We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Yin Zhang | Artist & Oya Oya founder & Fashion Designer

As an artist with a fashion design background, I have been immersed in the realm of self-made entrepreneurs throughout my upbringing. The allure of forging my own path has always coursed through my veins. In fact, my father’s business of oud incense further fueled my entrepreneurial spirit and kindled my creative fire. Read more>>

Rebekah Shoaf | Author, Educational Consultant, and Social Entrepreneur

When I started my consulting business, What If Schools, I had been working for the New York City Department of Education for 14 years, first as a high school English teacher and then as an instructional and teacher leadership coach. I wanted to keep doing that work, but there were bureaucratic changes in the system that were making it impossible for me to do so in the way that I wanted to and that I believed was best, so I resigned to strike out on my own. Read more>>

Shanice J. Douglas-Samuels | Founder + CEO, Witted Roots

Witted Roots is a mental health + emotional wellness platform for millennial women of color, rooted in themes of self-reflection, and vulnerability. We bring together on-demand and live resources that are accessible, relatable, and culturally inclusive for millennial women of color. Read more>>

Patrick Hanlin | Writer, Record Producer, Filmmaker

I think a necessary ingredient in starting a business is to center it around a truly novel concept: something unique that will set you apart from other folk doing the same thing. I did a lot of research when I started my business, and one theme in particular kept coming up: find a problem in your industry and try to solve it. In approaching my business this way, I was able to find a space that was truly my own! Read more>>

Geraldine Grace Johns | Royal Academy of Dance Registered Ballet Teacher

My thought process behind starting my own ballet school was to provide a space where young dancers could pursue their passion with the highest level of professional instruction. I wanted to create an environment in which all dancers, regardless of their level of experience, could learn and grow as individuals while having access to knowledgeable and experienced and teachers trained by the Royal Academy of Dance. Read more>>

Pablo De Leon | Owner of Shady’s Hotdogs

I come from a family of street vendors. I remember most of my childhood helping my father sell elotes and raspados in the street out side of church, laundrys, parks and schools. My mother did as well, she will sell tamales and champurrado outside of St. Malequias Church on sundays..I remember people will love her cooking! So she started to take orders for events. I grew up with parents that hustle regarding their status in this country and I realized that I as well wanted to work for myself to have a business that can provide for my family instead of working for someone else. Read more>>

Antoine & Spencer Holmes | The Estate Twins: The Actor Agent | Aston Rose SE Luxury Advisor | Property Specialist

The major thought process behind starting a luxury real estate business was to service a community of high net worth individuals, celebrities, athletes and investors in sports & entertainment. After several years working in the corporate and entertainment industry, We have built and earned the trust of many. Read more>>

Patricia Smith | Mother & Business Owner

I wanted to share my creations with the world. I knew that I had great products that are thoroughly researched and made with the most raw and sustainable ingredients. Also, As a parent I wanted the freedom to tend to my children’s needs without fear of discipline. Read more>>

Paula Weiner | Founder & President, Weiner & Associates, Inc.

1. What was the thought process behind opening your own business? a. I had been in the executive search business for about 18 years and loved all aspects of it and continue to love it. I had worked in 4 firms, including the first one that was being packaged for sale at the end of my tenure, and one that was sold while I was there. Read more>>

Sandi Amodeo-Burgess | Esthetician

I wanted the freedom to create a space that felt safe. When you work for a bigger company you have to abide by so many rules, but in the beauty industry its so important to create a space that your client can feel 100% relaxed and cared for. Not like they are just a number and rushed in and out. I wanted to be able to nourish relationships with my clients and customize their experience to their individual needs, and the only way I could truly do that is in my own space. Read more>>

Natalie Peña | Full Spectrum Doula and Couples Counselor

Healing Internationale was dreamed while I was completing my masters in Spain. Being a birth worker, full spectrum doula and counselor I went to Barcelona to study Clinical Sexology and Couples Therapy. I was in an interdisciplinary program with doctors and nurses from all around the world and while I wasn’t able to legally work I could support parents in postpartum support. I was a poor graduate student once again and I realized that I needed to use the skills I had to survive. Read more>>

Tariq Ahmad, PhD | NIL Educator, Athlete Agent, and Sport Management Professor

With NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) becoming law on July 1, 2021, I figured this would be a great opportunity to work in a space that I care about personally and professionally. Read more>>

Andrea LaRosa | Matchmaker & Relationship Expert

Transitioning away from the film industry, I felt a strong desire to embark on a new career where I could make a difference in people’s lives. Both of my parents had owned businesses, so the idea of becoming an entrepreneur seemed like a natural fit. However, I knew that the modern entrepreneurial landscape came with its own set of challenges, especially the need for a solid social media presence. While I wasn’t particularly excited about this aspect, I recognized its importance in today’s world and embraced it as a necessary step for growth. Read more>>

