Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Emily Young

I have always loved photography, at a young age I started taking photos for my friends for their senior photos. I loved that I could freeze a moment in time, that I could capture emotion through a still image. Never did I think I would make my hobby my career!

I was in healthcare for years, and I loved it- taking care of people, helping them feel better and giving compassion in a vulnerable time for them. In 2021 I fell pregnant with a high risk pregnancy. I had some devastating news resulting in slowing life down to help our baby girl stay in as long as possible! Read More>> 

Kimberly Do

For the past 5 years, our country has gone through some of the toughest times in history, yet we always find a way to overcome all and push the pedals towards a brighter future. Like many other Americans who arrived in this country pursuing a better life, we’ve made America our second homeland and have lived up to “The land of opportunity”. Even before relocating here, our family has long span and lengthy experience in the Food and Beverage industry. Read More>>

Maddy Pollack

I started my health coaching business after going through my own health struggles with cancer. I saw a huge gap in care after cancer treatment ends, especially for AYA (adolescent & young adult) cancer survivors. After active treatment for cancer end, it can be an extremely scary, anxiety inducing time as typically cancers are most likely to come back in the 1-2 years after treatment. And at the same time, we’re also expected to jump back into life with work, friends and spending time with family. But, in reality, everything is different after cancer. Read More>>

Joe Olivarez

My thought process behind starting Holistic Tech Witch & Apothecary (soon to be EVOKE) was driven by my passion for holistic healing, spirituality, and making natural wellness accessible to everyone. I’ve seen how expensive holistic healing spaces can be, and I firmly believe that no one should have to pay over $150 for a simple herbal consultation or struggle to access natural healing resources. Read More>>

Sloane Milstein

Earning Every Frame: My Unscripted Path to Purpose

Some people follow a linear path. Mine has always been shaped by a combination of personal interests and practical necessity. I’ve worked in multiple industries and held a variety of roles—always with one eye on job security. Supporting myself was non-negotiable, which often meant choosing stability over freedom. Read More>>

Natatia Cady

It’s been a winding journey getting here — I suppose I should start with where I came from. Before pet care, I was in food service. There were things I loved about food and management, but there were also things I ignored and abuses I avoided confronting. My body, however, did not. While I was overworking I was battling alcoholism, losing my hair, bleeding when I shouldn’t and not bleeding when I should. I was stressed and my body was trying to tell me it did not want to keep this cycle up. When I went to see someone for it, they didn’t send me home with medication, but instead with homework to find a career path that would work better for me.  Read More>>

Jim Averill III

My thought process for starting my own business actually stemmed from the desire to be self-employed following my own decision making process.

After college, where I acquired a geology degree, I moved back to the Midwest where I was offered an opportunity to work for a Subaru dealership. I had a passion for mechanics and Subaru’s especially, so I thought it might be a good fit. However, my values and those of a large corporation could not be forced to align. For example, I would provide simple services as a courtesy to customers, Read More>>

Brittany Ansay

Starting a business — and going full-time with it — is a bold move for anyone. For me, as a single mom of two young kids, it was even more so. Still, I’ve learned that what looks impossible is made real by first imagining it can happen — and believing it can be beautiful.

The decision to take the leap into self-employment came from a deep recognition: I needed to build a sustainable, scalable life where I could show up at my highest level of excellence, both professionally and personally. I wasn’t willing to burn out before my kids hit their teenage years. I needed a better way to live, lead, and grow. Read More>>

Romia Pritchett

*Legacy in Every Detail: The Story Behind RC Auto Detail & Carpet Cleaning*

In a world where service often feels rushed and impersonal, RC Auto Detail & Carpet Cleaning stands out with a simple yet powerful philosophy: *treat every vehicle and every home like it’s your own.* What started as a passion project with deep personal meaning has grown into a trusted name, known for excellence, integrity, and care. Read More>>

