Starting a business can be terrifying. Weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and other considerations can be so overwhelming that often promising entrepreneurs stop before they even start. We asked some phenomenal entrepreneurs about their thought process behind starting their own businesses. Our hope is that by making the thought-process less intimidating we can help more folks think through whether they should take an entrepreneurial leap.

Rebecca Gladstone | Board Certified Music Therapist, Professional Musician, Cantorial Soloist, and entrepreneur

I started to feel really burnt out last November. Looking back now I can see this was because my career was lacking direction, it was not exactly what I wanted to be doing, and I was not being payed enough for my time. By creating my own business I am able to work with whoever I want to work with, charge what will enable me to do great work without burning out, make my own hours, and do things the way that I know to be most effective rather than the way someone else tells me it needs to be. Read more>>

Mimi Mala | American broadcaster

I have been in the entertainment field since 13 years old. I wanted to develop something that I can assist all communities with giving everyone an opportunity no matter on your financial status. Read more>>

Courtney Kemp Smith | Founder ] Owner

The mission of Woman 2 Women, LLC is to empower and inspire women and teen girls. We seek to achieve this goal by helping black girls to recognize and break the cycle of negative behavior that when left unchecked, can impede their growth to becoming their full and authentic selves. Read more>>

Lexx Segarra-Vasquez | Women’s Fitness Specialist | Certified Nutrition Coach

Because variety for vegans should be a thing!! Ha, no but for real, in 2o22 I started a weird obsession with plant-based tacos after yet another failed Taco Tuesday out with friends. I mean, theres more to Veganism and Plant-based life than french fries and Impossible Beef! Read more>>

Bianca Monfaite | CEO and Master Stylist behind AúBridal Hair Designs.

Hello All. My name is Bianca Monfaite, CEO and Master Stylist behind AúBridal Hair Designs. We are a luxury Bridal Hairstyling company providing quality styling services, & lacing each bride in the finest Quality of hair extensions. In just three years, myself and my team have transformed the business from servicing South Florida, to now traveling World Wide. Read more>>

Kyra Schulhof | Owner of Fayette Studio

When I started my own business, it was more by chance than by design. I was working as a decorator and noticed that many clients struggled with the cost of high-end carpeting. Through a friend, I was able to open a wholesale account with a few carpet mills, which allowed me to purchase quality carpeting at a dealer cost, ultimately giving me an opportunity to expand my project sources and clientele. Read more>>

Lucelia Nelles | Founder | Yoga Instructor

I always knew entrepreneurship was in my future. With a deep-rooted passion for health and wellness, and a unique skill set that includes hospitality, event planning, and influencer marketing, Hi Vibe Wellness came to life – a bespoke wellness events company that combines my love for curating unforgettable experiences with my commitment to helping others lead healthier, happier lives. Read more>>

Harriet Silverstein | business

always admired the career trajectories of more mature artists that I followed and wanted to do that myself. There is something amazing to me about creative people – no matter what they do. I saw all these different routes that led to the same thing and that was freedom to pursue their work, to really do it. Read more>>

Jhon J Garcia | Anthropologist, Artist, Entrepreneur.

As any other person, I am the result of internal processes as well as outside factors beyond my control. I never imagined I’d own a business but rather pursued the idea to apply my skills, time, and dedication to a company where I could grow personally and professionally. Read more>>

Kelly Mullen Silvère Leconte | Cafe Owners

A year ago we were living in France, working completely different jobs, and with a new baby. We worked for other people, tied to a schedule predetermined by someone else and were becoming wrapped up in the daily motions of life. In the past, we had both worked as freelancers and missed the ability to be our own bosses. Read more>>

The Organizers Mercedes & Laura | Professional Organizers

As two creatives, my partner is an Interior Designer, and I am an Artist/Teacher, we both wanted to assist people within their homes and/or businesses. Read more>> 

Myraan Mays | Internationally-signed DJ, Producer and Label Executive

My thought process behind starting Las Olas and its parent creative agency, DATIES, stemmed from my desire to position my brother, Ramoan (SRRMN), my circle of creatives and the larger ecosystem of artists across the eastern seaboard in front of more fruitful performance, representation and economic opportunities. Read more>>

Iris Montgomery | CEO of Unique Oils and Fragrances & More

We had a need for some Egyptian Musk and went searching for it. From our research, we found a great vendor for Egyptian Musk but there were some other fragrances as well. I was very versed in fragrances from when I used to work at Eckerd Drug Store. So I knew what the popular designer fragrances were. We decided to purchase about 8 bottles of pure oils and some empty roll-on bottles. Read more>>

