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.

Chad Rocke

Honestly, I just couldn’t stomach the idea that I could be doing everything right at a job and still get fired tomorrow. That lack of control over my own future didn’t sit well with me. I wanted to be my own boss, to build something on my terms, and to create a life where I didn’t have to depend on someone else for stability. Read More>> 

Sarah Stubbe

When I launched the program, there was a clear community need for a female-specific mountain biking initiative in the Crested Butte area. Although the Gunnison Valley offers a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, many of the programs at the time were male-oriented. There was a huge opportunity to create a space where girls could safely, confidently, and joyfully engage in mountain biking with the support of like-minded girls, some coaching and oversight. We utilized professional mountain bikers in the valley who donated their time to ride with them. Read More>> 

Natasha Zinda

I started this business because I view baking as a form of community outreach and care. When I bake I dont just do it for my paying customers. Every farmers market, every event my left overs go to local food pantries providing people with a little sweetness in their life. Most people donate what they dont want and donating such a decadent moment feels like giving people peace. Im disabled and couldn’t work a traditional job and baking and community building are my life. This gave me the sweetest path forward. Read More>>

Jennifer Accola

Our (my husband and I) journey into starting the business really began with doing our own house projects. What started as a personal interest quickly turned into a passion for making living spaces more beautiful, functional, and thoughtfully designed. As we gained experience, we realized we had a real eye for detail and a talent for transforming spaces. That passion naturally evolved into buying and fixing up homes in high-end real estate markets, where we saw the impact of quality design paired with smart investment decisions.  Read More>>

Lauren Gale

Growing up I knew I wasn’t made from a mold. I have always been a little different. I have ADHD and learned as I went through college that I wasn’t going to follow any beaten path. This made things more challenging but also more creative and exciting which kept me on the path I was creating for myself. Music has always been my lifeblood. I took lessons as a kid and was in marching and concert band through high school. It always felt like the most natural path for me. Read More>>

Johnny Domenico

I’ve seen the impact that summer camp can have on children and young adults. So many friends and colleagues of mine hold on to memories from their times at camp as some of their most cherished throughout their lives, so having the opportunity to create my own summer camp program at a facility that has a history hosting camps for almost 100 years was too good to pass up! I love that more children will get to experience such an impactful rite of passage, and I hope to creatively reach out to more communities that wouldn’t otherwise think of summer camp as something accessible to their children. Read More>> 

Tyler Lane

I started my own business because I was tired of watching smart, capable teams get held back. Whether it was bloated agency models, leadership disconnected from the real work, or strategies built for slides not outcomes, it just felt broken.

It wasn’t about chasing freedom or building some dream lifestyle. It was about doing the work in a way that actually makes a difference. I wanted to be in the room where decisions were happening, not just reacting to them. And I did not want to wait around for someone to hand me that opportunity. Read More>>

Kristen Stockham

I started working as an Interior Designer with a high-end company at the beginning of my career. While working with that company, friends, family and neighbors started telling me that they would love to hire an Interior Designer to come help them with their homes but that they couldn’t afford one. I then noticed that there was a need for Interior Designers at all budget levels so I decided to open my own business to provide a high end look for everyone, even those with lower budgets, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it. Read More>> 

Christie Carlin
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The Start of Wise Choice Tattoo Removal

Starting Wise Choice Tattoo Removal was a journey fueled by both passion and a drive to be different than the rest, born from nearly seven years of dedicated experience and a pivotal layoff. The thought process went something like this:

Having spent almost seven years helping another clinic owner build their business, handling everything from getting clients in the door to doing all the treatments myself, I gained invaluable, firsthand knowledge of the industry. Read More>>

Kelli Jones

I went to business school and have always had a dream of owning my own business. When I graduated college I took a few different corporate jobs and I just couldn’t stand how they treated their employees. I knew the corporate world wasn’t for me. So I started my own businesses! I have 4 now. I wanted to be able to provide exceptional service to my clients, treat my employees well and make my own hours and schedule. I wanted to be at my kids practices, games and school events. And even be able to take and pick them up from school. I also wanted to be the one in charge of how far I could push myself and go. Read More>> 

Jeremiah Dalesio

I started INCITE has a hope for a different life. My previous career seemed to always bring with it some office type politics that I could never master, additonally I wanted to do something more creative and challenging at the time as well. Read More>> 

Mia Pace

I knew early on that I wanted to create something of my own — a space where I could offer personalized care, build genuine relationships, and grow both creatively and professionally. After getting licensed and earning my certifications, I realized I had a clear vision for the kind of experience I wanted to provide and I didn’t want to wait years to bring it to life. Starting my own business gave me the freedom to design every detail, from the services I offer to the atmosphere my clients walk into. It was definitely a leap, but I believed in my ability to work hard, stay committed, and build something meaningful from the ground up. Read More>> 

