Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Benjamin Mueller | Blue Collar Chief Financial Officer & Someone That Cares For Your Business

I had spent many years working for large corporations where I felt, my only purpose, was to help those that had, get more while the worker bees struggled to make it. In 2008, I made the leap to start helping small to mid-sized businesses build accounting departments that didn’t just provide information for filing taxes, but to truly dig in and help them move their businesses move forward and build something that they may not have expected in terms of success. Read more>>

Renee Patrick | Long-Distance Trail Consultant

I had been developing the long-distance hiking route, the 750-mile Oregon Desert Trail, for seven years, and at the same time had been hiking trails and creating resources for them because what I wanted didn’t exist. I was also offering other long-distance trails advice and volunteering to help them create hiking materials. Read more>>

Amber Heine | Sanctuary Manager & Board Member (aka – servant to the animals)

In the beginning, I was only looking to volunteer to spend time with animals. Broken Shovels was a emerging goat dairy that specialized in artisan goat cheese and yogurt. I quickly became attached to the animals and supported Andrea Davis’ mission. Over the years, working as a dairy and breeding goats, people and local shelters reached out to Broken Shovels to take their unwanted animals. Read more>>

Emmanuel Barron | Entrepreneur

I was born and raised in Colorado and I am a passionate outdoorsman. I especially love to hunt big game in the backcountry. When I became a father, I knew that I wanted to pass on the great tradition of backpack hunting to my three boys. They are currently still elementary age and I figured I can start taking them out on day hunts. Read more>>

Will White | Fashion Designer and Illustrator

fter trying to “quit” fashion a few times, I realized it was the one thing that I couldn’t truly stay away from. Inspiration was constantly following me and it was then that I knew I had to get serious about starting it as a business for myself. Read more>>

Joey Walsch | Master Thrifter

My husband and I started our own reselling business in the Fall of 2021, right before we got married, with the intention of recouping some wedding costs. We are avid thrifters and also love the niche style of funky thrifted vintage sweaters whether they be neon 90s or vintage holiday, we love it ALL! We found there is definitely a market out there for those who love them too! Read more>>

Casandra Shell | Owner of Sumu Wellness, Reiki Practitioner & Yoga Instructor

When thinking about starting my own business it really began with the thought of how can I share the things that have personally helped me in my healing and wellness journey, things that I feel passionate about and can helps others at the same time. I wanted to create a space that promotes healing, balance and wellness on all levels, mind, body and spirit. Read more>>

India K. Easley | Owner & CEO

Ahh that’s a good question. I simple do not like to be micromanaged and I’m sure many people feel the same exact way. I have always wanted to own my own company. I wanted to be the one in charge of the work that I complete. I wanted to be able to control my work life and the best way to do this is to start your own business. Read more>>

Alex Tsocanos | Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Artist & Educator

Nina Alexandra Nutrition Consulting is a holistic health coaching and education service that stems from my artistic practice and passion for creating accessible healthcare, especially when it comes to reproductive health. Many of my artistic projects focus on empowering people to take ownership over their bodies and inspire self-determination. Read more>>

Michael Barry | Corporate Law Attorney

The decision to establish my own law firm was rooted in a strategic blend of professional aspirations and a deep commitment to providing unparalleled legal services to our clients. I recognized that in the legal landscape, there was a unique opportunity to build a firm that not only excelled in legal expertise but also fostered a culture of innovation and personalized attention. Read more>>

Anthony Estrada | Owner of ANT Sales Company, amigo to all 🙂

I remained loyal to the company I worked with for 11 years. I couldn’t bear the thought of working for the competition, but I was ready to move on. I wanted to leverage my skills, knowledge, and industry experience to my advantage, so I began the hunt for a new opportunity Read more>>

Chris Jaubert | Principal Architect

There wasn’t a singular reason for starting my own business, rather a culmination of many influencing factors that drove me to do so. I felt I had gained enough professional experience and I knew how to manage client’s expectations. I had also formed manyvaluable relationships across the industry, so I knew I had a number of reliable resources to rely on for references. Read more>>

Crystal Speier | Modern Day Witch & Healer

Originally when I began this journey it was to have an online presence. Offer witchy tips and spells, tarot readings and handmade products. Little did I know life had much bigger things in store for me. I started an Instagram account as an online “Book of Shadows” and that community blew up almost overnight! Read more>>

