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.

Jinju Kim

In Korea, I started out by working on my own, running my practice independently. That experience showed me how meaningful it is to build something of my own and connect closely with clients. Wanting to create a space where my art and vision could grow freely, I decided to open my own studio, which gave me the freedom to shape the environment and fully express my evolving style. Read More>> 

Fairin Moon, Jake Vicious

We founded Vault at the start of the pandemic – during a time where studios and venues across the world were shutting their doors. From the outside looking in, it likely appeared to be a crazy venture, but for us, it felt like a natural progression of the seeds that had been planted years before. Having had the opportunity to work and learn together in a studio that had such an impact on the creative community in the DMV, we knew what we had to do when presented with the opportunity to continue, and reimagine, that impact and legacy.  Read More>> 

LGNV.CAM

We all know the feeling of wanting to build something of our own – to pour our energy and passion into a future we can shape with our own hands. For us, photography is the way we do that. It’s a space where we can express our vision of people, animals, nature, emotions – our perspective on the world Read More>> 

Krysta Leanne Ortiz

Just knowing that i am a multi faceted individual, who would want fulfillment from what i do for “work”… therefore having my own business and myself being my own brand, would allow me to fulfill my many facets and still be passionate about what i do. All the while getting to be fortunate enough to have it be categorized as business. For me it was wanting business and play. Read More>> 

Yenifer Razo

For me, Luna Design started as more than just a business idea it was a vision. I’ve always been drawn to spaces that tell a story, and I realized there was a gap between beautiful design and truly personalized living. I wanted to create a company that doesn’t just follow trends, but listens to the client, understands their lifestyle, and brings that vision to life with craftsmanship and intention. Starting my own business meant I could have the freedom to do things differently to blend creativity, function, and a touch of soul in every project. That’s the inspiration behind Luna. Read More>> 

Joaquín Seguí

Being an artist often feels more like a necessity than a decision.

Starting my career as an artist was not a linear process; it took a lot of professional exploration before I finally understood that this was what I truly wanted to do. At the same time, everything I learned along the way became essential in shaping the discourse of my work. Read More>> 

Nancy Carranza

My motivation for starting my business stemmed from two main reasons. First and foremost, I wanted to build something meaningful that I could one day leave to my daughter, a legacy she could be proud of. Secondly, I had always dreamed of owning something that was truly mine. I was ready to stop working for others and start investing my time, energy, and passion into my own vision and goals. Read More>> 

Michelle Ravelo-Santos

After eight years working for one of the leading entertainment PR firms, I saw an opportunity to use the 20+ years experience to start a consulting firm. The skills I’ve learned and the relationships I built throughout the years, gave me the confidence to launch my own practice. Starting my own consultancy allowed me to be more selective and intentional in the clients I pursued, working with brands I believe in and tailoring strategies without the constraints of large-agency structures. Read More>> 

Amber Carlson

Both my co-owner, Carolyn Devine, and I had experienced sudden, life-changing events and during these difficult times, we discovered that this particular workout didn’t just transform our bodies—it helped us begin to heal from the inside out. The strength, clarity, and peace we found through this experience inspired us to start our own business. We wanted to share this transformative power with others. Our mission became clear: to create a space where fitness is more than just physical, but a path to healing and empowerment. Read More>> 

Stephy & Tommy

We started Okii to keep great ideas whole, from brief to final export, and to make work that feels human and travels globally. Coming up through marketing and agency work taught us that branding is a system, not just a logo; strategy, positioning, and tone only land when they’re visible on camera. That’s why our core is branded photography and video; most of what we do and everything else we offer exists to make those images and films connect. Read More>> 

TC Alexander

Starting my own business was never part of the original plan. I never imagined becoming a business owner, let alone a filmmaker. Creating a production company that would go on to make movies wasn’t even on my radar. At that point in my career, I had already won awards in comedy and accomplished a lot in that space—but I hadn’t made a movie. I had filmed tons of content, but most of it was scattered across other people’s cameras and phones. Read More>> 

Garrett Wood

Before I opened Gnosis Therapy I was at a large Health and Wellness org with 7 direct reports, each with their own team of 5–20 people, across 7 locations. Our clientele could afford to go anywhere, but they came to us because we cared the most. Most of the clientele we were working with were weekend warrior types. They all led large divisions at their corporate jobs and spent their spare time investing in their health and wellness to keep their performance edge. But, even when their training and active recovery was on, and even their nutrition, they still struggled with their well-being. Most of the people I talked to were burning out from the chronic stress of performing well at work, coming at the cost of their personal relationships. Read More>> 

Seung Hee Won

When I first started my business, my children were only two and four years old. At the time, I was working full-time as a fashion designer, which left me with very little opportunity to engage in creative play or spend meaningful time with them. I began inviting their friends over on weekends for simple playdates, and to make it special, I introduced small, hands-on art activities that I prepared myself. Read More>> 

Nicolette Tedesco

I absolutely love love! Cheesy as it may sound, the wedding industry has my heart. My journey began over a decade ago when I interned for a wedding planner. From the very first day, I was hooked. I knew I had found my calling and couldn’t imagine doing anything else!