Mackenzie Or Chris Schmalz

We are a distillery in Palisade, Co. right on our 7th generation farm, Clark Family Orchards. The distillery offers stunning views of the bookcliffs and is nestled right on the Colorado River in the orchards. We use fruit Culls that are unfit for commercial sale and distill them into fruit brandies and Vodka. We also offer a wide variety of other spiritist including bourbon, sweet moonshines, gin, and agave spirits. We have a full service food menu that offers high quality pasture raised burgers, flatbreads and a variety of delicious appitizers. Read More>>

Rebecca RN Dianela RN

Dianela and I are both free spirits, we saw an opportunity to start a business helping people to stay well or receive care that allows their body to heal naturally, we immediately fell into step with that process. After 25 plus years each working in the hospital setting you start to see that prevention needs to be on the forefront of our thinking and providing a professional service where people can provide their bodies with 100 % bioavailable vitamins and fluids to their system is a part of building health. Read More>>

Lesley Craig

I seemed to be constantly trying to figure out what it is I want to be “doing.” I’ve primarily supported myself with service industry jobs my entire adult life, the money is good (hopefully), the people are my people and it’s flexible. That flexibility allowed me to put more energy and focus into my art practice and over time I realized how much more I enjoyed it rather than anything else I was doing. I’ve never wanted an office job or honestly to work for anyone so starting my own business seemed like like the obvious next step. I figured if I had to work than I might as well be doing something I gave a shit about and am halfway decent at. Read More>>

The Cosmic Cabaret

The Cosmic Cabaret was formed to create a permanent space for burlesque, drag, music, and other performers who are new to performing or are typically considered “too weird” for the classic style shows that were in Fort Collins at the time.

We also saw a need to create a deliberately inclusive, safe space for all performers, regardless of skill level, experience, s*x, gender, race, age, religion, or disability. Everybody who wants to perform should be able to do so, and we are committed to providing those opportunities. Read More>>

Dave Huff

I wanted to fill a void in the fly fishing industry. In a time where rod prices were rising and customer service was declining, I was focused on creating a brand that provided great quality, top notch customer service and affordable pricing. Read More>>

CB WanderBus

Where I live, it is hard to make it just like any other small town, ski town, basically everywhere. Prices keep rising and locals keep getting pushed out. I needed to find something as a side hustle that I enjoyed and that was fun. I got the idea at a buddies wedding and rolled with it. Drove out to Phoenix with my previous girlfriend once we found the bus we wanted and towed it back to Crested Butte, CO. Read More>>

 Amanda Fuhrmann

I had dreamed of working for myself and creating content for years. I still remember a morning commute in 2017, listening to a podcast about entrepreneurship and all the benefits of running your own business. It lit a spark for me, but I ended up putting that dream on hold to focus on my career and volunteer work in Annapolis, Maryland. Read More>>

Andrea Everingham

After struggling with my own weight, I wanted to help others succeed with their goals in health. I had lost 50 pounds and felt so much better! I started with taking some nutritional classes. After that, I wanted to help others with fitness as well. That’s when I found Piloxing (mix of pilates and boxing). It was my 1st certification and everything grew from there. Read More>>

Consuelo Galicia

The idea behind starting Achilles Heal came from a combination of personal experience and passion. I saw how important proper nutrition was for my own pup’s health and I realized how limited the options were for truly fresh, homemade dog food without fillers and preservatives. I wanted to provide a dog food meal that other dog owners could trust. Meals that were human grade, delicious and healthy because all dogs deserve that level of care. This has been our lifestyle and turning our lifestyle into a small business was about making a difference in the health and happiness of other pets that started with our family and then expanding to help others. Read More>>

Carrie Shyra

My husband Michael and I had been thinking of buying a franchise and stumbled upon what was then Lunchbox Wax. We were leaving Barnes and Noble, we saw the name of the business and we were intrigued! We contacted the owner, they weren’t selling at that time and 4 months later got a call that the business was for sale. We were wanting to diversify and learn about other income streams, we are both in healthcare and thought this was a good option. We closed on the business in December 2019, then in March 2020 had to close for a period of time due to Covid. It was a very challenging time and a time for learning, which we took advantage of during the closure. Read More>>

