Readers often email us asking us for advice about new businesses they are thinking about starting and we often find that many of them don’t have a framework for thinking about a more fundamental question: why should or shouldn’t you start a business?

Below, you’ll find how successful entrepreneurs from across the city thought about this very question when they were considering whether to start their businesses.

Drew Carline | Real Estate Investor/Realtor/Entrepreneur

I had worked hard for several years growing a company for someone else. When I reached the “top of the mountain” I wasn’t fulfilled. I realized that the fulfillment I was seeking wasn’t going to come from building someone else’s company or making someone else rich. I knew how to work hard and I’ve it my all…it was time to do it for MYSELF! Read more>>

Melissa Medina | CEO and President of eMerge Americas

The decision wasn’t made overnight; a long series of events led to the start of the business I lead today. The idea arose through conversations with my father – we both wanted to create something to help spark and foster the tech ecosystem in Miami, our home. Both then and now, we are extremely passionate about helping our community and wanted to create a positive impact right here in our backyard. After deliberating upon many ideas, and thinking through what Miami lacked, we agreed to launch a project that would bring together all stakeholders in the tech ecosystem: entrepreneurs, investors, global tech/business executives, government officials and academia. After two years of exhaustive research and planning, we finally opened the doors to eMerge Americas in 2014. Read more>>

Soleil Guerrero | Founder & CEO of Bebonia

After spending years in the corporate world, I took the plunge into entrepreneurship to find fulfillment in my work. Along this journey, I made a personal choice to embrace my natural curls, ditching the regular straightening routine. As I sought hair extensions to boost my confidence during this transition, I noticed a glaring gap – there were no brands specifically catering to my hair type and texture. This realization fueled my determination, leading me to establish Bebonia, a brand committed to addressing the unique needs of those with curly hair, and providing them with the confidence and beauty they deserve. Read more>>

Keera Belviy | Founder/CEO of Vital Surf Gear

Being self-reliant and overly detailed as an individual has led to the strong desire to carve our own path to design surf gear & wear we feel is Vital to the industry. Having a tenacious drive led us to pursue a career that catered to ethics shared by many; being mindful and conscious of what you buy, and what your buying is made from. Read more>>

Kasey Hill | Creative Online Business Manager

Indigo Virtual Solutions was born out of corporate burn out. I was exhausted with building someone else’s dream and fortifying someone else’s brand with little reward to myself other than lost time and increasing health issues. The desire to use my actual talents and skills toward my own personal and business goals outweighed the initial fear I had when I left my 9-5. I felt my creativity was being stifled and time was slipping away from me.Read more>>

Miranda Leigh Stull | REV BEAUTY COLLECTIVE, owner & artist

I knew without a doubt that i was meant to create my studio & wellness spa for reasons that were greater than my own desire to be a business owner. i felt called last year to “maximize on what i had” with my former hair studio but knowing the calling was going to be greater than just the service to do hair but to create a space where people could experience both inner and outer transformations within themselves. I felt called to create a safe space where people could feel safe and seen leading with love and to let people know as long as they are in our care, they are seen, valued and so loved. We are a collective of artists who truly desire to leave people better than we found them and don’t for one second take it for granted that we “get” to do this journey along side of our guests. I desire to create and diversify spaces like this all over to be the one spear heading the way business can be done in the beauty industry and allowing for so many to find healing and wellbeing within our space. Read more>>

Sara Patino | Founder & Creative Director

I’d love to share my thought process, and story behind my brand. It started from the love of designing and creating, and has evolved into a brand with an eco-conscious driven mission. It’s been an interesting journey, and I’m happy to share. Read more>>

Rorry Lee | Business woman

There are a couple of different facets to MakeupByRoryLee brand. I first began as a freelance makeup artist with private clients. After being invited to work on set for a commercial, I realized that production work was something I had a passion for! The bookings continued to blossom very quickly. Read more>>

Elisa Calosso | UFlourish Coaching Founder and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner

After over 15 years of experience in the corporate realm in different Human Resources senior level roles, the onset of the pandemic brought me into period of profound reflection. Simultaneously, the arrival of my second child added another layer of complexity to this introspective phase. Upon resuming my professional duties post-maternity leave, I encountered a significant shift in my role, prompting a reevaluation of my career and personal aspirations. Read more>>

