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.

Ella Walker | Branding & Wedding Photographer

I grew up with having the biggest entrepreneur spirit about me. I just knew that my “big girl” job was going to be working for myself. It all started from when I was a younger kid – I picked up a camera when I was 15 and ever since I had this pull that encouraged me to make it into a full time gig that I could document people’s life events the big and small ones for a business. Read more>>

Michaila Jensen | Photographer, Graphic Designer & Creator

I just love photography, it is something I’m passionate about & that sparked MLJ Photography. I am a stay at home mom and Military wife so I needed something that could be done on my time, & also move with me as my husband’s job required. My passion for taking nature photos and editing grew into a passion for graphics therefore leading to the creation of MLJ Innovative Design. Now I am the owner of MLJ Photography – nature and abstract stock photos & MLJ Innovative Design – custom digital and physical items. Read more>>

Michael McAtee | Real Estate Developer / Architect / General Contractor

Our business grew from our passion for design and construction. Prior to starting our business, I was practicing Architecture in a firm. I knew being at a desk wasn’t for me and felt a desire to develop real estate. It was a leap of faith, as we started in early 2009, when the great recession had a large impact on real estate and the economy. However, we believed we could provide unique houses that were well crafted in design and construction. We believed that could transcend a shaky economy. Read more>>

Jamie Simonis | Realtor & Real Estate Marketing Coach

I became a Mom at a very young age, and I could remember my childhood where my parents worked tirelessly at their 9-5 jobs to support us. While I had an amazing upbringing, I knew that I wanted a career that offered me the freedom and the flexibility to be a Mom. In the same breath, I also knew that I desired a career where I could exercise my creative nature and problem solving abilities. Read more>>

Sheree Lynn | Ecotherapy educator

I’ve always loved nature. The first part of my professional life was spent as an ecologist on the western slope near Aspen. I then transitioned into K-12 education, and became an international professional development leader for counselors, and a Principal. Throughout all of my careers I’ve seen the need for mental wellness strategies; as I’ve seen students and adults alike face significant challenges. Read more>>

Sari Blum | Photographer, dreamer, moment grabber

I started my own business in 2014. I wanted to start my own photography business because I wanted to start making a name for myself in photography. It began as a way to truly commit to myself and my art – what I wanted to spend a lifetime creating. For me it was a way to put my money where my mouth is. To be held accountable to my art, to turn it into a business and make that thrive. It also made me feel more validated and verified in what I was doing. Read more>>

David Martin | Writer, Poet, Founding Editor & Owner of Middle Creek Publishing

In 2011 I was lucky enough to have my first collection of poems written between 1995 and 2010, published by a small press, however they folded within a year. The rights to my work reverted back to me and I really wanted to have a book of poems ro sell at readings, so being inspired by the encouragement of Hugh Howey, I began to work on re-publishing my out of print book, Span, as a self-published book. Read more>>

Lorraine Strieby | Painter/author/historian Mission Statement:Read to a Child

I knew the world would not come to me I had to come to the world. We are talking about my art business. I have a BS in business education and a minor in marketing and English.. I took art from well-known artists, watch demos., have a mentor. I stopped being a public school teacher in business subjects. Told my family when I’m in my art studio, I’m working, Started out as portrait painter, made the Los Angeles Times. Read more>>

Katie Slota | Public Health Promoter and Farmer

Starting our own business had a lot of appeal to us back in 2009 as we had both floundered and finding our place in the workforce. Nic was trying to be an engineer but couldn’t find meaning in the work (or rather couldn’t sit still at a desk for longer than 30 minutes at a time) and I was struggling with seeing immediate results from my degree in Environmental Health. Read more>>

Meghan Stalzer | The Camel Chick- Homestead Gal, Mother, Fiber Artist, Camel Milk Soap and Fudge Maker

My husband, Matt, and I started, Mudita Camel Dairy, our farm, with the intention of creating a self-sustainable homestead that could also help people. Our journey to creating that self-sustainable homestead has had ups and downs, which have had us to pivot a few times. One of those was moving our farms’ location. Read more>>

Valerie Szarek | Valerie A szarek: Breezy Mountain Leather Artisan / Poet / Musician / Shamanic Practitioner