Over the years, I learned the ins and outs of the industry, but I also discovered something deeper, planning a wedding isn’t just about logistics, it’s about creating moments that couples will cherish for the rest of their lives.  Read More>> 

Larry Ramirez

I’ve been a musician all of my adult life and from an early age I knew that I wanted music to be a career. In my late teens and early twenties, I started to run my band like a business. I seen that we started having success locally so I invested in merchandise and funded our first album and created my own record label. I made sure that money came in was reinvested into merchandise, gear, promo, ETC. Not long after, I decided to quit my job and take the band on the road. I spent the next few years touring and recording bands in my home studio along with continuing to put out my music and other artists. Read More>>

Holly Hallberg

I worked in the film industry for many years, and after I had my daughter, I decided that I wanted to have something that wasn’t quite as demanding of my time. Enter Huset, a fantasy project I dreamt up on the shore of an island off the coast of Sweden. Seventeen years later, how would I know that this “project” would take up so much of my life Read More>> 

Laura Tarchini

It started with one question I kept hearing: did you make that watch? After over a decade as a watchmaker, I’d think, they don’t realize how much work it is. When COVID hit, I finally had the time, and decided to combine watchmaking with my other passion: painting. I hand-painted the dial (face) of the watch and assembled one for myself. The reactions were so positive that I turned it into a brand, with part of every sale supporting causes close to my heart. Read More>> 

Jhoana

As a first-generation Latina, my thought process in starting my own business was deeply rooted in representation and impact. Growing up, I didn’t often see people from my background owning businesses or creating opportunities for others, and that gap really motivated me. I wanted to build something that not only reflected my culture but also uplifted my community. Read More>> 

Daniel Cipriano

Quando decidi abrir meu próprio negócio, meu primeiro pensamento foi buscar mais liberdade e trabalhar com algo que eu realmente amo. Eu sabia que isso me traria não apenas satisfação profissional, mas também realização pessoal. No entanto, não foi fácil no início. Deixar um emprego “estável”, ou como muitos chamam, um emprego “seguro”, exigiu coragem. Mesmo assim, eu tinha certeza de que precisava perseguir meu sonho de trabalhar no mundo do entretenimento e da arte. Essa paixão foi o que me motivou a seguir em frente, fazer o que amo e, ao mesmo tempo, inspirar outras pessoas. Read More>> 

Daniel Overberger

It just happened and I had no idea what I was doing and not sure I do now. But, I do know a little more than when I started. I went to the library and asked the librarian to show me the business section. For the next 6 months I randomly checked out books on business. Anything and everything I could find. The library is still a great place for information. Read More>> 

Stacey Tannenbaum-McIver

My thought process behind cofounding WUUMLA was rooted in noticing a significant gap in accessible, holistic physical and emotional health care for girls and women in my community. I wanted to partner with other providers to create a beautiful, safe and welcoming space where women could gather, receive emotional and physical support and care in addition to providing education panels, supportive resources and a place to gather and create. It was super important to me to that WUUMLA would be a space that created trust, bonding and EMPOWERMENT.  Read More>> 

Erik Lundmark

I had always been a freelancer, a hired gun, and I was thinking, one day the phone will stop ringing, and I don’t want to wait for that as I will probably be too old to start something new then. So I decided to start my own business in order to control my future. Read More>> 

Janice Ross

My current own business is being an independent writer. The biggest difference is that I stripped away the parts I enjoyed least about my former paying job – that of being a university Professor – and held onto the most satisfying bits. Giving up the less rewarding parts of my former job also meant losing a regular salary – but freedom is never free. Read More>> 

Anastasia Chemeritskaya

My thought process was simple. I’ve always admired how strong the U.S. healthcare system is, but I also noticed that many people want something beyond what it was built to provide: more prevention, more personalization, more support in their daily health journey. That’s why I started Lyrana. I saw an opportunity to create a platform that complements the system by translating the latest knowledge in wellness and longevity into practical tools, guidance, and services people can actually use in their lives around the world. Read More>>