Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Cheyenne Bradford | Colorado Photographer

After going to photographer after photographer and not being in love with my photos, I decided that I would become the photographer that I would want to hire. I was a stay home mom that needed a creative outlet and this was it! Plus the income and flexible hours are nice too! Read more>>

Natalie & Hannah Weber | Sisters & Boutique Owners of PINKS

My sister and I have always wanted to go into business together, whether that was starting our own brand or launching a small business. So when the opportunity arose to purchase PINKS, we jumped on it. We both had previously worked for PINKS so we were already familiar with the store operations and amazing customers. Our love of fashion and interest in entrepreneurship go hand in hand in this new and exciting chapter of our lives. Read more>>

Alison Meyer | Founder and writer

As a kid, I was a serial entrepreneur—craft sales, babysitting, I even made greeting cards to sell when the Pope came to Denver for World Youth Day. But I never took the risk as an adult. The pandemic gave me the bravery to start my own business. I figured the entire world was reshuffling, so why not join in? Read more>>

Darla McCarty | Master Coach & Owner

Hey there, I’m Darla McCarty. A wife, mother, and a women’s weight loss and body transformation expert based out of Colorado Springs. I’ve trained hundreds of women over the past 14 years.It all began with my own body transformation journey back in 2010 and then again in 2015 (after each baby), right after weighing in at 170 pounds after my last baby. Read more>>

Keith Burnstein | Musician and Composer

I never thought about music as a business, not really. Instead, just followed what felt right and worked on the craft in a way that allowed it to sustain me. While that sounds maybe a bit highfalutin (or using the word highfalutin is just that), that’s where I started, but certainly not where I ended up. Now, the business is a result of those years of preparation, so that when it comes time to talk turkey, I know what it’s worth. Read more>>

Zach Rabun Rabun | Brewer/Brewery Owner

When we opened Mockery Brewing, we were inspired by the creativity and originality of the American craft beer scene. There was a rebelliousness that was embraced all while holding a deep respect for the history of brewing. We have always strived to represent a unique place and time with our brews by focusing on locally sourced ingredients (many times foraged), non traditional styles and methods, and ability to make a beer without first having to consider whether it will be profitable or not. We want to make the best beer possible with the tools and ingredients that best portray our environment and help support our local communities. Read more>>

Heidi Grace Dack | Cowgirl & Entrepreneur

Honestly, I wanted to bring a piece of the West wherever I go and I thought that starting my own Western company would be the best way to do it! Read more>>

Matthew Grunwald | Owner of FABbot Engineering

My background is in engineering, so it was kind of an accident. I just enjoy solving problems and making cool stuff. When people wanted to buy my stuff, I figured “sure, why not!”. When I started selling one product, I would find other problems to solve, and then started selling that stuff. It just grew from there. Read more>>

Jen Kruse | Artist

I have always loved art, so naturally starting my own art business made sense. As I’ve done commissions over the years, I have realized there is something raw and real and beautiful about making a client’s vision come to life. I find purpose in seeing a client’s reaction to something I have spent hours carefully creating. I have always had a passion for creating and when I realized other people liked my creations, it seemed the most natural option to start a business where I create for clients and make their visions a reality. I do of course create all the time just because I can’t get enough, but commissioned pieces are my favorite to work on. Read more>>

Pitchayada Juntima | Owner, Ground Up Coffee Littleton

I was a homemaker for the past several years, and I wanted to get back into the workforce once my son was older. I missed the creative challenges of working full-time. I am a trained baker and always wanted to own a coffee cafe that sells beverages and treats. I also wanted to start a family business with my sister and her husband, who lived in Washington DC until mid-2022. They moved to Colorado in 2023 so that we could turn our dream into a reality. Read more>>

Stephanie Wilson | Licensed Massage Therapist

I knew that I wanted to own my own practice before I went to massage school back in 2021. I realized that I couldn’t work for others after many years of working in bars and restaurants, and I absolutely needed a career change. When I first became a licensed massage therapist, I worked for a spa while simultaneously starting my own business. It did not take long for me to feel burnt out at that job, and resign. The spa world is fast-paced, money centered, and just not for me. I believe in not over-working myself, and allowing for proper recovery time between appointments. Read more>>

Hardy Hyppolite | Owner & Creative Director

Being in the creative field for over thirty years and designing for companies such as Godiva Chocolate, Oracle, Kraft Foods, and Canon, I wanted to produce a product that reflected my imagination and creativity. Occasionally, I would burn the midnight oil — working on a project — while sipping on a glass of my favorite spirit. Then one night, I asked myself, what if I had my own alcohol brand? What would I call it? The obvious answer was THOUGHTS® because it is how I make a living. Read more>>