Manish Mishra

As a film director, storytelling has always been at the heart of my work. Over time, I realized that combining creativity with digital strategy could create powerful results. That idea became the foundation for starting my own digital marketing company VAATU (https://thevaatu.com/) and https://jairashtranews.com/, https://supremenewsnetwork.com/ and https://bollywoodnewsreporter.com/ news portals. Read More>>

Taylor Tanner

I always envisioned owning my own business from the time I was little. My grandparents owned a few businesses manufacturing Safety Identification Products, which they first started in their garage. I grew up going to “work” with my grandma and I loved every bit of it. At some point or another, everyone in our family worked for their business. It was my first job as a teenager and I remember feeling so proud to work there, knowing this was something my family had created. Read More>>

Caitlin Philp

I don’t even know if I had such a thought process. I had been working for some amazing small businesses while working my way through my degrees and, to be fully honest, I felt my work at those small businesses were more important than my degrees. I did complete those degrees, in between a two year hiatus in the Peace Corps in China. But didi return from the Peace Corps, finished my course work in my Masters and started working at another small business/coffee shop. Felt bored for a hot second and started making pies on the side. It all snow balled from there. Read More>>

Zoe Romero

We decided to start our own restaurants to share our love for food and to leave a legacy for our kids. Our goal was not only to create delicious meals but also to showcase our culture and its rich flavors to the community. We wanted to establish a welcoming space where families can gather, and our children can learn the value of hard work and cultural pride. By building this business, we are not just feeding people; we’re fostering a sense of belonging and making a cultural impact that we hope will inspire future generations. Read More>>

 Lawn Lovers

Our thought process behind starting the company was to learn how to run and operate a profitable business on our own. We had the materials and knowledge attained from mowing our own lawn, so naturally we wanted this to be our business. This is a valuable life skill as we are earning money for college while learning how to be our own bosses. Read More>>

 Mario Garcia

I wanted to have a meaningful impact on the community, regardless of the industry I would enter. I always knew that in order to truly make a difference and change in a community you care about, you have to be able to be hands on and make the difference happen directly from yourself. I graduated CSU \with a Bachelors of Health and Exercise science in May of 2023. Immediately after, I was offered an internship and position in the Strength and Conditioning department with the Los Angeles Dodgers MLB team. Read More>>

Deanna Zhang

I chose to go independent a few years ago. I had a great job with Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co, a prominent energy-focused bank in Houston, building out their energy technology coverage. The people were great, the work was interesting, and the platform afforded me a lot of excellent opportunities….but, I had an itch I needed to scratch. I had always wanted to be an entrepreneur, to see if I could hold my own without the cushion of a large name brand, and to build something impactful. I had no dependents & plenty of savings so it was actually a very comfortable decision for me and one that I’m so glad I took. Read More>>

Erica Occhionero

It all started with a broken dream. Since I was a child, dance was my world: I trained every day, dreaming of becoming a professional ballerina. But when I was 16, a scooter accident changed everything. I broke my ankle, but the fracture was initially mistaken for a simple sprain. That mistake shattered my chances of returning to serious dance training. It marked the end of a dream — and with it came deep pain. Read More>>

Brita DeStefano

Starting my own business came from a deep desire to provide care that truly supports both babies and their families in a holistic, individualized way. In traditional settings, I often felt limited by time constraints and protocols that didn’t allow me to fully address the root causes of a baby’s challenges—whether it was feeding, motor development, or tension patterns. I wanted to create a space where families felt seen, heard, and empowered.  Read More>>

Lydia Howerton

I spent 15 years working as a private chef for high-net-worth families and celebrities in Los Angeles, CA. During the pandemic, a lucky job opportunity allowed my family and me to relocate to Denver, CO. As both a mother and a chef, I’ve spent countless hours sourcing ingredients, shopping, and cooking to expose my daughters to a wide range of flavors, textures, and ingredients to help develop their palates. Read More>>

