What principles do you live by?

We asked the community to tell us about the values and principles that guide their lives and businesses.

Aubrey Fite | Artist & Illustrator

Leave No Trace principles are woven throughout my personal and business practices. I grew up in an outdoorsy family — my brother was in Scouts and with both of my parents as leaders in his troop, I went along for a lot of their trips. Leave No Trace Principles are taught early on in Scouts. I remember lining up single-file at the end of a camping trip, all walking forward in a straight line with our heads down looking for any trash so we could leave the campsite “better than we found it”. Read more>>

Randy Singleterry | Gender: Motorcyclist

I came to a cross roads in my life, as I retired from the United States Air Force after 22 years and 9 months of service to our country. At this time I was moving from Aviano Air Base in Italy, to San Antonio Texas. As I looked for jobs in San Antonio in a variety of career fields I was qualified for, I realized I could take a chance and pursue a passion or go back to the normal life that everyone else lived. Read more>>

Kelsey Jung, Steve Kaschinske, Daniel Stern N/A | (please contact me – there are three of us who run the league)

During the pandemic, all the ball hockey leagues in the Denver area closed their doors with no plans to relaunch post-COVID. As vaccines became more readily available and we adjusted to the new normal, we realized how much we missed playing. Our smaller group started with casual drop-in and pick-up games at public facilities, and then decided to really step it up. We founded Radical Recreation in the summer of 2021. Read more>>

Bunny Bee | Owner of La Burla Bee

Within the first year of my career in burlesque in 2009, I knew if I was ever given an opportunity to open my own Cabaret, I would do it. In fact, I said this several times over the years to peers in Burlesque. The opportunity came up and a proposal was made to me in 2021 on an a space available, and I decided it was time. As an Entrepreneur for the last 20 years, I was ready to take on the challenge. Read more>>

Ric Stovall | Photographer / Director / Podcast Host

Honestly, it’s the only way I know how to do it. I like the freedom of working on things I’m interested in working on and being able to set my own schedule. Sometimes that schedule is full of balance, and includes spending lots of time with my family, pursuing other hobbies and interest, etc. Other times I might be completely underwater with a work schedule that’s way overbooked. But either way, it’s a decision I made on my own terms and not a decision that was dictated by someone else. I have no qualms about working hard and dedicating myself to a project, but I have little patience for the busy work, pointless meetings, and other expectations that seem to make up a lot of today’s job force. Read more>>

Ana Merlino | CEO at Coaching Fusion & Speaker

I used to work for an HHRR Company that had a very small Coaching School. When I started there, there was only one edition every year with about 4 students. By the time I left, there were more than 4 full editions / year with more than 10 students each. The following question started popping up every morning: Why not do it for yourself? I was earning much more than people around my age and had a very comfortable life, but it was not what was making me feel happy. Getting divorced also helped me with the process. If I had made that decision and survived, I could leave the comfort of the company and defy myself into new experiences. Once the idea appeared I started visualizing myself as a freelance and after that, there was no turning back. Read more>>

Emily Rose | Healer & Founder of Luna Circle

I’d been building a spiritual practise for a number of years and I really felt called to start sharing this with others. It really began on such a small scale and was never intended to be my main business and more like a side hustle. I started to lead small events with a couple of friends based around following the cycles of the moon and the events included meditation, journalling and a chance to rest/reflect. As I grew in confidence, I started to open this group out to the public- and was initially all by donation. It then began to grow and grow and now is my full time work. Read more>>

Jennie Burns | Founder, Jennie of the Jungle

I started Jennie of the Jungle because I saw a need to match interested volunteers with wildlife projects around the world. I had a strong network of wildlife projects, having been a traveling volunteer in this field for years starting in college. I volunteered at projects in Peru, Ecuador, Belize, Costa Rica and Thailand, as well as wildlife rehabilitation centers in the US and Europe. So it was easy to set up regular trips to these projects with a group of volunteers in tow! And I know that many people are new to travel or hesitant to travel alone, so decided to lead the trips myself – getting to travel and do the work I love in the process. Read more>>

Lane Kersting | Owner RMD Powersports

When I started RMD (Rocky Mountain Dyno) I, Like many had worked a several different shops with differing operational and management strategies, some good some bad. None of them forced me to start my own business, that came more as a necessity than anything else. My wife and I also run a small cow calf ranching operation and because of that we have agreed to be basically stuck where we are, that being said Gunnison is a beautiful place that most can only dream of living so it wasn’t a hard decision. Read more>>

