Starting a business can be terrifying. Weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and other considerations can be so overwhelming that often promising entrepreneurs stop before they even start. We asked some phenomenal entrepreneurs about their thought process behind starting their own businesses. Our hope is that by making the thought-process less intimidating we can help more folks think through whether they should take an entrepreneurial leap.

Stefanie Izzo | Classical Soprano and Arts Administrator

I found that I was not as inspired by some of the concerts being presented in our genre in the local community and thought “I bet other people fee this way. Why don’t we just create the thing we would be interested in as attendees and see if we’re right?” Read more>>

Byren Tanner | Photographer

At the beginning it was just a hobby and as graduation approached my fellow classmates will ask me to take their graduation photos and than to go on to do weddings events and modeling shoots etc .to start my own business, because I had Dreams that anyone could see the world through my eyes would provide acts of service and would enhance another person’s long lasting memory. Read more>>

Michael Klug | Screenwriter, Screenplay Consultant, Actor, Novelist, Film Critic, Filmmaker

I’ve been writing screenplays for twenty years now, and as my own experience expanded, folks started asking me for feedback, notes, insights. And I was happy to oblige. But over time, it became clear how much work was involved, certainly considering how I provide coverage. Read more>>

Michelle Lewis | Professional Modern Witch

I’ve always been a very curious and creative person, two qualities that serve me well as an entrepreneur but also made working for other people terribly confining. I often felt like I was being stifled and dumbed-down, which was both soul crushing and infuriating! Read more>>

Amy Berryman | Writer

As a writer, I see myself as a small business owner. In fact, I’d say most creative people are basically running their own business! Though I have an amazing team of people behind me (agents, managers, etc), I have to do much of the heavy lifting on my own – after all, I am the only one who can actually sit down and write! Read more>>

Sam Hogan | Founder/CEO of Hirebird

I’ve been entrepreneur my whole life. In high school and my earlier years of college I built (really bad) businesses that failed. Junior year, I started a marketing company that eventually morphed into a staffing/recruiting company. Read more>>

Moja Robinson | Creative Director | Impact Storytelling & Immmersive Experiences

I got my first taste of entrepreneurship in elementary school. To pay for school lunch, I drew flipped versions of cartoon characters like Beavis and Butthead and skateboard graphics from brands like World Industries. Over time, I started to recognize the intersectionality of my talents. Read more>>

Paul Paolella | Personal Trainer and Gym Owner

There are very few meritocracies left, and gym are one of the few that remain. There are also very few places left whose purpose is to serve the community, to continue to make the most local people the most important people and the centerpiece of synergistic success. Read more>>

Connor Curran | Chief Laundry Folder

When I decided to start my own business, the thought process was driven by a combination of personal passion, market opportunity, and a desire to create something meaningful. Here are the key factors that influenced my decision: Read more>>

Aurora Ave.

We started as a band in 2020 during the pandemic. Starting the band almost felt like it was out of necessity. We were all in high school, and had lost our sense of community, or connection. None of us had outlets. We had our first rehearsals as a band in Koh’s backyard. Read more>>

Rahul Nath | Filmmaker, Actor/Writer and Dancer/Director

I wanted to be in control in making my own content and articulate the content that I wanted to produce, I also wanted to really execute the different genres that I most of the time, would not get cast in. Read more>>

London Howard | Entrepreneur and Photographer

Growing up, I was always the family photographer, a role that I cherished deeply. The joy and pride I felt when family members and friends saw the images I created were priceless. Capturing their moments and preserving their memories gave me a sense of fulfillment and worth, knowing that I was contributing to their lasting happiness. Read more>>

Eli Berchan | Entrepreneur

I always had a dream to start my own business and the first one I started it. It was at the age of 27 from my parents dining room. Before doing that I used to be a part of Hotel pre-openings and they used to be very very successful and then I said to myself if I can be part of a successful project, can’t I do my own project and be successful in it. Read more>>

Leenda Lucia | Model & Content Creator

My thought process behind starting my own business was rather simple; it wasn’t planned. I fell in love with working for myself while helping other business owners elevate their business’. I finally established my business in 2019 after a lot of research of how to properly do so. Read more>> 

Alan Idolyantes | Owner of Nickel and Dime Skate Shop

The Thought process behind Nickel and Dime skate shop was pretty simple. I just happen to start aggressive inline skating again, a few friends of mine and I wanted to start a clothing store. I had space that I have been renting out for few years. I decide to make the front of my space a store front. Read more>>

