How to think through whether you should 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.

Natalia Cornejo | Botanical Artist and Mental Health Worker

PFM began in Charlottesville, VA, as a self-care hobby – a gift I gave to myself. Initially, I never intended it to become a business. I created botanical pieces for friends simply for fun, but slowly, they encouraged me to consider selling, planting the seed of turning PFM into something more. I resisted this idea for years, avoiding it altogether. My greatest fear was that what brought me peace would eventually become a source of stress, draining the joy from my flower-pressing practice. Read more>>

Antonio Di Loreto | Tattoo artis and piercer

I’ve start tattooing when I was 17 yo ( 30 years ago) , it’s always been my hobby and my passion and in the mean time I was working another job. I was born and raised in Italy and when I decided to move to the USA I made my passion for tattooing my job and my time much more valuable. Read more>>

Danielle Alvarez, Esq. | Lawyer & Small Business Owner

Starting my own business was a combination of personal experience and a desire to fill a gap I saw in the legal industry. As a small business owner myself, I knew how overwhelming and inaccessible legal support could feel—especially with unpredictable pricing and a lack of tailored services for entrepreneurs. Read more>>

Jeff Pro | Practitioner instructor

My thought process was driven by my desire to create a unique, accessible service that combines the benefits of stretching, physical therapy, and chiropractic care in a mobile setting. I saw a gap in the market for specialized, on-the-go services that could improve people’s flexibility, reduce pain, and support their wellness in a way that fits their busy lives. I also wanted to leverage my experience in body anatomy and physiology and build something meaningful, reflecting my passion for helping others and fostering healthier, more active lifestyles. Starting my own business allowed me to bring my vision to life and offer a service I truly believe in. Read more>> 

Riley Hydock | Founder of Pool Boy & Full time student

I have always been an extremely creative person. Ever since I was a child, I enjoyed creating things with my hands, and bringing the ideas I had in my head to life. Later in life, my entrepreneurial side came out. From a slime business in middle school, to jewelry and sweatshirts in highschool, I truly found a passion I knew would stick with me for the rest of my life. People always asked me what I wanted to do when I was older, and I never knew how to answer that question- but I know now for sure, that it is running my own company, from a creative standpoint as well as a business perspective. Read more>>

Lourdes Velez | Event photography

At 18, I decided to turn my passion for Photography into a business a decision that had been building for years. I still remember when my parents gave me my first film camera. It marked the start of a transformative journey. From that moment I recognize my unique ability to capture light and motion in a single frame. I was risking my happiness, my potential, and even my family’s future by not taking a chance on myself, but not embracing my photography as more than just a hobby. It wasn’t fully committed to the life I had dreamed for us. Read more>>

Shiran Gindi | Chef

My thought process? Well, imagine discovering that just by swapping out a few ingredients, you can help someone not only feel better physically but also mentally. It’s like I’m in the “superhero” business of food! I realized I could truly change lives through what’s on their plates—showing that good fats, proteins, and real ingredients can be as powerful as any medication. I love explaining every detail to my customers, breaking down the magic behind each ingredient. I wanted to make eating healthy something *people want* to do because they feel the difference. It’s not just about food; it’s about creating a whole new, healthy, happy lifestyle! Read more>>

Eric Wind | Founder and Owner of Wind Vintage

I love vintage watches and my journey into the world of watches began with writing for a small blog about watches called HODINKEE. Before I knew it, the site was taking off and my column about vintage watches available for sale was growing a significant following while it was still a hobby for me and I had other full-time work. I was recruited to join Christie’s in 2015 as Vice President, Senior Specialist of Watches for the New York team. After working very hard for a few years at Christie’s, I looked out on the landscape of vintage watches and realized I wanted to be my own boss. I felt there was an opportunity for me as a dealer and advisor, so I started Wind Vintage in 2017 in Florida and it has been a wonderful journey since then! Read more>>

Hank Miller | Nonprofit owner & teenager

A year ago, I was Spider-Man for a Halloween event at our church. There were a lot of little ones dressed in similar costumes and they loved taking photos with me. I realized I enjoyed seeing their faces light up when they saw me. So, I asked my mom what it would take to start some sort of super hero business. We decided that a nonprofit would be a great way to allow me to get into character, while being able to put some smiles on the faces of kids and adults. It hasn’t been easy. Starting a nonprofit isn’t just filling out a few forms and going. However, it’s been a blast so far! Read more>>