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.

Mazie Cain | Photographer

I had recently graduated from college and was going to start a job with a major accounting firm but there was a pit in my stomach. I was in a weird position where I could either find another position locally, in a field that I was not well suited for, or I could try to make my side gif become my full time gig. I talked with my husband and he was fully supportive. He said if you don’t do it now, it may never happen essentially and so I went for it. Read more>>

Jim Taugher | Owner and Chef

Well, I started making pickles for a restaurant that I was the Chef De Cuisine for. We were kind of a “Forrest to fork” kind of a place. I kept pushing the owners to have the menu reflect how we used to eat. Abundance in the summer and early fall, but the winter menu should have dehydrated, fermented, and pickled items on the menu in a big way. They eventually saw the light and turned me loose. Read more>>

Dr. Anna Towne | Physical Therapist, Pelvic floor & Sports Medicine, Prenatal & Postpartum Specialist

I know how it feels to start getting restless at 3 weeks postpartum because you miss running and working out…I get it….because I’ve been there a couple times. And that’s why I created the rehab programs for moms!
Before I became a Pelvic Floor PT I asked the same questions like “How can I get my core strong again?” Read more>>

Natalie Elzinga | Graphic Designer & Creative Consultant

Starting your own business as a graphic designer is probably a natural progression for most. It’s one of the biggest ways to keep learning, develop your own style and find out what you really love to do. For me, I really enjoy being able to pick projects I am passionate about. Currently, freelancing is my side gig. Read more>>

Chris Rubeck | Owner/Operator Ruby Ru’s Street Eatery

Ever since a young age, I have always had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit. I believe it all started when I was on vacation in Mexico and learned that you could haggle prices! From then it was a string of Dog Walking, Lawn Mowing and Snow Shoveling Businesses. I had been working as a Cook and Chef for about a decade when I realized I wanted to work for myself, and do my own thing. Read more>>

Kim Joggerst | Chief Plant Officer

I had a very specific vision for The Wardian as I started remodeling the building in 2021. I knew one of my main objectives was to bring the community together through the love of houseplants. We have a vast outdoor space and if you can imagine it, we will find a way to make it happen. Our summer lineup for 2023 includes art, movie nights, food trucks, concerts and much more! Read more>>

Kate George | Founder & CEO

I am a true entrepreneur at heart. I much prefer trailblazing to following others. I saw a gap in the market and I created a high-end company to fill it. Read more>>

Lori Patton O’Hara | Creative Strategist & Graphic Designer

I started my business as a “moonlighter,” aside from full-time work as an entry-level designer. This was more exploratory for me to see if this was something I wanted for my future. After a few years of working with great teams, an opportunity to become a contractor for a firm I formerly worked for crossed my path, and I dove in. Read more>>

Megan Meyer | Registered Nurse & Business Owner

I am a registered nurse by trade and came to a crossroads in the Spring of 2021. I was emotionally and spiritually broken and hopeless due to my alcohol addiction. Add my mission to help people, serve my community, follow the rules, hold the best intentions, and think positive thoughts. Read more>>

Kara Blakey | Content and Copywriter

Never in my life did I think I would be a business owner. I’ve just never really been motivated like that. It seemed super intimidating, overwhelming, and like way more responsibility than I ever wanted to take on. I think COVID really put things into perspective for me. Read more>>

Savannah Svoboda | Executive & Artistic Director

Starting Full Expression! A Dance Collective was born out of a deep desire to connect with my local performing arts community and create a space that I dreamed of having when I was a little girl. Though I have been studying and performing since I was 10, I had decided that dancing as a career or owning a dance studio was out of the question after listening to those around me – who were saying, very clearly, that I didn’t have what it took to be in this space. Read more>>

Lucyfer The Enchantress | Businessthem

Starting my own business was almost like a “last straw” decision. I have worked for many people growing their brands and helping with their success and rarely was I given credit or appreciation for it. I did that for years with many different brands and companies then finally I hit a point where I noticed a pattern. Read more>>

Kristine Munro | Connection & Community Builder

This is definitely an evolution story. When I started my first business, my motivation was money and the need to create wealth and freedom for myself. During that time, I was “successful” from the outside looking in, but lacking fulfillment and purpose. Read more>>

Kailin Hamilton | Registered Dietitian, Lactation Consultant, and owner of Just Nourishment, LLC

The thought process behind starting my business took place over a decade. The simplified version is that I wanted to offer my community the kind of quality nutrition and lactation support that once made the biggest difference for me. Read more>>

Chyna Bronson | Fashion Designer

I was inspired to create Chi Marie after modeling in my early teens. Back then the industry was not like how it is today! I am only 4″11 and wanted to do runway fashion. The industry would only let me participate in Magazine modeling. I did this for a bit while attending medical school and pregnant with my 1st child. Read more>>

Sarah Williamson | Owner/Dental Ceramist

Before starting my business, I had worked for 18 years investing all of my efforts and time into mastering my craft and contributing growth into other people’s businesses. I was treating these businesses as my own, without reaping the long term benefits of ownership. It was time to put the same amount of effort into something I can grow and call my own. Read more>>

Alicia Adams | Founder of Alicia Adams Alpaca

My husband and I moved to the Hudson Valley with our then 3 young children and began breeding alpacas on a farm. Every May we shear the alpacas. 17 years ago, I didn’t really know what to do with the fiber as it had been a by-product of our breeding operation. Read more>>

Madison Hert | Cake Designer and Baker

Starting my own business has always sounded appealing to me. I have always wanted to do work that would allow me to spend more time with my kids and have more flexibility in my schedule. I knew that starting a baking business would give me the ability to do something I love and truly find joy in my work. Read more>>

Brittany Baca | Serial Entrepreneur, Barista & Candle Maker

We live in a really small town in Southeast Colorado where you often come across people with a strange belief that there isn’t anything much of value here. You hear talk growing up like the local economy is collapsing, you’ll need to move away after high school to find opportunities, it’s a bad place to start a business because there isn’t enough local money to keep it open, etc. Read more>>

Erika Pinkley | Stained Glass Artist

I didn’t set out to have this business at all. Initially I started my glassing journey as an homage to my mom, a way to creatively decorate our new-build home, and lastly as a way to keep me busy during the covid lockdown. Read more>>