Starting a business can be terrifying. Weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and other considerations can be so overwhelming that often promising entrepreneurs stop before they even start. We asked some phenomenal entrepreneurs about their thought process behind starting their own businesses. Our hope is that by making the thought-process less intimidating we can help more folks think through whether they should take an entrepreneurial leap.

Paris Gandara

TapeTox was born out of one of the most difficult chapters of my life. I was a mom of a two year old and a newborn dealing with serious health challenges, in and out of hospitals, and navigating a health emergency that felt completely out of my control. During that time, I noticed the toll it was taking—not just on how I felt, but on how I looked. My face felt tired, inflamed, and worn down. I had lines across my forehead overnight. I didn’t recognize myself. Read More>> 

Gabby Garduno

Honestly, it was unintentional at first. I had worked at a chiropractic office for years, and part of my role involved doing mobile massage for some of their clients, as well as building a small client base of my own. Then the pandemic hit, and like so many others, I suddenly wasn’t able to work at the office. I continued seeing clients independently where I could, and because so many places were shut down, there was a real demand for mobile services. Read More>>

Nicole Vega

Baking has always been a part of who I am. My love for it began when I was just seven years old, standing on a step stool next to my grandma in her kitchen. She was born in Mexico and had a deep love for baking that she passed on to me. Even as I built a career in the corporate world starting in 2010, I always knew I wanted to one day create something of my own that felt more fulfilling. Baking remained my creative outlet, a way to share treats with family, friends and coworkers. Read More>> 

John Gil

The thought process behind starting my own business was deeply personal. I’m a first-generation Colombian-American, and growing up, I watched my dad run his own business, it left a strong impression on me. That entrepreneurial drive felt almost innate, like it was part of who I was meant to be. Read More>> 

Kyla

I started my business because I needed help! I was trying to work in a law firm while manage a new podcast and I was over my head with work and tasks. I created templates and outlines to make sense of the task load and see where I could find shortcuts. Well, the shortcut was streamlining the processes and hiring an assistant to complete the tasks that didn’t require my immediate attention. Once I had an additional set of hands, I could see how other business owners could benefit from my processes and I talked about it on social media for over a year before attracting my dream client. You don’t have a business until you have a paying client, so at that point I knew I was onto something. Read More>> 

Amy Castro

I started this business to create a space where the people in my community could come together to express themselves, learn, and grow.

I saw a real need for a place that genuinely supports local artists, photographers, and creatives at every level. All Facez Studio was built to be more than just a studio—it’s a platform for creativity, collaboration, and culture. Whether you’re picking up a camera for the first time or showcasing your work for the hundredth, this space was made for you! I want this to feel like a creative home–full of energy, opportunity, and endless possibilities. Read More>> 

Glenroy Brown

The thought process behind starting Aivara Advisory was rooted in ownership, control, and clarity. I was tired of seeing businesses—especially mid-sized ones—drown in complexity and inefficiency. I’ve been in rooms where the wrong people made decisions, where talent was underutilized, and where systems were outdated. I knew I could build something smarter. Read More>> 

Lucy Grey

The Skin Specialist Medical Aesthetics is all about creating a personalized experience where each patient’s natural beauty is enhanced, not altered or exaggerated. What really makes us different is the focus on careful and thoughtful treatments that respect each person’s unique features and goals. I’m proud that my patients trust me to deliver results that look natural and help them feel confident, not overdone. Read More>> 

Giorgio Suighi

Looking back, my thought process behind starting my own photography business was truly a culmination of a lifelong passion and a strategic application of my professional background.

It all began with my childhood summers in Valtellina, where I first connected with a camera and developed a deep, intrinsic desire to capture the emotions I was feeling in a medium. Read More>> 

Jaden Forman

When people ask me what inspired Sippin818, my mind always goes back to a small café in Takayama, Japan — and a simple handwritten note taped to the window:

“This is a small café run by an elderly couple. My husband, who takes great care and joy in his coffee, is carefully preparing your drink with all his heart. We apologize for any possible wait time, but we can assure you that our cappuccinos are delicious — and definitely worth the wait.
Sincerely, Pop and Nana.” Read More>> 

Gabriella Labi

Starting Gato was never just about creating a product – it was about reclaiming what indulgence could look and feel like. As someone deeply rooted in the health and wellness world, I was constantly coming up against this tension between clean eating and craving indulgence. So much of what we’re told to avoid in pursuit of “wellness” is actually what connects us to culture, pleasure, and memory. I didn’t want to choose between nourishment and enjoyment – I wanted both. Read More>> 

Jonathan Grimm

It started simple with a sequence of thoughts that went like this: we have a problem with retirement > the financial industry does not have a solution for it > we need to fix this > I better come up with a solution. Like most businesses, you find a large problem and offer the solution. In one sense my business is financial services and there are a lot of those places. It is like Starbucks being on every corner. I decided that the way the industry operates makes people poor and that needs to be flipped on its head. Read More>> 

Hunter Pritchett

I decided to become a therapist after working as a chef for 20 years, realizing that my values and priorities had changed-spurred by COVID, becoming a parent, and the brutal economics of working in the hospitality industry. I had achieved my dream; opening a big, loud, fun, and cool restaurant in a hip neighborhood for LA. It had a been a long road to get there, and I’d already worked in about every aspect of the culinary world in an attempt to “make it,” and once I had it, it was killing me. Read More>>