Allie Hill

After my daughter left for college, I found myself in a place I hadn’t expected – filled with pride for her, but also the deep sense of loss and uncertain about who I was without the daily role of being a mom. That turning point led me to life coaching, and eventually, to founding a business that would help other empty nest moms navigate the same emotional terrain. I didn’t want women to feel alone during this transition. I wanted to give them tools, encouragement, and a roadmap to rediscover themselves and create a fulfilling new chapter. Read More>>

Lifted Fizzy Drinks

Driven by a shared vision to offer Colorado Springs and beyond a healthier yet delicious alternative to traditional sodas, the founders of Lifted Fizzy Drinks combined their diverse strengths to build their company from the ground up. Their journey towards a positive, alcohol-free lifestyle, coupled with a curiosity about the benefits of natural supplements, inspired the creation of the Celestial Lemonade & Limeade line. This collection features seven distinct fruit and floral flavors thoughtfully formulated with unique natural supplements to enhance both mind and body. Read More>>

 José Y Mamen Pérez Y Martín

It is really our hobby, we invest for the pleasure of living, traveling, getting to know, learning… At the moment, unfortunately, we don’t make a living out of it, although we would love to.
At the end of the day we are creators of travel content to advise, to guide people, so that when a tourist goes to another city nothing is left out.
Our friends and family told us that we had to share this information, so that’s what encouraged us to start. Read More>>

Sandra Ten Zijthoff

My journey into creating ceramic whistling vessels wasn’t a calculated business decision, but an extension of my desire to pursue what I love to do. After completing my master’s degree at the University of Amsterdam and my undergraduate studies at CU Boulder in Colorado, I decided to only dedicate my time to projects that truly inspire me—art, music, and conservation work. Read More>>

Austin Witt

It comes down to awareness that can save lives. Data can show you the canvas, but you paint the picture if you have the tools for showing signs of heart disease. Many individuals can improve their health with simple steps. However, these steps require discipline. Discipline is not easy. That’s where we come in. Daily accountability and a focus for painting the picture of real data. This isn’t a traditional training session where you show up at the gym at a schedule time and hope after 16 sessions that you lose weight.  Read More>>

Mikaela Haas

I have always been a creative person, and before I started college, I had the idea to sell some stickers at my mother’s store, General Store 45 in Littleton, Colorado. The issue, though, was that I lacked graphic design experience. I wanted to use my creativity to generate money and business while still going through school, but I couldn’t yet without the skills. Read More>>

Debbie Steinbock

I always say that my interest in nutrition came more out of desperation than anything else. As a teenager, I struggled with significant digestive issues and found that conventional medicine offered few answers. I turned to diet and nutrition as a way to heal my body and spent much of my college years experimenting on myself and getting better. Read More>>

Alex Ceban

Back in 2018, when I was just beginning to consider opening a calisthenics-focused fitness studio, my primary motivation was to fill a void in the market by offering a very unique as well as high quality service. There were essentially no options available for complete beginners who simply wanted to get stronger and perform basic exercises like pull-ups and push-ups, or for more advance clients to master handstands, pistol squats or muscle-ups. My goal was to provide services to such people and help them progress in their calisthenics journey. Read More>>

Alphonse Simeone

Honestly, it felt like the most natural thing to do. I’ve always had that entrepreneurial side, I was that kid doing side hustles, not relying on just one source of income.
I’m not the “put all your eggs in one basket” kind of guy. But starting my own clinic? That came from a really personal place. When I hurt my back in high school, it was a Gonstead chiropractor who got me back playing rugby.
That experience stuck with me. I wanted to create that same kind of impact for other people who are struggling with the same pain and frustrations of not getting real answers and real results. Read More>>

Sheri

The idea for my company grew from a deep desire to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and the personalized, preventative care people truly need to thrive. As a medical doctor, I witnessed firsthand how patients often receive fragmented care—reactive treatments instead of proactive solutions. I wanted to build something different: a place where science-backed, individualized wellness plans empower people to optimize their performance, longevity, and daily quality of life. Read More>>