 Jonathon Hollins | GODY Ent. Manager

My business GODY Entertainment, was created with the independent artist in mind. Shawn, the in house engineer, and I both started out in the industry as artists just trying to figure everything out. Through finding our individual strengths and passions within making music we were able to create this niche business that focuses specifically on what the artist truly needs. GODY Entertainment provides artists with the tools needed to develop themselves. Read more>> 

Imad Nabwani | Restauranteur and entrepreneur

After more than 15 years operating highly successful restaurants for a leading Canadian company, I decided to realize a cherished dream in 2011. As a young beginner in the hospitality industry, I fell in love with the brasserie and hotel culture of Paris. Only when I felt I had accumulated enough experience to transform the dream into a business reality, I made the move to create a slice of Paris in Montreal: Le Pois Penché. Read more>>

Micaela & Dawn Hoo Hoo | Founders & CEOs, My July Skin

Dawn: The business was actually born out of necessity and we started it without the end goal of making it into a business. Micaela has dealt with chronic illness her entire life. There was one period in her early twenties when her hands broke out in rashes so severe, she lost all flexibility in her fingers. As a mother, it was devastating to see my daughter suffering so much. Read more>>

Steve Boyadzhyan | Director and Author

Starting my own business as a children’s book author, specifically focusing on creating books that incorporate Armenian traditions, foods, and words, while being written in English, was driven by a combination of personal and cultural motivations. First and foremost, I wanted to create a meaningful and enriching experience for my own children, Sienna and Jace, by immersing them in our Armenian heritage and traditions. Read more>>

Susan Levine | Founder and CEO

I was excited to start a business and offer a luxury recruiting advisory firm that would seek out the very best talent and pair them with the leading companies. I saw the opportunity in the market to create a brand, and elevate recruitment services. I saw the need to peel off layers and really get to know the candidates – listen to their wants and needs, and find them a career, not just any ordinary job. Read more>>

Jono Madison | Visual Artist and Photographer

What is the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry? Any stories that help illustrate why this is such a challenge? I would say the biggest challenge I see to profit in many forms is that everyone who’s anyone wants what I can do for free. They want the polished commercial worthy imagery I can produced or at the most minimal level of exchange. As an artist I have seen the grossest intentions of fellow artist looking to profit from my work to promote or gain further praise on their branding. It’s true and sick, but there are plenty to watch out for. Read more>>

Aja Cohen | CEO and Founder of Transcendent Active

Right after my third baby, I had been let go from my fast fashion job. This was the best possible thing for me, as it let me reevaluate what I wanted to do going forward. I began to speak to a career counselor who told me I should do something for my “community.” As I was hiking through Acadia national park in Maine, I came to a realization that I had two communities. As a certified yoga instructor, I had my yoga community, but I also had my religious Jewish community. Read more>>

Karen Pedrosa | KayLove” Artist

During the pandemic I was working for NYC Parks department as a Deputy Chief of Recreation and doing my art part time when I could. My role was to oversee the arts, recreation and cultural programming in the Bronx. It was a very weird time, our parks and recreation centers were closed to the public, our staff were in a state a limbo and we were all just trying to figure it out, day by day. Read more>>

Elina Bry | Multidisciplinary Artist

When I went to Art School I didn’t really know much about the art sector and what type of work I would be able to do after graduating. Which is the life long question of the art student. I didn’t know much more after graduating. I started my career as an artist and educator hand by hand. It’s only a few years in that I realise that I could put the two together and creating films embedded in my community. Read more>>

Steve Arnold | Owner and Creator of the Oh So Dapper Soap Company

My thought process behind starting my own business is to one day have control of my time. I want to be more available for my family. Working 9-5 job is reliable and comfortable until they decide they want to go in another direction. I want to hold that power in my own hands and creating my own business is a great way to do that. Read more>>

Justin Chen | Co-founder of PickFu – DIY consumer insights

My thought process behind starting my own business was rooted in a desire for entrepreneurial freedom and the pursuit of valuable learning experiences. After graduating from college during the dot-com bust, my co-founder, John, and I followed corporate paths at Microsoft and HP, respectively. However, the desire to embark on a joint entrepreneurial journey remained strong within us. Read more>>

Paula Glashausser, LCSW | Psychotherapist & Founder of Discover Your Resilience Psychotherapy

Starting a private practice had been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I sometimes still wonder if it’s just a dream. My career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) has been long, and the majority of my experience has been in healthcare. While working in large hospitals in metropolitan areas, Read more>> 

Eli Miller | Assembly & Installation Expert

The creation of Assemble All Install was driven by the desire to enhance value for Homeowners, Contractors, & Designers. By selecting a company that specializes in assembly and installation allows our clients to be assured they are working with trained professionals, leaving the general handymen to the home repairs where they excel. Read more>>