Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Hillarie Isackson | Fine Artist & Muralist

My entire life I was gifted in the arts, and worked very hard to put myself through college and graduated with a BFA in Fine Art and Graphic Design when I was only 20 years old. However, having children several years later, and then being the sole provider for them left me no choice but to pursue a stable career that would provide for my family. For several years I was a studio photographer in downtown Seattle, WA, but without any childcare assistance I was forced out of the work force unable to afford the costs on a small salary. I gave up my dreams of doing anything artistic, and stumbled into success doing marketing and sales for a small hvac company. Read more>>

Tallisker | Singer-Songwriter

I was born with an explorer’s spirit ! From an early age I was attracted to everything that was unknown, puzzling, different from my background. I am truly fascinated by the diversity of people, territories and cultures that inhabit this planet. As a teenager I thought whatever career I would embrace, it should take me places ! When my music career developed, it all made sense : I was able to create, travel and meet new people at the same time. It is no surprise that, as an adult, I run my own business and freedom is at the chore of my lifestyle. Read more>>

Ashley Antonia Lopez | Deviser, Producer, Director, Actor & Marketer

During the pandemic, I realized I need be my own producer and director. I need to make my own opportunities, and I am done going to auditions in the hopes of someone else saying yes to me. X|X Theater Company LLC is a way for me to have theater/film/art in my life while working my full time job. Read more>>

Daenia Ashpole | Entrepreneur and Innovator

I wanted a business that catered to the needs I had; professional working in the management consulting field at the time which took me beyond traditional working hours. However, I still needed to access beauty and spa services at convenient times. At the time it seemed that beauty salons and spas were all open at the same time that most people are at work which didn’t quite make sense to me. I believed there was a whole set of people being inconvenienced because of this model and I wanted to cater to those people. Read more>>

Elena Leone | Chef, cocinera y psicóloga

Since I was very young, I had a strong inclination for music, especially classical music and opera. My earliest memories revolve around the beautiful image of a piano, comforting and delicious meals, and the warmth of being embraced by strangers who, despite being unknown, had a smile for me. Read more>>

Ali O’Grady | Founder

I’ve been on a complex journey with grief since losing my favorite human to colon cancer in 2011. I was 22 at the time and surrounded by many well-meaning loved ones, but felt totally isolated and disconnected as everyone tiptoed around conversations about my dad and the grief that was consuming me. Read more>>

Sarah Kowarski | Luxury Wedding and Special Events Planner and Producer

Coming from families with successful entrepreneurial professions, I felt inspired to listen to my inner voice and become an expert in my craft as a luxury wedding and special events planner and producer. I learned from their experiences and to this day, I still actively pursue continuing education in my industry to make sure that my clients find my concierge event planning program as necessary and relevant as it should be with current demands. Read more>>

Dan Hobday | Artist

After working as a graphic designer for almost 20 years I had enough of the 9-5. I saw how others were selling online and how easy it looked. I saw people selling on Etsy and other sites like Society6. The only problem for me was that I was working full-time and had no time to do my art. I started using the internet to sell my work as it was quick and I could easily upload images during my lunch breaks and after work. At home, I had a collection of art that I had accumulated over the years and it was all just waiting there to be sold. I wanted to do my own thing. The true meaning of success is enjoying and loving what you do every day so that was my plan going forward. Read more>>

Melina Traituros & Cristian Ramirez | Owners at French Bistro – Argentinian Steakhouse

We started thinking about move abroad from Argentina, our home in 2017 since we have 3 daughters and we were concerned about the insecurity in Buenos Aires. We didn’t want for our kids to grow up in that environment. My sister Corina has been living in Miami for more than 28 years. And we visit her and her daughters yearly. Cristian born between pots and pans since his father, Victor had various restaurants in Buenos Aires, and he worked with him side by side but in 2007 he started working at the Private and Domestic Airport in Buenos Aires, and I had my own Travel Agency specialized in Boutique wine , Polo , fishing and hunting and all tailormade trips. Cristian got a Job offer in Pisa, Italy, to work at the airport , we had everything set, the Italian passports, the codici fiscale and the tickets, all set to move on but the Pandemic frozen all that project. In Argentina was very difficult to get the vaccines, so we planned a trip to visit the family and try to get the vaccines in Miami. During our visit we discover that the French Bistro was on sale, so we went for a walk through and our daughters got so excited that there was a grill to cook Parrillada and they discover they had breadcrumbs to make milanesas, one of their favorite food. So we say that the restaurant choose us! Read more>>

Anse Daniel, LMFT-S | Owner and Clinical Director of Enrichment Support Services, LLC

