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.

Rafael Ramsa

When I was a child, ice cream was my favorite food. I don’t think I ever forged a deeper bond with anything else I ate. Even now, if I close my eyes and summon the memory of the ice cream parlor where my parents used to take me, I can still see the white mosaic tiles, the menu listing its flavors, breathe in the peculiar scent that lingered in the air, and recall with precision the place where the Neapolitan rested in the freezer to the right, and the chocochip in the one to the left—the two flavors I never failed to choose. Read More>>

Kedna Amey

Freedom and Family. Those were the words that became the compass for the pivot that I made when I decided to leave healthcare full time to open my portrait photography business. I was a part of the “Great Resignation” and didn’t even realize that I was a member of a movement that would change the trajectory of millions. Surviving the global pandemic made me realize how precious life truly is and you either carpe diem or you will find yourself lost in “grind culture”. I knew I wanted more for myself and my family. So I took leap of faith and started on an epic journey down the path of entrepreneurship. Read More>>

Ani Connolly

My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. After a successful career in the textile industry, I wanted to leverage my passion for interior design and my business skills to create aesthetically pleasing environments. I believed that by doing so, I could contribute positively to how people live and enhance their overall quality of life. This motivation to combine my expertise and passion inspired me to venture out on my own. Read More>>

Laura Ashley Todd

Laura: While working in a corporate environment, I felt there was a lack of creativity and accountability, which made the experience somewhat limiting for me. I believed I could bring more innovation and personal ownership to my work. The corporate structure seemed restrictive, and I wanted to add my own unique spin and creativity to the industry. Confident in my potential to succeed and driven by my passion, In 2015, I decided to take the risk of stepping out on my own and starting my own business. Read More>>

Titi Oyemade

I started HangoutWithTee to create a space where women feel safe to be themselves, learn from others, and enjoy meaningful experiences. I saw that many women didn’t have access to supportive and relatable communities, so I wanted to build one.

The idea was to bring women together through events, conversations, and growth sessions, to share, connect, and grow. It’s all about helping each other thrive. Read More>>

Ms. Joyce Poliard

My thought process behind starting my business was a mixture of listening to the challenges mompreneurs faced and what I was already good at. Often, we take our gifts for granted because certain things come easily to us. People kept asking me, “How do you stay consistent?” and “How do you balance motherhood and your dreams?” So I based my business of these factors. Read More>>

Tatiana Godibadze

Ever since I was young, art has been a huge part of my life I studied it for years and always knew I wanted a career where I could express my creativity. Tattooing became the perfect combination of art, personal connection, and entrepreneurship. Read More>> 

Lara Gould

I’ve always been surrounded by entrepreneurs – friends and family – pouring their hearts into businesses they believed in. Their ideas were strong, but when it came to branding and marketing, many felt stuck. They were trying to do it all themselves or relying on expensive help that didn’t really ‘get’ them. They wasted valuable time and money in the process – both things that a founder doesn’t have much of to begin with. Read More>>

Nataly Mendez

O wanted to create something that went beyond just selling shoes. For me, it was about designing pieces that make women feel confident, elegant, and empowered every time they wear them. After moving from Venezuela to the U.S., I knew I had to build a brand that reflected my passion for craftsmanship and my belief that every woman deserves to feel special in her everyday life. Read More>>

Lindsay Parkin

I started my career on the venue side of events, working at a Marriott Resort, where I was deeply involved in planning weddings and special occasions. Fun Fact: I’m a Certified Marriott Wedding Planner!

It didn’t take long for me to realize that what I loved most wasn’t selling the hotel—it was connecting with the couples. I found myself more invested in their stories, their vision, and their experience than in the sales goals I was expected to hit. Read More>>

Maryna Savchenko

Over the years, I’ve started several businesses in different industries, and each time the motivation has come from a deep desire to create something meaningful and valuable for people. I’ve always been driven by the idea of offering a high-quality, honest service — something unique that stands out among thousands of competitors. For me, launching a business is not only about entrepreneurship, but also about personal and professional growth. It’s a way to challenge myself, learn, evolve, and bring something original into the world that reflects my values of integrity, creativity, and fair pricing. Read More>>

Samantha Mckenzie

When starting Nuva Naturale I was battling with epilepsy and encountered a life threatening situation. I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2016. I went to several neurologist which couldn’t figure out what was the cause. After an epileptic attack causing me to be hospitalized in 2018. I decided to go down the holistic route. In my research I realized how many benefits plants and oils have for the body. After several months of holistic treatment my epilepsy started to diminish until it was gone.  Read More>>