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.

Kristine Posson | Graphic design business owner

I was a single mom making very little money with lots of student loan debt. I wanted to do something in my field but could not get hired unless i had experience. So i decided to start my own business. I went to the bank and got a loan and started my business as part time. Soon i got so busy with my part time job, i had to quit my full time job and my business expanded to where I had to hire people to help me. I paid my student loans back and expanded my business. Read more>>

Rita Magalde | Founder & CEO – Author

Throughout my adult life, entrepreneurship has been my steadfast companion. It began with a mortgage brokerage, where I diligently steered the ship for two years, eventually reaching the milestone of paying off my first brand-new car.. Subsequently, I embarked on a decade-long journey as the owner of a travel agency, a venture that proved to be the pinnacle of financial success. My partner and I, armed with a mere $1000 and a vision, transplanted ourselves from Spain to Utah in 1996. With unwavering determination, we established our travel agency in 1999 and, within five years, soared to selling upwards of $10 million in revenue, securing our home, vehicles, and the employment of 30 individuals. By the sixth year, amidst a challenging divorce and the impending arrival of our second child, I navigated the storm, delaying legal proceedings until a more opportune time. The arduous process of parting ways with the business commenced in 2007, consuming seven months, numerous evaluations, property appraisals, and considerable legal expenses. However, from the ashes emerged a new beginning. In 2008, amidst the throes of a financial crisis, I birthed Sheer Ambrosia, driven by a fervent desire to create something profound while navigating the trials of single parenthood. Fueled by passion and resilience, I embarked on the journey to reinvent myself. I call it “Reinventing Rita.” My unconventional venture as a Black woman crafting unparalleled baklava in Utah may raise eyebrows, yet it’s a testament to my unwavering belief in its potential to become a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Despite years of modest revenue and the necessity of supplementary employment, I persevered, balancing multiple roles to sustain my family and nurture my business. From office management to insurance sales, I’ve embraced diverse endeavors, supplementing my income while pouring endless hours into perfecting my craft. Over time, I’ve cultivated meaningful relationships and witnessed the profound impact of Sheer Ambrosia on the lives of others, exemplified by the unforgettable bond with a cherished customer, Steve Crandall, whose passing I commemorated with heartfelt tributes and, of course, ample servings of baklava. My journey hasn’t been without setbacks; a significant investment in a storefront proved to be ill-timed, yet Sheer Ambrosia endured, adapting to changing circumstances. Now, with my children grown, I stand poised to devote my undivided attention and boundless energy to realizing the full potential of my life’s work. Though the road has been long and challenging, my unwavering faith in Sheer Ambrosia remains unshakeable. Each day brings me closer to the realization of my dreams, and I remain steadfast in my pursuit of victory. Like a miner on the cusp of discovering precious gems after years of toil, I press forward, driven by the conviction that the fruits of my labor will be sweeter than ever imagined. In the end, Sheer Ambrosia is more than a business—it’s my lifeline, my beacon of hope, and the embodiment of my relentless spirit. And for that, no amount of monetary success could ever suffice. Read more>>

Tacarra Ingram | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

My thought process behind starting my own business was based on the impact I know I can have on the lives of others, without limits. Starting my own business has allowed me to follow my passion and support others in following theirs. Read more>>

Jasmine Walker | Social Worker & Youth Advocate

My drive behind starting The Imprint, LLC “Changing Our Lives Through Impact” was to be able to provide a safe space for young children and adults to use their voice and truly feel supported to do so. Growing up there were a lot of programs that I lacked or resources that were not as readily available that I wanted to be able to provide to the generation after me. The name The Imprint was chosen because the overall vision I had for my business was to provide services that will be long-lasting and that could leave a positive impact on one’s life forever. Another key factor in starting my own business was the desire to be able to work for myself and identify policies and procedures that focus on the greater good of community and that could support growth within for not only the clients we service but the staff that we hire as well. I have worked for many organizations in the past and most times felt that there was not a lot of focus on quality over quantity. It is my goal to ensure that clients and staff who are apart of my organization feel impacted in a positive way. Read more>>

