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.

Francisco Santander | Economist, Martial Arts Instructor

In a world running towards automation and detachments thru tech, I believe human connections and skills in pursuit of an improved quality of life could only be translated, taught and transmitted successfully by another human being, not an algorhythm or piece of hardware. Read more>>

Erica Hillenbrand | Photographer | Nurse | Postpartum Doula | Mother | Military Wife

My photography business was born out of our lifestyle! My husband is in the Navy, we got married right out of college. I graduated with my degree in Nursing, passed my RN exam, and moved to the other side of the country. Three years later, we were new parents, and making another move. Read more>>

Daniel Calzadilla | Beekeeper & Scientist

The process was rather roundabout, and it happened organically. I didn’t know I’d start a business when I took the certification course and was finishing my undergrad degree in 2018. I told myself that beekeeping would help my future goal of creating a thriving farm. As I am a gardener first, the beekeeping just made sense. Read more>>

The Last Hundred | Music from the last one hundred years

The mission of The Last Hundred (TLH) is to present high-quality art music written in the last one hundred years, acting as a liaison between modern and contemporary music. A central aspect of TLH is to create a professional ensemble that will feature some of the best musicians from our area as well as to invite guest performers, composers, and ensembles from other cities, states, and countries to perform, give lectures, and teach masterclasses in our community. Read more>>

MARINA VOGEL | Hairstylist & Salon Owner

After I graduated highschool with the age of 15 and signed up for a 3 year apprenticeship program in germany as a hairstylist, I fell in love with my job & always wanted to build my own salon & brand. Other kids in my grade made fun of me “just becoming a hairdresser”, but now they look at me & see what I have accomplished. Read more>>

Rodrigo Crespo | Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt = Crow Jiu-Jitsu Academy

The biggest challenge was, after 9 years, moving with the family from New York to Miami looking for quality of life and creating a whole new Jiu-Jitsu Brand. Basically, my thought was “Let’s Start from the Scratch and make it happen!” Read more>>

Tammy Carmona | Artist & Designer

I wanted to have an outlet to my creative abilities while building a better future for my family. Read more>>

Anne Palsgaard | Mold Inspector

I had grown increasingly miserable at a job in a small independent lab that did mold testing for the mold inspection industry. I was carrying that stress in my body and bringing it home all the time to my family life – which was especially hard for me as a new mother and wife. Read more>>

King Hoodie | Recording Artist

To be a thriving independent artist and entrepreneur, capable of opening doors for others. Read more>>

Delfin Jaranilla | Executive Chef and Partner

When we were talking about what Leland Eating and Drinking House was going to be, the concept was to surround the idea of a cozy neighborhood locale that felt like an extension of our home that served honest, local, and seasonal dishes. We wanted a menu that featured what the bounty of the northeast has to offer. Food that is comforting but clean, and easily shareable. Read more>>

Lorena Cicciari | Candle extraordinaire and tranquility facilitator

When I started my business in 2019, I set out to repurpose wine bottles and handcraft them into candles. My husband and I developed a process to make them smoother and more polished than anything else in the market. It was and still is important to us to produce luxury eco-friendly products that are safe for your family and pets. So to this day, all of our materials and products are natural, eco-friendly, toxin-free, phthalate-free. Read more>>

Julie Sherer | Plant Enthusiast + Curator of Groovy Growing

Well, before Groovy Growing, I actually flipped furniture for a living (and did various marketing work). I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. I remember one day I was watering my plants on my front porch thinking what do I love? What do I want to spend my days doing? And it clicked. I love my plants. I love tending to them and simply being around them. They truly bring me so much joy. From that moment on, I was on a mission to create joy in community by sharing my love of plants. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Mahoney | Founder

My grandmother knew the importance of giving back to the community you live in, so she found a way she could with the skills she had. She would sew tote bags and fill them with books – book bags, she called them – then would deliver them to underfunded schools so everyone would have the chance to fall in love with reading. Read more>>

GERALDINE AMIS | CEO Founder & Master Aesthetician instructor

I wanted to create a new technology to offer a natural solution with technology for people looking to reduce injections or an alternative to botox for a non-invasive face lift. Something natural, efficient and relaxing, something with a clinical approach with an Holistic protocol. I wanted to bring to the market a new experience offering instant, progressive and cumulative results for a long term skin rejuvenation. Read more>>

Victoria Blanco, COTA/L, B.H.S., M.S. | Co-Owner of The Synergy Approach Therapy, PLLC

My husband has always been my rock in terms of believing in aspects of me that I dream of, yet fear stepping into. When he first suggested we open our own business, I was very nervous but went all in; I am so glad I did! We have been in love with our profession of occupational therapy since we began 10+ years ago and starting our own business enabled me to learn so many more qualities about myself that I did not know I had. Read more>>

Joseph | Creator & Founder of Cured Heart Candles & Home Essentials.

The meaning behind the brand, Cured Heart Candles comes from a broken heart. The loss of a loved one and my healing journey. It all came to me in a clear vision like a vivid dream. I heard her voice telling me it was all going to be okay and that I had to find my peace. Read more>>

Michelle Ruiz | Entrepreneur + Content Creator

Do you ever feel tired? Tired of going in to work and giving it your 110% because, you know… that’s what you do – which is do your best at every job. Yet, somehow everything you do just never seems to be enough for your supervisors. When you have experience and a great work ethic, it doesn’t feel good when your work never gets noticed. Read more>>

Priscilla Cordoba Tarkington | Casita Mariposa owner & Interior Designer

Togetherness. Providing a comfortable, visually appealing environment that attracts family or friends wishing to spend time together at a relaxing home base. Read more>>

Vanessa Black | Artist/The Business /Jill of All Trades/

Honestly I didn’t Know Wtf I was Doing I jumped Out there not Knowing if I would drown Or swim But I Had to Do it.i enjoyed Being My Own Boss way too much Read more>>

Scott and Jenna Harris | Founders | CBD and Coffee Enthusiasts

My husband and I had extensive experience in the coffee industry and decided to create a company to bring the highest quality Arabica coffee to coffee lovers everywhere. At the same time our father and mother were suffering from terminal illnesses and found great benefit and relief from CBD. Read more>>

Sophia Louis | Model, Loan Officer and Realtor

I have been an entrepreneur my whole life. I started modeling in my teens where I am the business. I am responsible to manage my schedule, my travels, my financing and ways to scale as a Model. As a Loan Officer and Realtor, it requires similar skills. Read more>>

Alyssa Ruggieri | Watercolor Artist

My business started as a side hobby at first. I started creating art for fun and enjoyment. Then I had gotten a few requests for custom art, so I started doing custom art on the side and very slowly growing my business online and in products. Read more>>