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.

Falone Jean | Entrepreneur, Content Creator & Pre-Nursing Student

One day, I woke up with a determination to start my own business. Initially, I wasn’t certain about what product or service I wanted to offer, particularly given the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I was certain of one thing; whatever I created would be designed to enhance and simplify consumers’ daily lives. Read more>>

Kethuky Alcantara | Nails / podologia

difficulty working because of my children Read more>>

Danielle Lopez | Event Planner & Balloon Artist

The thought process behind starting POParazzi Parties was deeply personal and fueled by a combination of resilience, passion, and a desire to turn life’s challenges into joy for others. My journey began after facing one of the most difficult chapters of my life: battling breast cancer. As a breast cancer survivor and the fifth woman in my family to face this diagnosis, I experienced firsthand the importance of celebrating every precious moment, big or small. Surviving that battle gave me a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to embrace life fully. Read more>>

Anthony Raphael Escoboza | CEO of Esco Media Group

After graduating from Florida Atlantic University in 2018, I knew I wanted to gain skills that would help me run my own business one day. Sales stood out as essential, so I took a sales account management position at a logistics software company. While I valued the experience and learned a lot, I soon realized the logistics industry didn’t align with my passions, and I started thinking about a new direction. Read more>>

Ana Cortes | Fashion Designer and Olivina Lua Founder

My thought process behind starting Olivina Lua stemmed from years of struggling with finding rings and bracelets that fit me. Traditional jewelry designs often offer only fixed sizes, which can be frustrating, especially for thin or petite pieces where fit is so important. I realized that this wasn’t just my struggle, but one shared by many people who have a hard time finding jewelry that fits comfortably and securely. Read more>>

Paul Oviasogie | Basketball Skills Trainer

My thought process was all about impact and purpose. I’ve always believed in pushing limits, both personally and professionally, and I saw starting my own business as the best way to fully realize that vision. I wanted to create a place where young athletes could not only develop their skills, but also learn values like resilience and consistency that will serve them in all areas of life. I knew it would take hard work, but I saw this as an opportunity to build something meaningful that could make a real difference. Read more>>

Nedra Ali | Digital Marketing Strategist

Starting my business was deeply rooted in a desire to fill a need I saw in the small business community. After working in the corporate world for over 15 years, I gained extensive experience working behind the scenes with systems, processes, and technology. However, I noticed that many small business owners struggled with setting up and managing their digital presence. Read more>>

Andres Cano | Startup Accelerator Founder & GP

My thought process in starting my own businesses, particularly Pygma, stemmed from a desire to create meaningful support networks for Latin founders and foster growth in underserved markets. I recognized early on the unique challenges that Latin American founders face, from limited access to capital and mentorship to the hurdles of entering global markets. This motivated me to establish Pygma as an accelerator and community platform where founders could not only access resources but also build connections with investors and experts who understand their context. Read more>>