Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Dylan Shaffer

Truthfully, it was a bit of an accident. I certainly didn’t set out to start a business originally. In 2015, I was fresh out of seminary and working part-time as a pastor. I had previous experience in the trades, so I filled the rest of my schedule by working for a handyman and light remodeling service. We did decent work, but we constantly missed timelines and regularly increased prices on clients mid-project. Over the course of the next year, I found myself thinking, “we could do this a better way.” When the owner was not receptive to the changes I proposed, I decided to set out on my own and have not looked back since. Read more>>

Meg Nicolet

In January of 2020, I started staying home full time with my sons (now ages 8, 6, 4 and 2). I stepped away from a career I loved in sales and marketing, but knew I wanted to spend the next season as a stay-at-home mom. Which ended up being very good timing with the pandemic hitting the world just a couple months later. Now over four years later, I’ve been dreaming about how I might apply my skills and passions toward something I love, but can still manage with young children at home. I love engaging with people, business development and have a heart for entrepreneurship. I also studied art in college and love the creative arts.  Read more>>

Aidan Wren

I think that any good entrepreneur sees a problem and starts a business to solve that problem. That’s what we did with Mile High Mixologists. I’m at the age with I go to three to ten thousand weddings a summer. A couple of years ago I was standing in that dreaded start of reception drink line at a friends wedding talking to another friend who had gotten married the year prior. He was lamenting to me about how at his wedding the bartenders were tasked with making two speciality drinks, a Moscow Mule and an Old Fashioned. I remember him saying “We kept it that easy for them and they still f*****d it up”. This is when I got the idea to start Mile High Mixologists and bring a collective of full-time professional bartenders to your events. There are two great advantages that show when we work an event versus a competitor, our bartenders efficiency and competency but even more importantly, our hospitality. Read more>>

Tim Mcmanaman | Inventor and owner of the Lipzi brand

I never really intended to start my own business initially. A few years ago, I came up with the idea of a straw that would not require pursing of the lips. I created a proto-type and shared the idea with my family. My wife, Annie, and my three daughters all thought the straw invention was a great idea, so we designed the actual product, filed for a patent and trademarks and started selling the product on Amazon. The demand for our anti-wrinkle straw has been amazing. Read more>>

Christopher Valenzuela | Photographer

All of my life ive been driven artistically. I started painting and drawing from a young age, drawing became part of my identity and it kind of defined me for a long period of time, from elementary through middle and into high school all I did was draw and paint. My grand father inspired me, he was an actor and a painter from England and I used to spend hours watching him paint, it was inspiring, and contagious. As i got into high school I became very active in the art scene locally from my high school doing local shows and even through to a couple museum expos. I started teaching art through a school program called the “Urban Art Movement” to elementary and middle schools and through out the remainder of high school illustration and painting stayed, but I started with other mediums as well.  Read more>>

Demian Rivera | Tattoo and mixed media artist.

Starting a business is a process of chaos and organization. Finding the balance is the really hard part. Like any business it will hard at first it takes time and its not for everybody. From self employed to running a company . A ton of moving parts all at once . Read more>>

Nate Castner | Action Sports Photographer & Videographer

Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved documenting action and adventure. I remember using the family camcorder in middle school to film my friends skateboarding and compiling videos of our successful tricks. Around 15 years passed before I really re-inspired this passion when I moved to Boulder, Colorado. While keeping my eye on gig sites like Craigslist to find opportunities in my new city, I saw a post by a professional runner who was seeking a photographer/videographer to help him support his social media. I jumped at the chance and over the years developed my skills in shooting fast moving sports, learning the social media game, and found that there was a huge opportunity to help support athletes pursue their passion through creation of exciting content. Read more>>

Meg Reidhead | Tattoo Artist

Starting my own business in April 2023 was the culmination of years of ambition, creativity, and a desire to break free from the confines of corporate America. As a self-taught tattoo artist, I felt a strong pull to take control of my career and shape it on my own terms. The decision to become a sole entrepreneur was driven by a need for independence, a longing to do work that aligns with my passions, and a belief in my ability to succeed on my own. Read more>>

Stephanie Tatum, Ma, Lpcc, Ncc | Founder/Primary Therapist and Healing Visionary of Still I Rise Counseling Services

