Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Katie Cross | Videographer & Actor

Cross Align Media was born out of a desire to help nonprofits, artists, and small businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic. I was (and still am) an actor, so my job – like so many others – went away overnight. During that scary time, I found that many nonprofits were struggling to create informative, creative, and affordable content, which was an absolute necessity with the world in lockdown. As luck would have it, I have a degree in theater AND a degree in journalism, so I metaphorically dusted off my camera and editing knowledge and got to work. Read more>>

Juline AKA ‘Juls’ Gurney | Fitness Bikini Master Competitor and Business owner

Starting my own business was a decision born out of a combination of honoring my son’s powerful message to help me through the grieving process of losing him and of the passion I have for fitness. As a former fitness competitor, my experience exposed me to the intricacies of activewear and its suitability for gym activities and an active lifestyle. I gained valuable insights into the qualities that make activewear effective in these settings. This experience fueled my curiosity about emerging trends in the industry and led me to recognize a significant gap in the market for versatile activewear solutions. Read more>>

Tyler Costa | Entrepreneur

I think my thought process on starting my own business has change some over the years. I originally decided to start my own business for the simple fact that I generally never really liked working for somebody else. I was always a good employee and was proficient at the jobs I had, but I always knew in my heart that no one was going to pay me more than I would pay myself. I had goals that I knew I could never reach while working for a company other than my own. Read more>>

Michael Ronquillo | Wildlife Services

During our 11-year tenure in the landscaping business, we witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of iguanas on South Florida. These invasive creatures wreaked havoc on expensive landscaping by devouring foliage, while also causing structural damage through their burrowing activities. The health risks posed to children and pets, resulting from their defecation in and around swimming pools, were particularly concerning. However, the most alarming realization was the negative impact they were having on our ecosystem, posing a threat to native species. Motivated by these observations, we recognized the need to take action and established our specialized iguana removal business. Read more>>

Leo Cavada | Recording Artist | Multi-Platinum Music Producer

One of the first thoughts I had, a thought that dominated my head when I decided to start my business, was way back in 2010 when the DJ/Pproducer and founder of the Eiffel 65 Gabry Ponte, contacted me to offer me a record deal. And the first moment I couldn’t believe that that was happening to me (lol) but then, that that day, after years of little giggs, live shows, small concerts, talent shows and singing competitions, I understood that that one could become my job, that literally was the proof confirming that I could become a successful artist and music producer. Read more>>

Eunsook Choi | Co-Founder of FORGANO

In 2017, I relocated from South Korea to pursue a nursing career. The challenges of 2020, especially the pandemic, made me witness the incredible strength and resilience of front-line workers, many of whom were new to nursing. Inspired by their spirit, I felt a calling to create something special for them. That’s when I launched Forgano, a trendy nursing shoe line. ‘Gano’ means ‘nurse’ in Korean. Our brand is all about making comfortable shoes ‘for nurses’, and are designed to let them express themselves. Read more>>

Crystal Baez | Professional Photographer

Crystal Clear Photography LLC all started when I picked up my first camera for our honeymoon. I wanted to take epic fishing photos as my husband and I share this passion. It turned into non-stop photos of our first born- Adelina. I debated creating a business for a while, but then the support from family and friends gave me the push. It has grown so much over the past four years, and I am so proud of that. Read more>>

Candace Williams | Entrepreneur & Health Educator

Kissing Booth Cosmetics started off as a hobby of doing my own makeup from Instagram lives to improve my skills. Eventually it turned into a peaceful passion that I wanted to make money selling makeup products to other women. Read more>>

Christina Calle | Owner and Graphic Designer at Calle Creative

Before 2020 I was in the corporate world for almost 11 years and for most that is not a long time. For me that was too long. Growing up I thought I needed to go to college, get a job, get married, get a house and start a family. I did all of those things but at the cost of being with my small children. I worked over an hour way so we could afford that home and life. Working a corporate job I still have very high student loan payments. Read more>>

Peggy Rojas | Certified Holistic Health coach and Certified NASM Personal Trainer

Discovering my niche market. Your niche market is indeed a formidable task, one that requires not only a deep understanding of your own strengths and passions, but also a keen insight into the needs and wants of your potential customers. Read more>>

Brandon & Charvon Parker | Content Creators & Travel Advisor

Our business began to create lasting memories for our family and children. We made a conscious effort to document our travels and adventures so that we could cherish them for years to come. Since Charvon was already a travel agent, it felt like the natural next step to turn our passion into a business. We aimed to showcase unconventional travel options to our family and friends and offer them a refreshing alternative to the mainstream travel industry. So, we started a YouTube Channel called Parkers On The Go in July of 2021 and haven’t looked back since. Read more>>

Israel Johnson | Concept Driven Chef (F.I.U. Class of 2002)

