Thinking through the first steps of starting a business

Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Yijia Sun | Director & Producer & Writer

Before entering the film industry, I conformed to my parents’ expectations by obtaining dual degrees in Management and Finance from business school. Despite this academic success, my passion was always elsewhere. Read more>>

Catt Yiu | Yoga, Pilates & Meditation Instructor

My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by the desire for full autonomy over my time and efforts. I aimed to have the freedom to pursue my interests, delve deeper into subjects I was passionate about, and achieve mastery of my choosing. Read more>>

Jessica Lucero | Dog Treat Maker & Nurse

Our dog Kobe passed away in June of 2021 at 14 1/2 years old. He was my husband and my oldest child’s first dog. It was really hard on us as a family and I remember thinking about all the times I made him treats over the years from scratch and on his birthday , a dog friendly cupcake or cake. Read more>> 

Summer Machelle | Tattoo Artist and Owner of Summer Machelle Studios

I knew I wanted to open my own private studio early on into my career. I wanted a space that was different from your standard tattoo shop. Something elevated and welcoming for my clients, especially now as the Industry is shifting. Read more>>

Ariadna Murillo | Photographer and Creative Director

Throughout my photography career, I’ve learned several valuable lessons that have shaped my approach to work and life. One crucial lesson stands out above the rest: the importance of advocating for yourself and your work. Read more>>

Natara Easter | Actor

Initially, it was Guy Nardulli and Aidan Bristow’s idea to start First Take Acting Studios. They really had a passion for providing an open and safe space for serious actors to hone their craft. Read more>>

Caitlin Meek | Trauma Informed Pilates Instructor, Nuero Coach & Akashic Practitioner

I had a desire to be of service and support people. Currently my business has different offerings, but I started out teaching Pilates one on one. I came to Pilates at age 27 during a painful time in my life, not long after my then partner committed suicide in our home. Read more>>  

Johnathan Kristen | Salon Owner/ Artist

After training & working under other Owner/Artists, there came a point where I wanted to pursue my own creative direction on my own terms. I wanted to create a Dope space where my guests & i could be our authentic selves. Read more>>

Ashley Faison | Resume and Interview Workshop Host

Having had a business mindset since I was in middle school, selling handmade keychains and jewelry during lunch break I have always looked for innovative ways to generate income. I’ve had several business endeavors and believe the entrepreneurial spirit is just in me.  Read more>>

Brianna Schwartz Alexis Schreiber | Co-founder & Partner, Schwartz & Schreiber

Music has always been core to our lives and we both knew from a young age that we wanted to be involved in the industry. Entertainment law allowed us the opportunity to combine our passion for music and creativity with a career in the legal field.  Read more>>

Yu-Hsin( Angel) Lin | Music Composer & Pianist

Yu-Hsin Lin (Angel Lin) has been deeply involved in the music scene for over 20 years, starting from her childhood with classical music training in Asia. That early experience sparked her passion for creating music. Read more>>

Jolene Bibian | President & Benefits Consultant

I’ve always had an entrepreneur mindset. Which comes from my innate yearning to be independent. My mom refers to my first day of kindergarten when all the kids were crying and not wanting their parents to leave them. There I was waving, “bye mom!” and off I went. I can remember from a young age thriving on structure and creativity – always looking for a better yet more enjoyable way to do things.  Read more>>

Miranda Seim | Founder of Ruminant Hat Co.

In October 2021, I kicked off the Ruminant Hat Co. website after leaving my job at a non-profit in Bozeman. Feeling a bit drained from all the social work, I was itching to dive back into my art. I’d been making hats for friends on the side for a while, and after some successful stints at art markets, I decided to go all-in on my own business.  Read more>>

Ashley George | Permanent Jewelry Artist

As long I can remember, I’ve had the strong desire to have something of my own. I knew I wanted an outlet that would fill my social and creative cups, so to speak. I am a full-time working mom of two, but I felt like I had space for more. I came across permanent jewelry and after months and months of research and planning, I jumped in feet first. Read more>>

Carolina Lizarazo | Award-winning Actor, Model, Philanthropist, Medical Aesthetician & Founder of Caruna Med Spa & Laser Center

When I reflect on my journey from being an actress and model to becoming the founder of Caruna Med Spa & Laser Center, my thought process was driven by a deep passion for empowering individuals to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin.  Read more>>

Jonah Kramer | Owner & Baker of Whisk & Roll Cookie Shop

My thought process was simple; I wanted to create a product that had all the amazing qualities of a great cookie but without all the unnecessary additives and preservatives found in your everyday cookie.  Read more>>

Lisa Hickey | CEO & Publisher, The Good Men Project

I’m a sucker for a great idea. So when I talked to a venture capitalist who said he wanted to help “spark an international conversation about the changing roles of men in the 21st century” — I knew that was a great idea. A business plan, a round of seed money and 12 years later — and it’s still a great idea. Read more>>

Miki Perani Kiss C.Ht. | Certified Hypnotherapist and Master Hypnostist

The decision to start my own business, Kiss Hypnotherapy, stems from a culmination of personal experiences, professional expertise, a very unique and mixed background, and a profound belief in the transformative powers of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Read more>>

Diana Garcia | Global Philanthropist, Fashion Designer & Author

House of Darlings is not just a thread, we are a community and a movement that inspires others to believe that they can change the world. It didn’t start off as a fashion brand but rather I launched it as a holding place for all of my creative ideas that embody the single mission of helping those in need. Read more>> 

Crystal B. | Professional Astrologer & Astro therapist

I grew up with astrology and continually saw how my father would help people by looking at their charts. When I was younger, I never saw myself working with astrology professionally but all of that changed when I had my daughter almost 18 years ago.  Read more>>

De’Shawn Lyles | Service Expansion Coach

Well first a few different factors behind me starting my own Business. 1. One was inspired by a book I read “Think like a Success, Act like a Success.” by Steve Harvey. Through Steve lenses, I was able to see a vision of my own Entrepreneurial journey that until then was only a an idea. Read more>> 

Jesikah Stolaroff | Chef and Restaurant owner

I never considered much about the business aspect, but I knew from a young age I wanted to have a place where I could feed people. I started playing “restaurant” with my sister when I was about 7 years old, and we would write up a menu, sit by the window table in the living room, and serve very basic things we knew how to cook, like top ramen.  Read more>>

Amanda Vazquez | Actress & Voice Teacher

I was living on Cape Cod after I graduated from College, and at first, I wanted to find a new hobby. I joined UpWork and LinkedIn in the hopes of finding a job that could benefit me in the performing arts. I was primarily looking for assistant jobs in the casting field or assistant directing jobs in the area. Read more>>

Randal Kamradt | Writer/Director

Staring Soliloquy Films and making films independently was a decision that essentially had no thought process. I just had no belief, at least at the beginning of my career, that anybody would give me the chance to make films, other than myself. The most natural thing in the world was to start making films with whatever resources were at hand. Read more>>