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.

Kameron Bentley

My thought process behind starting my own business was simple. I needed control over my time and my income. At the time, I was dealing with health issues, and it made it hard to keep a steady job. I kept losing positions because of my health, and I knew I couldn’t rely on traditional employment anymore. Read More>>

Veronica Daugherty

My decision to start my own business came from a desire to create something more intentional. I had years of experience in esthetics and medical spa environments, but I knew I wanted to build a space where results and human connection could truly coexist. I didn’t just want to perform treatments. I wanted to create an experience where people feel seen, cared for, and restored. Read More>>

Jane Fineberg

I began my career in mental health more than 20 years ago, following what I thought was a traditional path—strong undergraduate and graduate training, thoughtful supervision, and a commitment to clinical excellence. Early on, I was fortunate to receive an education that emphasized process over content: learning how to think critically, stay curious, and translate that curiosity into meaningful growth. Read More>>

Felicia Baker Jessica Sander-Cederlof

Starting our own business was never a single “big decision” — it’s something that’s always been part of who we are. We grew up watching our parents run their own business, so that entrepreneurial spirit was just normal to us. We always knew we wanted to build something of our own rather than work for someone else. Read More>>

Marissa Krugov

We started our business knowing we had a gift to share. There is a stigma in the dental field that consultants are stuffy and want to squeeze every client into their cookie-cutter ideal of what a dental practice should be and then keep them in perpetuity, whether they needed consulting or not. Read More>>

Molly Hensley

We started Sunset Vibes Graphics as a group of friends that has known each other for decades growing up in Missouri together. Our co-owner and head printer Scott has been screen printing for 20+ years, and I have been working in the local community in customer service and supporting small businesses for over 10 years. Now that we are all living in Longmont and proud Longmonsters we decided to join forces to create Sunset Vibes Graphics.  Read More>>

Lynnsy Diekman

The business actually started in a pretty humble and unexpected way. It was originally just a retirement hobby for Danna Golden’s dad—something he could enjoy, stay busy with, and stay connected to the western lifestyle he loved. At the time, there was no grand plan or expectation that it would grow into anything significant. But as word spread and more people connected with the quality and values behind it, it naturally began to take off. Read More>>

Danni Gugel Nichole Tipton

We wanted to do something that we loved, something that made us happy. We are both former teachers and after that worked for a more high-stress education company in management positions. At some point we realized that we were both stressed, overworked, and we weren’t able to find joy in what we were doing anymore. As best friends we couldn’t watch the other one struggle anymore. So we sat down one day and asked each other if we could do anything, what would it be and the immediate answer for both of us was “open a bookstore.” Read More>>