Dedire Bloomquest

When I started my business, it was to fill a gap I couldn’t ignore. At the time, I was supporting people with nutrition and kept seeing the same pattern—women struggling with hormone issues that weren’t resolving, even with near-perfect diets and lifestyles. It became clear to me that something deeper was going on. Hormones weren’t just influenced by food and exercise—they were being disrupted by hidden factors no one was talking about. That realization lit a fire in me. Read More>>

Halley Stocks

After 8 years working as a physical therapist in a traditional medical model, I wanted to be able to help my clients with more!
While they may have come to me initially for elbow or neck pain, they would tell me all about their lives and struggles. They would share about their depression, anxiety, low energy, weight gain, relationship and career issues, poor self esteem, high stress, lack of discipline, and so much more. Knowing the role that exercise, nutrition, and an ownership mindset played in transforming my own life, I knew I could do more to help and thus my coaching business was born. Read More>>

Jon Gilman

From an early age I knew I wanted to run my own business. I studied entrepreneurship in college but I wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to get there. I was programmed that I had to go to college, get a job, etc. But I found the most joy in what I was doing outside of my 9-5: managing projects in the music space and even developing a career as an artist myself. I started a music blog and ran it for 10 years, I began DJing and producing music, I started throwing my own events, managed half a dozen artists, and was an A&R at two independent record labels. Read More>>

 Sarah Simon

I wanted to grow something more than just myself. Read More>>

Dr. Roy Steinbock

After completing medical school and a residency in pediatrics if felt that though what I learned was invaluable, I still had a lot to learn about wellness and health. While traditional medicine is very focused on disease treatment which is important, I also wanted to learn more about how to prevent illness and disease in the first place. Read More>>

Cassandra Cooper

When I started my business, I was in Indianapolis at the time and CBD skin care was a brand new avenue. I wanted my love for cannabis to be reflected that it’s not a negative stigma that everyone knows. It actually heals and the results are incredible. Skin care is a luxury and the world wants us to indulge in that but a lot of people can’t afford it. I told myself that I wanted to have affordable services so everyone can experience that. Because of that, my clientele receives services like no other that they can still afford on a reasonable budget. Read More>>

Carlos Trechter

At Carlos T Events, the inspiration to start the business came from a deep passion for creating meaningful, unforgettable experiences for others. I’ve always found joy in bringing people together and celebrating life’s most cherished moments, and I wanted to build a company that reflects that purpose. I noticed a gap in the industry for event planning that is both highly personalized and professionally executed—especially for weddings and intimate gatherings.  Read More>>

Vanessa Picone

Starting my own business was about answering a deeper call—to combine everything I’ve learned professionally and personally into something meaningful. With a background in interior design and years of experience in leadership roles, I always felt drawn to creating spaces that didn’t just look good but felt good. Over time, my own healing journey led me to explore practices like chakra healing, Reiki, somatic movement, and breathwork. Read More>>

Abby Korver

Honestly, the idea kind of landed in my lap by accident! Last year I needed a complex surgery that rendered me bed-ridden for about four months. During that time I started writing and published my debut novel. When the book released, I was still recovering from surgery so I hadn’t returned to working. I had a lot of time on my hands. I really wanted sprayed edges for my book, so I began looking into the process and decided to do it myself. I bought an airbrush and taught myself with the help of YouTube and the internet! My books were a huge hit, so I started wondering if other indie authors might also be interested in sprayed edges. I made an Instagram page and the rest is history! Read More>>

Trinnie Lefevre

I’ve been working in the esthetics industry for quite some time, wearing many different hats—from education and hands-on treatments to marketing and consulting. Throughout my journey, I kept seeing a recurring gap: a lack of consistency, structure, and often, ethics. That’s what ultimately inspired me to start my own business. Read More>>

Amber Murray

About 17 years ago, I found myself at a crossroads, deciding which path to take in life. I was 28—full of energy, ambition, and ready for something big. In the back of my mind, I always had a dream of starting a mobile business that would bring joy to people’s lives. Read More>>