Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Yung JC | Artist / business owneGustavo Fernandezr

Who what when where & why were the first things first , when it came to picking who and what I wanted to go in business doing. What would you do if , it was just based on your love for what you do. Is it the money , the freedom , So first part of process was who what when where & why Read more>>

Keith Ridenour | Studio owner, songwriter and producer.

My thought process was pretty simple. I wanted to provide a space for musicians, bands, artists to come and be creative. A place where they can rehearse, record, and have fun while doing it. Read more>>

Jay Rombach | Your Personal AI Mentor

To truly reinvent myself after a 34-year career in a corporate setting and then two years of trying to find my way as an entrepreneur. I eventually reached a point where I decided that to truly reinvent myself I had to let go of everything I had accomplished in my prior professional life. I turned my focus to a new passion for helping individuals, business leaders, and business owners. I have always loved being innovative, and my interest in learning artificial intelligence opened up new ways to help others improve themselves in ways that have never existed before. Read more>>

Fabio Andrade | Founder of the Americas Community Center Inc. a non for profit corporation

There was a need in our community and i got people beding and got our organization started. this happen over 25 years ago. Read more>>

Ivan Islamaj | Physician Assistant, co-founder and CEO of iCare Mobile Medicine

In my prior professional experience, I recognized an urgent need for an innovative alternative to the traditional healthcare system. The typical experience of visiting a doctor—characterized by lengthy wait times, overcrowded waiting rooms, complicated insurance processes, opacity in service provision, high costs, and the consequent dissatisfaction of patients and stress on healthcare workers—highlighted a system overwhelmed and impersonal, akin to an assembly line. This insight led us to establish our startup with a singular focus: to streamline healthcare delivery and recenter it around the paramount goal of patient care. Read more>>

Tonya Thomas | Event Planner, Boutique Owner & Pageant Director

The thought process behind starting my business was the need to fulfill my life purpose that tugged at my heart. Read more>>

Gregg O’Connell | YouTube Tech Content Creator

I launched GregglesTV inspired by tech giants like MKBHD and Unbox Therapy. Their content sparked your passion for sharing tech knowledge and helping others. I saw a gap between the high-level reviews and the everyday struggles people faced. Leveraging my own experience fixing tech problems for family and friends, I decided to create GregglesTV, a channel focused on relatable tech solutions and clear explanations. Read more>>

Megan Blaha | Licensed Esthetician & Board Certified Laser Technician

To be completely honest, I didn’t think it through at all, it was probably the most impulsive thing I have ever done in my 28 years of living. And yes at times, especially in the beginning, realizing everything I had to invest in my business…in myself…was and still is scary. But I have absolutely no regrets. Being my own boss, making my rules, my schedule, everything; its liberating! When the thought popped into my head, I had been working at a hospital for a few years after graduating with a degree in Health Service Administration. I knew I wouldn’t be happy long term working in an office setting. I needed creativity, I needed freedom. Read more>>

Natalia Earle & Angelo Martinez | Natalia is the COO and Angelo is the Founder and CEO

The decision to establish our nonprofit foundation stemmed from a profound concern for the well-being of our veterans. With a staggering statistic revealing that 44 veterans tragically lose their lives each day to suicide, we felt compelled to take action. Our mission is laser-focused on combating this epidemic and bringing hope to those who have bravely served our country. Read more>>

De-Andrea Bryan | GIS Specialist & Entrepreneur

Embarking on my entrepreneurial venture was driven by a mix of necessity, passion, opportunity, and a deep-seated desire to drive positive change. Luna Care, the menstrual underwear brand I founded, proudly stands as Jamaica’s trailblazer in this realm. Read more>>

Arlene John | Founder & CEO of Pearls House Miami inc

The decision to start Pearls House Miami was deeply personal and rooted in a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of young men in our community. Growing up in Liberty City, Miami, I witnessed firsthand the challenges and obstacles faced by many young men, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. Despite these challenges, I also saw the untapped potential and innate talents within them. Read more>>

Valeria Lasak | Community builder & Content Creator & Marketing Specialist

When I decided to start my own business, my thought process was deeply influenced by a mix of personal experiences, challenges, and the realization of what truly mattered to me. Initially, working nonstop seemed like the only way to achieve success. However, a turning point came when my health took a hit due to overworking. This episode forced me to reevaluate my priorities and the unsustainable pace I was setting for myself. Read more>>