Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Jessy Hill | Power Sports Business Owner

During the onset of COVID-19, my then-boyfriend and I were laid off from our jobs around the same time that March. I spent that summer with my best friend and her husband who both own their own businesses. I gained a lot of perspective on business ownership from both of them of those few months. When I realized that my husband’s talents for mechanics married with my drive and intelligence would be a great combination, I pitched the idea of opening our own shop to him and he was on board immediately. He already had a strong background in power sports mechanics and I am an avid power sports enthusiast, so it was a labor of love on both of our parts. Read more>>

Brie DeLisi Zoller | Operations Problem Solver

I initially didn’t plan on starting a business, I just wanted to help others start their own impact-driven businesses. I spent a lot of time meeting with folks who had fun new ideas and volunteered my time to support them. Six months into supporting others in really inspiring spaces, I had a realization that this could be a career…. an incredibly gratifying and fulfilling career to help people follow their purpose and make an impact in the world. Read more>>

Kalee Duckworth | Collaborative Studio Owner

Honestly, it took a failed business endeavor that aided me to open the Aesthetic Collective. I have followed similar business models on Instagram and Pinterest in the past and had a vision of one day having a collaborative studio space for fellow creatives and entrepreneurs to use collectively. What started as a few Pinterest boards quickly sparked into a business plan, presentation, unpublished website, drafted contracts, and a list of potential properties, equipment lists, and more. Read more>>

Adriana Negron | El secreto Denver

Since I was little I said that I want my own business. I have a great example to follow. El secreto Denver. was not a planned process, it was more spontaneous due to COVID. what I wanted to start doing (the process I was thinking about) was a very different concept than what is El Secreto Denver today. Read more>>

Sydney Oberholtzer | Podcast Producer & Marketing Consultant

What I do and the way I think is very entrepreneurial and relationship driven. I thrived when I work on my own and building something that is mine. Like many, I lost my projects during the pandemic and needed to pivot. Luckily I was already on the path of never having to push my resume. When I was ready to make the leap on my own, I had and still have colleagues reaching out for marketing help. Read more>>

Randi Addington | Managing Partner, Zendo Greens LLC

Zendo Greens actually started with a birthday gift. I gifted my husband Dylan, our Master Grower, a bonsai tree for his birthday. He really enjoyed the concept of bonsai as the “art of patience” and the Zen nature of bonsai. He became intensely interested in tree and plant growth cycles. It started our fascination with growing microgreens. Thus Zendo Greens LLC was born. Read more>>

Becky Smith | Jeweler/Metalsmith

I knew from an early age that schedules and strict time constraints consistent with a 9 to 5 job, were not for me. Owning my own business allows me to get things done at my own pace and allows me so much more freedom to be creative and enjoy life on my own terms. Read more>>

Tom Murphy | Founder

TRUST Beauty started as a Colorado-based beauty brand that my wife Kelly and I founded in 2016, to leverage my experience in the skincare and wellness industry. As our product line, customer base and team grew, we received more and more requests for products to support active aging. That’s when we realized we had a bigger mission, Read more>>

Chris Hanson | CEO at 3GEngagement, a Digital Marketing Agency

For me it all came down to making a decision for my family. That was the foundation of the decision that everything else was built on. At the time I was a digital strategist at a large agency for an automotive client and it was a job that I really enjoyed but because of new terms with the client, it was going to require a minimum of 80% travel. Read more>>

Jayna Swan | International Relationship Expert & Intimacy Coach

I was a college dropout working as an executive secretary for an immigration law attorney from 8:30 am-5 pm and then at a mom-and-pop Italian restaurant on weeknights. I remember changing from heels and a pencil skirt with a blouse & blazer to Black pants a white button-up, an apron & Black sneakers to serve tables. On my weekends I worked at a Macaroni Grill where I made much more as it was normally slammed. Often working doubles closing shifts for more money. Then it happened out of nowhere, I developed a Bartholin gland cyst & my entire life changed in an instant. Read more>>

Michele Portlock | Autism Consultant

My thought process behind starting my own business is simple. I was in the middle of my Master’s program and I was learning so much about behavior and how to help meet the needs of autistic and neurodivergent children. I thought to myself, raising my autistic children has been particularly challenging. There is so much to know and so many frustrating experiences that could have been made easier if I’d had someone I could have talked to about the ins and outs of available resources, effective therapies, tools to use in my own home, education experiences, Read more>>

Timothée Benadon | Classic car dealer

We’ve been friends for over 25 years and always had the dream to hang around cool cars together. As we grew up, we both made our own experiences in different jobs and even gave entrepreneurship a try. After a while, we both started selling cars for a living, we both matured, defined exactly what it was that we wanted and it only made sense to open a business together, and voilà! Read more>>

Kathleen Ketchum | Spirit Medium & Energy Healer

From a very young age I’ve always wanted to start my own business but had no idea where to start. My ideas went from starting a cupcake business, wanting to own a coffee shop, as well as starting a clothing brand. When I found out I was a Spirit Medium, everything changed. I started my business as a way to help those in need of healing especially when it comes to losing a loved one. Since I have taken that leap of faith to starting the business, I haven’t looked back! Read more>>

Charlotte Rodriguez | Esthetician & Lash Artist

My thought behind starting my business was many spas lack the personal connection and consistent client experience. When a new client comes into my spa I ensure their appointment is individually customized and a relationship is established. I have created an environment that provides an undisturbed sanctuary for my clients. From the private room, clean linens, soft light and the relaxing music my spa is equipped to ensure the best spa encounter possible. Read more>>

Pamelagrace WithoutTheSpace | Singing Telegram Curator and Melodic Collaborator

I have always been drawn to how music brings people together. Whether in religious contexts or just concerts there is something powerful about that sort of connection. I wanted to create a service where I could use my gifts to also bring people together. I also wanted to feel more connected to my clients rather than dealing with the layers of limitations that tend to be in bigger companies. I hope that people really feel the authenticity in my services whether it’s a singing telegram, a musical collaboration with other artists, or creating music for other small business etc. Read more>>

Stoned Panda | Music Artist

When I started Stoned Panda Beatz it was about being able to be myself. I grew up learning hard work leads to success, and as I got older it was harder to see success in working the normal corporate jobs. I finally felt I was ready to take my leap and show the world what I could do with no barriers. Now that I accomplished this I want to show the world that you really can do anything you put your mind to. This company is all about spreading love and letting people be themselves. Read more>>