The Early Days: why did you start a business

Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

David Nana Opoku Ansah | Imagemaker & Director

I wanted to tell unconventional stories within the context of Accra, where I grew up. Most of the imagemaking I encountered was highly polished and event-focused. I sought to capture something different—stories about how people use their spaces and the often-overlooked narratives of the minority. Read more>>

Emin Sinanyan | Artist, designer and digital marketing specialist

Starting my design agency was a natural progression for me. With a background in traditional art and a love for design, I found myself gravitating towards digital art as a hobby. Being familiar with the industry, I decided to turn my passion into a business. My main drive was the ability to unleash creativity and assist businesses in expressing their distinct identities through design. Witnessing the profound influence that good design has on a brand’s success served as a constant reminder of why I took the leap. Read more>>

Katie | Andie | Gabi | Food Influencers

We decided to start food_for_the_foodies because we wanted to mix up working our typical 9-5’s. We met at our first job out of college and were commuting at least 2 hours per day. We felt like we needed something to break up the week and not feel like we were living for the weekends. We all had a love for all things food and how it could bring together a group of people. Read more>>

Rebecca Lynne Morley | Musical Artist/DJ, Model &, Actress

There was not much thought process behind starting my own business. As an artist, I try not to think too much. I try to just feel. I believe that is what artists are meant to do; feel things, & then translate those feelings via their medium. My medium is sound & vision, so music & the internet/anything you can see whether it is moving images (film), still images (photos), a light show, or a real life human. I am neurodivergent, & after I graduated from University, I tried working in an office. While there, I realised that I could not survive in a structured environment. Read more>>

Jonnathan Guerrero | Footwear Designer

I have friends who are avid sports fans, and they often invite me to major sporting events—whether it’s basketball, soccer, or football—the designer in me immediately thinks about what I am going to wear, especially my shoes. At the time I couldn’t find anything that resonated with me or fit my style beyond gameday. Most options were either luxury items that were extremely expensive and not readily available or poorly made with no real design aesthetic.  Read more>>

William Hung | Entertainer & Speaker

I am passionate about math and data analysis. I want to use these talents to help more people find their voice using data science and AI. Read more>>

Ashley Covington, M.d. Abpn Aboim | Integrative Holistic Psychiatrist

My decision to become a psychiatrist was deeply rooted in personal experience. At the tender age of 11, I endured the devastating loss of my grandmother, who was murdered in a violent robbery. Shortly after her memorial service, my uncle tragically took his own life. This traumatic event profoundly impacted my life, leading me to seek solace and support through psychotherapy during my impressionable teenage years. It was through this personal journey that I discovered the transformative power of mental health resources and felt a deep calling to help others navigate similar challenges. Read more>>

Mfon Ekpe-dancy | Entrepreneur, Registered Nurse

My initial thought process was, “maybe I should sell this to everyone”. As I have evolved in business and entrepreneurship, I believe starting a business gives you control, time freedom, is an act of service and helps you have impact. Read more>>

Mr Stay Blessed Jamaal Lewis | Model/Actor/CEO of Stay Blessed Clothing line

In all honesty, there was no thought process. It was a life shifting situation that happened, and the message saved my life and brought me out of a very dark time in my journey. Read more>>

Mikael Mutti | Piano / keyboard player & Music Producer

I think an artist doesn’t have a super solid thought process behind starting a professional career. In my opinion, the Art is an essential part of the artist’s life, in a way that it would be impossible to be happy working with something else. I started my music life playing with friends, and suddenly it turned into something more serious professionally. Then it was the period that I had to start to make solid plans to my career.  Read more>>

Michael Angelo Dimatulac | DJ Artist & Turntablist

My thought process behind starting my own business stemmed from wanting to explore something I never had the time for before. The pandemic gave me the opportunity to reconnect with a passion I had since I was young—music. It all began with me making mixes in my bedroom, curating sounds that reflected the culture I grew up with and sharing them in a way that felt unique. Once I started gaining traction and people showed interest in booking me, I realized this could be something more. That’s when I launched my brand ‘MAZD,’ an abbreviation of my full name, and it’s grown into what it is today. Read more>>

Myriam Blankaert | Cabaret performer – French songstress

I just want to do something I like. It keeps me on my toes, and I think I’m pretty good at it. Read more>>

Gosia Steele | Gosia Steele, Founder of Gosha’s Organics and Holistic Wellness Advocate.