I founded my first business at 10 years old making bookmarks from green felt and hair-clips. They looked like alligators with google eyes, tongues, nostrils, and their mouths opened to hold the page. In 1972 fresh out of High School I founded Breezy Lady Leather, later known as Breezy Mountain Leather which is still flourishing 50 years later. Read more>>

Neil Olivier | Horror fan | Maker

With anything that I’ve done as a business, always started as a one-off for myself. Then friends, people on social media or word of mouth would spread and I would start having requests to make more. My mother used to say that I had so much talent, and anything I touched turned to gold. I don’t know if that is true, however it seems that people do like what I create. Read more>>

Julia Haman | Embroidery Artist & Nature Enthusiast

My business, Appalachian Stitch Witch, feels like it birthed itself rather than began from any business plan. It emerged from the hardest year of my life after I was forced to leave my chosen career as a middle school outdoor educator. The stress of teaching during COVID for two years flared my chronic illness, Lyme disease, and I was suddenly experiencing daily migraines, which left me no choice but to leave in the middle of the school year. Read more>>

Devin Medina | Entrepreneur, Financial Strategist & Innovator

Building a business is essential because multiple streams of income are a necessity in today’s economy. The tax advantages of different business entities are far more beneficial than a 9-5 job. Also, starting a business is very important because it enables you to use the tax codes to your advantage in regard to everyday expenses. Read more>>

Kelsey/Troy Artes/Karnes | Co-Creators

When we looked around at the world of flavored coffee, we saw so many boring options: vanilla…hazelnut….vanilla-hazelnut. It contradicts the choices that we see people making in the rest of the food & beverage spaces. People like interesting food trucks, craft cocktails, and craft beer. We wanted to take those sensibilities and put them into the world of coffee. Read more>>

AJ McGuire | Tattoo Artist/Tattoo Shop Owner

When I started Dead Drift Tattoo my main goal was to enjoy going to work every day. I had worked at a few other shops and felt a lot of anxiety due to a variety of factors that were out of my control. I felt the best way to increase my happiness would be to take the reins myself and create a culture that encouraged positive attitudes and a welcoming, safe environment. Read more>>

Violence in Violet | Metal Band

Mike, Enrique, Brenden, and Ozzie were working at Guitar Center and their friend was in a local band in Colorado Springs and felt inspired to start their own band. They met their drummer, Brandon, through Guitar Center as well, and the band started organically. It started out as a side project and it was an exciting prospect for the musicians who always dreamed of playing music. After their first show at Sunshine Studios, they sold out of all of their merchandise and realized that there was big potential there. Read more>>

Lindsay Watne | Shop Owner

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with homes and interiors and pretty spaces. I’ve been a real estate agent for the past 12 years (after getting my college degree in finance and real estate) and have seen SO MANY HOMES and realized there is a large part of the population that needs/wants help designing their home, but don’t know where to start. Read more>>

Nancy Isaac and Katy Isaac | Jewelry Designers

Running a business was always a dream for the both of us. Our career history has involved working towards someone else’s vision. Being that we are both motivated and artistic in nature, we wanted to find something that could both equally challenge and fulfill us. We both bring different skills, experiences and networks to the table- this includes photography, jewelry design, art, website design, tech, marketing and sales. Read more>>

Natalie Adderley | Personal Chef

After my son went off to preschool, I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance Management. Then, with our second child off to kindergarten I began to get the wheels turning as to what my future career would be. The goal was to continue staying home but have my own career. Read more>>

Jessica Boyer | Medium and Intuition Guide

It wasn’t so much of a thought process as it was guidance and a push. I learned the full extent of my intuition (being that I am a medium) while I was working in a long career in advertising. I never thought I would leave my well-paying, corporate job “to just be a psychic” as I would say to my friends. However, I would occasionally ask the Universe to make it clear if I was supposed to be using these gifts in my work. My ego thought that I would end up owing a business that had intuitive principles (perhaps a spa in which all the practitioners were guided by their intuition). Read more>>

