To start or to not to start, that is the aspiring entrepreneur’s question

Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Michelle Porizkova | Photographer

I began photography at 16 kind of just as a creative outlet; it then began to grow and grow, and before I knew it I had a large food blog that had a following! I became my passion, and as a result I taught myself photography through videos and articles. Read more>>

John Tabor | Lead Designer

I had worked for different light companies around the nation and saw the good thing they did but also some things that I felt were missing. I wanted to start my own company to be able to bring clients’ dreams to life. Read more>>

Matt Jones | Cycling Photographer / Athlete

I always knew that I wanted to do something in the cycling industry. I grew up riding mountain bikes with my dad, and then began racing in late middle school. I haven’t stopped since! During my senior year of High School, I shattered my ankle and couldn’t race for over a year. Read more>>

Isaiah Ruffin | Chef

The state of the restaurant industry is not good. We sought out to create a (mobile) restaurant that put people, the planet, and profits on a level playing field. The thought process started with people, the biggest failing of the restaurant industry. Read more>>

Taylor Williams | Attorney & Owner of Williams Law

Throughout my time in law school and early on in my career, I worked at a litigation firm that handled banking, insurance, real estate and other complex commercial litigation matters The longer I stayed in that practice, the more clear it was to me that modern business owners needed a legal team that could, not only better meet their needs, but could also be understandable and approachable. Read more>>

Eli Kisko | Graphic Designer & Creative Consultant

I began my business because I wanted to have a say in what I got to produce as a creative, and help educate people on impactful decision making around design choices. I believe as humans we recognize logical patterns in our world, and design can be a series of logic we use to better experience the world we live in. Read more>>

Justina Meadows | Birth and Postpartum Doula

It feels a bit crazy/unreal that I am typing the answer to this question because if you would have asked me 5 years ago if I would ever own my own business I would have said, “pssh yea right!” For whatever reason I continued to put this doubt in my mind about owning my own business, it just seemed so scary, and I didn’t think I out of all people could do it. Read more>>

Rena Greenberg | CEO Easy Willpower and Rena’s Organic

I literally fell into starting my own wellness business after facing death at a young age and having the good fortune to recover. At the age of 26, I suddenly lost all my energy and was overcome with exhaustion. I spent a year going from doctor to doctor trying to find answers. Read more>>

Alicia Poche | Holistic Physical Therapist and Reiki Practitioner

I have been a Physical Therapist for 17 years. Over the years, I learned many modalities to help treat physical aspects of pain; however, I noticed the psychosocial aspects of pain were not being addressed by most providers. I began exploring other techniques to provide longer lasting results, including Minduflness, Neuro Emotional Technique, and Reiki. Read more>>

Cody Weber | Candle Maker & Home Decor Store Owner

Well I started working in retail since I graduated high school. Since then I’ve worked for a few large retail companies like American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, & Superdry. Working in retail slowly became something I was passionate about. Read more>>

KeAre’ Rhea | Creative Director & Public Speaking Coach

Social media is the biggest form of influence for this generation today . I have a teenager who spends several hours a week posting and watching videos from other influencers. The content and messages portrayed do not provide quality substance, that would be beneficial in the growth of our youth. Read more>>

Megan Lott | Acupuncturist, practitioner of Chinese and functional medicine

I actually never wanted to start my own business. Managing marketing, bookkeeping, insurance billing, office management, accounting and the general running of a business never appealed to me. I wanted to focus on patient care, practice Acupuncture, herbal and functional medicine and nothing else. Read more>>

Wally Graham | Sculptor

I have always been one to do my own thing. After completing my degree in the mid-eighties (Syracuse University), most of my peers were starting careers in NYC, tied to phones and office positions, (remember this was the age before cellphones and remote work), which just wasn’t attractive to me. Read more>>

Damani Respass | damanithesun (music artist) & business owner of Tanka Services

The most defining thing that made me start my own company was being misrepresented and under appreciated. I’ve been in construction since I left college, and I’ve always kind of been self taught with things and mastered them a certain way. I’m hands on with everything. Read more>>

Christina Johnson | Photographer & Student

I’ve always wanted to have my own business. Something that I could call my own. Something I can be proud of representing. I love capturing moments that turn into memories. I specialize in nature and landscape photography. I believe the most beautiful thing in the world is a sunset. It’s a peaceful moment and is absolutely stunning. I also do family portraits and love to photograph children at play. Read more>>

Kevin Harrington | Classic car builder

I always wanted to work for myself and make the correct decisions on what ever job I was working on. The thing that pushed me to finally take the leap was a combination of 3 things. The first was the support of my wife, the second was listening to videos of Gary Vaynerchuk, and the last was the shop I was working at was going to stop doing restoration work on classic cars. Read more>>

Hannah Hoffmann | Social Media Manager + Coach

When I was just a pre-teen I had a “thriving” photography business in my small hometown. I charged 50 dollars a session and put their gallery on a CD! So, I think from a very young age I knew, and probably everyone around me knew that I would eventually own my own business or be the boss of something. I got my degree in Public Relations and Communications, with the intention of working with nonprofits, and I did just that! Read more>>

Marko Zelic | Basketball Trainer (Zero Doubt Basketball)

To be completely honest, I’ve always liked the idea of being my own boss. So back in 2020 I was working as a head basketball instructor at one the local recreation centers, and while I really enjoyed being there I knew I can do so much more. I had feeling I can express myself better if I detach myself from someone else’s system and start something on my own. Read more>>

Todd Schlafer | Bonsai Professional and Educator

I was working as the Art Director for a company and I wasn’t happy there. I had been there for many years, but felt like I needed a change. I was talking to my dad and he asked me “If money wasn’t an issue what would you do?” Read more>>

Kathleen Cole | Telluride Wedding and Events Planner

My process was quite simple. I realized the need for more wedding planner professionals in our destination town. There are so many different types of clients and there weren’t enough local planners in our town. At first, I only planned weddings part time but recently went full time as I really enjoy the work and the time spent getting to know my clients and bringing their vision to life. Read more>>

Barbara Masoner | Urban Agriculture Leader

Grow Local started up during the Great Recession. Several committed individuals and organizations saw a need to ensure food security for everyone in our community while ensuring we created a healthier future for the next several generations. Read more>>

Melissa Rippy | Agency Owner and Little Free Library owner

I have been in the insurance industry for almost 20 years now, and I have always enjoyed helping others protect their assets. As a retired claims adjuster and now an insurance agency owner, I have been on both sides of the claim and find that my experience helps to provide valuable knowledge to our clients. Read more>>