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 Peters | Owner, Wedding & Event Coordinator

The thought process behind starting my own business was creating a business of support for moms and caregivers. Heirloom was started in Feb 2021, about a year after the birth of my first child, Calvin, and my mom receiving a ALS diagnoses. Read more>>

Jessica White | Founder & CEO

I never actually set out to start my own business when I had started playing with the idea of organizing Wander Woman. I remember sitting in a turkey blind with my dad, and we were talking about how challenging it was for me at the time to find outdoor hunting opportunities outside of what I was already doing with my family. Read more>>

Nicole Locken | Brand Designer

Nicole Locken Creative was born shortly after my husband and I started our family. After working in the advertising agency world for over a decade and having a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old, I quickly realized I wanted to find a way to spend more time with my family while also nurturing my passion for helping clients create and grow their brands. Read more>>

ERNESTO MARTINEZ | Head Instructor and Owner

I started paragliding at a very young age. But I have always wanted to bring it to the Native American Reservations as I’m part Tarahumara( The greatest long distance runners in the world), Spanish, and Nordic descent. One of the things about paragliding is the peaceful feeling of your feet leaving the hill for the first time. Its life changing and I really wanted to share that with others. Read more>>

Matt Helfrich | President, Black Diamond Lending, an expert level mortgage broker

There were many, but taking control over my options and pricing was the biggest one. Working for a traditional bank or lender leaves those originators tied to potentially poor business decisions. Too big of a staff, CFO not on point, mismanagement of expenses, huge lease payments = all equal worse pricing and rates to the borrower. Read more>>

Shane Martin Smith | Alternative Process Photographer

The thought process behind starting my own business, goes back to my time in film school. When I was in film school, the primary medium for film production was film. I shot my final project on 35mm Kodak and subsequently worked on only a handful of professional jobs that were also shot on film; before the digital revolution happened. Read more>>

Mark Hambach | Owner, PROCARSALE LLC

I’ve always wanted to work for myself, it was something I always thought about and something I knew would eventually become a reality, it was just a matter of when. I’ve also always been fairly entrepreneurial in my life, but never quite enough to sustain myself financially nor enough to take up all of my time so I kept working my day job. Read more>>

Anna | Creative mind behind Little travel for trio””

Discovering the world through the lens has always been my passion. Photography, to me, is more than just a skill—it’s an artistic expression, a captivating tale, a language that transcends barriers. No matter where you’re from or what language you speak, a single photograph has the power to transport you to distant realms for a fleeting moment. Read more>>

Taylor Bell | Boudoir Photographer

I’ve always wanted to be my own boss, play by my own rules, but I never had much clarity about what to do with my life. After so much personal loss and trauma, I felt like there just had to be a way to create art to convey all of those emotions in a way that simultaneously empowers the women I work with. My mind is always bubbling with ideas about how to connect with and help others who “get it” so to speak Read more>>

Mike Noone | Power Sports Expert

My first job at 12 years old was in a small moto shop in Gunnison, CO. From my first day working there I always wanted to own my own shop and my time there would end up being a big motivating factor when envisioning my future. Read more>>

Cheryl Singleton | Real Estate Agent

I was tired of putting in long hours and working myself like crazy for the benefit of someone else. My thought was why am I working this hard for another person when I could be doing this for myself! Read more>>

Canna O’Carroll, LPC | Clinical Mental Health Provider

I wanted to provide individuals with mental health struggles access to affordable care. Through my years of training and working for other companies, I became aware that I had a different work ethic and a strong desire to provide my clients with supportive and thoughtful care. I did not want my schedule to be so full or to be so burnout, I could not provide last minute crisis sessions or be able to be fully present for my clients during dark and difficult times. Read more>>

Michael Lasser | Exterior cleaning services business owner

I think as humans we all feel a sense of pride when we accomplish something great. I have held many amazing job titles and been a part of great things in my work history. All of these experiences have shaped me and the more I grew, the more I desired to create something of my own that would allow me to help more people on a bigger scale. Read more>>

Elsa & Ralph Haber | Store owners

Our family has owned and operated this souvenir store since 1948. It’s been a part of our community for generations, and we’re proud to be a fixture in the town When the pandemic hit, the store closed. Read more>>

Terry Ruch | Home Care Director

After I retired from a career in the state of Colorado, I was looking for a second career where I could make an impact on people’s lives. I chose the franchise route because I believe that there is a great deal to be learned from those who have spent hours and years perfecting a system. Read more>>

Sarah Peirce | Profesional Makeup Artist

I’ve worked in the Gig economy for nearly 30 years. As a creative with many ideas, I’ve enjoyed having some control over my environment and projects that I feel passionate about. Starting my own business was a result of finding where my passion was strongest. I specialize in a natural makeup look, which works for a lot of Colorado brides. I also enjoy doing photoshoots with people of all ages. My work is my creative outlet, and I enjoy applying that to my business. Read more>>

Mariana Teodoro | Content Creator

When I lived in Brazil I used to work in a big company but I was not happy about my professional life. I always believed I could do something more meaningful and enjoyable. So, when I moved to United States with my husband who was relocated by his company I decided to start my own business. Read more>>

Chris Kemp | Owner & CEO | Arrow Wellness

When I first started thinking about taking the leap to become an entrepreneur, I couldn’t help but ask myself: If not now, then when? The daily grind of the 9-5 is just not cutting it for me anymore, I was feeling an intense craving for something …more Read more>>

Mariah Willey | Group Fitness Instructor,

I wanted to be able to provide my son with experiences while being able to be apart of those experiences with him. I wanted him to have a set of close knit friends as well as something to help with routine and give him something to look forward to and be proud to be apart of. Read more>>

Devon Hamilton | Hairstylist & Esthetician

My mom owned her own business throughout my childhood and into my adult years. It was inspiring to watch her grow & be so independent & successful. I wanted to build something of my own & be able to build it from the ground up. I loved being able to put my personality & my energy into my space & watch my dreams become a reality. Read more>>

Kevin Schuetz | CrossFit Gym Owner

I had always had little side businesses throughout high school and college that gave me the entrepreneurial itch but after graduating college I worked desk jobs for a few years. I worked up to making over 6 figures at 24 years old at my desk job but hated working every day.  Read more>>

Ryan Formica | Chief Fog Officer

Between growing up playing and touring in bands in high school, my experience post-college in sales, and the majority of my family all owning their own businesses, I knew I wanted to start my own company and loved the DIY mentality of it all. Read more>>