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.

Tori Latham

I have searched for where my journey was leading to for so long. I went to school for political science and criminology only to find out, I really didn’t care to do that. I then did random jobs and ended up in social media marketing. This job was great for years but I started to dislike being on social media for so many clients all the time. Photography was incorporated into the job and I took it upon myself to take coursed to really learn my camera and do a better job. I instantly started to love shooting for other businesses and capturing the essence of them. At the end of 2024 I had a goal to get out of my role at the marketing job and pursue photography.  Read More>>

Karen Yegge

After more than 20 years of teaching in district schools, I began to sense that my time in the traditional education system was coming to an end. While I’ve always had a deep appreciation for my students and found great joy in helping them overcome learning challenges, I grew increasingly frustrated with a system that often focused more on what children couldn’t do as opposed to their unique strengths and potential. This deficit-based approach left both my students and me feeling discouraged. Read More>>

Joseph Kelly

I created Designeo because I wanted to provide quality design and SEO services at fair prices without clients feeling tied down by a contract.

Back in 2019, a business partner of mine and I began creating a cloud-based tax software for traders and investors called TraderFyles. A development and design agency was hired and the process began. Very quickly, I did not like how they conducted their business. I felt their pricing model sounded great upfront but as the work went on, we were getting nickel-and-dimed for every little thing and it wasn’t up to our expectation visually. Read More>>

Kristel Powell

It all started with a love for gathering people. I’ve always been the friend who plans the themed dinner, the girls’ trip, the game night—and when I discovered mahjong, it was like the perfect mix of strategy, style, and socializing. I couldn’t stop thinking, “Why isn’t this everywhere?” So I started teaching friends, designing cute accessories, and before I knew it, Troop Mahjong was born. It’s a business, yes—but more than that, it’s a way to build community, celebrate friendship, and make space for joy and creativity! Read More>>

Eric Gil

I love teaching, it my purpose on this earth, it is one of my few natural skills. When I recognized that my role as a classroom teacher was financially unsustianable for my family, I had to make the choice to take a risk and build something where teachers are valued and the results are impactful. This allowed me to still help kids instead of switching professions. Read More>>

Arizona Hummingbird

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be creative. From drawing wedding dresses in my sketchbook to studying fashion marketing in undergrad, to now getting to dabble in graphic design, my desire to express the colors, lines, shapes and themes that run through my head has always been a passion of mine for my future career. I got laid off from my job in 2024, and I had the choice to finally step out and do what I was most passionate about, thus starting my own marketing and design agency. Read More>>

Shanda Starks

My thought process was to find a way to amplify celebrations, make others happy and have the flexibility to be home with my babies. It all started when I was planning my sister’s wedding and manifesting my visions of building a dream trailer to accommodate ANY event ANY time. I knew that I needed to dive in the moment I couldn’t stop thinking about it! I was up every night creating my logo and having so much fun with it. I knew my passion pursuing my vision was only going to be brought to life if I followed through and trusted myself to take action. I’ve always wanted to be a business owner and everything about Pull Party came so naturally and felt right! Read More>>

Clayton Norman

I first went to therapy when I was fifteen. As is often the case for teens, I didn’t go by choice but was sent as a consequence for getting into trouble. I remember sitting in the waiting room and seeing the word PSYCHOTHERAPY in bold letters on the therapist’s door and becoming very upset. I thought, “I’m not a psycho! I don’t need PSYCHOtherapy!” Clearly, I didn’t understand what psychotherapy meant. To me it resembled the principal’s office- just another place that would tell me something was wrong with me. Read More>>

Josh Fuller

If I’m being honest, the decision to start Matic wasn’t born out of a grand strategic plan. It was more instinct than calculation. I’d run a small studio in the early years of my career and always felt comfortable selling ideas when I believed in the work. From 2011 to 2021, I spent time in-house and at large firms like Spire Digital, Deloitte Digital, and health-focused startups which resulted in more range and depth.

In early 2021, after stepping away from a Head of Product Design role, I found myself taking on creative consulting work, helping rethink the booking experience for JetBlue and contributing to some other sharp teams. The conversations were energizing. Opportunities were showing up almost effortlessly. Read More>>

Renee Jones

I started my own business when my children were very young—one was just 2 months old, and the other about 18 months. At the time, my husband had just been deployed, and I was home with two babies while also working part-time. My life had changed dramatically. I was busy, sleep-deprived, and craving something that would ground me—something that made me feel like myself again. Read More>>

Daniel LoBosco

It’s hard to think of HemlockVale as a business hahaha. It is really just me making whatever I think is cool and hoping someone else finds it cool enough to buy it. It was always my dream to be able to work on my own art and have it pay for my living, and apparel is just a perfect avenue to make my work accessable to everyone. My background in screen printing made me figure out what looks good, prints good, and feels good. So I just took that and ran with it! Read More>>

Dhaisy Vue

Honestly, I did not ever think I would be an entrepreneur at any point in my life until I became an Esthetician. I joined this industry because I was passionate about makeup and self care. Once I went through esthetics school, I felt like I found my purpose. As I became more confident in my skills and who I was, I realized that this is what I was meant to do all along. I was meant to work hard towards my goals and share my love of beauty at the same time. Read More>>

Shane Herl

I realized that I have gifts and passions that I wasn’t using in my 9-5 job. As I continued to show up each day and not utilize my gifts, the conviction to make a leap into a new career kept growing. After a few months of that I decided it was time to do something about it. I wanted to be able to challenge myself each day, grow in discipline, and see the fruit of hard work. I love knowing that I have to show up and give my best each and every day, and I will be rewarded for that.

I also wanted to be in control of my own time. I am a dad of 2 boys, and a husband and being away from my family for 10+ hours a day felt as if I was missing pivotal moments in our relationship. Now I get to work from home, spend time with them and invest my best into my family. Read More>>

Natasha Hervey

In today’s competitive cleaning industry, finding a service that not only delivers exceptional results but also prioritizes sustainability, honesty, and innovation can be a challenge. Bright Cleaning Services LLC has carved a unique niche by combining eco-friendly cleaning methods, transparent pricing, and cutting-edge equipment to offer clients a truly outstanding experience. Whether you’re looking for a spotless home or a pristine commercial space, this company’s commitment to green practices and upfront communication ensures you receive top-quality service without any hidden surprises. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Bright Cleaning Services LLC stands out from the crowd and why they should be your go-to choice for all your cleaning needs. Read More>>