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.

Robert Ancill

Starting The Next Idea Group came from a combination of passion, frustration, and vision. I had worked with various agencies and companies, and while there were talented people and great ideas, I often felt that innovation was stifled by rigid systems, outdated thinking, and restrictions on creativity. I wanted to create something different, a firm that challenged the status quo and approached each project with fresh energy and a global mindset. Read More>>

Maxwell Leer

In starting Sawtelle Sake, the thought process was that we wanted to grow sake culture in the US outside of the traditional spaces in which sake culture currently live. To do so, we had to brew, blend, brand and package sake using new methods. Our color series, for example, features four different sleek 12 ounce cans that are made from our base sake (i.e. Clear Skies) flavorized with Japanese Yuzu and Rock Sugar and West-coast native flowers and herbs; think of the cans like carbonated Agua Frescas designing for drinking in Los Angeles. Read More>>

Jamie Coletta

I started No Earbuds not long after being laid off. Bands were reaching out to hire me pretty much immediately, so I knew the demand was there, but more than anything, I just didn’t want to be blindsided like that ever again. I poured years of work and a reputation-saving level of passion into helping the last label I worked for stay relevant. Getting laid off was like a giant wake-up call that I couldn’t keep giving that much heart to a company that wasn’t my own. If I was going to keep working in music, then I had to invest in myself and my own passion, even if it meant choosing the hardest and way less predictable path. Read More>>

Petra Persolja

I expressed the desire to play piano when I was only 6 years old. At the time finding or affording a piano was extremely hard due to the independence war that Yugoslavia was going through. But my parents made my dream possible. After being invited to study in US on a scholarship I continued my studies all the way until the Doctor of Musical Arts title in 2021.  Read More>>

Dr. Jedediah Huss

I felt I had so much more to give and my talent wasn’t being properly utilized and was just wasting away. I truly thought that by starting my own dental continuing education company that I could impact and help more patients through teaching their dentists to become their best self and elevate their surgical skills and all levels of their dentistry to the highest levels. Read More>>

Jermarie Dizon

As cliche as it is, music has always been there for me in its every shape and form. Learning about it, listening to it, creating it, performing it, sharing it–all of it is simultaneously healing, comforting, and cathartic to me. It’s something that I have to do, or my soul will suffer. With everything that music is for me, I hope to help and inspire others to unlock the same for themselves. Read More>>

Erin Will

When I was thinking about starting my own business, I wanted to encompass everything that was important to me. I had a lot of guilt around how my occupation was creating so much waste. I also loved doing hair. My thought process was centered on how I could continue doing what I loved and improve the way my actions were impacting those around me: the water, the air and the land. So I combined what I already knew and turned it into a green, sustainable concept. Read More>>

Delaram Mirzaei

Starting my own business was deeply personal for me. My passion for baking began in childhood, especially during Nowruz, when I’d bake traditional Persian pastries with my grandmother. Those moments weren’t just about food—they were about connection, tradition, and joy. Read More>>

Curt Darling

Starting FlowGarden Yoga wasn’t so much a business decision as it was a calling. After years of personal transformation—through martial arts, Buddhist practice, sobriety, and travel—I reached a point where it felt natural to offer what had helped me most in life: healing, presence, and connection.

The seed was planted while I was working on a TV show abroad. Despite the demanding schedule, I began leading sunrise yoga and meditation for the casting crew. It wasn’t planned—it just happened organically. When I came home, I knew I wanted to continue sharing that experience with others, especially those seeking peace or purpose. Read More>>

Rande Vick

Honestly, it wasn’t a thought process, it was a reckoning.

When I got laid off from Fender in 2020, I didn’t just lose a job. I lost a piece of my identity. I’d been a “Fender guy” since I was 17. That logo was on my amps, my guitar, my shirts, and even my sense of self. So when it was gone, I was forced to confront something uncomfortable: If a brand could become that wrapped up in who I was… what was that? Why do some brands stick to our soul while others barely register? Read More>>

Evi Aki

Starting Ev’s Eats came from my love of storytelling through food. I’ve always seen food as a way to connect people, and I wanted to create a space that celebrates bold, soulful flavors while sharing my personal food and travel experiences.

I didn’t see enough platforms highlighting rich cultural food—especially from a Black woman’s perspective—so I built one. What began as a blog has grown into recipes, travel content, a newsletter, and my cookbook Flavors of Africa. It’s all about building community through food and inviting others to take a seat at the table. Read More>>

Lauren Rogers

I started my business when my first son was almost a year old. I absolutely loved being a mom and staying home with him, but I also felt a strong desire to use my brain in new ways and contribute financially to my family. For about six months, I had been creating and selling custom baby onesies, which sparked something in me—I realized I had a drive to build something of my own. Read More>>

Rachael Marchand

Freedom. I always knew I wanted to have the flexibility and freedom to do what I wanted with my time. Not only that, but I wanted to create a direct impact with the work I do – whether that’s yoga teaching, singing, or helping other wellness entrepreneurs find success in their businesses. Read More>>

Adam Lowenstein

I created my migraine surgery practice because I saw a gap—both in understanding and in treatment—for people suffering from chronic headaches. As a surgeon, I’ve always been drawn to problems that are fixable with precision and structure, and when I discovered the field of peripheral nerve decompression, something clicked. These weren’t vague or mysterious cases. In many of these patients, there was a clear anatomical issue causing their pain—compressed nerves that could be surgically addressed. Read More>>

