We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business.  Check out their responses below.

Tabitha Rose | Founder & Editor-in-Chief

Starting Life to Paper was a series of shoulder taps from the universe and serendipity. My career began in politics, and after two years, I made the switch into capital markets. Despite what anyone would see as advancing quickly, I was in a constant state of restlessness. A job promotion or new role would provide brief satisfaction, but the discontentment would return not long after, and I would feel like something was missing. I was in a constant state of needing more. My grandmother and I have a close relationship. One day, she mentioned how she planned to hire a ghostwriter to put her life story to paper. As a child, she had been in prison and escaped a labour camp in Hungary. Having been one of the youngest in the camp and now one of the only living survivors, she had done her research and found that no one had chronicled what happened during that time. Read more>>

Tamara Jean Baptiste | Hair Stylist & Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my business was to become my own boss. I wanted to be able to make others feel beautiful about themselves and what better way than to slay their hair. Who doesn’t like a fresh install? Read more>>

Dwayne Stewart | Lead Change Maker & Teacher

I have always known that I called to create change. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to live this calling out in various ways. In 2016, there was a rising need within communities of color to educate our students and support them through the phases of their development understanding their unique history and identity. For that reason, Change Makers Academy was birthed. Read more>>

Michele Holiday | Behavior Strategist

My thought process for starting my own business was the knowledge and understanding that there was a particular need in the education field that was not being met by very many people. I had developed a skill set that could be of service as well as provide a solution for what teachers and schools were struggling with. So through faith and the willingness to take a risk, I decided to go out on my own and start my own business. Read more>>

Marilyn Orozco-Hachem | Digital Marketing & Content Creator

It is definitely scary to jump into starting your own business. I am thinking back to the day I asked myself “why the hell not?!”. Very quickly your mind begins to spit out all of the “why the hell not’s” but it’s just your fear talking. I will say, for me it was vital to have at least ONE person backing me up and cheering me on to go down this path. My husband was that ONE person for me. Without thinking, he told me to go for it and gave me a timeline to start getting clients and making money; to push myself and also because he couldn’t maintain the both of us forever. Haha! It was the best kind of motivation. Also having my husband, who is also my best friend, tell me that I was capable of doing this meant everything. So all I have to tell you, if you want to start your own business… JUST DO IT! Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can begin today. Read more>>

Anthony Lopez | Entrepreneur & Marketer

For me, starting my own business was mostly about being ready for any opportunity that came my way. I never saw myself as someone who was destined to work for people. To collaborate or be paid for a service, sure, but to answer to a client and a boss; that just wasn’t in the cards for me as a long term solution. So with that said, I always kept my eyes & ears open to opportunities that other people would otherwise be intimidated to take on. I enjoy the unknown to a degree & taking a leap of faith in myself has always been a no brainer. Starting a business however is not for the faint of heart & I was fortunate to start my companies with great partners who shared similar ambitions & perspectives as I. Read more>>

Vanessa Vila | Founder

The need for more inclusion in the workforce was the driving force for starting my own business, Our Grounds. My thought,” If there needs to be more opportunities for adults with different abilities in workforce, then I will create more opportunities myself.” Read more>>