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.

Jimena Cabrera | Fund raiser, private money lender and commercial real estate investor

I started my biz from Argentina, my goal was coming to Florida. My husband was not convinced so I did it all by myself. Had to change lawyer because the first one was killing my project Had to network like crazy from argentina through zoom and travel to florida also for masterminds, courses and also imperson meetups. Didn’t have funds enough, didn’t have credit, so all I was making was spending it in the biz. Read more>>

Steph Bell | Owner and CEO of BadFlyer

I (Steph), wanted to create something that stood up to online hate and bullying in the sport of Competitive Cheerleading. The industry can be very negative, and I wanted to create a clothing brand that not only gave me a voice, but also gave a voice to the thousands of others experiencing the same issues I was facing. Read more>>

Charles M Sanchez | Entrepreneur and Fitness Coach

When thinking about a business, we must come first to a problem, and we must find a solution to that problem. Coming from the Dominican Republic, from a lovely and entrepreneurial family where my father is a well-established businessman, and my younger brother is establishing himself in the business landscape. Read more>>

Rebecca Martinez | Entrepreneur / Educator / Influencer

Ever since I was little, I knew I always wanted to be a business owner. I loved the thought of being my own boss, being the decision maker, leader and role model. I embodied that mindset in everything I did in life to come – specifically in college. When I become the president of SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Committee), and started to break school records on the volleyball court, I really started to understand what that “boss” role felt like. From there on, I knew that owning my own business was definitely somewhere in my future, I just didn’t know when. When the only decision left was to open my own business a few years after graduating college, I took the opportunity and never looked back. Just diving into the entrepreneur world and making sure I only succeed. Read more>>

Arlett Castillo | Oh La La Boutique Owner and Lash Artist

When I decided to start my own lash extension business, my thought process was driven by a combination of passion, opportunity, and the desire for flexibility. I’ve always been drawn to the beauty industry, and lash extensions seemed like a niche where I could combine creativity with precision. I noticed there was a growing demand for lash extensions, and I saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the market, offering high-quality, personalized services that clients could trust.
Beyond the passion and market demand, I was motivated by the entrepreneurial freedom that comes with running your own business. Read more>>

Ariel Kobetz | be realgoods to your body co-founder

Our journey to starting this business was fueled by our passion for health and wellness—mind, body, and soul. We set out to create a high-protein bar made from all-natural, clean ingredients. Our goal was to develop a bar that everyone can enjoy—whether you need a boost before a workout, a pick-me-up during the day, or simply a wholesome, healthy snack. Building a community is a top priority for us, as we recognize the importance of human connection and the value of support and inspiration from others. Our mission is reflected in our name: be realgoods to your body. Read more>>