Remy Dou | Financial Advisor

As an entrepreneur, my thought process behind starting my own business was rooted in identifying a problem that I was passionate about solving. I wanted to create a business that would make a positive impact on society and provide value to my customers. Read more>>

Alexander Tavarez | Director, Writer, Producer

Engrailment Films started out as VaporMark Productions. The name change came from the fact that “Engrailment Films” was an idea for the company name that I came up with in High School while watching ‘Gladiator’ that was lost until a several months ago. Read more>>

cody thespeed. ohmovement | creator

I have always been interested in design and specifically swimwear. I wanted to create a brand and company that would be inclusive, body positive and show that everyone can wear what they want. I originally had a business partner (that had to leave the company/partnership due to personal reasons) Read more>>

Lewis Nava Daboin | CEO and Founder

For many years, I didn’t really like the idea of ​​having to ask permission to have free time. As much as the bureaucratic issue in the corporate world to achieve better job positions, which translate into higher income. Read more>>

Irving Stokes | Recording Artist & Songwriter

The idea of starting my own business ( record label Dream 2 Win) came from my experience of not having my own. I wanted to create something that not only would fill my need but possibly in the future become an intity that will fill the need for others. Read more>>

Alexis Rodriguez | Digital Marketing & Social Media

I wanted to create a brand that was created for women by a woman. I love to see so many of my girlfriends going out and pursuing their dreams and building businesses so they were really my inspiration behind it. The number one thing each of them have told me is how much they dread social media so that’s when I had my “aha” moment and said, “I’m going to create a brand that caters to women owned businesses and can take off that stress of anything marketing related” and that’s how Girl Pwr Media was born. Read more>>

Kerry Jenkins | Certified Physician Assistant specializing in Functional Medicine

Once my family benefited from Functional Medicine, I knew I wanted to own my own practice and bring this concept of optimal health and disease prevention to my community! I wanted to be my own boss and make my own schedule. I wanted to have autonomy and create the practice of my dreams! Read more>>

Mitaali Nanda Vohra | Jewelry Designer & Entrepreneur

I am the second-generation of a renowned jewelry house in India, that has dedicated 25 years to reviving beautiful Indian artifacts seen as far as the era of the ‘Maharaja’ (Royalty) dynasties. One of the driving factors in finding my feet in the business, was to come up with affordable, every day fashion that celebrated rich Indian heritage with a contemporary modern-world aesthetic. Read more>>

Ninél Sargsyan | Painter, Theatre and Cinema Set designer and Costume designer

‘Ninél Alberti’, is based on my works done on fabric which is called batik. It is a type of an art that you can paint on cloth, bags, shoes and etc. For me, batik, is a way of inspiration. Read more>>

Blue Lemon Counseling Lauren Borrell and Julianne Peters | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

With having worked in a group practice for several years, going into business for ourselves would be a natural next step in our career path. We are always looking for opportunities for professional growth and this helped to challenge us in our skills. In our graduate programs, we were taught about the clinical side of practice, but the business side was largely left out of the conversation. Read more>>

Alejandra Gonzalez Rizo | Fashion Reseller

At first, it started purely as a hobby. I liked putting my headphones in and disconnecting while I was thrifting. Then my friends started asking me for specific things to keep an eye out for while I was thrifting and I realized that there is a huge reselling market. Most of my friends shopped from Poshmark and loved getting deals. So I decided to turn it into a business part-time since I am a teacher full-time. Read more>>

Latane Meade | CEO of Allied Title & Escrow

I had sold a previous company in the sports and entertainment industry where we owned a sport and social club in San Diego and ran obstacle races around the world. If you remember the TV show Wipeout on ABC, we partnered with ABC and Disney and took Wipeout Run around the world so the masses could participate. Read more>>

Brendan Kotlus | Founder and CEO

I grew up in a Jewish household that loved eating bagels and lox. However, I became vegan when I was 17 and that was taken off that menu. Read more>>

Tasha Bracken | Owner and Principal Event Producer

I come from an entrepreneurial family. Both my parents had their own businesses. Before I started my company, I worked for a high tech PR firm and was traveling a lot. There were also aspects of the business I loved and others I didn’t. It was important to me that I did something that was rewarding and meaningful. Read more>>

Michelle Besu | Michelle Besu | Wild Coast Flower Preservation

Wild Coast Flower Preservation was created in 2020, a time when the world was forced to literally stop and smell the flowers. During our family pandemic camping trips, I picked wildflowers, learned to press and preserve them. Inspired by love and nature, I wanted to create beautiful art, and resin became the medium. Read more>>