stages of conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. By that point, the opportunity to truly reverse the disease has often passed. With an estimated 1 in 4 Americans unknowingly living with prediabetes, the problem is widespread—and yet, many doctors simply don’t have the time or resources to give patients everything they need to stop these conditions in their tracks. Read More>>

Mallory Phelps

First and foremost, in this season of life, I’m a mom. Starting my own business has always been a goal of mine from a very young age, but becoming a mom pushed me to finally make the leap and start my own business. I wanted to have freedom and flexibility in my schedule, so that I could still show up for my kids, and follow my passion. Read More>>

Corey And Brittanie Klucker

We’ve both always had an industrious mindset, as well as the fact that we’ve both been on the creative side our entire lives. We’ve both felt that we’ve been destined for something bigger than ourselves for quite awhile now. We really wanted to have an opportunity to work together as a couple and have something that was ours to be proud of, so it just kind of made sense. Read More>>

Tara Sullivan

The decision to start my own business was driven by several factors. First, I wanted to provide patients with truly high-quality care without being restricted by insurance companies dictating what treatments I could or could not offer. Second, after 12 years working at HonorHealth and other side jobs, I was ready for the freedom to set my own schedule, without needing to ask permission to attend my son’s school events or take a vacation. Read More>>

Lynnette Fredrick

I used to be a Personal Trainer and Holistic Nutritionist and loved working with people. After years of that, I wanted a change that was still customer service and I could host events that would involve the community and also grow it. Coffee shops are known for that. That is what started The Black Sheep coffee shop. It quickly Grew into a large community that is so supportive and turned into family. Read More>>

Leroy Booker

To be honest, I never considered music as a business venture until much later. I began writing, performing and playing music because it was the means I knew to express my emotions, and I found it incredibly rewarding. I was captivated by the emotional impact of music and the vibrant colors it evoked. It made me feel like a superhero of Sonics, driven by a desire to connect with others. Read More>>

Christine Paz

My thought process behind starting Ritual Physiques really came down to freedom and purpose. I’ve been in the fitness and wellness industry for over 15 years, and throughout that time I realized how much I valued creating meaningful connections with people, helping them transform not just their bodies, but their confidence, energy, and overall lifestyle. Read More>>

Nicholas Yale

Real estate has always had a low bar for entry, and quite frankly, once in, it doesn’t get better from there! So when the opportunity presented itself, we decided to open a real estate firm of truly full time, professional agents that are at the top of their game, really a brokerage of brokers, a group of peers. Read More>>