Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Sarah Bowden

The concept behind creating inspirational pieces of art stemmed from a desire to bring my own personal story to life. I had gone through a rough storm in life and emerged on the other side with a renewed faith and understanding of why life may sometimes unfold in ways we would not expect or want it to. Someone mentioned to me that I had been assigned that mountain to show others that it could be moved. I had never looked at my failures or disappointments thinking that anything positive could come from them. With a new perspective, I realized that we aren’t meant to walk this life alone. Each of us is fighting our own battle and we’re really all in this together. We never know how we can change someone’s perspective with just a small uplifting word or gesture of kindness. Read More>>

I went through a very traumatic process to be diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness (Bipolar 1). I am interested in spreading awareness, teaching the world what I have learned, and improving the mental health of those affected by mental illness and beyond. I think that pharmaceuticals are necessary for me, but they do not magically give you perfect mental health. Read More>>

Mira Dessy

Initially I began this journey to find solutions for my own health challenges. Part of the process meant going back to school to become a nutrition educator. As I learned more about the importance of real food and the ingredients in what I was eating I was able to reclaim my health and discovered a passion for helping people understand what was in what they ate and how it affected their own health and wellness. I think this wasn’t a deliberate decision to do this work but a willingness to be open to the opportunity as it presented itself. Read More>>

Mariant Gomez

The heart behind my business was simple: I wanted to be there for my daughter. I wanted to enjoy motherhood fully, without rushing through it or missing the little moments that matter most. Starting my own business felt like the way to give myself that gift, the freedom to be present, to create my own rhythm, and to build something with love. Read More>>

Derrick Harris

At first there wasn’t a thought process for starting our own business. We were mere patrons at another location and had a great experience. It was at this point that my wife explained to me it was a franchise. As a researcher I found out all I could about the franchise and business model. This is when the idea of being a business owner began to take shape for us. Having the experience we had put us in the mind of sharing this same experience in our community. Read More>>

Shania Anthon

The decision to start my own business stems from a deep personal and professional alignment. Years of high-level training and competition exposed me to the critical role recovery plays in performance, injury prevention, and longevity. Experiencing the benefits of techniques like cupping, myofascial release, and assisted stretching firsthand inspired a passion for bodywork that extends beyond the track. Read More>>

Brian Kawano

I am the son of an entrepreneur, my father started his farming business when I was very young. My father immigrated to the US from Japan when he was just 19. He built a company that put a roof over our heads, provided everything we needed and put us all through college. My two brothers and I grew up working the farm and pitching in any way we could. From a very early age, I was fascinated with entrepreneurship. Read More>>