Christy Sinkey | Director, Instructor and Choreographer

After graduating from CU Boulder in 2000, I jumped into the “next phase” of my life, choosing to teach pre-kindergarten during the day and dance classes at 4 different studios during the evening in Longmont, Niwot, Boulder and Westminster. Needless to say, that schedule was not sustainable. I came to the conclusion that what would be better would be to open my own studio (with my then long time dance teacher turned friend Stephanie Roth) and create a studio that filled in all the gaps and needs that I was witnessing in all the other studios where I was teaching during that time. Read more>>

Janine Pendleton | Certified Peristeam Facilitator & Menstrual Alchemist

I dove into Pelvic Steaming after some infertility hurdles and then the traumatic birth of my first son. Once I learned and developed my practice of steaming, I saw how much of a significant impact it made on my health, sanity, self-esteem, and healing my trauma I knew I needed to share this information with other women and bodies who menstruate. After steaming myself for years, I studied and became a certified Peristeam facilitator. I launched my business in Early 2023 and it fills me with so much joy and passion to see other women taking control of their bodies and menstruation. I am lucky to have a private office I like to call the “Womb Room” where I hold Vaginal Steaming rituals curating a safe and tranquil space to integrate and release. Read more>>

Chloe Weber | Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Entrepreneur

The genesis of Radical Roots was borne out of a deeply personal experience – when my son Remy was diagnosed with an incredibly rare and challenging genetic disorder called STXBP1. This condition manifests itself not just through physical and cognitive disabilities, but also induces intractable epilepsy. In my dual roles as a devoted mother and an experienced Doctor of Chinese Medicine, I felt compelled to find an innovative and holistic way to enhance his development and mitigate his seizures. This journey led me to a deep exploration of hemp. Read more>>

Kyla Lucero | Certified Clinical Esthetician & Acne Specialist

I’ve always struggled with acne prone skin that left me extremely self-conscious. It was for this reason I decided to go to school to become an esthetician and learn everything possible about skin. Upon graduating esthetician school, I dove headfirst into advanced certifications, specializing in acne treatment. It was then that I realized there were very few acne focused facial clinics in Colorado. Not only that, but most of the spas I saw that did offer acne treatments were very expensive. Read more>>

Ashley & Alea LaRocque | Owners, Juniper Mountain House

My wife and I both grew up with an entrepreneurial spirit. Her first job was at the Small Business Development Center in Springfield, MO. I was a freelance videographer and had side hustles shooting videos for local sports teams as a teenager. We have always had the creative drive and spirit to make something from scratch. When we met we both shared a love for hospitality – first it was critiquing restaurants (secret shopping), and then expanded into hotels. Read more>>

Betty Walker | Artist and Teacher

A little over 4 years ago, I was a stay-at-home mother with my two older boys and pregnant with my third. Previously, I had worked in Welfare and was a trained teacher. Both careers are known for being extremely demanding. Being the mother of small children, and having recently relocated across the country, was also very demanding. However, I found it to be isolating too. I started this creative business as a way to interact with the world outside my home. This business allowed me to create something of my own and prioritize my own creativity while also caring for my children. It allowed me to be present for my children while also setting personal goals and deadlines for shows, submissions, murals, teaching classes, and commissions. Read more>>

Christy Lynn | Entrepreneur and Social Media Video creator

The thought process behind starting my own business was always freedom. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and I have never done well in environments that cage me in or limit me. I knew that if I wanted complete freedom in every aspect of my life, that the only way I would be able to obtain it was by controlling every aspect of my life including my career. becoming an entrepreneur has never been about financial gain, and always about my freedom.. Read more>>

Peter Brissette | Website Wrangler

at some point I discovered the 80/20 principle. What I learned from that was that finding ways to make more money in less time was what I wanted to be able to do. I realized working for someone else I would never be able to accomplish that and started the process of finding a business that would be right for me. Read more>>

Nori Rinaldo | Freelance Illustrator & Muralist

While I definitely am intentional now, in the beginning, I never imagined my art journey would turn out like this. I was taking a painting class in college thinking I would just get the required credit out of the way and be done, but I loved it and continued to paint! I was still learning but having fun with this new hobby and started sharing my paintings on social media. I did commissions here and there, and began learning about people who were artists full time and loving their jobs. Consuming content that artists and designers were putting on social media really shattered the “starving artist” stereotype for me. Read more>>