Kyle Dodgion | MS, RDN

I grew up in a mixed race family with ties to Japanese food and culture on my mom’s side and an all-American father from Texas. In addition, I grew up as a closeted gay boy in a conservative city in Colorado. I didn’t fit in and always felt I was too Asian for the white kids, too white for the few Asian kids in school, and too gay to function (Mean Girls reference), but I found creativity and drive in my love of food. Read more>>

Sarah Thomas | Cat Cafe Owner and Cat enthusiast

I wanted to help more cats get adopted. Especially those who have a harder time getting adopted. This includes black cats, seniors, shy cats, bonded pairs, and medical needs. If these cats could be seen in an open and calm environment I just knew they would have a higher success rate. Read more>>

Judith Schwartz | Copy editor providing editing, proofreading, writing

After Peace Corps and world travel in the 1960s, then coming to Denver, two children to support, with the boys and I being the first residents of Warren Village, the first single-parent housing in the U.S., I became a court reporter and deposition taker, putting out transcripts of major Denver personalities in the political, real estate, construction and medical fields, I then worked in crime victim assistance, including with the police and developing crime prevention materials. Read more>>

Michelle Chait | Branding, Headshot, and Senior Portrait Photographer

I had always been a worker bee and never intended to start my own business. I was working as an occupational therapist in the public school system when the pandemic began and, with all the school closures and everything shutting down, I suddenly had more time on my hands. I decided to use that time creatively and began experimenting with photography after many years of not picking up a camera (aside from my cell phone). Read more>>

Jordan Norman | 500 hour Certified Yoga Instructor, Usui Reiki Practitioner & Certified Fertility Awareness Method Educator

I had always been a “side gig” girl… graduating with a bachelors in business, I worked a formal 9-5 in software for 6 years. I taught yoga alongside my 9-5 for 5 years, however, the “side gigs” kept entering my life. Life experiences led me to The Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) in 2020, and I became a certified Fertility Awareness Educator in 2022 – teaching women how to chart their cycles as a natural form of birth control. Read more>>

Joel Raether | Strength and Conditioning Specialist

Hunt Hike Harvest was born under the premise that there is a need and place for evidence based physical training that needs to be brought into the forefront of the outdoor industry. The physical demand that big game western hunting requires is very high and our expertise in strength and conditioning can be utilized to improve performance for those who desire to enrich their experience in the woods. Read more>>

Daniel | Traveler & Photographer

I first started “The Backpacking Sapien” to fill a gap in the travel field that I had noticed. So many people seemed to enjoy traveling but often disregarded the cultural aspects of travel. Because I had an anthropology background, I could show people how to slow down and notice these cultural aspects when they travel. Read more>>

Shabana Kauser | Visual Artist

I create detailed, realistic oil paintings that include portraits and still life work, where I capture traditional South Asian fabrics, jewelry and realistic skin tones and features. My art has allowed me to connect with communities throughout the US, share my voice, experience and culture. I have met people from a variety of backgrounds that are seeking hope, inspiration and authentic representation of South Asian culture in the arts. Read more>>

Ryan Gore | Bike Builder

I was forced into it. I left building custom motorcycles as a profession in 2009 and just did it as a hobby while I worked as a Robotics Mechanic in the oilfield. In 2016 I started building bikes full time again but got lured back to the oilfield in 2020 just in time to be laid off due to the pandemic. After that I decided this is what I’m going to do. No matter what. Read more>>

Carly Kewley | Brand Designer and CEO

It sorta just formed on its own in a natural progression. My first business/step into entrepreneurship was called ArtByCarly, which is where I sold my original artworks. Then Is tarted to add graphic and brand design to those services as well as photography. Read more>>

Susie Lynn | Blogger

Having been a retail manager for years, I knew that I wanted to do something that wouldn’t take me away from my family on nights, weekends, and holidays as retail does. I ruminated over what skills I already have that I could turn into a business. I have my Bachelor’s Degree from C.U. Boulder in English and have always loved to write. Read more>>

Erica Ryan | Sexual wellness, Health and Beauty

I just left my two youngest children’s dad because he was abusive. I was used to having two incomes to pay bills and now I was on my own with three kids who depended on me. I was bound and determined my children’s needs and wants were met. I just needed to find a second job that was really flexible. Read more>>