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.

Karen Thomas | Animal Communicator, Intuitive Healer, Registered Nurse, Best Selling Author

I had a dream since the age of 7 to have a sanctuary for dogs. As an adult my career path led me to working as a registered nurse with humans, but on my days off, I would be volunteering at our local animal shelter. As a natural caregiver I always gravitated toward the dogs who were senior, nearing the end of life, or had special needs. It was very sad to see these dogs die in the shelter without a family to call their own. Read more>>

Julieta Ochagavia | LOVFIT sportswear & swimwear – Brand owner

I founded LovFit in mid-2018 with the aim of encouraging women to spend time with themselves and free them from the daily burdens. Personally, I was in a little loss in my life because I didn’t know what to do for a living and I found support at the gym. I worked out for 2 to 3 hours per day, 6 days a week, plus other activities such as running, jogging, skating… At the same time, I started therapy, and this helped me clarify the way through the darkness. Read more>>

Folajimi Olawoyin | Tailor, Tailoring instructor, Rapper, Music Producer and environmental scientist.

I had conventional expectations to shatter, and a point to prove; that nothing is impossible to the mind that wills it. Mum used to be tailor, and I assisted a bit growing up. We made T-shirts and all, and she would have her tailors work them with the basic black head machines. But these clothes didn’t have a competitive finish like the ones at the boutique. Read more>>

Emmanuel Daughtry | Teacher, Radio Promoter, Entrepreneur, & Content Creator

Anyone that knows me knows that I am project orientated. I am consistently coming up with different ideas and new ventures to try. It’s funny because each idea that I come up with are when I’m in the shower and I always think is the one to catapult my brand and/or financial status. Read more>>

Rachel Lipson | Founder, Executive Director & Business Consultant

When I started my business, I was trying to make ends meet while also searching for something fulfilling that went beyond a side gig. I was a preschool teacher by day, a music teacher after-school and a brunch waitress at a hipster restaurant on the weekends. At some point, I knew, even without children of my own and with the boundless energy of a 20 something new-ish to NYC, something would have to give. Read more>>

Cardsy B | Author, Wellness Influencer, and Celebrity Tarot Reader

I came into my current work of offering intuitive readings, teaching and writing about The Tarot in a somewhat serendipitous but unplanned manner after going through an extremely challenging period of losing my marriage, my executive career, and all the things that I thought made me “me.” Since I read Tarot as a childhood hobby, I began pulling a card a day for myself as I began trying to heal through that period of loss and depression. Read more>>

Derrick Hatch | Narrative Practitioner / Personal Development Coach

I’ve always loved stories! When I was a kid, I would create my own books, make films with my action figures, record concept albums, and write plays for my friends. As I got into high school, my teenage angst started to manifest as a result of being bullied and bad relationships. Feeling hopeless and misunderstood, I questioned if my story even mattered. Read more>>

Jeremy Palko | Actor and Original Artist

Honestly, boredom and luck. When the world was turned upside down during the pandemic, it forced a lot of people to discover new hobbies and ways to keep themselves busy. I was lucky enough to discover a new passion in art that has since changed my life and created my own business. “Art By Palko” was really only possible because of my other profession as an actor though. Read more>>

Gary Palis | Founder and Owner

Being an entrepreneur is a dream for most people as you have the control and decision making of everything that the business will do. Of course this is both good and bad as there is a fair amount of learning during this process and paying attention to detail is critical. Read more>>

Jamil Shakoor | Restaurant Chef/ Private Chef

Initially the thought process was to create something for myself that still made good money, but also gave me more free time to spend with my family. I didn’t really want to compromise on the quality of food that i like to cook or the type of service I’m used to working in restaurants. So from that it stemmed to the idea of doing what I love which is high quality fine dining food and steps of service, but in a more intimate setting than an actual restaurant. Read more>>

Ronesha Blunt | Makeup Artist

The thought process behind starting my own business was honestly me making my own schedule, and working on my own time doing what I love. All while helping others enhance their beauty. Read more>>

John Henry Maldonado | Interior Designer and Contemporary Artist

My answer to your question is FREEDOM. Since I can remember, I have been inspired by my parents; back in Colombia, they went above and beyond to provide for us even though they did not possess a higher education or background in business. My Mother and Father pushed beyond the boundaries of resilience and determination to provide for us and to offer financial safety and a better-quality life and education. Freedom is one of the main characteristics of my thought process for building my own Interior Design Studio. Read more>>

Ben and Amreen Sriqui | Best friends who got married!