Elaine Kopinga

I was born in West Africa, where there is a beautiful tradition of the entire village coming together to support mothers during the postpartum period. When I went through my own postpartum experience, my family and loved ones carried on that tradition, surrounding me with care and support, not just for the baby, but in every part of life. It was a rich and deeply nurturing experience, one that many new mothers in America don’t get to have.  Read More>>

Omari Clarke

Starting my own business wasn’t just about ownership. It was about freedom. I had spent years working with some of the biggest names in music, but I realized I was still building other people’s empires. I wanted to create a system that reflected my own values: innovation, automation, originality, and long-term equity. I knew I had a gift, not just in sound, but in vision. Read More>>

Brendan Garis

I’ve wanted to start my own business since I was a freshman in HighSchool. Coincidentally, I started taking photos around that time as a hobby and never really realized that would be my business. I knew the first step was to just start shooting, so I took my camera everywhere. 2018 is when people started referring me as a photographer because I would take my camera to parties, cabin trips with friends, and even some high school sporting events.  Read More>>

Ashley Reamer

The thought process behind starting Naturale Goddace was rooted in necessity and intention. In 2018, I found myself constantly hitting a wall trying to find skincare that was natural, free of coconut oil, and didn’t overwhelm my skin—or my senses. I craved products that felt good, smelled soft and comforting, and supported my skin’s health without the long list of harsh ingredients. When I couldn’t find it, I created it. By 2020, Naturale Goddace became that resource—not just for me, but for other women who saw themselves in my story. It’s always been about creating space for skin health, softness, and being seen. Read More>>

Maddi Kligerman

I try to live by the belief that we’re here to create our own version of heaven on earth. For me, that meant building something intentional—rooted in individuality, connection, and emotion. I started Remeinz to merge everything I love: storytelling, design, subculture, and feeling. Jewelry became the medium, but the message was always deeper—to remind people of their power, their originality, and their ability to choose love in every form. Read More>>

Andrea Rosas

I’ve always wanted to do something that would be part of people’s special moments, and I believe that food can do that like few other things in life. We always see great moments being celebrated with loved ones around a table. Cooking is an act of love. This country gives us great opportunities and I always believed that I could be part of something bigger. Read More>>

Jamie

I was at a crossroads in life where I realized that no matter how hard I worked at my nine to five job, I was being compensated the same amount as if I didn’t put any effort into my work. I wanted to do something I was passionate about and enjoyed doing, but at the same time, to be able to get more in return if I put more effort into my work. I knew if I stayed at my nine to five job I would not be able to accomplish my big dreams/goals in the time frame I had in mind. Read More>>

Tiffany Ragozzino

I started The Pretty Little Lifters in 2014 to start showing women that they could lift more than 5lb. weights. As a millennial, there was a lot of fitness content telling women to stick with light weight (i.e. no more than 15bs.) and the pressure to be skinny and not muscular. I wanted to create an educational space for women and teen girls to show them all the benefits (physical, mental, & social) to lifting barbells and seeing what you can DO with your body instead of overly focusing on aesthetics. Read More>>

Marquette Washington

As a father to two amazing boys and a husband to my beautiful wife, everything I do is rooted in family. I started Modern Moments because I wanted to create something lasting—something that could grow with us and eventually be passed down. I wasn’t just building a business; I was building a legacy. Read More>>

Yackisha Allen

I saw this as an opportunity to transform my life in a meaningful and positive direction. Through the creation of my businesses, I have been able to support not only my children and friends but also those in need, fulfilling my deep desire to give back to the community—especially to its children. It has always been important to me to showcase the resilience and determination of a young girl from South Central LA who overcame the obstacles placed before her and carved a path toward success Read More>>

Belinda Philleo

Like many business owners, a significant part of my decision to start my own business was driven by my desire for autonomy. I wanted to do work that I’m passionate about, but also have the freedom to decide how and when I work. With that, comes a learning curve. You have to be balanced – you have to be disciplined and make sure you’re showing up every day, but at the same time you want to make sure you’re scheduling time off and not pushing yourself past your limits either. Read More>>

Gemma Lee

My husband and I wanted a more stable life. Living day by day and hoping for things to magically change wasn’t enough. We wanted to build something we were both good at. I had the idea of creating a special dessert experience, and I convinced my husband to join me in starting a dessert business. I come from a creative background, and he has experience in cooking. We didn’t have much funding, so we began by selling through preorders and promoting our products on social media. Read More>>

Alec Puro

My first company Gramoscope Music actually started out of pure necessity. Early in my career, there could be significant downtime between scoring a film or scripted show, and I never knew how long that downtime would last. In some cases, it lasted long enough that I wouldn’t be able to pay my rent! That financial uncertainty was really stressful and unsustainable. Read More>>

Maurice “Mo” Stewart

My thought process was centered around creating a sense of community and togetherness through food — something I feel is becoming more rare, especially here in California. Often when we dine out, the experience tends to be more transactional or confined to the group we came with. But barbecue is different. It has a way of breaking down barriers — it’s less formal, more inviting, and it naturally brings people together. I wanted to build a business that fosters those connections, where people gather not just to eat, but to share an experience, meet new folks, and feel a genuine sense of community, because that’s me and my personality in a nutshell. Read More>>

Romeo Lacoste

It was pretty straightforward—I had a talent and a product people wanted, and I knew I had an edge on social media. I built my personal brand and business as a tattoo artist, eventually opening my own shop. I applied the same strategies there, helping make The California Dream Tattoo one of the most famous tattoo shops in the world. It all comes down to staying ahead of the curve and doing what no one else is doing—yet. Read More>>