Lisa Toohey | Cake Artist & Instructor

When I first moved to Charlotte and found myself in a position I despised, I realized that I needed to take control of my career path. The idea of purchasing an existing business didn’t resonate with me, and it became apparent that there was a gap in the market for cake artists in the Charlotte area. Encouraged by my husband’s suggestion, I swiftly took action, securing a commercial kitchen space and establishing valuable industry connections. My decision to start my own business stemmed from a desire for autonomy, creative fulfillment, and the opportunity to fill a niche in the local market. Thus, in September 2001, I founded my cake artistry business, driven by passion and determination. Read more>>

Crystal Bohanon Haupt | Boutique Business owner

My husband and I traveled to Texas and while out there I found all the boutiques that I enjoyed shopping on line with. We didn’t have a local boutique with a punchy western fashion vibe and I wanted to bring that here. I wanted to establish a fun shopping experience that the town would be sure to talk about. and I feel that’s what we have created. A fun unforgettable shopping experience with a wide range of fashion pieces that I have mixed in to give it a punchy vibe. Read more>>

Tayler Scharg | Hospitality And Event organizer

My thought process behind owning my own business was honestly just the desire to work for myself. I disliked working for others; I always believed I could do it myself, and do it better. We’ve all had bosses we disliked working for, right? When I started my own business, I wanted to ensure that not only could I bring my creative vision to life, but also create an excellent environment where my employees felt like family. I strive to pride myself on that! Read more>>

Rasheedah Shahid | Spiritual & Holistic Instructor

Growing up in the system, it was my senior year of high school and everyone was preparing for college or trade school. I personally knew I wanted to study un der psychology to learn the brain and to help others who may have had similar childhoods like myself or help people overall gain control of their mental and spiritual health without medications or traditional religions. It was during my own journey of learning the power of meditation, tarot, I acknowledged how healing myself was help heal the ones around me. I began to get curious. I wanted to test myself to learn and master spiritual and holistic ways of healing for myself to then share with others. Read more>>

Tiffany Dowd | Founder of Luxe Social Media ® and Luxe Tiffany

In 2009, I launched Luxe Social Media ® while I working as a marketing director for my family’s boutique luxury hotel in Turks and Caicos. I was also concurrently a hotel inspector for a Conde Nast publication and visited the most luxurious hotels in the Caribbean. Social media was just beginning to become popular, and one day, I set up my parent’s hotel as a Facebook Friend and started posting beautiful images of the beach and resort. A friend saw it and wanted to book an anniversary stay. The light bulb went off! There was traditional marketing and print PR, but no one was doing this new thing called “social media marketing.” I approached a few of my favorite hoteliers and pitched them the idea that I would manage their social media behind the scenes (Facebook and Twitter at the time), and in a short amount of time, I was working with the best luxury hotels and private islands in the world. I was among the first people to start an agency for luxury travel solely based on social media. In the past 15 years, I’ve worked with hotels in over 23 countries and five continents. Read more>>

Sarah Simon | Travel Blogger & Photographer

I think once you do something you love for work, it’s hard to accept anything else. I’ve had those jobs before, but they were always temporary or didn’t pay enough. I finally realized that I’m the only one who can make it happen, and it’s worth the sacrifices and hard work involved if it means I can be excited to wake up every morning to do something I”m proud of and enjoy. I know I have what’s necessary to do my own work without a boss or even a regular paycheck, because I’ve done it before, so then it became about taking the backwards steps: what do I need to learn to make this a reality? Read more>>

Sydni Furgurson | Owner of Gypseasol Crafting Co & Entrepreneur

I have always been a creative person and loved anything art related. My mom was also super artsy and always encouraged my brother and I to try new things as a creative outlet. Since I was little she would always make different things for our family and friends. I admired this so much and loved to see how excited her art made other people. She started selling things here and there for holidays and occasions and genuinely just enjoyed creating things for other people. Read more>>

SunJa Leon | Nonprofit Consultant

The genesis of Nokkha Consulting Group is deeply rooted in a lifelong commitment to giving back. Growing up, I was instilled with the value of community service by my grandmother, who consistently contributed to various communities. My grandmother, an inspiring figure, always had an open heart, wanting to help everyone either by giving food, money, clothing, or whatever else she could provide. Hailing from Haiti, where there was a continual need, giving back became an integral part of our family ethos. This inspired me to start my own family nonprofit, The Revive Foundation, an organization that helps underprivileged children. Read more>>