Sara Slifko | Pilates Studio Owner, Pilates Instructor & Nutrition Coach

I’ve always been interested in entrepreneurship. I come from a family of entrepreneurs; my dad, mom, and sister do or have all run their own businesses. My dad’s dad (my grandpa, hehe) was also an entrepreneur, which drew my dad into that career path as well. I have several extended family members who own their own businesses and run successful ones at that. Read more>>

Nicole VandeBoom | Dog Treat Baker & Chef

When my sons were tiny, I spent years making their baby food. I really enjoyed doing that for, and sometimes, with them. When we adopted our first puppy, Duke, in September 2020, I felt the pull to cook for him, just like I had for my human sons. Dogs are family we care for, not objects we own. Read more>>

Allie and Ryan Pack | Rolf Work, Massage Therapy and Esthetics/Skin Care

What was your thought process behind starting your own business? Working under someone always poses a certain level of restriction, in terms of what you can offer and how you operate. While the motivation surrounding starting our own business is multifaceted, the primary reason for starting our own business was being able to run the business our way.  Meaning, being able to focus on our clients in the way they deserve. Read more>>

Whitney and Patrick | Artists

We’re more of a collaborative art project than a business but we have a simple belief: art is for everyone regardless of class, race, gender, etc. through our free art scavenger hunts we’re able to add to that thought process and belief. Read more>>

Matt Felser | Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Dave & Matt Vans

The first camper van I built was intended for me and my lifestyle. I was a teacher living in Vail, CO who loved the outdoors and had summers off to travel. This needed to be my primary vehicle that would allow me to commute to work and run errands while also traveling safely and comfortable with my mountain bike and skis for weekend adventures or month long excursions. Read more>>

Isa Catto | Fine Artist and Designer

I have been a fine artist for nearly twenty but have always been in love, with and fascinated, by textiles. I love how versatile textiles are, the history of their manufacture, all of it. Read more>>

Jordan White | (Self) Leadership Coach

There was always an inner voice telling me I’d start my own business one day. I remember when I was much younger and did the door-to-door thing asking if my neighbors would like their lawns mowed in the summer and their snow removed in the winter. It was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time to go up to (at first) strangers and ask them for their business. Read more>>

Creatress Sarai Mora | VR Performance Artist & NFT Collector

My thought process when starting my own business was wanting to create a lifestyle on my terms. After getting laid off from a job at the start of the pandemic I realized job security was a myth of the past in this new world. I decided to actually try to build a business around my passion which I studied in school; art! Read more>>

Greta Balzer | Artist & Gallery Owner

In reality there was very little thought. This business was created out of inspiration. Honestly I am not sure I would have opened a fine art gallery in a town of 200 people, located at 9000ft, had I actually thought about it too much. As far as considering this as a business plan, I think the odds were stacked against me. So many traditional physical galleries were closing and or moving online as I was opening. Now looking back this may have been to my advantage. Read more>>

Jacob Cade | Artist/Musician

When I was in high school and learning everything it was they had to teach me I quickly realized I didn’t wanna work for anyone else but myself. Not because I have an issue with authority but because I have vision of my own that I believe people can get behind and could make a lot of people happy. Read more>>

Sacha Jarmon | Co-Founder & Creative Director

I started this business with my mom, Carol (“Ro” in SARO), at the start of the pandemic as a way to hold each other accountable for creative time in the ways we love most that really compliment each other. She sculpts amazing large stone and metal sculptures and has my entire life. I have always been so inspired by her and her pieces–she is most definitely my greatest muse. Read more>>

Petr Basel | Videographer / Director of photography/ editor

Well, it was pretty complicated. I have been making videos for a few years while working at the Four Seasons Hotel in Whistler, BC, Canada. At one point, I had to turn down some projects, because I could not get time off work, so I decided to switch to part-time in the hotel and do video full time.  Read more>>

Stefany Testerman | Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner

I have been in healthcare for a number of years and had become increasingly frustrated at how I was limited by employers in my ability to offer the kind of care I wanted to patients. It made me ask “WHY?” alot! I realized that there seemed to be a number of unnecessary barriers to providing excellent, patient centered care, thanks to corporate policies that were not rooted in healthcare knowledge or decided upon by those actually at the front lines taking care of patients at all. Read more>>