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.

 SIDNEY AUGUSTE | Youtuber

my thought process was finding my purpose basically what i like to do. something i can look back and be proud of, or if i was to die today i would be satisfied with cause i gave it my all. that was my thought process Read more>>

Ilse Gonzalez | Lash Technician

My business Idea came about due to a risk tbh. I constantly would go get my lashes done every 2-3 weeks. My lash tech at the time offered classes so I took a chance and signed up for it. I kept practicing for a month and half until I felt comfortable accepting clients and I haven’t turned back since. Read more>>

Marshall Steingold | Advertising and Marketing

I’ve never been conventional. During my teenage years and through college, I held many part-time jobs. Newspaper delivery, volunteer charity work, Parks Department laborer, pet store sales, and more. Each job helped me learn about business. What makes it work? Where is the passion for success? How does it all happen? Read more>>

Gabriela Groso | Cake Craze Bakery Founder

In October 2020, I started working as a customer service representative in a vegan bakery. I was working their while I finished up my Bachelor’s degree in Supervision and Management with a Concentration in Human Resources. Read more>>

Haleh Houtan | Jagged Halo Jewelry Owner and Designer

I have been obsessed with jewelry and anything sparkly as long as I can remember. Over the years I would look for jewelry that is both edgy and classy. Jewelry that can be worn in many different ways and with many different outfits, basically a big bang for my buck. Not finding what I was looking for is what drove me to create and produce my own line of jewelry and accessories. Read more>>

Eric Ortiz Baez | Creative Director and founder of Orbaez

My thoughts on this was to create something that express my interest in fashion and design process. Those are my thoughts when I decided to take this path to start my brand. Read more>>

Missy Bonet | Business Consultant & Blogger

My thought process behind starting my own business was to give an insight look on what it entails to turn your passion/hobby into a profitable business. I wanted to give aspiring entrepreneurs to have first hand experience, tools, resources and education all in one place. Read more>>

The Foodie Dolly | Foodie & Pop Culture Enthusiast

Growing up in Miami, I’ve always had a passion for the culture, food, and people. I found myself going to the hot/new restaurants, writing reviews, and even attending Croqueta Palooza. I loved the Miami food scene and I wanted to be more involved. I knew I wanted to make a food page but I wanted it to be different. Read more>>

Crystal Cabrae | Creative Writer & Storyteller

When I first started creating my own business, I was desperate to take charge of my own destiny. And I usually wouldn’t say going into anything desperate is a good thing, but it’s what pushed me forward on this journey in the first place. My first few business endeavors didn’t take off, but I know now that it was because I constantly tried to sell something I wasn’t fully connected to. Read more>>

Khalid Bryan | Real estate broker, Instructor, and Producer

I’ve always done things for myself and that got me to have the mindset that I rather get paid for what I do rather than by the hour. This made me open up creatively and start multiple business around things that I find myself good at. Read more>>

Juliana Aguilar & Santiago Pinzón | Finance Manager & Professional Installer

Juliana: The idea behind the creation of ICON wallcovering was born thanks to the fact that Santiago worked as an installation assistant. While he was navigating the industry, he shared with me different aspects the wallpaper industry was lacking in the city of Miami and how we could make a difference by offering our services. Read more>>

Tanisha Del Carmen Dawkins | Family Nurse Practitioner

Growing up, I have experienced many challenges in order to complete school that I decided that I wanted to impact lives and open doors for others. I vividly remember myself once, walking with my friend after school, telling her stories about me one day having a business and how I was going to be able to help my family and afford basic things that I didn’t have access to before. Read more>>

Yanet & Candelaria Manzano | Studio Heart Event Planner & Designer Mother/Daughter Duo

Our introduction to events was an unusual one. Twenty years ago, we suffered a devastating house fire and lost everything. We got a lot of help from The Red Cross to recover. Hence, to pay back and help other families in need, we decided to create a fundraising event that included Art, performances, and food. Read more>>

Elise Chantelle | Pop Singer & Songwriter

My initial reasons for starting my own business and bridging into the world of making and releasing music had nothing to do with earning money and everything to do with passion. Read more>>

Adriana Senise | Nay Ceo and fashion designer

Before I started my own brand I had been working as a fashion designer for 16 years in many companies. A fundamental working period to my professional maturity, as well as the learning experience regarding the whole textile chain. Unfortunately working in large companies, we tend to put profit and financial gains ahead of any other value. Read more>>