My decision to start my own group practice was rooted in several considerations. Firstly, I wanted to create a practice where I could tailor my services to meet the specific needs of clients. With multiple therapists specializing in different areas, a group practice can offer a wider range of services to clients. This allows the practice to cater to diverse needs and attract a broader client base. Additionally, starting a group practice provides opportunities for collaboration and peer support among therapists. This can enhance professional development, provide a sense of community, and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practices. Another factor in my decision was the desire for work-life balance. With a team of therapists, owners of group practices can delegate responsibilities and have more flexibility in managing their workload. This can contribute to a better work-life balance compared to solo practitioners who may have to handle all aspects of their practice alone. Overall, owning a group practice in the mental health field provided a supportive environment for therapists, enhance service offerings, and offer potential for business growth and success. Read more>>

Darnell Richardson Jr. | Serial Entrepreneur in the Arts & Entertainment Industry

The inception of D Richardson Productions was fueled by a simple yet profound realization: the power of high-quality entertainment to transform lives and bring communities together was often gated behind steep prices, making it inaccessible to many. I noticed a significant gap in the market where the joy, enlightenment, and unity brought about by exceptional entertainment experiences were reserved for those who could afford the luxury. This observation struck a chord with me, both as an entrepreneur and as someone deeply passionate about the arts and community enrichment. Read more>>

Elisabetta Bucci | Clothing brand owner

I come from a background of working in the luxury world , I saw how customers react to buying something precious , specially jewelry, there is so much thought and intention . In the ready to wear world, people buy in a very transactional way. I wanted to change that, my line is based on customization and personalization , when my clients order one of my jackets they are part of the designing process. The result is a piece of clothing that you cherish. Not fast fashion and disposable. Read more>>

Emily Grace | Musician & Jewelry Maker

I was searching for the freedom to create my own schedule and be able to live my life without being confined to societal norms, while being able to stay creative and share my art & music with the world. Read more>>

Frandasia Frannie” Williams | Soul Work Coach & Intuitive Spiritual Healer”

I had one goal when I graduated with my undergrad degree, find a way to be happy. I was surrounded by people who admittedly hated their careers/jobs, but continued to do it out of necessity and comfort. I knew a corporate career or traditional path did not feel aligned for me. I desired more freedom and autonomy. When I did not see what I wanted in the job market, I knew my only choice was to create it. It took me awhile to figure out the specifics of what it is I wanted to do; however, when I had an idea I acted on it. If I said I was going to do something, I did it. It was more worth it to me to try and fail then to not try at all. After trying many things, I found my path in entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Karen Vick | Chief Guide

I started Island Design Studio Inc. in 2007 for a number of reasons, but the most important was the desire to serve my community. I saw that small and micro-businesses needed consistency in their branding and set out to deliver this, beginning with website design & development. Then, I slowly added additional service offerings over time. Another reason was to have more freedom, flexibility, and time with my son. Read more>>

Donna Kendrick | Financial Planner, Author, and Speaker

I am a career changer. The year I turned 40 I thought to myself, “this isn’t so bad, I don’t know what everyone is complaining about” Less than a month later my husband dies suddenly and I was left with to raise three grade school kids, and I was only making $17,500 a year. Because of a good financial plan when in our 20’s, I had life insurance in place so I knew I could keep my house payments current and educate my kids. But I still new I had to reestablish my career, which I had given up to follow my husband’s career abroad in the early 2000’s. I knew that if I was going to launch myself into the workforce again it was going to be with grit, intention and a mission to help other families like mine, those whose tomorrow looked very different from their today. I took some time during those first two years of widowhood to figure out was was most impactful in helping me feel in control and hopeful, and it was the work of the financial advisor I had moved to after my husband’s passing. Working with this financial professional helped educate me to the world of pensions, insurances and social security and helped me create a roadmap for the coming years (with some room for wide right turns when needed). I wanted to do this for other men and women in widowhood and I got the professional education, licensing and experience needed to become a financial planner. As a result of having a very focused client base I was able to establish my own business focusing on families in transition, write a book to help peoople navigate widowhood and establish online course for the same. Read more>>

Alexander Saavedra | 911HANDYMEN contractor

I wanted to do something that I can make a significant difference in my community. My focus was always in helping others and being there for someone. I chose remodeling because it was something I learned and enjoyed from a young age with my father. Having him as my mentor/business partner was beneficial in the making of the company. Read more>>

Stacy Anderson | Herbalist & Natural Body Care Producer

I used to oversee medical benefit plans in Silicon Valley while simultaneously navigating the challenges of my daughter’s lifelong battle with eczema. Driven by a longing for a better work-life balance and a desire to be present for my children, I made a significant change. Read more>>