Kara O’Kelly | Singer Songwriter & Creator

I started my own business because I had struggled for years in jobs that I was unhappy in. I never felt accomplished at the end of the day even if I was great at the job. It was never my passion or calling. I took the risk of leaving the 9-5 and jumping with both feet into my own business. Although there are daily struggles of having my own business, I know this is what I am meant to do. I am passionate about music and songwriting and feel like I can help others as well. Read more>>

Tyler Hunt | Chef

After spending over 12 years in the working in the industry I realized that my work had taken me to three states and 7 different restaurants and I had worked just about every position in a kitchen you can think of. after making it to those lead positions where your running the show you start to think about what’s next. so when it came time to make my next move starting my own business and finally working for myself was just a natural next step. Read more>>

Jules Gillen | Expressive Art Therapist

As a artist I have I have always been drawn to creative pursuits and wanted to find a way to use art as a healing modality to help others. As an expressive art therapist, I facilitate clients in using creative expression through visual art to process emotions, reduce stress, and gain personal insight. I find that engaging in artistic activities can help people express themselves when words fail them. Making art is a right-brain process that taps into the subconscious and bypasses our cognitive defenses. When working through art, people can access feelings and parts of themselves that may have been buried. Read more>>

Genevieve Mckay | Personal Stylist, Executive Leader & Small Business Owner

My initial thought process was to find a industry where I could align my core values and life purpose with a lucrative compensation plan. I was a new mom to two kids, the newest child, born with a congenital heart defect. He was rushed to the OR immediately after birth for open heart surgery. Fast forward to his homecoming, 74 days later, we brought home a very sick infant. I always wanted to be a stay at home mom but now, mounting medical debt would require me to be a work from home mom. That’s when I pivoted to start a business that aligned with our family values and my life purpose. When faced with a T in the road, I chose me. Read more>>

Natalie Soonthornswad | Small Business Owner

I opened my first natural pet food store just over ten years ago. The idea of Beast Feast came about in part because of frustrations I had trying to source products that met my standards for quality while also minimizing environmental impact. Many companies were reluctant to offer their products in bulk, and rather than reducing their plastic waste, the trend seemed to be that more companies were individually wrapping treats and chews in plastic wrap. According to the Pet Sustainability Coalition, the United States creates more than 300 million pounds of plastic waste in the form of pet treat and food packaging, virtually none of which is recycled. Read more>>

Zoilita Grant | Speaker, Author and Hypnotic Coach

There is great power in the mind, and clearing subconscious blocks shifts the mindset and achieves goals. I stood on the scale today and weighed 125 lbs. A far cry from the 265 lbs I weighed at 16. I climbed a 15,800 ft Mountain last year on my way to Machu Picchu. When I was 16, I could barely walk up two flights of stairs. I used the power of my mind by learning hypnosis then and hypnotized myself to let go of 150 lbs in a year. That is the moment that my journey as a coach began. I learned the power of mindset and how it can transform your life. I graduated from Berkely with a degree in Clinical Psychology and later got a master’s in social work. After working in a couple of nonprofits, I became a psychotherapist. Over the years I continued to be fascinated by meditation, hypnosis, and other mindful states. I did numerous training and certifications and integrated it into my psychotherapy practice. I loved psychotherapy but over the course of time outgrew the model. I wanted to work in a more empowering way with people. In 2008 I discovered coaching and realized that it was my real life calling. I did the basic International Coach Federation training and then pioneered and got accredited to a new branch of hypnosis called hypnotic coaching. Hypnotic coaching goes beyond problem solving and co-creates a life for you that is purposeful and focused. I will help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be in your profession and personal life! I am Zoilita Grant. Please contact me for a commentary strategy session on how I can help you. Change Your Mind and Change Your Life! It worked for me ..it will work for you! Read more>>

John Joven | Illustrator, Fine Paint Artist

From the very beginning, art was always an option, a path waiting to be discovered. Drawing, design, painting—they were woven into the fabric of my earliest interests and have endured over time. I fondly recall the joy of pencil meeting paper, and when the opportunity arose, I wholeheartedly pursued formal education in illustration and painting. My inaugural paid gig surfaced amidst university studies, serving as a revelation: a testament to the possibility of carving a livelihood from my creative craft, independent and unbound. Read more>>