The first part of the thought process is definitely no interest in ever working for someone else’s company. You just don’t get that same “need to win” feeling where you can really put in 100% of yourself and enjoy it. Amreen and I have always had our own things going re business, but in addition to our other endeavors we really always wanted to start a little something together. Our friend suggested fish spas, and after some thought and research it sounded like fun! It’s something we had both done overseas and really enjoyed it. Read more>>

Jona Bumstead | Founder and President

A senior dog came into an animal shelter that I worked at at the time and she was estimated to be in her late teens and she was transferred to that shelter after being found as a stray. As soon as I saw her I thought she was the most precious thing ever. The shelter informed me that she was not going to be a candidate for adoption due to her advanced age so I offered to foster her to spare her some more time. Read more>>

Nat Lopez | Web Designer & Digital Marketing Specialist

Starting a business is never easy, but when you have a specific mission in mind it becomes worth it. For me, my mission was to help small business owners navigate the digital world. It all began with helping my dad get his business online after they tried to scam him. They promised so much but never delivered. I knew I had to help him and began learning how to set him up online properly without sacrificing quality or demeaning his brand. It was my initiative and drive that led me to become an expert in this field and help others achieve their online dreams. When you have a clear vision and the generosity to help others, anything is possible. Read more>>

Michael Tamzil Nio | I Innovate Innovation

Starting a business is a breeze, but keeping it thriving is the real test of endurance. Are you willing to maintain that fiery passion that fueled you at the beginning? For me, the driving force behind launching my own venture is to unleash my inner creativity, share it with the world, and earn some green doing it. Once you uncover that magic formula, the next challenge is turning it into a sustainable enterprise. Simply identifying a gap in the market won’t cut it, as markets are constantly evolving. We must embrace the reality that there’s nothing new under the sun and elevate it with our own distinct flair and originality. Read more>>

Kevin Gardner Jr. | Founder of KXNG Cosmetics, Screenwriter, Director, Editor, and Actor

Well, it all started with my own beard. As a man who takes pride in his appearance, I always struggled to find a product that was tailored to my specific needs. I was tired of using generic grooming products that didn’t work for me, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Read more>>

Barbara Exposito | Coaching & Consulting

Freedom. Freedom of location, schedule and earning capacity. Freedom to choose where to live, when to work, and how much money to make. As the mother of three kids between the ages of 7 and 14, it is impossible to keep track of their schedules, teacher plans, extracurricular activities, and doctor appointments. Freedom to be there for my kids and not have to worry about comments from coworkers when I had to run out the door to pick up my kids, go to a school event, or take them to the doctor was the main reason. Read more>>

Jalaine Campbell | CEO U& Founder of Spotlite Vacation Rental Management

I love everything about hosting on Airbnb & VRBO. I believe that because I genuinely love this business it shined through my reviews and my Superhost status. When I realized that the work I was putting in was being noticed, I decided that I could make this happen for hosts all around South Florida. Managing several 5 star vacation rentals is not easy and takes up a ton of time. Read more>>

Marcos Moran | business man

I had already been wakeboarding for over 14 years and I wanted to share all of that knowledge that I had learned and my passion for the sport with others so that’s why I started Gator Bait Wakeboard And Wakesurf School Of Miami LLC. I had worked for two other schools and I always wanted to do things differently so I finally had the oportunity to run my own business. It had been a dream of mine since I was young and it finally came true. 16 years later and I could not be happier! I am now running three boats and have five employees and we are giving lessons yearround. Read more>>

Delvin Rogers | Service Provider/Executive Director

My thought process behind starting C.A.L.M was based on not seeing any programs or services that catered to Youth and Anger Mgmt. The service initiative program is solely based on getting youth as much information as possible about Self-Control, Conflict Resolution, Impulsivity, Coping Skills, Empathy etc. I strongly believe if Youth are giving these key tools, it is less likely that they’d become angry adults. Read more>>