Starting my own business was a deeply personal journey, rooted in my passion for holistic health and well-being. For years, I had been exploring natural remedies and the power of plants, and I realized that I wanted to share the benefits of these ancient practices with others. The decision to start Gosha’s Organics came from a desire to create products that embody my philosophy of harmony between body, mind, and nature. I wanted to offer something pure, natural, and effective, something that could genuinely make a difference in people’s lives. Read more>>

Eric Sohrabian | Smash Burger Food Truck

My inspiration came from a family recipe that I surprised my girlfriend one day when she went to work. I wanted to transform that dish into something new, and that’s how the idea for a smash burger was born. I started experimenting with marination and created a unique sauce to enhance the flavors. I also focused on sourcing fresh ingredients, like potatoes and locally sourced vegetables, to ensure quality and support small businesses and getting the best quality ingredients. It’s all about bringing together flavors that remind me of home while creating something innovative. Read more>>

Melina Chadbourne | Actor and Podcaster

It’s a tale as old as time. Girls grow up together. Girls move away for work. Girls miss each other and love movies. A podcast is born. We are three Bostonians cousins who grew up together, but now all of us live in different parts of the country. One day, one of us texted the group and asked, what if we started a podcast? We were all in! Our next challenge was to figure out what it was going to be about. We quickly decided it had to be about movies because all we did as kids was throw blankets and pillows on the floor, grab some unhealthy snacks, and put on a movie. We knew nothing else. Read more>>

Hugo Will | Cinematographer

To be honest, there wasn’t a single moment where I consciously decided, “I’m going to start a business.” It was much more organic than that. I’ve always had a deep passion for visual storytelling and cinematography. It began as a hobby—something I would do for fun, experimenting with cameras and capturing moments that intrigued me. Over time, this hobby became more than just a pastime. Read more>>

Kevin Avery | Fine Art Photographer

So, I started this business with my father, not too long into the beginning of the pandemic when my previous career pretty much slowed to a halt. It was initially something I was going to do on the side to provide some extra income for my family. However, after about 12 months of traveling around art shows and galleries I was able to make it my full-time career. I had one print in particular that sold enough to take it from a part time job to a full-time career…so my dad and I decided to name it “Nine to Five” since it allowed me to quit my nine to five job! Read more>>

Sharon Repass | Proprietor

After spending years working in the entertainment industry in a variety of roles, I decided to embark on a new adventure and started my own bookkeeping business. It kept me busy for nearly two decades, offering the perfect balance while raising my children and allowing me the freedom to pursue a variety of artistic endeavors; graphic design, acting, you name it. But I still longed for something different, something more fulfilling. Read more>>

Natalie Kaye | n/a

“What was your thought process in deciding to join the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation team as an Executive Director? I was recruited by the Foundation, and as I moved through the process I was inspired by the significant progress the Foundation had already made in the Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis space…and I found groundwork they were laying for the future impressive. Read more>>

Layla & Brian Anonymous | Hosts of The Masked Swingers Podcast

We wanted to “unmask” a lifestyle that’s often whispered about but rarely spoken of openly. The Masked Swingers Podcast was born from our desire to not only share our own adventures in non-monogamy and kink but also to create a space where people can laugh, learn, and explore the exciting and sometimes taboo world of alternative relationships. Plus, who doesn’t love a little mystery? We keep it masked, but nothing is off-limits when it comes to real conversations and candid stories! Read more>>

C.j. Walworth | Spec screenplay writer at www.GatFinger.com

My name is C.J. Walworth. My spec screenplay, ORTEGA HIGHWAY, is a neo-noir/film-noir, romantic-comedy casino caper. It placed well in a few top five contests, and won Finalist at the U.K.’s Page-Turner. My website, www.GatFinger.com, holds my spec screenplay scripts, artwork and related. Please take a look. In 1980, I won a red ribbon for my video FEEDBACK at the O.C. Fair. At that time, I chose the path of software development, but I kept a foot in the door with unpublished scripts and related literary works. Later in life, I picked-up my mom’s favorite pen and began writing in earnest. Family lore was my focus. Read more>>