There are three words to describe why I founded Still I Rise Counseling Services: FREEDOM, PURPOSE, and LEGACY. Freedom: Freedom to create an inclusive, affirming, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist therapy practice that would allow individuals to heal, grow and rise. Purpose: I believe everyone has a purpose in life. My purpose is to leave the world better than what it was before I was born into it. I strive to accomplish this by collaborating with individuals to promote healing among diverse groups. Read more>>

Nick Sloan | Operating Partner

Nick has always owned his own business’, it is seemed natural for us to start something together. All American Reptile & Plant Expo began out of a necessity. Colorado had lost its biggest expo and we had been considering combining Reptiles and Plants in one trade show for a while, so we went for it! Read more>>

Katherine Freed | Singles event coordinator & certified matchmaker

When the idea for Chance Encounter came up, I was feeling incredibly frustrated with modern dating. I looked for alternatives to online dating, and found very few options. The things I did find were either incredibly expensive or just not really what I was looking for. My hope with Chance Encounter was to create a space that would help singles build genuine connections in an exciting, unique way. Read more>>

Connor Foley | Tattoo Artist

I have always had a desire to start a business or businesses since I was a kid. I think I just like the idea of making something that I can share with others and support myself and my family with. When I started Vegvisir Body Art in 2018, it came after years of working in the tattoo industry and wanting to try something different and strike out on my own path. I wanted to create a space that was uniquely mine and that could help offer up to other artists and clients a great experience and more than just getting a tattoo. I always want everyone that comes through our doors to have a wonderful time and a great memory of when they got their tattoo. Read more>>

Krista Cook | Fiber Artist

When I was young, I was surrounded by the women in my family who were always making or cooking something. My great-grandmother taught me how to crochet and knit, my grandmother taught me how to embroider, bead and sew, and my mom taught me how to cook. Some of my best memories are being with these women, and hearing stories while we created gifts or made meals for friends and family. This instilled a very strong sense of community and a spirit of giving in me from a very early age. I have spent most of my life making items for loved ones and those closest to me because of this. Read more>>

Meredith Walker | Luxury Event Designer & Planner

My thought process behind starting my own business was my passion for creating memorable moments and unique experiences for people and my desire to do this every day of my life. I just finished my certification courses at the University and decided to take a leap of faith in myself. Read more>>

Joseph Mpalanga | Social Entrepreneur & motivator

Makassi is not just about making the best fruit juices in the world; we’re also dedicated to making a difference for women and creating opportunities for them to thrive. Many women are becoming the primary breadwinners in their families, which means they’re looking for ways to create or supplement income. Starting a business through the Makassi Women’s Entrepreneurship Program is a great way to do just that. We offer training, support, and resources to help women entrepreneurs throughout Africa get started on the right foot so their businesses can flourish and grow with in our ecosystem. Read more>>

Will Glazier | CEO & Founder of Grand Alliance Music

The thought process behind starting our own business (Grand Alliance Music, LLC) was honestly to be a catalyst for others to help finish their tunes and a conduit to perhaps show them the way, and somehow along the way what it has turned in to is so much more than we have ever imagined. The setting is simple really, and somewhat of coincidence but the fact is, when I (Will) currently of the group Willdabeast (and slew of other recording/performing groups over the past 2 decades) had a simple idea, when partnered together with a simple friendship, attempt to help others all while carrying substance. I started in the late 1990’s with a ska/punk band named Cherry Bing that would eventually provide the first glimmer of the future, the last two decades has been drenched in incredible memories and packed with content.  Read more>>

Jana Strueh And Andrew Strueh | We are Cocoon Design LLC

Starting my own business has been a long-time dream of me and my husband. After moving from Germany to the U.S., we felt it was the perfect opportunity to pursue this goal. Despite my extensive experience in architecture, I found it challenging to secure a job in the U.S., as many employers were hesitant to give me a chance to showcase my skills. This situation fueled my determination to established our own design firm, where I could not only demonstrate my capabilities but also create opportunities for others in similar situations. Read more>>

Teresa Aceves | Owner of Tita Roasted corn

We decided to start a business after my husband was laid off from his job, aiming for something that would resonate with our family values and be close to home. Our inspiration came from our daughter, who has always loved eating and preparing corn, often making it for everyone at home. This sparked the idea of opening our own corn stand. With this vision in mind, we began building our own oven and trailer to bring our concept to life. Read more>>

Cindy Dallow | Registered Dietitian, master health coach, and intuitive eating counselor

