The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Silva Benlian

Starting my own business was not something I thought about since I have been in Executive managment for 25 years. But I am a problem solver by nature and/or sircumstance, so as I encounter problems, I try and come up with solutions for myself and others. Read More>>

 Ryan Hayes

Honestly? Equal parts “I think I can do this better” and “well, here goes nothing.” I knew I was already losing sleep over creative work, UX flows, and tiny brand details no one else noticed — so I figured, why not do it for myself? I wanted to build something with a little less red tape, a little more soul, and a lot more caffeine. Plus, if I was going to obsess over the perfect kerning at 2AM, I at least wanted it to be for something that had my name on it. A Pretty Big Deal started as an idea… and somehow turned into an actual, living, breathing thing fueled by stubbornness and really good coffee. Read More>>

Nichole England

The thought process behind starting my own makeup business came from a deep passion for beauty and empowering others to feel confident in their own skin. After working in the industry for over 18 years—13 of those with MAC and five as a regional trainer—I realized how much I loved connecting with people and teaching them how to enhance their natural beauty. I wanted more freedom to express my artistry, build my own brand, and create a life where I could balance doing what I love with being present for my family. Starting my business was about stepping into my purpose, owning my talent, and creating something that truly reflects who I am—not just as an artist, but as a woman, a mother, and a visionary. Read More>>

Alyx Allen

Entrepreneurship was never part of my original plan. My great-grandfather was an entrepreneur, and growing up, I often heard the challenges he faced—stories that made the path seem daunting. However, I like to say that The Selfish Contract found me. After graduate school, I quickly realized that I didn’t fit the mold of a “typical” therapist. I felt called to support women like myself in a more personal and authentic way. Plus, I have a very ‘ let’s get shit done,’ kind of attitude and it wasn’t really working in the office setting ( lol). Starting my own business allowed me to create meaningful impact on my own terms, while also prioritizing motherhood and my personal goals. Read More>>

Vinny Wilson

Honestly, it never felt like a moment where I sat down and decided, ‘I’m going to start a business.’ It’s just always been in me. Whether it was selling Pokémon games in elementary school, running a sticker business in middle school, or pitching a solar panel idea to Nissan after high school, it’s always been about finding ways to build something from nothing.

I grew up watching my parents work three jobs to create opportunities, and that left a huge impression on me. I knew early that if I wanted to create the kind of life I pictured, I had to bet on myself. Starting my own business wasn’t really a decision — it was more of a path that kept unfolding naturally the more I kept pushing toward it. Seeing the modern soda category grow and grow, I truly felt the next generation was neglected within the space. And that’s exactly what NO CAP! Soda Pop is, a soda pop for the #NextGen. Read More>>

Wendy Samano

After culinary school I knew I had found my passion which was baking; soon after I had the idea to create a simple menu and put it on social media for people to see what I had to offer. People liked it and began ordering cakes. It felt right and I loved staying creative, it was a dream. Read More>>

Robert Hansen

I wouldn’t say that it was a conscious thought process. I would say it was more of a journey, following my bliss, and honoring what makes me happy and whole. That’s the true journey of an artist – to make discoveries about yourself and the world.

I was fortunate in my career, starting a photography business, because in this career there are also numerous avenues to make a living other than just being a fine artist. Read More>>

Griffin Montgomery

While I was in photography school and even for years after graduating, I was very determined to not start my own business. After many years, struggling to find any job even remotely related to photography, and being incredibly unhappy bouncing from job to job, I contemplated the possibility of starting my own business. During this thought process, my grandmother passed away and it really sparked inspiration that life is too short and so why should I waist my time working jobs I don’t like or care about. I love taking photos and at the time I found myself not even holding a camera. So I just took the leap, quit my job and started cold calling companies. And here we are, ten years later. Read More>>

 Alli Cox

I have always known I’ve wanted to start my own business. I knew I wanted to be my own boss and create my own hours. I’ve always been one to think up business ideas. When I picked up my camera and my friends were getting engaged, it all clicked that this is what I wanted to do with my life! Read More>>

Kawser Khan

I started my business journey by producing a music video in Los Angeles in 2017. The music video experience developed into a nationwide business objective to revolutionize how companies obtain top-tier visual content. In 2019, I left college and devoted every ounce of my effort to developing Beige as a brand. I pursued my dream to reshape the content creation sector because I want to solve real problems, while my principle became “Business clarity emerges from actual work instead of thinking processes.” Read More>>

Yuta Matsumoto

When I moved to the U.S. from Japan in 2012, I never imagined I would one day open my own salon here. After working as a salon manager for five years, I began to notice a common challenge in the industry: many hairstylists were working independently, with little sense of teamwork or community. There was also a lack of structured education and hands-on training for assistants and junior stylists. Because of that, I saw so many talented individuals struggle to build their clientele — and unfortunately, many ended up leaving the industry altogether. Read More>>

Ashley Jabara

My thought process behind starting my own business was, how can I use my gifts to help people? I wanted to create balance and harmony for others in the way I was able to for myself on my own healing journey. Read More>>

Bahman Mehabadi

I’m Bahman Mehabadi, violinist, music teacher and composer, and also the founder and director of SOL Music Center. Thank you for making this chance for me to be talking about the great passion of my life, music.

I have always liked to make things. Fortuitous opportunity came in two critical ways to set me on my path. First was a patron- a client at an art bronze foundry I was working at asked if I would be interested in creating an original fountain for her home. This set me on my path to being free lance instead of an hourly employee. Second was a work space to create things in. My friend and I created a lot of art molds working free lance and out of our garages. My friend suggested we get a professional studio to work in..  Read More>>