Hayley Kremer

My business idea was born from my own struggles. Growing up I struggled with body image issues, disordered eating, exercise addiction, and had no idea how to actually care for myself in a way that deeply nourished my body and allowed me to be my healthiest and happiest self. I tried all the “right” things and was obssessed with diet culture. I thought that the smaller my body became the healthier and happier I would be, but I was wrong. Read More>> 

scot Chrisman

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and I saw a real opportunity to build something that reflected my values, quality work, reliability, and community connection. The thought process behind starting my own business came down to three things:

Control over the customer experience – I wanted to create a company where clients could expect clear communication, professionalism, and great results every time. I saw gaps in the industry where those things were missing, and I knew I could fill them. Read More>>

Irena Todd

As a former Unilever brand executive, I had a behind-the-scenes view of how products are developed at large companies. While many were effective and well-loved, I noticed that kids’ personal care often wasn’t a top priority—especially when it came to ingredient safety. Many products on the market contained ingredients I wouldn’t feel comfortable using on my own children, and I knew I couldn’t be the only parent who felt that way. Read More>> 

Maira Oakar

Sisterhood Birding was created to offer women birders a safe, supportive space where they can feel empowered, connect with others, and grow their skills. We focus on providing tailored learning experiences, fostering community, and addressing safety concerns women may face outdoors. Our goal is to break down barriers in the traditionally male-dominated world of birding, helping women engage with nature and each other in a way that suits their unique styles and preferences without judge. Read More>> 

Brittany Griffith

I’ve always been an off the wall, out of the box person. I’ve felt isolated and outcasted since childhood. Throughout my life, I never quite fit into any one environment — not in school, not in social circles, not in my sportting teams, not in corporate — but I kept trying.
At 18, I self-diagnosed myself with ADHD, but it wasn’t until after having my little dude River in 2023 that I discovered what that “quirk” truly was: I’m autistic. And have been HEAVILY masking to fit in and seek acceptance my whole life. Read More>>

Justin DiGiovanni

After a motorcycle accident that could have ended my life, my outlook on life changed. I wanted to capture the true beauty of the world, to make the viewer feel like they are right there next to me as I bring the image to life through the lens and camera. I wanted to carry these photographs back home to share with the world online and through prints with someone who might not have the opportunity to visit these places themselves and see it with their own eyes. Read More>> 

Katie Waite

From a young age my grandmother introduced me to the world of entertaining. I grew up helping her prepare for elegant dinners, and I was often her plus one at elaborate gatherings where etiquette was expected. She taught me how to set a table properly and how to host graciously.

Years later, a neighbor asked if I would decorate and set up her daughter’s wedding reception. What started as a simple favor quickly turned into me running the entire event. I loved it! Before I knew it, I was building what would become my wedding and event planning business. Read More>> 

Gavin Lopez McKinnon

I wanted to finally turn the hobby I had been doing since I was 16 years old into a career. I love taking photos, and editing. Seeing the way my clients light up with excitement when they’re looking through their final gallery. Being able to capture those special moments that people can have forever is an amazing thing to say the least. Giving someone those memories to treasure forever is what I was thinking about when I started my photgraphy business. Read More>> 

Maddy Fauth

The thought process behind starting Great Guys was really a culmination of personal work experiences that both Marcus and I experienced. For me I had experience in many large corporate settings. It was frustrating to feel undervalued or “a number”. It didn’t feel as if there was a true team behind the projects or work that I was contributing to. I had to take a step back and reflect, I asked myself what impact am I making and is it enough?  Read More>> 

Christy Alexander

Starting Indie Essence Photography wasn’t just a business decision — it was deeply personal. I’ve always had a passion for art, and photography has long been an artistic form that spoke to me. As a mother of nine, I’ve experienced firsthand how quickly time passes, how motherhood transforms you, and how powerful it is to feel seen in your most vulnerable and beautiful moments. I felt a pull to capture that — Read More>> 

Henry Snider

Well, writing is a bit of a calling. There’s the constant joke among writers that we write so we don’t become serial killers. The flip side to this statement is that often we’re still killing the people who have wronged us, only in print form.

For me, writing has always been the best part of daydreams and nightmares. I’ve always felt the need to share what’s going on in my head. So, it’s not so much an act of a thought process, but a need to share my dreams.

Erika Peterson

Growing up, my mom used to make us take family portraits every year. And it was consistently a miserable experience. I always felt so awkward in front of the camera, and that was reflected in the photos that came back. Then one year, when I was in middle school, my mom hired this super fun + artsy photographer. Not only was her work incredible, but she made me feel so seen and comfortable during the photo session.  Read More>> 

Janette Beier

I developed an incredible passion for holistic health and wellness, particularly nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness. After a decade of researching and helping my own family and friends, I decided to take the leap and get certifications in these fields so I could formally and more effectively continue to help people on their personal health journeys. I started Delectably Holistic nutrition and Janette’s Fitness, and I’ve loved it ever since! Read More>> 

Giulia Cammarano

I worked in small owned gym during my college years as an intern & later employee part time then eventually full time as I finished my master degree. This is when I decided I wanted to have a business of my own helping people on their health & fitness journeys. I’ve always been a very independent, self-motivated person with an entrepreneurial spirit so going off on my own felt like a very natural next step.  Read More>>