Margarita Kogan | LCSW

Mental health is such an important component to lead healthy and successful lives, when working for an agency or larger organization you are frequently restricted in the approaches and time frames that are available. By pursuing my own business model I have the flexibility to utilize the methods that my clients feel work best for them and can work with them as frequently as both I and they see fit to successfully help clients achieve their personal wellness goals. Read more>>

Sam Morgan | String Artist

Since 2015, string art had been a sporadic hobby of mine. But in 2022, I made the decision to transform it into a full-fledged business. It all began when I traveled to Bend, Oregon that spring to meet my husband’s extended family. During my stay, I had the delightful opportunity to lodge with Janet, a talented quilter who adorned her home with her beautiful creations. Janet explained that quilting had initially been a means for her to express her creativity and feed her soul. As time went on, she discovered that quilting also provided a remarkable way to connect with her community. Read more>>

Kyle Williams | CMO, VP of Product Development

The initial cannabis-infused gummy offerings in Colorado only included pectin-based gummies, or “fruit chews”. We felt that it was high-time someone produced a gummy that was based off the most popular gummies sold at grocery stores and convenience stores – you know, that bouncy, chewy consistency that you get from brands like Haribo or Trolli. Read more>>

Sami Reuter | Paracorder/Crafter and Dog Care Professional

Starting my own business happened so naturally. I was at a point in my life where I missed having a dog of my own, but couldn’t have one where I lived so I started dog sitting for the companionship. Within about 8ish months I built up a client base and was able to quit my other jobs. I then went on a rafting trip and saw someone with paracord oar tethers and wanted a pair for myself. Read more>>

Gina Grant | Mystic + Author + Artist + Spiritual Teacher

When people find out I’m a spiritual teacher with clairvoyant and empathic gifts, the first thing they want to know is, how did I get into this kind of work. And I always think, how far back do I go?—because I just came into this life with a link to the spiritual dimension. I was a highly sensitive, old soul kind of kid who’d mind meld with trees and channel the darndest old soul things to say in conversations with the adults around me. Read more>>

Candace Oates | Executive Director/Co-Founder Obesity Awareness IN Action (OAA)

I have been in the health and wellness field for decades as a health coach, diabetes prevention specialist and a personal trainer. When Covid hit, it broke my heart to see that hospitalizations and deaths were highest in the black/brown/underserved/underprivileged communities-especially those faced with Metabolic diseases such as diabetes or high cholesterol. . Read more>>

James Holland Jr | Owner of XAAK’s Barbershop

I’ve always wanted to own my own business. However, I did not know what, I wanted to do. At least, in the beginning. Read more>>

Sonia Ripamonti | Ceo & Founder of The Green Life Store

The need to make people aware of a lifestyle that respects the world Read more>>

Detrick Martin | Wood Carver

I am a wood carver, my brother is a master wood worker and my mother makes pine needle baskets. We all love what we do and decided to share our products with others. In 2021 we all decided to start a business together, Crafts from Trees. Read more>>

Rick Christensen | MUSIC VENUE

One of my favorite things in life is live music. When the Mesa came up for sale I decided to take a chance and start my own music venue: Read more>>

Alexandra Sommer | Loli B Bakery Owner

I started Loli B Bakery to share my families and my own recipes with the world. I grew up in the kitchen and always gravitated there when I was happy or sad. It made sense that I would eventually do something in the world of desserts. I think Loli B started out trying to prove to myself my baked goods were good enough for someone to pay for and finally I took this leap of faith. I want to leave a family legacy in the world whether ten or a million people order from us, I just want our customers to feel like their grandmother gave them a hug by eating our cookies. Read more>>

Day Ramphal | R & D/Consultant

. Many businesses lack that extra push and structure necessary for cash flow. It was out of this need that Traillionaires was created. Read more>>

Rayna | Professional Speaker, Doctoral Candidate, Nomad Adventurer

In the beginning I didn’t realize I was starting a business. I had a moment where I realized I loved my volunteering and mentoring work but it would be nice to get paid for my time. I was great at teaching people soft skills, empowering them, and helping them reach goals they had never even considered. I looked into Professional Speaking and Consulting and realized there was not only a market, but I would excel in it. Read more>>

Bridgit Norris | Leadership Coach

I looked at my son one day and realized I was missing his life. There was always a meeting, a project, a deadline that had to be met. As I got more into the Corporate grind, my son kept getting more independent. Read more>>

Shelly Beyerle | Rossiter Stretching Coach & Yamuna Practitioner

Mostly we saw an opportunity to help people in a new way. No one knew what this Rossiter Stretching System was, it wasn’t out there yet. For my pain it was such a game changer, I wanted everyone to know about it! Read more>>