Brendan Stouffer | Photographer, Videographer, and Creative Specialist

My freelance automotive-focused photography and videography business had a seamless start from my young passion for photography and cars. To be honest, there wasn’t much thought behind starting the business, because it really just stemmed from doing what I liked to do in my freetime. What was originally a passionate hobby for me eventually turned into the realization that I was getting good enough to where I felt like I could charge for photos and deliver a product that I was proud of. Read more>>

Ashley Jay | Metalsmith & Jewelry Artist

I have always wanted to work for myself. I never liked the idea of being beholden to a company or of being expendable. Not that that’s always the case but those were my specific fears. I also wanted to love what I do and I figured if I worked for myself ideally it wouldn’t feel like a job all of the time. The idea of schedule flexibility and the freedom to work from wherever I am was also high on my list. I started this soloprenuer journey first as a massage therapist but ironically I never stayed anywhere long enough to build up a loyal clientele base.  Read more>>

Priscilla Negreanu | Networking Expert, Business Connector. Real Estate Development Enthusiast

I knew one day I would have my own business; I just didn’t know the exact timing. Both of my parents owned their own businesses, and I was fortunate enough to see both the advantages and challenges as a business owner. Some might say it was in my blood. Read more>>

Tay Daniels | Certified Life & Business Coach

When I was 23 years old I was working a 9-5 and was pregnant, I knew I just wanted to be able to be at home with my daughter and so I searched high & low with how to work from home. At this point, I had no clue how to run a business & wasn’t thinking I would be a business owner just really wanted a work from home job. I found Virtual Assistanting which was new(er) back then and decided to quit my 9-5 at 7 months pregnant with $100 to my name, no degree, no clients, & no experience to be a General Virtual Assistant. Read more>>

Rebecca Rieck | Cosmetologist

I’ve always wanted to have my own business as a creative person. I wanted to do the cosmetology services that bring me joy. I also knew there where ways to make the experience better for my clients also. I would probably say becoming a mother too helped me know I need control of my schedule so I can balance work and life. Read more>>

Aaron Pilcher, Ben Pilcher, Sue Foster N/A | Aaron & Sue – Product Designer; Ben-Software Developer

The three of us began a collaboration a few years ago. Sue had just sold her first business, Iron Doggy, a company that designed, produced and sold dog leashes for runners. She wanted to apply the lessons learned from that experience to another product. Read more>>

Robert Hanna | Director of Photography / Graphic Designer

My ultimate goal has always been to have the liberty of choosing what kind of clients and projects I work with. While being a freelancer or contractor has its inherent risks, I love the freedom to be able to focus my attention on small businesses, nonprofit organisations, and artists and artisans whose work I respect and admire. It helps keep me motivated to push my creativity to its limit. Read more>>

Robin and Alex Hewes | Founders/Owners

My husband and I started arloom in 2012 after a trip to Guatemala where we fell in love with the culture, colors and textiles. I couldn’t get enough of the beautiful handwoven textiles and Alex appreciated the detailed art and craftsmanship. I cam back from that trip with goods that I gave to my family and friends and many that I kept and used or wore myself. Everyone’s reaction was the same as ours- they loved the beauty and quality. We had no idea that we would start a business based off of this first trip, but things came together and we returned to Guatemala and started making some contacts with weavers and craftsmen and women. Read more>>

Tanya Rogers | Wedding Floral Designer

I have always been a very independent, strong-minded person who likes to take the bull by the horns. Setting goals and seeing them come to fruition, has always been a rewarding experience for me. My father is self-employed and I think in a sense, being an entrepreneur was just something that was engraved in me. It is definitely a very challenging endeavor to take on and requires a lot of discipline, however the results can be very empowering. Read more>>

Nicole Bushhouse | CEO & Founder of Unruffled Travel

I’ve been a traveler for my whole life and ramped up my international traveling over the last decade or so to more off-the-beaten path destinations like Cambodia, Mozambique and Peru. I found that while I love the excitement and novelty of traveling, I also have a lot of anxiety and hyper-vigilance surrounding the experience of travel. Over the past few years, via social media, alongside much of the general public, I am learning more about lesser known traits and expressions of ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and see myself reflected in those traits. Read more>>

Patter Gersuk | Founder/CEO Patterbar, a Denver based whole food energy bar company

In deciding to start the business, I broke it down into the following: 1.I felt there was an opportunity to make something that currently wasn’t available: everyone wants convenience, but there were no whole food energy bars that tasted great on grocery shelves. Read more>>

