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.

Kate Paine | Founder & CEO, Standing Out Online

When I was a little girl, my father owned his own business and I always imagined that some day I’d have my own business, too. I wasn’t sure what the business would be but I imagined myself in a suit and carrying a briefcase – much like my father did. After I went to college in New York City for broadcast journalism and communications, I knew I definitely wanted to be in the media communications world. I first worked in print journalism, then into PR roles, owned my own PR business for awhile until I pivoted with the onset of digital marketing and social media and established Standing Out Online in 2014. Read more>>

Kelsi Tesone Mathews | Mortuary Science Practitioner

In Memoriam was born out of necessity. My community deserved to have personalized end-of-life choices and I was determined to make that a reality. Not many people like to talk about death, but my goal is to always make the conversation as easeful and comforting as possible. I think it’s an extremely intimate time in people’s lives, so not only do we want to recognize that, but we want to bring the “human” back into the business of talking about funeral planning and choices. Read more>>

Sandra Ricardi | Owner of RIGAR Performance Denver

amount of misinformation circulating about what it means to be healthy and physically fit. We wanted to provide a place where people can come get healthy along side knowledgable coaches and a welcoming community. We saw an opportunity to provide world class coaching, science based programming that is accessible to ALL populations, and a welcoming community. Read more>>

Marley Wall | Co-Founder of Coven Collective

We wanted to start Coven Collective as a way to shine light on the talented femmes in our music community. Coven Collective’s mission is to engage, support, connect, build, network, communicate, and hone our craft. It is a community of like-minded badasses skilled in the art of sound, with a principle of inclusion and collaboration; knowing that coming from a place of abundance begets more abundance! Read more>>

Shawn Mclaughlin | CEO and Founder

Emporia was founded with the goal of revolutionizing home energy. My 25+ years of experience as a commodities trader specializing in energy made me a true believer in the energy transition. We have been powering our homes the same way for the last 150 years and the team at Emporia wanted to find a way to make homes more energy efficient. We were inspired by the amazing energy management tools for large, industrial buildings but saw a need for an affordable and easy to install option for small commercial and residential buildings. We knew we could fill this gap and bring one to the market. Read more>>

Maurice Laurent | Creative/Founder

A few years ago I had a dream that I was being honored for a perfume I had created. I remember I was at a gala but much of the rest of the dream is blurry, except for one thing. When I woke up I remembered every aspect of the perfume – the top, middle, and base notes, what the smell evoked, even the name. So I went online and tried to figure out “how do you make a perfume?” I thought that all perfumers were from France, and were hand picked by some perfume house because they showed exceptional “nose” skills. Read more>>

Ashlene Patten | Breathwork and Somatic Therapeutic Facilitator

My introduction to somatic therapeutics and breathwork came about from my own self-healing journey. It wasn’t just by myself though, it was actually through the process of allowing myself to receive support. My nervous system was highly dysregulated and I went through some hardships that had me look out for help and that’s when I found amazing therapists and facilitators. I found somatic therapy and my therapist recommended I try breathwork. My first breathwork was pretty profound. Within 10 minutes I felt this bolt of energy in my body as well as buzzing and tingling. Read more>>

Charles Levesque | Artist

Well, my thought process behind starting my own business was a desire for a life change. Before my business, I was working long hours in construction with a long commute and that was burning me out. I knew that I wanted to make my own schedule and the nine to five repeat wasn’t working. What motivated me was the thought that if I could make my own schedule, then I could devote more time towards making art. I also wanted to go to college which requires a flexible schedule. So, at the age of 22 I registered my first LLC. Now, my small residential/commercial maintenance company just turned eight years old. And because of it, I was able to support myself while pursuing my Bachelor’s of Fine Art of which I just received. Read more>>

Kristen Torres | Artisanal Charcuterie Creator & Mom/Wife

Starting my own business was always a distant dream, something I never thought would actually become a reality. For years, I worked for others—it was all I knew, and breaking away from that mindset seemed impossible. But when I realized I needed more flexibility to be present for my daughters, I understood that owning my own business would give me the balance between work and family that I was longing for. So, nearly a year ago, I made the decision to leave behind my 15-year career in the orthodontic field. That’s when my husband said, “This is your moment—go for it.” Read more>>

