Starting a business can be terrifying. Weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and other considerations can be so overwhelming that often promising entrepreneurs stop before they even start. We asked some phenomenal entrepreneurs about their thought process behind starting their own businesses. Our hope is that by making the thought-process less intimidating we can help more folks think through whether they should take an entrepreneurial leap.

Diana Castro | Video Evangelist, Producer, Content Creator & Change Maker

My thought process behind starting my business was simple. I was not happy doing the corporate thing. I was not moving forward. I felt stuck. I knew that I was created for more. I refused to become complacent. I reviewed my options in my industry, and the answer was clear. I need it to create my own company, I needed to follow my heart, dreams, and purpose. Read more>>

Tiffany Bowers | Owner, Founder & Master Instructor

I’ve dedicated close to 25 years in the fitness+wellness industry … teaching and managing group fitness classes, creating and writing fitness programs and motivating others in my community. And after being immersed in the industry for this long and watching trends and people come and go, I now strongly believe that you should exercise in a different way every single day. Methods and workout styles should address flexibility, recovery, cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, creativity, brain+cognitive health and simply … your overall happiness. Most successful entrepreneurs know that you need to fill a void, solve a problem or provide a valuable service as a strong part of your business model. Read more>>

Maritza Capiro | Interior Designer

I wanted to start my own business as I wanted to take control of my professional life. When you work for someone else you are serving their needs and goals rather than your own. I felt that I could have not only greater flexibility with my schedule but be able to focus my attention where I felt it would be best for my own growth and success. While it can be hard when you first start out, with time and effort, you are able to witness the fruits of your labor. It is a journey and most businesses are not an overnight success. With time you learn what works and what does not. I have also found it very helpful to reach out to people in my design community and make connections that prove beneficial in many different ways. Read more>>

Jessie Bonne | Jewelry Designer & Owner

To be honest, KULT started like a hobby. I first made jewelry for myself and as people around me began asking for some, I took it more seriously until reaching the point of launching the brand with press. I guess that it was somehow more feeling than thought, and then responding to a market that naturally emerged for me. Read more>>

Reshma Anwar | Dance Artist & Future MPA

I am a dance artist but also a future policy maker as I am currently acquiring my Masters in Public Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science’ School of Public Policy with a focus on International Development. Having worked with various choreographers, I realized that I was specifically drawn to working with people who made socio-cultural and/or political statements with their work. I believe in the arts as a driving force for positive change. I also believe that the arts teach us about culture; cultural values, believes and more. Collaboration is the main driver to create mutual understanding, sympathy and empathy in the best case. My project, Music On Pointe (musiconpointe.com) believes exactly in those values and is build around these ideas. Read more>>

James Clark | Basketball Coach & Elementary School Teacher

The initial thought was to create and give young kids that look like me and come from similar backgrounds the opportunity to grow and develop into a better version of themselves through mentorship and sports, mainly basketball. My desire was to provide youth with opportunities that I didn’t have growing up and to reassure them a support system. Read more>>

Melisa Caprio | Author, Photographer & Radio Host

I am an author, photographer, radio host and the creator of Postcards to the Universe™ A Global Movement for Manifestation. I invite people from around the world to participate in this movement. By using photography, art, personal wishes and desires and sending them out to the Universe via a postcard. My book, Postcards to the Universe, Harness the Universe’s Power and Manifest your Dreams features 30 contributor’s postcards that I photographed along with their stories of manifesting abundance. I share manifesting exercises and writing prompts on wealth, health, career, and relationships to help people focus and get what they want. My inspiration comes from a desire to have a forum where people come together in creative ways for global change. Read more>>