Matthew Kepnes | Travel writer

I started my blog because I wanted to be a travel writer. My hope was that I could showcase my writing on my website, and use the blog as a resume of sorts to get my gigs with publications like Lonely Planet. I never intended for the website to get popular or make money. It was just a temporary stepping stone to get me into the industry. Read more>>

Olivier Lucenay | NJ Personal Trainer & Gym Owner

Eight years ago, when fit4blast was just a spark in my mind, I wasn’t driven solely by the ambition to own a business. It was, at its core, about fulfilling a need and fueling a passion. Here’s the thought process that propelled me on this exciting journey: Read more>>

Ereisha Mackey | Artist

I have always felt as though art was deeply embedded in my DNA. For as long as I can remember, I have been scribbling on paper scraps and in one too many sketchbooks. Needless to say, it has always been both a dream and overall goal of mine to become a fulltime artist. Initially, I wanted to go the route of either fashion design or architecture, but as time passed my interest fell on the uniqueness of the human face. It was with this that I began drawing portraits of my loved ones before moving onto the world of nude figure studies. Read more>>

Lizzie Ranasinghe | Owner of The Lovely Letter Co.

My creative & entrepreneurial journey began 6 years ago when I was a freshmen in college. I attended a calligraphy workshop that sparked my passion for calligraphy. As my journey continued to unfold, people would approach me wanting me to design various projects (everything from home wall art to tattoos). The more projects I did the more I heard from others that I needed to start my own business. I just didn’t have the confidence in myself to make the leap. Although my skills and knowledge in graphic design were growing, I never saw myself as a creative. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had assumed false labels and expectations that people had of me. Instead of using my art as a way to express myself, it often harbored anxiety as I didn’t feel qualified and wouldn’t know what to create. Read more>>

Dr. Victoria Mallow, PT, DPT, MA | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

While working in various clinics and hospital settings, over the years, I developed an idea of what pelvic floor therapy should look like. I felt that the traditional PT model was not set up to provide this level of care that I deemed necessary for treating such intimate and personal concerns. Fast forward to the pandemic which forced me to stay at home for several months. It was during that time that I was able to craft the exact vision for what pelvic health patients deserved. Namely, ample time with a consistent provider, private treatment rooms, and individualized care that focused more on what each person truly needed rather than what an insurance company would declare necessary. I knew then, that I could not re-enter the world of rehab without upholding these higher level practices. Thus, Restore Pelvic Health and Rehab was born. Read more>>

Amos Knoll | Author, motivational speaker, businessman

My thought was to do things that I enjoyed, and not have someone looking over my shoulders I never thought I worked a day in my life. As a lifeguard in Coney Island, I was getting paid for having fun, the same working on wall sheets, recycling yards, financing, Insurance business, driving a school bus, a builder/developer for almost 40 years, international business, oil, gold mining, etc. For me, life was and is one big exciting adventure, with no end in sight. I started many businesses and some worked out very successfully and some did not. The reasons do not matter, it can be the economy, government policy change, etc. The key is to keep going and never give up, you must believe in yourself. To me most important is to be honest and have integrity. Read more>>

Erika Traeger Ananda Spaces | House stylist

From a very young age I always loved helping other people. I have a strong belief that everyone deserves to have a beautiful house wether that means having an organized closet, a nice kitchen, or a well decorated space. People always think that hiring someone to decorate a house for them it’s expensive, which sometimes it’s true, that is why I wanted to create a business where I can help clients feel good about their homes, no matter how big or small the job. \I moved to Miami twenty-four years ago and started by selling art by Abel Vázquez, a Mexican artist,. Shortly after I met Andrés Michelena, a renowned Venezuelan artist. Together we did several exhibitions in Mexico and Miami; since then, we have always been working together.Along the way I have been able to meet more artists and started working with different galleries selling art pieces to my clients. My fascinations have always been both art and books. Ananda Spaces was born from the idea of helping clients curate a beautifully organized and stylish space. In Sanskrit, Ananda means happiness. Read more>>