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.

Sami Gustafson | Founder and Executive Pastry Chef

I grew up in a house where my dad owned his own business. I was always around that type of life and that was the model of work in my childhood. I saw a missing piece of the market in many places I have lived in the past, and thought I could fill that niche. A place with desserts, beer and wine that was open past two pm. That didn’t exist in many of the places I have lived. So I thought, why not me! What do I have to lose. I am such a community and people driven person that the thought of creating my own space to create a place for other people was my driving force. Read more>>

Ellen Williamson | Animal Welfare Advocate & Pet Matchmaker

Back in 2014 I began a career in real estate in Telluride, CO. I worked with the most exclusive real estate broker who represented the most high-end and expensive properties in the region. Shortly thereafter, in 2016, one of my dearest friends shockingly committed suicide in a horrific manner and it literally shattered my life. The one thing that had connected us was our love of dogs and walking them together on the ski runs in Telluride. Then one year later, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer and passed away 6 months later. I sat in the real estate office with a deep desire and need to do something meaningful and purposeful with my life. Within 6 months of my Mom passing way, in 2018, I founded the Telluride Humane Society. Read more>>

Madi Crook | Wedding Planner

I previously worked for Destination Management Companies and would help plan events for big companies coming into town. I did a lot of creative design for corporate events with themed receptions (welcome to the rockies, under the sea, western themed, winter wonderland, WWII theme for plane hangar museum venues, Coachella, etc.) Read more>>

Audrey Laine Sawyer | Jewelry Artist + Metalsmith

I knew what I was ultimately looking for was freedom in all forms: creative freedom, freedom to work intuitively, freedom within my daily schedule, freedom to travel, financial freedom. My initial decision to quit my job and pursue a career in jewelry was more of a giant leap into the abyss than a calculated maneuver. I definitely approached it with a willingness to embrace whatever might come from that leap, whether it be successes or failures or the sprinkling of both that it inevitably was. Ten years later I am so grateful to be able to say that I am doing what I love, and that I am continuing to experience growth on that path through all the ups and downs. For the first time I took the step of participating in a large scale craft show at the American Craft Made Marketplace in Baltimore, and am poised to start teaching metalsmithing this year, in what I hope will be an opportunity to inspire and open doors for others to follow their own paths. Read more>>

Ellie Tomasso | Founder/Artist Manager of L.E Entertainment Ltd.

When I first enrolled at CU Denver for Music Business, I found myself lacking knowledge in the business side of the industry. It wasn’t until I took an Artist Management course with Professor Chris Daniels that I discovered my passion for working as an Artist Manager. Chris Daniels opened my eyes to the exploitation that can occur when artists are unaware of the business side of the industry. As a former performer myself, I was frustrated by these stories and felt compelled to become an advocate for artists, ensuring they are informed and protected from exploitation. Read more>>

Brady Schlichting | Brady, Your Bike Guy in Vail

I started Evoke Outdoors because I saw a need for a more modern bike shop in Vail. My goal was to create a top-of-the-line experience for both locals and visitors. At Evoke, we offer a trusted bike “concierge” service to assist with bike purchases, building bikes bought online, bike servicing, and bike rentals for exploring the area. I noticed a lack of good service and quality gear in the market, so I was determined to create something new and exceptional. Along the way, I delved into the world of E-Bikes and became specialized in tuning and assisting people with buying and building E-Bikes. Our current fleet is also geared towards catering to large groups seeking to experience the best views in Vail by bike. Read more>>

Christopher Still | Artist

I have wanted to be an artist since my earliest memories. So for me, it wasn’t so much about wanting to start my own business but wanting to be an independent artist that could choose my own subject matter and pursue my own projects. Read more>>

Tom Cattany | Artist and Architect

I had been enjoying doing artwork as a hobby in my spare time while working full-time as an architect. My wife Valerie and I concluded that we would need to earn more income to pay for our daughter’s college education and retirement. Then it came to me that I could earn additional income selling artwork, by doing something that I enjoy and am good at. Read more>>

Beth Geoffroy | Private Tutor & Math Content Creator

I probably don’t have the most typical “start-up” story that other business owners have. My business began when my husband and I moved from Florida to Texas and I was still a classroom teacher. We moved in May, so I began offering private tutoring in my new area to make ends meet during the summer months while I was searching for a teaching position. However, once I started working with students in a one-on-one environment, and I saw that the demand was there, I quickly decided that I did not want to return to the classroom, and I wanted to make tutoring my full-time work. I began thinking about ways I could help my community by offering support outside of the classroom. I didn’t necessarily know what it would take to start my own business at the time, but I did know how to help parents and students with filling in learning gaps, or providing extra practice to strengthen skills. I knew there was a lot to learn about building a successful business, and it needed to include providing excellent service if I wanted that business to grow. I wanted to create a professional online presence so parents would know that I was serious, and that this wasn’t just a side-gig. I made sure to meet students with patience and a fun approach to learning to help them gain the confidence they needed to be successful. Read more>>

Auontai Anderson | Chief Executive Officer

In 2017, at 18 years old, I embarked on an ambitious journey by running for the Denver School Board, becoming one of its youngest candidates. Despite not securing a seat initially, I was inspired by the encouragement of the students I taught in Northwest Denver to run again. In 2019, my perseverance paid off when I was elected, marking a historic moment as the youngest Black elected official in Colorado, serving the At-Large region on the Denver School Board. Read more>>