Becca Tatel | Baker, Business Owner, and Mom

The seed for With Love Baked Goods was planted before the pandemic, when I was teaching part time preschool. My background is in education, but with two children at home and a husband with an erratic work schedule, I didn’t want to go back to full time teaching. As I searched for my next venture, I really began to evaluate what brings me joy. And nothing brings me more joy than baking. A freshly baked cookie is magical. It can transport you to a different time and place. One bite, and suddenly you’re sitting in your grandmothers kitchen as a kid with a huge smile on your face and a glass of milk. Read more>> 

Go By My Middle Name David Baker | David Baker | Hair Stylist & Japanese Head Spa Expert

In my early 20s, I was presented with an incredible opportunity to become a partner in my friend’s new hair salon. I was thrilled to contribute to the journey from the ground up—everything from designing the space and selecting the perfect name, to mastering the art of cutting and coloring hair, not to mention tackling the daily operations. It was an exciting and transformative experience that fueled my passion for the beauty industry! Read more>>

Kostiantyn Mukhin | Sunflower Ukrainian Foods

My passion for food and bringing people together has always driven me. I started my first restaurant in Ukraine with a vision of not just serving meals but creating a place where people could gather, enjoy great food, and feel like part of a family. For me, cooking is more than a profession—it’s a way to connect with others and share a piece of my culture. Read more>>

Alex Cloyd | Small Business Owner

In starting my own business, I wanted to give myself a chance to put the load on my own shoulders and completely own the work that I do. In doing so, I’ve gained the ability to work freely for myself and control the quality of the work I put out into the world. Read more>>

Kevin Sills | Entrepreneur

Honestly, I’ve always been the type of person to look at something and think hmmm how can they do it better? A business, a problem, product, or strategy, you name it. I grew up working for my dad in construction. He was very experienced and knew way more than I ever could. However, we would often butt heads because he’d give me a task or a job to do and I’d always find a way to do it slightly different. Maybe quicker, or easier for me to accomplish whatever. Then he’d step in and say “No son, this is how you do it. Do it like this.” Which with two stubborn people resulted in conflict at times. Read more>>

Michael Conner | Business Development Professional

I had considered self-employment for several years, though didn’t really know how to get started or what I would do. I write – I have a blog and several books in various states of development – so thought most often of writing professionally, though it is a rare thing to be financially successful, independent that way. Read more>>

Erica/keonemana Shrinski

Pure Drip IV was founded six years ago by a family who deeply valued passing it on to another small, locally owned family business. In 2024, they entrusted us with that legacy, and it was truly a dream come true. While we weren’t the original founders, we always dreamed of starting our own business. When the opportunity arose to take over Pure Drip IV, where we were already employed and took great pride in, it felt like the perfect fit. Read more>>

Melinda Cary | Madame Cybele CaryMel, Producer of The Poetry Brothel Denver

I was introduced to The Poetry Brothel when I was living in New York. I was a new mother at the time and unsure how to proceed as an artist. I had mountains of poetry that I had not done much with. Becoming a “poetry whore” was an amazing marriage of my love for immersive character creation and writing. The events I participated in were very inspiring- decadent, timeless, intimate, and so provocative! Read more>>

Sydney Ismir | Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach

I have always had a passion for health and fitness since I was young, as I grew up playing competitive sports but it was not until I graduated college where I decided to choose health and fitness as a career path. To be honest, I was scared of turning my passion into my career because I did not want to get burnt out of something I loved so much. Read more>>

Alison & Ashlee | Photography and Planning

We were both already operating our own businesses but were teaming up so much for collaborations and joint ventures, we thought it was actually simpler to launch as a joint entity! We both run our own businesses as solo ventures (Ashlee is an amazing photographer as Ashlee Crowden Photography and Alison runs a boutique wedding planning business A Bride’s Best Mate and also does portrait and branding photography as Alison Amy Photography & Styling). And together we get to style shoots, plan and shoot proposals and elopements around the world and clients can just email one address and have all their planning and prep in one place, and pay one invoice! Read more>>

Robyn Jackson | Artist

I worked for an education technology startup for 3 years and saw how passionate people can make a dream come alive. After working hard to make someone else’s dream flourish I wanted to put that effort in my own dream and passions. My thought process to starting my business was a found something unique in the art world where I could tell my story and I want to share my pieces of peace with everyone that wants to see. Read more>>