Angela Clay | Self-Care Advocate

I wanted to have the final say over my schedule and my life. I had an opportunity to go to Argentina a few years a go with an organization. The trip was an all expense paid opportunity I had saved all my sick and vacation time to go and I was shy one week. I asked if I could have the week off without pay and I was denied. After all that hard work in preparation for this special occasion I was at the fate of a supervisor who coldly said, “denied”. Read more>>

Adrienne Turton | Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach

I have been into fitness for quite some time, since Fall of 2007 to be exact. From then to now, I have been constantly growing my knowledge on different training styles so I can help as much people as possible. I have taken courses for different certifications as well. Read more>>

Gabriela Peraza | Quickbooks Tutor & Bookkeeper

For each individual person, there are stages to life. My mindset has always been the kind that plans a future with each time frame. I deeply believe that it is important to be employed and to be part of a working environment with bosses and workmates to understand the flow in a business. Read more>>

Akiva S. Harris, MS, LPC | Licensed Psychotherapist

I think for most psychotherapist going into private practice is the ultimate goal. As such it certainly was a goal of mine, however it was a long-term goal. When I started my practice, I had only been practicing for 5 years. I say only because 5 years does not seem like a long time especially considering the entire lifespan. Read more>>

Sky Haarsma | Entrepreneur

When covid first happened and we switched to online school I quickly learned that I enjoyed it and wanted to stay. But my dad told me that I had to start my own business in order to stay online, so that’s when I came up with TIGG. I love fashion and wellness and just threw it all into one big blog, The It Girl Guide. Read more>>

Odmary Hernandez (Ody) and Kirenia Diaz (Kiki) | Clothing Brand Owners & Creatives

In our case, it all started many years ago; each of us from a very young age, wanted to work in our own business, none of us imagined at that time, what the business would be, or where or how, but we were very clear that we wanted to be our own bosses, we wanted to innovate, leave footprints everywhere we go and of course motivate others, make people laugh, make them feel special and unique and spread joy as much as we can. Read more>>

Andreina Zambrano | Creative director of Coco rose apparel

This business started out of love and passion for fashion; focused on the current woman, that woman who represents femininity, values ​​with elegance, the empowerment that leads us to dress well in fashion, each one with our essence. Read more>>

Gaston Bogomolni | Jewish Clergy, Cantor, Musician, Sound Healer, Educator, Brief Therapy Mentor, CBHT, 3rd generation therapy student (Master Level)

Before starting TAL Community Mental Health Center, I was the cantor, one of the senior Clergy at one of the most prominent Synagogues in South Florida, Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus. I have been a cantor and spiritual leader since I am 14 years old serving different countries around the world. Read more>>

Jaqueline and Patty Cruz Salazar | CEO / President

As a 12 year Army Veteran I learned the crawl, walk, and run phase of being a leader. I learned the importance of being a good follower in order to be a great leader. It is easy to say I can do better than that person, until you are in their shoes and actually have to be responsible for day to day activities and all success and failures. Read more>>

JR Lopez | Entrepreneur

I was intimidated! I thought in order to start and run a business I needed a degree, experience, financial support, and contacts. However, I came across a quote from Marc Andreesssen, in the book Tools of the Titans, that says: ” To do original work, it’s not necessary to know something nobody else knows. It is necessary to believe something few other people believe. Read more>>

Mara and Naza Stessens | Home and Body Aroma Specialist

Different people have different interests in life. Our main interest is wrapped around the whole idea of creating something from scratch and watching our vision grow and provide value to others. We each have had our fair share of mundane jobs; you know the typical 9 to 5. Read more>>

Lynnel Marshall | Certified Massage Therapist

My thought process was are you crazy? You’re too young and inexperienced to start a business it’s not gonna work out. What I had was a gift I felt I wanted to share with the world, determination and confidence to know I can accomplish it and a family who supported me. 14 years later I am still here! Yayy!! Read more>>

Suhelen Solorzano | Global Real Estate Advisor

My family, my son, Life work balance and be present for my family while I helping others to find their place called home or investment property as well as help sellers find the right buyer for their property. Read more>>

Stephan Burke Luxury Lifestlyes Real Estate | Realtor/Real Estate

I was always fascinated with nature and properties. I enjoyed driving around in a car and looking at properties in different locations and along with that sidewalks, trees, birds, people, walking their dogs, all with the common denominator of a house with a roof. Read more>>

Ricky Flemings | Destination Wedding Photographer

My thought process was pretty simple. I was tired of working the 9-5, M-F. sometimes 50 hours a week. I honestly felt me as a person I was not happy with waking up every morning just punching a clock. I felt my purpose was greater. Read more>>