Readers often email us asking us for advice about new businesses they are thinking about starting and we often find that many of them don’t have a framework for thinking about a more fundamental question: why should or shouldn’t you start a business?

Below, you’ll find how successful entrepreneurs from across the city thought about this very question when they were considering whether to start their businesses.

Nicole Korbe | Artist and Entrepreneur

As a self-taught artist, I have been naively and stubbornly trying to make my own way in a world that is quickly changing. Starting in 2017, while I was still working part-time in both the corporate world and at odd jobs to make ends meet, I built a small following by participating in art festivals and by joining a co-op gallery. Fast forward a few years, and I found myself opening my own gallery in 2021. In opening NKollectiv (pronounced N Collective), my goal was to create a flexible artist-friendly business model to showcase local art. Read more>>

Michael Sharon | Founder and Creative Director

As a child, I was creative and loved dressing up in costumes, putting on plays with my younger sister, and making worlds come alive through my Legos and other toys. When I was 13, we borrowed a friend’s video camera to make a video for my grandparents who lived out of state. One day, while my parents were helping my older sister move, my younger sister and I filmed a movie about spies. I shot the whole 50-minute epic on this old camcorder, rewinding the tape every time there was a flub on set. That’s when my passion for storytelling and filmmaking was born! Read more>>

Madeleine Gibson | Makeup Artist & Content Creator

I never imagined I would start my own business. For most of my life, I thought I wanted to be a doctor. However, while studying for the MCAT, I was a shell of myself. I knew this wasn’t what I wanted the rest of my life to look like, so put my dreams of med school on pause. This decision severely bruised my ego. I was in a state of grieving the loss of my identity. For so long, I centered myself in academic success and this felt like an utter failure. Read more>>

Amie Hazlett | Photographer & Boutique Owner

Starting a business is a huge decision. When I opened my photography business in 2012, so many individuals were already asking me to take their photos. It seemed like the proper thing to do. When I envisioned my ideal business, it was multifaceted. I imagined a small children’s clothing store with a photography studio attached. That had always been my “big dream.” Read more>>

Brandi Jaylin | Owner of PH Premier Services

When I launched PH Premier Services, I never imagined it would evolve into what it is today. My journey began early on, as I took on part-time caretaking responsibilities for neighbors’ children and pets starting at age 15. Alongside my successful career in Digital Marketing, I also dedicated time to volunteering with shelters and dog rescues, gradually expanding into pet and home sitting for clients while they were away. Read more>>

Mary Levengood | Coffee Roastery & Shop Owner

The thought process behind starting our business was fueled by our passion for creativity and the challenge of building something from the ground up. We’ve always found the idea of creating a unique coffee company incredibly exciting and motivating. As coffee enthusiasts, we’ve always been fascinated by wild and rare coffees that most people haven’t had the chance to experience. Our goal was to share these extraordinary coffees from the world’s best producers with our community. Read more>>

Justin Carlson | Fitness coach

Fitness truly saved my life. I was in a deep depression I felt I had no control in my life. I lacked confidence and relied on drugs to numb myself from the pain that I couldn’t face. Fitness helped me take control of my life, build confidence and finally find happiness. I know that through fitness countless people can escape depression. It is an outlet like no other and so I made it my mission to help those in a situation like I was in, to escape there mental struggle through fitness. Read more>>

Lena Park | Co-Founder and Brand Director of MIXIK SKIN

The beauty of working on MIXIK is that I have co-founders who are mentors, who are more experienced, and who have walked the entrepreneurial life before I have. I was more interested in the opportunity to learn from these Korean-American female entrepreneurs. I was biding my time in a transitional phase of my life when the idea for MIXIK was presented to me. It was just such a golden opportunity where I could use all of my experience in e-commerce thus far, and challenge myself further by envisioning a company that I would love to be a part of. I trusted my partners and I jumped in. Read more>>

Johana Moreno | Loan Originator& Branch production Manager

Starting my business over ten years ago was an incredible journey filled with challenges and triumphs. As a single mom with only a foundational understanding of the industry, I knew that I had my work cut out for me. Despite the obstacles, my determination and passion pushed me to learn and grow every step of the way. In the beginning, there were many late nights and early mornings as I navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship. I invested time in expanding my knowledge, building a reliable network, and honing my skills. Each setback was an opportunity to learn, and each success fueled my drive to reach higher goals. Balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and business ownership taught me resilience and resourcefulness. Read more>>

