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.

Emily Campbell

Thank you so much for featuring me! It’s an honor. Honestly, I wasn’t originally planning to start a nonprofit. In December of 2023 was when my symptoms started. (Know these common signs ladies! Read More>>

Ivana Milijev

Starting my own art business came from a deep passion to create and share something meaningful. Art has always been a part of who I am — ever since I was a child, drawing and painting came naturally to me. It was never just a hobby; it was my way of expressing emotion and connecting with people. Read More>>

Rina Kharrasova

I wanted to create something that goes beyond the usual concert format — a space where music feels personal and alive. That idea slowly turned into Tonraum, a project that connects sound, atmosphere, and audience experience. Miami turned out to be the perfect place for that. There’s such an openness here — people are curious, experimental, and genuinely receptive to cross-genre ideas. Read More>>

Benjamin Araica

Ultimately, my goal was to build something sustainable that reflects both my passion for design and my belief in empowering creative professionals. I founded my agency in Florida to work directly with my own clients, enjoy the flexibility of location independence, and create meaningful opportunities for talented professionals from my home country, Nicaragua. Read More>>

Patricia Lahera

We (Marcia Leon and Patricia Lahera) come from professional backgrounds—holding master’s degrees and years of experience in the corporate world—but we’ve always shared a deep passion for aesthetics and self-care. We wanted to merge that professional discipline with our love for beauty and wellness to create something truly special. Read More>>

Dr. Tisa Thomson

Starting my own business came from a mix of necessity, vision, and conviction. I created Mc3 Consulting because I wanted to do more than academia. I wanted to build capacity, shift systems, and prove that community transformation could be both data-informed and heart-led. Read More>>

Wendy Smith

As with everyone else I wanted to increase my income along with my 9-5 job. Also, our parents are getting older and I wanted to ensure that we could financially provide for them as needed and when that time come when they are less independent. Read More>>

Marianne Curtis

Being a lawyer has traditionally been understood as a very formulaic and ‘in-the-box’ profession. However, in reality, as we grow and progress in our career as lawyers–even working within a big law firm–we are all entrepreneurs responsible for building our book of business, developing our brand, and establishing ourselves within the community. Read More>>

Natalie Coto

Starting a business was a decision I pondered over many different times in my career. I knew it wouldn’t be easy at all. I’ve worked at different spa chains and saw how they ran everything and I knew going solo meant I had to wear many hats if I wanted to succeed. Read More>>

Elizabeth Cruz

The thought process behind starting my own business came from a deep desire to create something meaningful that would outcast me- a legacy for my children. Although I have an amazing career with the government of 20+ years, I wanted to show them that with faith, hard work, and perseverance, they can turn their passions into purpose. Read More>>

Yael Emano

In 2010, I made the bold decision to return to school and pursue my passion for lasers and skincare. Having personally struggled with excess hair for much of my life, I was fascinated by the emerging promise of laser hair removal, a groundbreaking technology that was just beginning to gain recognition as a more effective alternative to electrolysis. Read More>>

Liudmyla Krotova

Mila’s Beauty Lab – MBL Academy by Krotova was created as a space where artists grow from students to champions, and from champions to professionals recognized at the international level. My mission, as the founder of the academy, is to transform talent into strength through creativity, discipline, and leadership showing that American beauty education can set a new global standard. Read More>>

David Perez-Espinosa

I have always wanted to position myself in such a way that I could make a significant, positive, impact in my community. As a physical therapist, I directly influence the lives of those around me every day. My patients trust me with their care, and more often than not, the quality of their livelihoods depend on my ability to perform each and every day. Read More>>