Rachael Reid | Photographer

Ever since I was a young child I’ve loved creating art. From art classes in school, to private art lessons, to majoring in art in college, I’ve always loved taking photos and capturing the world around me. In college I had more opportunities to take photos for others and I realized how much I loved it! I enjoy getting to be creative while also getting to work with people. I get to share my creative vision with them and help them feel comfortable in front of the camera. I’ve studied photography extensively throughout high school and college and knew that I had the skills to produce quality work. I love being able to use my talents to capture special memories for people. Life can change in an instant and photos are a cherished tangible item that are passed down for generations. I know how special certain photos of my loved ones are to me and I love being able to create that for others. I photograph seniors, couples, weddings, and families and I get to walk through many of those stages of life with my clients. I feel honored to work with people time and time again and to know that my photos hang on the walls of their homes. Read more>>

Nicole Aranci | Studio Owner

Opportunity, mostly! I started practicing yoga at an in-person studio after I graduated college and started working a corporate desk job. While I was SO grateful to have a job, I never felt like I fit in or was meant to do what I was doing. Read more>>

Sage Harper | Co-Founder Mindful Living

I wanted to build a home with sustainable options and realized quickly that there aren’t many options for urban consumers outside of solar. Don’t get me wrong, there are many builders and product companies making a difference, but you’ll quickly find that there may be one sustainable builder within a given state, or the product you want to add is only offered by the MFR and they have to fly across the country to install it. It’s a bit of an urban sustainable desert and I saw the gap for typical urban consumers to add mindful solutions to their daily lives. Most U.S. residents feel that they need to homestead to go sustainable. We need a brand to tie it all together, educate, and elevate. That’s Mindful Living. Read more>>

Ruth Smith | Massage Therapist, Yoga Instructor, Meditation facilitator

I’ve never had or wanted a 9-5 grind and truly believe that there really is no guaranteed stability in any job. When I was a pre-teen my father and several of his co-workers were diagnosed with spinal meningitis, a virus that they caught in the work environment from a company that I will leave un-named. I watched my young mother in shock in the hospital alongside her ill husband as this un-named company threatened my mother into firing my father in what seemed like efforts of retaliation. Some people were already trying to discuss funeral plans or plans for permanent disability care with my mother which was in my experience very traumatizing for me and painful to see my mother go thru. Luckily for my family the world didn’t know how strong Buck Smith was, he pulled through with an amazing recovery and to this day my parents are still alive side by side with a fading memory of the horror and injustice that came along with a sudden illness such as this. I am aware that sudden illness, sudden injury, mental fatigue and other unexpected downfalls can come along with any job at any time in your life. But at that moment, seeing how a company that an individual works so hard for has such disregard for their employees, well in that moment I knew I could not trust my future any anyone else’s hands but my own. I got my massage license in 2016 and have been pursuing a career in wellness ever sense. Read more>>

Cindy Starr | President, GMAEC Board of Directors

My husband, who is a touring singer/songwriter and I travel the US and abroad, visiting venues that house the visual and performing arts. Since having had recently moved to Cedaredge, I was inspired by the richness of talent our area of Colorado has to offer but with nowhere to really showcase their particular art. Read more>>

Rach Ballard | Chin-Up Training – Owner

My thought process behind Chin-Up Training was an evolution of ideas over about eight years, even before I became a personal trainer. I had started my own fitness journey in about 2015, and began to slowly envision what my ideal environment would be like. I had a fairly nomadic lifestyle at the time, living in four different states over the span of several years, which gave me the opportunity to work and train in dozens of different gyms around the country. With each space I took away what I enjoyed and didn’t enjoy about the environment, and was always looking for that “perfect” fit. After becoming a personal trainer and learning more about the fitness industry, I started to realize that I could create my own ideal space, something where people could come to feel strong in their bodies without the pressure of a traditional fitness atmosphere. From there, I took the concept of Chin-Up Training and ran with it. Read more>>

Amanda Campbell | Lifestyle Creator & Transformation Expert

Starting my own business has always been rooted in taking charge of my own destiny. Additionally, my sights have always been set on establishing a career that is rooted in providing tremendous value to others. I am a college educated woman and, yet, I was finding myself in careers that were either unfulfilling or had limited potential for growth. As I moved through a physique transformation myself in 2015 I had perpetual thoughts of helping others do the same. The impact it had on my life was life-changing and I knew that other women needed in on this lifestyle. As other women started to reach out to me for help along their health journey, I knew this was my chance to put something into motion to start taking charge of my own destiny. Additionally, it was the perfect opportunity to solve problems, serve people, and provide tremendous life-changing value to others. Read more>>

Elaijah Williams | Owner of Brave’s Berries Elderberry Syrup

I wanted to create a legacy for my daughter, something she could be proud of and potentially take over one day. I was tired of the corporate grind and wanted more control over my own destiny. Starting my own business allowed me to pursue my passion for health and wellness, while also helping others along the way. I hoped to inspire others to prioritize their health and well-being, showing them that it is possible to live a fulfilling and healthy life outside of the traditional 9-5 job. My ultimate goal was to make a difference in people’s lives and leave a positive impact on the world. Read more>>

Ambre & Cass Rouge & Elyse | Owners/Directors/Performers

Cass: Equinox Entertainment emerged as a collaboration between Cass Elyse and a group of “Aerial Dance” friends in Boulder, CO to push the boundaries of burlesque and aerial dance performances. Cass’ background in theatre & circus arts and her commitment to empowerment through performance led her to create a platform where performers could have the opportunity to share their art & express themselves authentically. Read more>>