The thought process behind starting bay bays chicken and waffle balls was a threefold vision. 1) to create an elevated fried chicken 2) to make sure the brand was fulfilling a niche in the food space 3) and because I associate food with love; I wanted to share my love of cooking and serving with others Read more>>

Marisa Valdez | Co Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Staring my own business was an exciting and rewarding endeavor I always dreamed of and knew I would one day. I met my husband when we were teenagers, and he has always worked in the automotive business. When he started expanding, we decided that I would leave my corporate job as an operations manager to help our business grow. I oversaw five independently owned car washes, oil changes, and auto repair stations in New York. Hailing from New York culture with a disciplined work ethic, our ambition continued to expand. During COVID, like many, we began to explore the idea of opening an ultra-chic studio where we provide vehicle protection and enhancement unseen to a mecca of beautiful cars. Read more>>

Stephanie O’Quigley | business

Lyrik: Our business came in a more organic way and evolved with time as most do! I knew I absolutely wanted to be an entrepreneur and combined the skills of branding, content creation & photography into a package and the rest was history! As we sold the package and focused in on our clients, our marketing and our sales…the company evolved into what it is today! Read more>>

Ivan Canales | Podcaster

Well Bathroom Break Podcast was something I always wanted to do, I wanted to have platform where I could ask the questions I wanted to ask. I felt like most male driven podcast were all basically kind of the same, the subject matters tend to be the same Sports, Crypto( be your own boss) , or stories about how they’d hook up with girls. I always felt like people were taking themselves to serious, so I wanted to do a show completely from all that. Basically make a show where I make fun of myself and the things and experiences around me. Read more>>

Lawrence Lessing | Founder of Hatch and Executive Vice President of Lessing’s Hospitality Group

I felt like there was a big opportunity in the breakfast sector to elevate the food and ambiance. There are so many amazing restaurants that do a great job serving lunch and dinner, but breakfast seemed like it had been overlooked by many of the best operators. Read more>>

Melea VanOstrand and Cara Croom | REALTORS®

M.C. Group, comprising of sisters Melea VanOstrand and Cara Croom, decided to start their real estate business with a shared vision and a combination of complementary skills and experiences. Cara, one half of the duo, brought her diverse background in education and healthcare to the table. Her attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex situations from her previous careers made her a natural fit for the real estate industry. Read more>>

Deena Perl | Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

The thought process behind starting my own business was deeply influenced by my family’s entrepreneurial background. Witnessing their experiences and successes inspired me to pursue independence and autonomy in my career. After obtaining my RN degree, I had a clear vision of becoming a nurse practitioner in the aesthetic and wellness industry. Working for myself, setting my own schedule, and combining my nursing expertise with aesthetic services became my driving motivation. Read more>>

Stephanie, Emmanuella, Estelle, Mika Louis-Pierre | LP Trust Designers

This venture originated during our initial family trip with the intention of saving money for creating custom graphic design jerseys for a group of sixteen adults and children. While on our journey, we encountered numerous inquiries and feedback regarding our jerseys. It was on that particular day that the Louis-Pierre family wives convened a meeting and resolved to launch our business, which took place almost a year ago. We promptly procured the majority of the necessary resources to cater to our customers and collaborators. Read more>>

Stacey Israel | Bridal makeup & hair stylist

My though process behind starting Stacey Israel Bridal was Having the desire to continue my career in the Beauty business after Neiman Marcus closings in Bellevue WA. I had been a Beauty ambassador for 11years working for luxury Cosmetic lines. This was the perfect recipe for being an on-site beauty stylist incorporating hair styling as well as skincare & makeup. Read more>>

Timothy Kim | Wedding Photographer

My journey as a photographer started with a job photographing products and models for a fashion company. However, it was not until I joined a wedding photography studio that I discovered my passion for capturing the essence of weddings. The range of emotions that surfaced throughout the wedding day fascinated me. I was thrilled to capture all the emotions and showcase my creativity on the wedding day. Unfortunately, the studio’s transparent vision and approach to photography limited my creativity. Read more>>

Angela Marshall | Angela Marshall/ Real Estate Advisor

Starting your own business because you wanted to be independent is a bold and admirable decision. Being an entrepreneur allows you to chart your own course, make your own decisions, and take control of your destiny. It’s a journey filled with challenges, but it also offers tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth. Read more>>

Alain Dorcelus | Full Stack Developer & Digital Marketing Specialist.

The decision to start my own web design and digital marketing agency began with the realization that the marketing landscape was rapidly evolving, but many agencies were lagging behind in terms of innovation and customer-centric approaches. I saw a glaring gap between what clients needed—holistic, data-driven solutions—and what was being offered. So I spent time researching the market, refining my business plan, lining up some initial clients and networking with other entrepreneurs to learn from their experiences. When the timing felt right professionally and personally, I took the leap. Read more>>