Kara Johnson Martone | Therapist – Educator – Activist

While growing my therapy practice and looking to bring on additional therapists, I quickly realized that the accepted structure for group practice was based on a hierarchical model. I recognized that not only did I want to serve my clients with respect and equality, I also wanted to build a business that was centered on mutual trust and that transcended inherent power inequities. Read more>>

Saja Butler | Musician and Music Educator

I wanted to give people the Gift of Music without the social construct of an age limit. Most of the people I teach in my studio are 30-70+ years old.
They are either coming into Music for the first time OR returning to Music after many years off. Read more>>

Deena Sveinsson | Wildlife Photographer and Pilot

I have been taking photos since my college days at the University of Washington in Seattle. I was lucky to be attending college during the “grunge years” and that allowed me to photograph bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many others.My photos were showcased in many publications including the Glass Onion and The Stranger. When I graduated college I hung up the camera and trained to become an airline pilot. Read more>>

Luiza Câmara | Attorney

o create my own business, I need to believe in my potential. Then I need to prove that I could help many families solve problems that had consequences. Gradually, I strengthened the idea of ​​being an autonomous lawyer, a liberal professional, owner of my office focusing on Family and Succession Law, with a gender perspective. Read more>>

Liz Bergstrom | Adventure Elopement & Intimate Wedding Photographer

I’ve always known that I wanted to start my own photography business- It was really important for me to have something to reflect myself and my values without anyone else dictating how I presented myself or my business! I want to one day be able to be self sustaining, so that I can travel anywhere, anytime to photograph elopements and weddings. I figured if I worked for myself and had my own business, I was the one who was able to make the rules. So here we are! Read more>>

Kieffer & Shelby | Tall Outdoors Couple

We met and immediately connected on how many hobbies we had in common such as; fishing, hiking, paddleboarding, hunting, and being outdoors as much as possible. We also happened to be super tall, 6’10” and 6’2″, so we wanted to showcase our adventures as a tall, active, outdoorsy couple. Behind showcasing our lifestyle on our Instagram page “ReelTall Outdoors”, we wanted to start a brand for other tall outdoorsmen and women to connect with and rep during their outdoor adventures. Though tall is in the name, we are wanting to be inclusive of all outdoorsy individuals as well. Read more>>

Dani’L Simone | Business Owner

My decision to move towards owning a small business was one that I made with definitive confidence upon graduating from college with my Bachelor of the Arts in Communications/Mass Comm. Read more>>

Jacob Viers | Owner & Operator

I was inspired by eating Cherry Smoked Ribs at a former restaurant in Des Moines, IA called Woody’s Smoke Shack. After tasting a true barbecued rib the bells and whistles started ringing in my head. At the age of 23 spending the money on a full slab of ribs everyday wasn’t in the pocketbook’s best interest. So the desire to learn how to properly make a succulent rib began. The thought of a business only started to form when I moved to Colorado in 2013. That style of rib I was so fascinated with was nowhere to be found in Denver. With the experience I accumulated working for Texas Roadhouse and my love for BBQ I saw an opening! Denver was ahead of the game in comparison to Des Moines’ food truck scene. After strolling through Civic Center Park during Civic Center Eats the idea of the food truck concept popped in my head. Read more>>

Jay Koepke | Beekeeper and photographer

Starting our business, Big Bee Energy, was a monster beyond my control. Two years ago my husband put a honeybee hive in our garden and I didn’t get it. ‘What’s going on? Why are we spending time and money here? I’m getting stung.’ And then I started paying attention to honeybees. To say they are incredible is the understatement of the year. Having beekeeping thrust upon me was like discovering a missing puzzle piece of my life. Read more>>

Justin Choquette | Entrepreneur, Photographer and Social Media Influencer

To build a community of like-minded individuals. Being an entpruner and photographer can be a lonely job, and its an industry that is extremely hard to get into. When I was starting, I knew no one in the industry, and I had to teach myself everything I knew in order to make my dream life a reality. Years later, after finally achieving my dream life, I now have the knowledge to help and teach up-and-coming creators and entrepreneurs to pursue a similar dream. Read more>>

Vito (Big V of Nappy Roots) Tisdale | Music Artist, Actor, CBD Dispensary owner

Knowing that being an entrepeneuris the key to financial freedom and that the best thing to do is to bet on yourself Read more>>