Sawyer Guthrie | Fine Artist

Having come from a family of self-made entrepreneurs, there has been a mindset of “creative innovation” and living a life that is “against the norm” instilled in me at a very young age. Growing up my father always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and chase my passions. Having been given this support my whole life, it only felt natural to follow my dreams of becoming a professional artist. I was put on this earth to create. Not using my God-given talent would not only be a shame but also a life long regret. Read more>>

Marisa Rone | Thrifting Enthusiast & Coffee Lover

I absolutely love thrift shopping & I have for a few years now. It’s one of those things I think many people didn’t give enough credit for a while for the amazing treasures you can find. During covid I started to really delve into fashion & dressing for your body type, which lead me to dipping my feet into affiliate marketing on social media with a couple of different boutique shops. It had its fun moments for sure, but many times I felt like it just wasn’t me & it didn’t seem natural. I found myself leaning more & more into the thrill of thrifting & the satisfaction of finding one of a kind pieces.  Read more>>

Sarah Rincon | LPCC Bipoc Queer Therapist

My decision to start my own business was deeply rooted in both personal passion and a clear need I saw within the Hispanic community. Growing up, I witnessed how intergenerational trauma can impact families, often going unaddressed due to cultural stigmas around mental health. This inspired me to create a space where individuals and couples could begin breaking free from those cycles of trauma. It was important to me to offer culturally informed therapy that not only acknowledges the unique challenges faced by the Hispanic community but also honors our ancestral roots. Read more>>

Ema Vyhlidal | Licensed Nail Artist

I started my private nail studio to address the lack of salons in my community that prioritize natural nail health. Recognizing that many places focus more on aesthetics than on client well-being, I dedicated time to researching high-quality, low-chemical products that promote nail health. My goal is to create a space where clients feel cared for and educated about their nail care, fostering long-term relationships while helping them achieve beautiful, healthy nails. Read more>>

James Rokop | Psychologist and Photographer

I began pursuing photography as a business when I started to get recognized for my work through various social media sites including instagram and National Geographic Yourshot. A few publications and awards later, I began to shoot artistic swimming tournaments for USA Artistic Swimming and continued my streak of being recognized for both my above water and underwater photography. From there my business has grown to include different types of photography including family photos, senior high school photos and sports portraits. Read more>>

Paula Obando Mena | Owner & Designer

What inspired me to create Thrive and BitterSweetDolor is rooted in my deep passion for fashion and the challenges I faced growing up. My journey wasn’t easy—I dealt with significant adversity and went through many struggles during my self-discovery journey. These experiences profoundly shaped me and fueled my desire to create something meaningful.
That inspiration led to the creation of Thrive—a brand dedicated to empowering women to pursue their ambitions and chase their dreams, all while looking and feeling confident. I wanted to create fashion and apparel that not only makes women feel good on the outside but also inspires them from within. Read more>>

Ben & Nichole Tucker | Owners of Little Nuggets Soft Play Rentals Party Entertainment Service

Starting the adventure of creating Little Nuggets Soft Play Rentals was easy and came natural for us. We absolutely love kids, which is why we have three children of our own. We both come from diverse and cultural backgrounds ,which instilled strong family values and caring for our kiddos. Ben comes from a very diverse background, he was born in Spain by way of his African American father being posted there during his time in the military. Being a 20 year military Veteran himself, he understands the dedication, attention to detail, and work ethic it takes to run a small business. Nichole, originally from Canada has a deep understanding and compassion for people and building connections as a nurse and mother. Read more>>

Danielle Brill | Notary Republic & Notary Signing Agent

It wasn’t until April 2024 that my dream finally became a reality. Owning my own business has always been a goal, and the ability to manage my own schedule and embrace flexibility is ideal—not just as a wife and mother, but as a woman navigating life with ADHD. While I’ve held many successful roles in the past, I’ve realized that I thrive when I have more control over my time. On days when my energy is low, I can give myself the space to recharge. Read more>>

Sarah Zettler | mom sharing resources, adventures, and experiences for little ones

I started KidsinCastleRock as a way to be a resource to other parents. As a mom of two little ones, I knew firsthand how difficult it can be to find daily activities for young kids. It can seem like the world wet line ine isn’t very baby/kid-friendly but that doesn’t mean there aren’t fun places to go, engaging activities, and creative ways to spend time with your kids. So I wanted to share my experiences, ideas, and resources for other parents who may feel stuck or alone in their day-to-day routine.. Read more>>