Karen Levine | PeachSkinSheets Founder

At the age of 48 I transitioned from the corporate world to establish The Original PeachSkinSheets. After experiencing a layoff from a marketing role, I decided to focus on my love of color and design, enrolling in SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) to pursue a degree in Interior Design. Read more>>

Slavik IA & Jack Kasprzak

Slavik: I think The Daily Mobster is a story anyone can relate to, and it focuses on the most important aspect of stories, characters. And we’ve got plenty of those. Eighty to be exact, though the first season will see only twenty or so. Read more>>

Natasha Root | President & CEO

When I decided to start my own business, my thought process was driven by a combination of personal ambition, past experiences, and a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment. I wanted the financial independence and the opportunity to be my own boss, but there was more to it than that. Read more>>

Zeenat Watts | Founder, Haku Holistics & Haku Wellness Center / Manager, Loc Lov Salon – DC

The thought process I had for starting the product line, Haku Holistics, began quite some time before the product line became my first possible business startup. It all started when I accepted the challenge to acknowledge and utilize the skills I already possessed and those I acquired from my brother, Salih, the owner of Loc Lov Salons. Read more>>

Carmen Scott | Artist & Entrepreneur

There is definitely a thought process to starting my own business. Starting Flesh ONEsie Creations, LLC was inspired by many soul nudges and a desire to “be the change I want to see.” When I was in high school, I had a vision for myself that included being on a television show and producing independent tv/film projects through my own production company. Read more>>

Andra Shinaul | LMT

Honestly, I kinda just had to. I was living on my parents couch with my two kids after fleeing an abusive relationship of 7 years. Family had emphasized that they we not gonna be babysitting while I worked. So, I started doing in home massages. Read more>>

Lisa klein | Speech Language Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist, Advanced training in childhood apraxia of speech

When I had my first son 18 years ago, I wanted to try to balance being a mom and helping others. The best way for me to manage both was to start my own business. It is still challenging at times; Read more>> 

Dr. Tina Yang | 4th Generation Chinese Medicine Doctor & Licensed Acupuncturist, Founder & CEO of Revive Qi Health & Fertility Center

Growing up my Taiwanese grandfather had a very unique way of treating us when we were sick or injured. We would often times receive cupping treatments and herbal tinctures when we were under the weather. Read more>>

Ken North | Dog Walker & Pet Sitter

From a young age, dogs have always been a central part of my life. I’ve volunteered at shelters, worked in dog grooming, and even managed a veterinary hospital. My thought process was simple: I wanted to merge my passion for dogs with my love for adventure. Read more>>

Tia Madalynn | Multi-talented Creator | Actor, Writer, Designer, Model

It took me some time to embrace my entrepreneurial mindset. Growing up in a family that valued the stability of traditional employment, I never imagined myself straying from that path. Graduating college in 2020 amidst the pandemic was a turning point for me. Read more>>

Silvia Souto | Financial Peace Coach

After 15 years working in a corporate environment and developing professionally in the project management and change management coaching and consulting fields, I realized that I was somehow still not where I wanted to be financially, in spite of doing everything I thought was “the right thing to do”. Read more>>

Sterling Hampton | Film Director and Studio Owner

I started my company out of necessity due to particular jobs that required me to formalize my infrastructure. I’m an artist at heart but in that moment I had adapt myself into the land of entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Michael Pappas | Automotive Specialist & Detailer

When I was a kid I always wanted to do something I enjoyed for work. I think we all think that way. But once I went to college and had to “pick a degree” I didn’t see anything that really interested me. Read more>>

Gregory Andonian, MD | Board Certified Aesthetic Physician, Diplomate American Board of Aesthetic Medicine

Since I was a child, I had always wanted to become a physician, and after finishing medical school and getting into residency, I became interested in aesthetic medicine and how it can impact people’s lives, especially how it makes them feel on the inside and not just the outside. Read more>>

Nicole Taylor | Creator: Broadcast & Digital Media

Over the years I was able to work with some amazing creatives and networks. With each experience I learned something new. Over time I began to see how those experiences changed me. I decided to finally take a chance at creating my own company. Read more>>

Kurt Gurdal | Cheesemonger & Specialty Grocer

It was a combination of things. 1. My father and mother were entrepreneurs and owned a few cheese shops in Cambridge, Boston and New York City. My father always taught me to create my own, so I wanted to create something I would be proud of and shop in. Read more>>