Michael Jaycox | Copywriter, Marketer, & Brand Strategist

For me, starting my own business was always the goal. Writing, inherently, can feel like a solitary artform, but through my business, I’ve been able to interact with the creatives and entrepreneurs who fuel my passion for telling stories. By working for myself, I’ve come to find it much easier to develop the one-on-one relationships that allow me to really get to know a client and share their brand’s story. Read more>>

Christen Krumm | Author, Virtual Assistant, and Podcaster

Confession. I never wanted my own business. The thought of spreadsheets and budgets and taxes scared me, and instead of doing it scared, I was content to always work for someone else. In January 2015 everything changed when the company I worked for downsized — however, the owner said if I wanted to keep doing what I was doing (virtual assisting) she’d pass a couple of clients to me that still needed help. Read more>>

Cindy Jones | Cosmetic Formulator, Herb Farmer

Thinking back to my thought process about starting a business is interesting. I’m not sure I had a thought process. With no background in business, I didn’t know what it took. I simply followed my passions. I was brought up with an appreciation for nature and took that interest to study science in college. I earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry because I like to get down to the nitty gritty in understanding things. After graduating, I did basic research to further our understanding of cellular mechanisms in cancer growth. Then I went on to teach a variety of science subjects in college as well as do medical writing. Read more>>

Catherine, Brian Neckes, Pierce | Pastry Chef (Catherine Neckes), Executive Chef (Brian Pierce)

CATHERINE: Michael, Brian, Lizzie and I have been talking about starting a restaurant together since we were all living in Brooklyn in the early 2010s. At the time, Michael was head of operations for a chain of restaurants in the New York area, and Brian and I were both working as cooks. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with Simone (my second daughter), and living in New Orleans during the pandemic that we really started thinking about it seriously. Brian and Lizzie had landed in Colorado after New York, and I wanted my daughters to grow up near their aunt, so somehow I convinced Michael (my husband) to move our entire life to somewhere we’d never even visited! Read more>>

Ryan Phillips | Naturopathic Doctor, Integrative Mental Health Specialist, Psychedelic Assisted Therapist

It seems like almost every ND (Naturopathic Doctor) has a unique “origin story”. Despite this, I always joke that I am the least likely Naturopathic Doctor and an even less likely advocate for psychedelic assisted therapy. I grew up on a popcorn farm in rural Indiana in a politically and religiously conservative environment. A quarter of my high school class never graduated, only a quarter went to college, and few ever left our hometown. I had no interest in becoming a doctor and had no idea that Naturopathic Medicine even existed. Read more>>

Michelle LaRoi | Ex-NICU nurse turned small business owner

Losing my only sibling at the age of 13 made me realize how fragile life truly is. Because of this, I struggled to find a career that brought immense fulfillment and purpose. Although being a NICU nurse was fulfilling, it was also extremely stressful; it made me realize how much healing I had to do on my own. The experience of sibling loss left me feeling isolated growing up, and it took me 20 years and a move to Colorado to begin addressing my grief. Starting my own mental health lifestyle brand, Happy Fits, became a crucial part of this journey. Read more>>

Tania Bodison Smith | CEO

I wanted to be my own boss, Work when I wanted to and the ability to be flexible and I could fulfill my dreams without all the red tape, and no one telling me that I couldn’t. Read more>>

Chef Ali | Private Chef Ali

When starting my business, I really didn’t have a thought process. I started it as a kind of a fun thing for my friends to be able to enjoy some of the delicious meals that I made and started posting on social media from social media I started receiving multiple inquiries from people out of state wanting to have a private chef out in the mountains in their cabin. Eventually, I started being booked out months in advance, sometimes a year in advance to cook for people in the mountains in Colorado. Being that Colorado is such a hotspot for tourist activity right now I thought why not capitalize off of it and make sure that people have a wonderful food experience as well before leaving colorful Colorado..  Read more>>

Shelbie Carpenter | Hair Stylist and Salon Owner

I wanted the freedom to be able to work for myself and to be able to create a work environment that embodied my own vision. I love being able to walk into my salon with pride knowing so much heart and hard work was put into it. It’s very rewarding. Read more>>

Rudolph Graham II | Fashion Designer

I wanted to create a brand that would stand out from the rest, a brand that was designed for unique minds, a brand that made you feel like the wearers improvement had no limits and you can look good while being successful. The brand was designed to build confidence and defy the traditional designs of clothing. The primary focus was to build generational wealth for my family and leave my children with a legacy they can be proud of. Read more>>

Robin Frost-Bess | Paper Artist

I come from a long history of strong women artists, including my mother and both grandmothers. After spending the first 30 years of marriage working at various jobs and, most importantly, helping raise my four children, I returned to my roots and began experimenting with my own artistic methods. After settling on doing mixed media by incorporating paper, pen and ink, and alcohol markers on canvas, I soon had created multiple pieces that were displayed in my own home. With the encouragement of my family, I began to show my art at small venues like coffeeshops and breweries and distilleries. Read more>>

