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.

Kaitlyn Seikunas

I always knew I wanted to start my own business because I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurship—my dad owns a gymnastics school, and my mom owned a yoga studio. These spaces felt like home to me, places where I was cared for and supported. However, my first career and “real” job was a much different experience. I worked at a salon and spa in New Jersey where I was overworked and underpaid. Read More>>

Bailee Campbell

When I was 15, my dad bought a nice camera but rarely used it. Curious, I decided to try it out, capturing wildlife, flowers, and the scenery around our family ranch. I started sharing my photos on social media, and one day, someone reached out asking if I could take their senior photos. Read More>>

Garrett Morris

I have always dreamed of working in a card shop, having spent much of my childhood enjoying the atmosphere of my local store. Motivated by the desire to pursue my passion and avoid future regret, I decided to take the leap and make this dream a reality. Since opening our business in 2021, we have been fortunate to receive tremendous support from the communities we serve, which has played a key role in our continued success. Read More>>

Josh Robbins

As a former student-athlete, I experienced firsthand the challenges of the mental side of the game. Unfortunately, there were no resources or support systems in place within our athletic program to help navigate these struggles. After speaking with other athletes, I quickly realized this issue was far more widespread than I had initially thought. Read More>>

Kelli Janke

Starting my own business was an organic process that happened when others encouraged me to do photography professionally. Last year my son played his first season of competitive baseball. Unbeknownst to us we were in the wrong league and our 7 and 8 year olds were playing larger, older (think 9-10) and more experienced boys. Read More>>

Chandreca Hughes

The Desire for independence and identifying that I had a great passion that I want to share with the world. And something that I believe that could be turned into a valuable business as well.. Read More>>

Max Resnik

Since I was a kid, I was always involved in sports. I was around golf as a little kid, picked up soccer, tried tennis, dabbled in basketball, devoted myself to baseball for a few years, and even swam along the way. All of this was done while skiing, and surfing whenever possible. However, as I grew through high school, I realized I no longer had time for all of these sports. As my time became scarce, Read More>>

Caroline Hull

It really came out of a desire to help people. I LOVE helping and supporting people. When I fell into the podcasting world, I had no idea that I would one day be helping business owners behind the scenes and that’s exactly what happened. I’ve always been an entrepreneur. Read More>>

Jake Holschuh

In 2015 I graduated from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design with my BFA in Photography. Coming out of college I knew I wanted to use my skills with the camera to pursue a career, but I wasn’t exactly sure where I wanted my photography to head (weddings, editorial, advertising, etc.). The best thing I felt I could do at the time was go the traditional route of assisting other pro’s and see what resonated with me. Read More>>

Andy Mcdonald

use it for side work. The company I was working for a very long time downsized. I was caught off guard, but I have been crafting my skills in creative storytelling for years. Storytellers are needed more than ever. I am also lucky enough to have also built some great relationships throughout my career. Read More>>

Alison Picher

I have always talked to animals, tame and wild. My conversations have deepened now that I have honed my telepathic skills. And with my psychic training I can offer animal healings when they tell me problems. Healings they scamper over quickly to receive. Read More>>

Ashlesha Moharana-almeida

I started InTek Digital Solutions in 2024 because I wanted something different. My time in Corporate America opened my eyes to how big corporations often overlook the value of talent, creativity, and fresh ideas. The growth opportunities were limited, and I found myself wanting more – more freedom, more impact, and a chance to make a real difference. Read More>>

Mackayla, Dillon Nohr, Schuh

Starting Solstice Chiropractic was more than just opening a business—it was about following our hearts and creating something truly special for families in our community. We’ve both experienced firsthand how life-changing chiropractic care can be, and we wanted to bring that same level of care, support, and education to others. Read More>>

Amber Vongsouvanh

My goal was to establish a unique haven for estheticians in Colorado Springs, a place that didn’t already exist. With the constant influx of new residents due to the military, there’s a noticeable gap in dedicated spaces where people can easily access services like brow shaping, lash extensions, or waxing. I envisioned a welcoming environment that not only caters to these needs but also fosters a strong sense of community and support among industry professionals. Read More>>

Chef Aric & Yukari Bianchi

Yukari: In April 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, Aric and I had just returned to Colorado from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where we had lived for two and a half years. We had already started our personal chef business in Puerto Vallarta and wanted to continue doing what we love in Colorado. Read More>>

Paul Rogalski

We are fortunate to have two businesses both with a theme of music. We decided to first start our own band MOJOMAMA with a desire to create our own music and not just copy other famous musicians to simply make money.

We also created Mojo’s Music Academy with feeling a need to educate and share our passions for music.
Wanting to make music education the only focus and not secondary as you see often in music retail stores. Read More>>

Brooke Neal

In 2022 my husband and I noticed the lack of beginner friendly climbing content online. At the time we were working at a local climbing gym as the social media manager and youth team head coach.

Together with our talents we started a TikTok page where our goal was to post relatable/educational climbing content geared towards new climbers. Read More>>

Michelle Deines

I want to help people heal. There are SO many ways i.e. Facets that a person can face of needing healing. Whether it’s diet, sleep,stress, or so many other factors of life. I want to help people down a road of longterm healing that I have spent years researching and living. I know what it’s like to be stuck. Stuck in illness, depression, anxiety and feeling like you have no where to go. When the medications fail, when the treatments fail… I looked for another way, and it literally saved my life. I want to be an advocate for others, to be an advocate for themselves. Read More>>

Wendy Kinal

flared up and took a brief amount of time off of working. I was going to get back to things in…March of 2020. And we all know what happened. So out of necessity, I started my own business, mainly doing personal training, but I also offer voice, ukulele, basic rhythm/percussion and accordion lessons. All online. I have a few creative projects I’m working on that will be in-person coming up. Read More>>

Michelle Gruening

For 20 years, customer service has been at the center of everything I’ve done. Throughout my professional career, I crafted my personal leadership style and developed skills in mentoring others. I loved helping the people on my teams break through mental blocks, learn new skills, and become better versions of themselves. Although I was professionally successful, I recognized that I was completely unfulfilled as a person. Read More>>