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.

Aidan Wilhite | Photographer & Producer

Primarily, it sounded like fun. My project, Gifted, is a network that promotes artists and encourages gift making through short-form profiles, tutorials, and live events. It’s conducted entirely from my bedroom. Read more>>

Gabrielle Breitenbach, Inicia Harris | Co-Founders

The Narrative Vintage, our vintage clothing business, was founded in Brooklyn in fall 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, by Gabrielle Breitenbachi, a Production Director and Stylist for Brooklyn-based designer NAOMI NOMI, and Inicia Harris, a fashion merchandiser with experience from highly reputable brands, such as Ralph Lauren and Kith. Read more>>

Laura Elkus Gross | Producer/Director and President, L.E.G. Productions, Inc.

Interestingly, I did not really have a thought process behind starting my own business! It seemed to happen organically. I was laid off after 4 1/2 years at LA radio station KRLA, so I started looking for a job, hoping to get into national radio syndication. Read more>>

Daria Artem, JD | The Cookie Queen! Owner/Founder of Lady Fortunes Inc

My business was an offshoot of another business that did not take off like I hoped it would ! I started a PR company called ArtemPR. I was enamoured with the idea of marketing my services in unusual ways so when i saw an oversized fortune cookie at a local Chinese restaurant, I thought it would be a great way to promote myself! Read more>> 

Ariane Noji | Brand Founder of Contemplation

I’ve worked in the beauty industry for over 15 years, doing product development for all sort of brands. I’ve helped bring skincare, haircare, color cosmetics and fragrances to life from concept to on shelf so I know how to make a good beauty product. Read more>> 

Stefani McGee | Owner, Bark & Willow Dog Accessories

My journey into entrepreneurship really began with a simple desire to find the perfect braided leather leash for my chocolate lab, Ollie. Despite extensive searching, I couldn’t quite find what I was envisioning. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands and craft it myself. Read more>>

Sarah Midkiff | Photographer & Director

To be completely honest, I had never thought about starting my own business until I already had. It came out of being curious and willing to take a chance on trying something new. Read more>>

Marquis Magwood | Personal development, influencer & Media producer

In the crucible of personal loss and destitution, I confronted the stark reality that to forge a meaningful identity, one must possess a profound sense of purpose. Stripped of all material wealth and comfort, I embarked upon a soul-searching journey, determined to carve out a niche where my fervor could find refuge. Read more>> 

Priscilla Garcia | Pet Stylist & Jefita

The thought process behind starting my own business was at first frightening. Prior to starting my business, I had job security where it came with full benefits, paid vacation, paid sick time, 401k, the whole shabang. Going from having a secure income to starting fresh and a new career was gray in the beginning. Read more>>

Karlie Everhart | Life & Career Coach

I have always wanted to start my own business. I majored in Entrepreneurship in college, but I didn’t quite know what type of business I wanted to start. In 2014, I enrolled in a Masters program in Spiritual Psychology for my own personal growth and upliftment. Read more>>

Adrienne Qasabian | Interior Architect & Furniture Designer

I started Studio Qasabian to allow myself the freedom to take on projects that are meaningful to me, and to allow myself to approach each one with my specific creative point of view. Read more>> 

Ale Farias and Magali Parquet | CoFounders and Crafters behind TdmAle

I think our biggest challenge was to be in different countries and create a long distance business partnership. We had to set goals that were achievable for both of us and turn our side business to a profitable business. Read more>>

Casey Masalehdani, M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD | Speech-Language Pathologist, Feeding Therapist & Provider of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

When I started working as an SLP, I worked in a variety of settings including schools, homes and private practice. I always enjoyed private practice the most, due to the variety of clients I was able to see and the opportunity to connect with the family members on a frequent basis. Read more>>

Temís Galindo | Design Director & Founder

After years of working in the fashion industry, I wanted to reconnect to that passion I once felt for creating and wearing beautiful and unique objects. I didn’t know what I wanted to do necessarily but I knew the end goal was to work with my hands again. Read more>>

Winnie Liu | Media Composer & Multi-instrumentalist

Being a media composer has always been my dream profession since I was a child, ever since I first listened to Joe Hisaishi’s soundtrack for the Korean TV series “Legend of Four Gods”. I was deeply moved by his seamless integration of Western classical orchestration with traditional Asian instruments, which not only captures the depth of the culture’s beauty but also enriches the ensemble with a fullness quality. Read more>> 

La Kia A. Gooch | HealthTech Startup Founder & Author

I was born with Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and loss. I was not diagnosed until I was 28 years old, after years of struggling with various symptoms and misdiagnoses. There is currently no known treatment or cure for muscular dystrophy. Read more>>

Tyler Eck | Owner, Winemaker

My dad was a finish carpenter who had a warehouse where he ran his business out of. It was definitely his influence that led me on a path to learn a craft and turn that skill into a business. Growing up and through college I never knew what I wanted to do for a career. Read more>>

Paola Malinoski | Small Business Owner

The start of my business came from a need for a creative outlet while in the beginning of motherhood. Professionally, I am a credentialed teacher-when I had my first child, we made the decision for me to stay home. My family grew quickly and with that came a yearning to do something for myself. Read more>> 

Becca Wolfley | CEO, Best Coast Media, LLC

Best Coast was, as we say, “born in the back of a speak-easy.” I started it because I had just become a licensed realtor and wanted to expand my client network. I come from an advertising/copywriting background, and a friend called me to ask if I could host trivia night’s at their partner’s bar. Read more>>

Dara Paquette | Artist, Floral Designer

I’m obsessed with flowers and floral design. I’ve worked with flowers and as a floral designer for 25 years, so starting my own business was the next most natural evolutionary step. Read more>> 

Ian Carlos Crawford | Podcaster & Writer

I really wanted to be able to do something I enjoyed – I genuinely wasn’t sure I’d ever make money off of it but I needed an outlet to create with and talk to other like minded folks. Read more>>

Shannon Christenot | Residential Mortgage Lender

I wanted independence from punching the clock and the corporate chokehold so-to-speak. I knew that profits were always padded to afford middle management salaries and that didn’t sit well with me. Read more>> 

Kelly Springer | Owner/ Founder of Kelly K Public Relations Inc.

When I stepped out on my own, I had my clients best interest in mind. I wanted to create a firm that had the power of the big conglomerates, yet had the attention and feel of a boutique agency to give the proper attention campaigns deserve. Read more>>

Praheme no last name | Filmmaker

I’ve always wanted to own my films. I was inspired by witnessing my father own and operate a real estate company for over 30 years. Starting out in film, I knew working independently would give me the ability to create now and without needing permission. Read more>> 

Robin Berning | Mixed Fiber Artist

I embarked on entrepreneurship due to a generic desire for independence, fueled by my deep passion for the arts and creativity. It was driven by the opportunity to express my unique abilities and talents. Read more>> 

Greg Zopke Zopke | Zopke | Music Producer & Sound Engineer

My business is driven by a passion for mastering every aspect of music production. I spend a significant amount of time perfecting composition, arrangement, mixing, and mastering to ensure versatility. Read more>>