We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Irene Malfanti | Photographer

My thought was to create a creative and dynamic business, my goal is to photograph people and moments, delivering authentic and natural memories to our customers. When I work I love to be inspired by the light and by the people that we encounter feelings. We work throughout the Italian and foreign territory. I love my job because it gives me the opportunity to travel and see the world. Read more>>

Nicole Martinez | Brand Developer & Business Owner

From a young age, I loved being creative but realized as I got older that I enjoyed the different aspects of building a business. While in college, I elected to take a few classes in entrepreneurship and eventually added it on as a minor to my Bachelor of Science in Advertising Degree at the University of Florida. I’ve always been fascinated by the opportunities that owning your business can bring about. Read more>>

Andreea Franca | Entrepreneur & Interior Designer

I always had an entrepreneurial spirit since I know myself so I guess it came naturally. In the second grade I was thinking of how to sell the classroom news paper to more people, but nobody really took me serious and I remember being so frustrated. I had a few other attempts since then, some more serious than others. I was always attracted to the creative industries. I did have a corporate start to my working life, which I believe structured the way I act in business, but I always knew it was not the path for me. Read more>>

Jenny Nordstrom | Fine Art Travel Photographer

I actually started my company a bit accidentally when I got laid off about eight years ago — clients started falling in my lap, and suddenly I had a business. My company has always been centered on creativity, but has evolved over the years. First, I was a graphic designer, then a portrait photographer — and finally I became a full time fine art photographer. And this finally feels like I’m completely where I am supposed to be. Read more>>

Camy Klein | Founder

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, but the business came about somewhat by accident. The idea for Suckle came to me after a frustrating experience while breastfeeding my son. It offers a design and function unlike anything else on the market. I knew that so many other moms would benefit from having a more comfortable and versatile solution to breastfeeding apparel. One of our key goals at Suckle is help moms to breastfeed longer and happier! Read more>>

Lea Kiss | Former Sony music singer & top model coach

I wanted to help young girls and guys to achieve their dreams of becoming top models. Because as a former signer for Sony music, I know what it takes to succeed. Read more>>

Lauretta Nkwocha | Entertainer & Entreprenuer

I hadn’t intended to be a business owner. I trained as an actress in London, and have performed professionally since 1996 on various British TV shows, stages across the UK, as well as TV shows here in America. In 2009, I was pregnant with my first child; the nausea was relentless, so I used Ginger ale as a remedy. In 2014, while pregnant with my second child, I decided that this time, I didn’t want to use Ginger Ale to help calm the all-day nausea. I wanted something more natural, so I tried various ginger teas. Read more>>

Amy Tripp | Astrologer and LMSW

It’s interesting because I didn’t purposefully set out to start a business. My goal was to start a social media account about astrology and talk with like-minded people. As my social media account grew so did requests for astrology consultations. Because of this I started a simple webpage and things evolved from there. Everything happened organically. Read more>>

Michelle Von der Goltz | Interior Designer

I have always loved real estate, architecture, especially interiors. I studied Business and went to culinary school, while I worked in the industry for many years the remodeling and furnishing of homes and businesses always called me. I have two wonderful twin daughters and I dedicated most of my time to them in their elementary and middle school years, but when I started to see them not needing me as much as they grew older I started to think about the day they were going to leave to college. I decided it was time I did something for myself. I don’t want the day they leave to college wondering what I should do with my time or why didn’t I start something that fulfilled me sooner. Read more>>

Melissa Rivera | Owner/Operator of The Camp Transformation Center in Davie, FL.

My husband Willie and I have always wanted to open a business, and since we have always been athletic, a gym was always top of mind. But, like most people new to starting a business, we didn’t know how or where to start, so we put it to the side, and continued to work for Corporate America. It wasn’t until Willie saw an Ad for a 6 week weight loss transformation program with The Camp Transformation Center, Read more>>

Libby Duffy | Yoga Teacher and Mindset Coach

I lost my full time job during July of 2020 and I decided to start teaching yoga online until I could get another job. At the time, the intention was for this to just be part time and a side hustle for a little extra cash. But I now have the intention of making this my only job. Set my own schedule, work when I want, and be there more for my child and partner. The more energy I give to this the more energy I get. I’m just following where the energy pull takes me now, no more forcing things. Read more>>

Wonderful Wax | Homemade Candle Business

We all thought we were fortunate to have a good life and receive many opportunities. We wanted to give back to our community and help others how we have been benefited our whole life. We thought, what better way to give back to our society than making homemade candles with love? Read more>>

Sarah Brown | Manager Client Relations, Al G. Brown and Associates

Our business was founded by my grandfather in 1943 in Toronto. He lived his life as a religious Jew and wanted to make sure he didn’t have to break the Sabbath to earn a living. Having his own business allowed him to do that. After a few different sales ventures, he decided to try life insurance. This isn’t so shocking because of his upbringing. He was the youngest of nine and his father died when he was 5 years old leaving my great-grandmother to raise the family. So my grandfather saw first-hand how important life insurance could be. Read more>>

Rebecca Lourido | Nonprofit Founder

In 2021, food insecurity increased throughout the country. People were losing their jobs, the housing market went crazy, and inflation took over. I saw a huge need in Palm Beach County. Little Free Libraries were all over, and I started seeing Little Free Pantries on social media with the same concept, just with nonperishable food items and hygiene products instead of books. I thought that was a great idea, so I decided to start a GoFundMe and Amazon wishlist to bring the first Little Free Pantry to Jupiter. It was a big hit, I raised more money to add more pantries around Palm Beach County, which now brings the count to four. Read more>>

Christopher Cuesta | Landscape Architectural designer

Beautiful spaces for people to interact with and enjoy. I felt like the word “landscape” has so many meanings and in the South Florida context, it has been perceived as a 2d surface used to solely decorate a structure/home. I knew people wanted more. I knew that “landscape” should be an active and interactive space, used for ecological benefit, social family values, and a fresh new aesthetic to push the boundaries of this art form. Read more>>

Michael Cuellar | Long-term and Short-term Real Estate Investor

Well, I love to spend time with my family and working a 9-5 doesn’t guarantee you getting time off for important moments. I wanted to make sure I was there for my kids for whatever they want to do. Read more>>

Lolita Leopard | Performing Artist & Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my own business was to strategically recognize what I wanted to do. I knew that I didn’t want to work for anyone anymore so I fully invested in myself, my talents, and trusted the process and VIOLA!!! Im traveling all over the world performing my music, teaching runway, taking advantage of all opportunities and just showing up being my true authentic self!! Like I really am THE JOB!!! Read more>>