I wanted to create a business where I was helping women stop dieting and feel better about their bodies and there wasn’t an actual job where I could do that. I also wanted to be my own boss and have flexible working hours. Read more>>

Christina Harmon | Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, and Somatic Coach

Previously, I had never intended to start my own business. My background and experience had been in engineering, and I always thought I would follow the typical corporate route laid out in front of me. However, after going through 7+ years of full body chronic pain and fatigue, tears in all of my shoulder and hip joints, a failed surgery, and a diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, my aspirations started to change. Read more>>

Ricky Podsiadlo | Craft Merchandise Guru

Being able to build something of my own from scratch has always been a dream. Building a business is hard work but it’s work that is fun and keeps me motivated. I want to continue to grow Embrewdery while also building other businesses as well. Read more>>

Selena Alexander | Floral Designer

Starting my own floral design business felt like the natural next step after spending years in the agriculture industry, where I got my hands dirty in all sorts of fields—literally! Along the way, I stumbled upon a true passion for turning flowers into art. Growing up surrounded by amazing artists in my family, creativity was always in my blood, and I was always the kid with a paintbrush or sketchpad in hand. So, when I found that I could combine my love for art with my experience in agriculture, it was like the stars aligned! I knew I had to dive headfirst into something that let me unleash my creative side, and floral design was the perfect way to do just that. Read more>>

Ramon & Giscel Rodriguez | Company Owners

Our thought process? It all started when the tables and chairs for our daughter’s first birthday were a no-show. We turned that disaster into a mission to create a party rental business where trust and reliability are front and center. Now, we’re making sure our customers big day is nothing short of perfect—because we’ve been there, and we know how much it matters. Read more>>

Malin Spearman | Independent Lash Artist

More freedom to spend with my family, both my husband and I are not from Denver and we don’t have any family living here. I’m an immigrant from Norway and my entire family is still there, so a big drive to go on my own was that I could have more time to visit them, and to the rest of our family who lives in Kansas City. Although owning my own business requires a lot of work, it allows me to have more of a work/life balance. Read more>>

Jake Weakley | owner and Operator of Pane Pros Window Cleaning LLC

The whole behind the scene’s and thought process of launching my own business ironically started 5 years ago, when I went on a podcast with one of my buddies. To kind of briefly explain, we had discussed hopes and aspirations of where we wanted to be in 5 years, my response was that I wanted to start my own business and it would provide some kind of service or services. (yes it took me 5 years to the month of the podcast coming out to finally figure out and start my now home service business, procrastination and fear of failing at its finest). My whole thought process then and now was that I find so much appreciation and gratitude providing services rather than a product, which is also of course very similar and just as challenging.  Read more>>

Camille Newman | Butterfly PA Services part owner

It was a huge push from an author who myself and Gabby were helping. She believed we were doing something right and said “Why not offer this to other authors and make it a business”. So we did. Butterfly PA services was born. We love helping indie authors get their brand and books out there. To get more recognition. It’s hard out there. We try to provide some value and ease into it. I couldn’t do this without Gabby. She is my other half. Ryan is also someone who is a tremendous influence and advocate. She is our biggest cheerleader. Without her Butterfly wouldn’t have happened. Read more>>

Becky Koski | Macaron Baker & RN

Over the years I have done a few MLM (multi-level marketing) type businesses but I never loved someone else making decisions for what my business should look like. I have always loved to bake, I even used to pretend I was hosting my own baking show when I was little. When 2020 & COVID hit I found myself with some extra time on my hands & I started seeing a few people make macarons. I had honestly never had one until 3 months before I started my own macaron baking journey. My husband encouraged me to try to sell them & shortly after BK Bakes came to fruition. I loved that I could bake between my shifts at the hospital & it gave me just enough of a creative outlet. Calling my own shots & saying yes or no on my terms is such an amazing feeling. Read more>>

Todd Edward Herman | Visual artist, curator and gallery director

Alio was built based on the need to help my family and the millions of others with food allergies/limitations. Alio is the first ever allergy friendly protein bar and it is needed by so many individuals. I was personally on the journey of going to medical school when my brother found out he had a peanut and tree nut allergy. He was in high school at the time and he truly needed something to eat while on the go. We found out that there weren’t any good options on the market so we set out to develop a bar that is free from the top 9 food allergens, high in protein and tastes great. Read more>>