The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Yana Sinkevich | Founder & CEO

Early in 2023, my dog, Tsar, began to struggle with itchy paws he would lick raw, frequent hot spots, and a chronically inflamed, gooey eye. After consulting several veterinarians and specialists, he was prescribed allergy medication and anti-inflammatory steroids; however, I felt we were just putting a band-aid over the problem, and I was concerned about the long-term side effects of these medications. Wanting to get to the root of his health issues, I immersed myself in reading anything I could find on optimizing his wellbeing.  Read more>>

Mackenzie Miller | Co-Founder & Owner

Previously, Eddy Miller (violin maker) and Evan Orman (bow maker) had their own respective businesses focused on their making. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Mackenzie Miller encouraged the idea of combining forces among the three of them to build out a violin shop. We were all passionate about showcasing modern instruments (and antique), and it seemed that Denver had a demand for higher end instruments and bows. The business started in Eddy and Mackenzie’s home, and as the business quickly grew, the shop moved into the historic Daniels & Fisher Tower (aka the Clocktower) in downtown Denver in Oct 2021. Read more>>

Devon Martin | Realtor & Mortgage Loan Originator

I worked in the oil and gas industry for over a decade. I got into oil and gas shortly after my father passed away at the age of 19. Starting my own business and getting into real estate was really an easy decision for me. While in oil and gas, I lacked purpose. Since starting my business, I have truly helped people in a way that fills my cup. Real estate is also something I am passionate about. I love showing homes, marketing homes, and seeing client’s smiles at the closing table knowing they had someone that truly cared about them. Real estate has also provided me with a life I didn’t know was possible. Before, I’d work 12-16 hour shifts for days, sometimes weeks, at a time including holidays. I didn’t have time for family, friends, hobbies or even myself.  Read more>>

Michael Ashford | Speaking and Leadership Communication Coach

I gave my first TEDx Talk in 2021, and after that talk, I got asked to help coach the next group of speakers for the next event. It was through that experience that I realized I enjoyed coaching others to show up confidently on a stage more than I liked being on a stage myself — and I really like being on a stage! But seeing how I could help another person bring out their full story and shape it into a talk that inspires, teaches, and guides others gave me all the evidence I needed to turn it into a business. Everyone has a story to tell, and it’s a thrill to work with my clients to uncover the fullness of stories. Read more>>

Emily Goldman | Landscape Designer

Starting my own residential design business was a pragmatic and creative decision. The small scale of residential design allows for greater nuance and site-specific solutions that reflect the client’s specific design aesthetic and environmental goals. Gardening provides tangible environmental empowerment, inviting homeowners to observe and engage with pollinators, birds, insects, and the ephemeral beauty of our four seasons. Landscape Design and Architecture create opportunities for indoor-outdoor living, delivering transformative results rather quickly.  Read more>>

Nicole Leinbach Hoffman | Founder of STIMULATE: A B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show + Conference, Author + Adjunct Professor

I founded my first company, Retail Minded, nearly twenty years ago with a goal of combining my love of retail, media and content into a career that gave my flexibility and professional satisfaction alike. Having held national marketing roles for companies that included Adidas and Franco Sarto at the time, I had just enough confidence to push myself ahead on a solo journey of business thanks to the incredible experiences I gained while working for these incredible brands. Fast forward to just past Covid and I was inspired to launch another business while still maintaining Retail Minded. In 2022, I launched STIMULATE: A B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show + Conference that held it’s first event in 2023 and since then, it’s second flagship experience and some smaller events, as well.  Read more>>

Elise Goitia | Ceramicist & Artist

I’ve always wanted to have my own business. When I was a little kid, I knew I wanted to work for myself. The caveat was, I wanted to work in art. I had a lot of well-meaning adults growing up gently telling me that it wouldn’t be a possibility and to find a back-up plan. I realized later on the trick is to go in without one. Read more>>

Matt Mendrala | Franchise Owner & Recovering Tech Guy

Stephanie was working at STEM School Highlands Ranch in 2019 when the shooting occurred. My daughter Eden was a student there. I was working at Charles Schwab at the time. I remember getting the text from Stephanie telling me there was an active shooter in the building. My daughter at the time was texting her brother (who was attending college in Durango) to say goodbye in case she didn’t make it as she hid with the other students. I remember driving my car down 470 heading to the school and talking with, shouting at God while still more text messages came in…Shots fired…I’m so scared! Of course the whole world knows the rest of the story. Read more>>

Nathan Luce | Founder’s Vision: Nathan’s Journey to True Living Fitness

I started my own personal training business, True Living Fitness, because I believe in empowering people to live healthier, more sustainable lives. With 15 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how fitness can transform not just bodies, but mindsets and lives. I wanted to create a space where clients feel supported on their journey—where they’re not just chasing a quick fix, but building habits that will stick with them for life. Read more>>

Deedee Wills | Teacher, Online Curriculum Creator, & Staff Developer

I have always created my resources to use with my students. I haved found students’ engagement ignited when they play a game or have an activity they are excited about. When I heard that I could make a little extra money by sharing these resources with other teachers, I knew I had to get started right away. Within 48 hours, I had posted my first resource to the online marketplace and created a blog. Read more>>

Carrie Cleghorn

Being a hockey Mom and a photographer culminated in my becoming a hockey-centric Photographer. I had struggled to figure out what my area of photography should be for years. When my daughter started playing I realized how much I love photographing this sport. I could pair my studio/portrait style of photography in the individual and team photos and bring in another aspect to my business, the action! Hockey is not a sport you can photograph easily, no cell phone is capable of freezing the action in that environment.  Read more>>

Rian Bluhm

I have always wanted to have my own business since I was an art student in college. The idea of making something with my own hands has always been exciting, so why not make some money doing something I love. It took several ideas, iterations and many hours of research to find something that was both fun and filled a need. Read more>>

Bella Johnson

After working a corporate job out of college that was tough on me I felt invigorated to venture out on my own. I also come from a family of entrepreneurs so this was highly encouraged by my immediate family members. I also have always been an artist, and had dreamed of being paid for my art while making meaningful connection with others– tattooing allows me to do this. Read more>>

Franz Hilberath

My journey to launching my own business wasn’t straightforward. Up until I was 25, I worked various jobs as a server and office aide, waiting for the right opportunity to land in my lap. Then, the company I was working for got shut down for fraud, and I suddenly found myself at a crossroads: either take on more jobs I didn’t care about or take a leap and pursue something I was passionate about. Read more>>