Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Duane Phillips | Hospitality Professional

As a Tourism and Hospitality professional living in Kingston, I have a deep rooted love and appreciation for my island Jamaica. Over the years it has been a hobby of mine the island; whether going to a new event, visiting a river or beach in the countryside, or simply just discovering a new restaurant. Usually, I catalogued my adventures via my social media pages but a friend suggested that I document my adventures on a blog. In July 2017 downdiroad.com was born. Read more>>

Allison Kittle | Founder of Betty x Bow

Since childhood I have always been passionate about fashion and design. Fashion is a common interest I share with my mother and maternal grandmother, and the origin for our brand name ‘Betty x Bow’. When I would go shopping with my mother, I remember always being attracted to the way clothing was displayed in a store and I was fascinated by the textures and silhouettes of the clothing paying close attention to detail. Read more>>

Tania De Alba | Fitness coach

When I got out of college I was trying to figure out what to do with my life, until one day I just decided to turn my pation for fitness in to my job. Read more>>

Sara Camposarcone | Designer, Stylist & Content Creator

I started my own brand by just making resin pieces for myself to wear, because I love handmade, fun, colourful jewelry. I started to receive a lot of interest in my jewelry, and so now I get to share something I love with many, many more people. I feel as though my designs represent my brain and whats going on inside of it, so sometimes theyre kinda weird, but thats also what makes them fun! Read more>>

Dani & Azia Peterslie | Small Business Owners & Sisters

We really wanted to create a unique space that represented our local region in the best way possible. Our shop specializes in gifts and apparel that are reminiscent of the La Crosse region. We thought the area lacked this type of niche business at the time and that was one of the initial reasons to start our own business. Thinking of the places we like to shop at when traveling and introducing that into our area with our own flavor! Read more>>

Hannah Williams | Owner of Pensacola Candle Co.

I’ve wanted to own my own business for some time. Growing up with a single mother, my mom worked for herself as a professional artist and was able to provide for us. Because she worked from home and for herself, she was more in control of her schedule and able to be more present in my childhood. It’s something I will always carry with me. Read more>>

Brian Barrentine | Family Music Guru & Theatre Artist

(say “fun-EEE-KEE-jam”) “funiki” (Japanese): “(musical) atmosphere” “jam” (Indonesian): “time (well spent)” FunikiJam = music time (around the world) I founded FunikiJam in Nashville to meet a growing demand for quality education and entertainment programs for young children and families. Read more>>

Gabrielle Clarke | Fashion Designer & Content Creator

I was thinking it would be a great way to make some money on the side as a college student. Read more>>

Q & Dominique Varzideh | Barista & Event Coordinator

We each had a passion to have our own business. And thankfully, our passions intertwined perfectly! For me, Q, I love coffee. It’s about the simplicity of a cup of coffee that is so warm and inviting; producing meaningful conversations and joy. It amazes me that I can create a cup of joy, curated to each customer’s needs to brighten their day. Read more>>

Rem,o.na’ Rey | Movie | Television Show Producer

When I was 4 years old, I stated to my parents, “I want to be on television.” And ever since I could remember, my parents would say, “One day you will be on top.” My parents have been my absolute favorite fans, biggest cheerleaders and motivators of my career. From a child, I had a very imaginative mind, where I would write movie/show scripts in my thoughts that would subsequently translate onto paper. Read more>>

Official Bergamme | Designer,

I’ve been an entrepreneur before I even knew the meaning. My thought process behind the Bergamme brand was to encompass the fashion spectrum from High end shoes and bags to T shirts and swimwear. Also involved in my thoughts were to consider my business, the same as the major shoe brands in existence Read more>>

Christopher Noland | Christopher Noland

When I was a child I wanted to be a video game animation artist and I was also interested in sim City and urban planning. Instead I took dance classes in college and musical theater and I moved to New York City to be on Broadway, model and act. Read more>>

Anthony Simmons | Entrereneur/Father/Hus

Growing up in Miami, of course fashion has always been a part of my life. Moving to more rural parts of the country has actually intesified that. My clothing and shoe choices are a huge way that I express myself. I started wearing the number three on my jersey in college, from there it became a sort of lucky number. Although I don’t really belive in luck. I believe in hard work, dedication, and faith. It all stems back to the father, son, and holy spirit the great 3 in 1. Read more>>

Nita Godinez | Chef and Owner

Started my Bar and Grill in Chicago . We decided to add Wings to the menu and we came up with a Elote Wing which is a Street Corn sauce we toss the wings in . We also Came up with a Guava Sauce wing . Our first year we deiced to enter into the Wing Fest We Won Best Exotic Sauce. Read more>>

Amy Neill | artist

When I think about why I really create, it’s selfishly for myself, and for my family, and for posterity. My art as a business is just the cherry on top. My husband has always encouraged me to share it, and so I did, and people wanted it, so I sell it, and it’s been very fun and rewarding. I have always leaned toward entrepreneurship – I started my first handbag business in high school, and I majored in entrepreneurship in college, so it comes naturally to me to create & sell. Read more>>

Zai | Musician

I just knew from the get go that I didn’t want to be the next generation of poverty, I wanted to break my family’s poverty so I decided to chase this, as crazy and unreal as it seems to achieve the end goal, I know that it can happen. Read more>>

Debbie Hendrickx | manufacturer of gelato for dogs

I always wanted to work with dogs and when in 2016 my 18 year corporate career came to an end , I decided that was my time to give it a go Read more>>

Stevenson Galumette | Drummer and Producer

Wasn’t really a thought process I just like making beats and wanted to share my talents with like minded people Read more>>

Andy Fortuna | Performance Therapist & Coach

Using all of the knowledge and experiences I have collected in the fields of bodywork, sports medicine, and oriental medicine I wanted to create an interactive experience that would help clients address pain and injury while improving their overall performance. To me, the most powerful tools we have is our humanly touch and a caring and passionate heart. Read more>>

Kedar Maddula | Founder, Head designer

The core philosophy at Wunderhaus design studio is to make Handloom textile popular and trendy amongst the youth and also to bring about the story of these beautiful Indian handwoven fabrics to a wider audience. A lot of our time is spent in onsite research in rural India to introduce the incredible diversity of handloom textile craft and also to fish out lesser known handloom and help in some way its conservation. Read more>>

Amelia noyes | Digital Artist + Entrepreneur

My independent business started as a side hobby. Once I got it to a certain point I was able to expand and turn it into a full-sized small business. I would highly recommend it if you love doing something and if you want to see if you can make money from it. Test the market and grow your business by utilizing your social media platforms. Read more>>