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.

Iciar Bravo | Owner of María la Paz, womenswear brand from Paraguay

Our company was born from the hand of Margarita Tomboly, my mother, who after finishing studying Fashion Design in Barcelona, created the children’s clothing brand, Cootchy Coo. Read more>>

Ana Zecca | President – Director

OUR HISTORY AND CHARITY WORK. For the past fourteen years, our dedicated team has volunteered their time for “Holiday Toy Drive Collections,” generously volunteering, giving of our resources and energy to uplift our community. Read more>>

Peterson Morency | Basketball Skills Trainer

I always wanted to start my own business.. I played basketball all my life and I just wanted to teach these kids the game and work on their skill and teach them things that I got taught and just to be a role model to them.. Teaching them life lessons also and giving them hope and letting them know never quit on nothing in life. So I started my basketball training business. Read more>>

Maggie O’Neill | Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur, Activist and believer that Color is the answer

Starting my own business was more of an organic journey than a strategic one. I don’t think I could have envisioned my business now at that time however, from a young age, I knew I loved art, I wanted to be creative, and build big ideas. Read more>>

Dr Anjum Shaikh | Founder-EveCare

EveCare’s inception stems from a personal journey and a passion for addressing the unique healthcare needs of women. Witnessing firsthand the challenges women face in accessing tailored healthcare services ignited my drive to establish EveCare. Read more>>

Andres Tobon | Entrepreneur & Soccer Enthusiast

Starting Ekipstar was a journey driven by a combination of personal growth, a desire for a positive work environment, and a passion for the sports apparel industry. While working as a sales manager at a soccer store, I felt stuck and realized there was no room for further growth. Read more>>

Alberto Manus | Registered Nurse

Starting Magi’s Infusions was driven by my desire to blend my extensive experience in healthcare with my passion for helping others. Having worked my way up from a waitress to various roles in patient care, I saw firsthand the positive impact that personalized, compassionate healthcare can have on patients’ lives. Read more>>

Manuel Agosto | Founder & Managing Director

The idea of starting my own business came to me a few years ago when I was still living in Puerto Rico. While working at Hyundai in digital marketing, I began to notice that many friends and family members were approaching me to ask for my opinion on marketing issues for their businesses. Read more>>

Adele Carlsen | Director of Aquabatix and choreographer and instructor in synchronized swimming

Myself and co-founder Katie Fried were synchronized swimmers. We met in the sport at the age of eight and competed together winning national titles and going on to compete internationally for our country too. We were often asked to perform at parties or do modelling jobs when we were swimming, one even for Alexander McQueen, but it was never promoted for that. Read more>>

Tom Neile | Owner/director at Doghouse Theater, Delray Beach

I had spent 14 years at an improv theater in Miami. I became an instructor there, then a creative director, then one of the ownership/management team. Over the years, I could see what worked and what did not. I also had become a founding member of another improv troupe, Sick Puppies, in Boca Raton. Read more>>

Gene Williams | Founder & CEO @ Athletes Untapped

As I was working my 9-5, I ran private basketball lessons on the side. The more I got into it, I realized the need for a platform meant to help coaches effectively scale their business – like Airbnb does for homeowners, or Rover for dog walkers – so I used my background in tech and built AU. Read more>>

Emmanuel Brown | Owner of New Adam LLC | Graphic Designer & Poet

The thought process behind starting my business, New Adam, was to create a Christian apparel clothing line that represents new beginnings. I wanted the designs to be conversation starters and to inspire believers to be active in their faith beyond the confines of church walls. Read more>>