Katie Arabie | Founder, Owner

My business, The Hive Creative Marketing, was created sort of by happy accident. I have an undergraduate and masters degree in Business Marketing, but after covid, I was home with my kids, enjoying time with them while they were little. My husband and I own an industrial supply business as well ( him being the one who primarily runs the business, while I am there for support and great ideas.) I noticed his company was severely lacking when it came to marketing. Read more>>

Luke Haase | Astronomer

I had the incredible opportunity to work with Space Gandalf at Astro Tours Broome in Australia. I was struck by the way we brought the night sky to life, connecting celestial objects to stories and making astronomy accessible and engaging, was truly inspiring. It was more than just a job; it was my dream job. I offered to start social media, and digital marketing for the company. From there, our network started seeing the business on social media and asking who was behind the new marketing efforts. Read more>>

Ever Lee | Professional DJ

For me, starting my own business is something I just always wanted to do. Although I didn’t really know how, I just wanted to do it… I had no influence, or family, or even recourses. But I knew it in my heart… The process was still very difficult though. Saving money, building confidence, and establishing a reputation before I really went all in. Read more>>

Josh Dembicki | CoFounder and Owner

Starting Bellwether Windows, Siding, & Doors was driven by a combination of passion, market need, and a desire to make a meaningful impact in our community. First and foremost, I saw a significant gap in the home renovation market for high-quality, reliable exterior remodeling services. Homeowners were often frustrated with subpar craftsmanship, poor communication, and lackluster customer service. I wanted to create a company that would set new standards in these areas and truly prioritize the customer experience. Read more>>

Chris Murphy | Barber / Owner Altitude Barbershop

I was previously working for 4 years in another shop as a private contractor cutting hair. Although I was very busy and building a clientele, I felt as if I could grow more by opening my own shop and building a team of barbers that are like minded and wanting to grow as well. I decided to make the leap into opening my own shop and I never looked back. I just felt like I could do a good job at owning my own shop and providing a quality work environment for others to thrive. Read more>>

Aron Villalobos | Dad/Tile Artisan/Remodeler

Growing up, I got my GED at 16 and quickly realized that traditional schooling wasn’t the best fit for me. Despite this, I’ve always been driven by a strong work ethic instilled by my humble upbringing. Being creative and skilled with my hands has been a constant in my life, and I’ve consistently sought ways to leverage these talents. Starting my own business was a natural progression for me. It wasn’t just about earning a living but also about being recognized and compensated for my craftsmanship and creativity. I saw an opportunity to create something meaningful on my own terms, where my skills could directly benefit others while allowing me the freedom to express my creativity. Read more>>

Janice Kerbel | Owner

We initially launched Unstable Culture as a YouTube channel to support our mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we progressed, we ventured into photography and discovered a way to fund our photography endeavors through 3D printing. Our journey with 3D printing began with creating and selling items we enjoyed. In November 2022, we held our first show where we showcased and sold our creations. This event opened doors for us, leading to opportunities in various markets and shows. Read more>>

Karine Nougaret | Board game rental and influencer

When asked about the inspiration behind starting my business, Game Changer by Karine, I reflected on my childhood. Board games were a central part of my family life. Every Sunday afternoon, despite my mother’s demanding work schedule, we would gather and immerse ourselves in various games. These moments were special, fostering joy and connection among us. Even during family reunions, card games were always a staple, creating cherished memories. Read more>>

Tiffany Latham | Junk Hauler

Throughout my career, I’ve held numerous jobs and often felt alienated as a queer person. I felt pressured to conform to heteronormative workplace norms, from my attire to how I presented myself. This discomfort pushed me to reflect on my true career aspirations. I discovered a passion for using tools and engaging in manual labor, which led me into male-dominated fields where I continued to feel like an outsider. Starting my own business was transformative, as it allowed me to create a work environment where I could be myself. Today, I proudly employ other queer individuals, providing a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves. Read more>>

Stephanie Pekala | Fiber Artist

Starting a business came very naturally to us! We (Steph and Josh) are a couple who love to craft together. Over the past couple of years, we both found crafts that we became passionate about. For Josh, it was beading, and, for Steph, it was crochet. As we spent more and more time working on our projects and getting complimented on our work, we decided to start a business together to be able to share our work with the community. It was also a great opportunity to offer more financial support to keep doing what we love. While we both already work multiple jobs, we spend as much free time as possible working on projects, developing our business, etc. Read more>>