We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Olubusola Lawal

Starting my own business came from a deep love for people and a desire to create meaningful experiences. While I have a background in pharmacy and currently work in the biopharmaceutical field, my passion for creating joy led me to build Davina Photobooth, a business focused on helping people celebrate life’s special moments and create lasting memories. Read More>>

Anthony Michael Garza

When I was younger, I didn’t realize it at the time, but my grandfather was an entrepreneur. He was a concrete finisher who handled a lot of the work around Katy, Texas. Everything from neighborhood driveways to commercial parking and church parking lots. I’d ride around with him in his work truck, watching how he carried himself and how he worked. Read More>>

Gretta Pinto

I began as a freelancer and contractor, which taught me a lot and helped me grow as a photographer. Over time, though, I realized there was a limit to how much I could grow freelancing, and I kept finding myself thinking about building something of my own.  Read More>>

Polly Acioli

When I decided to start my own business, I saw an opportunity to create something truly distinctive. I wanted to offer a luxury photography experience where each client felt unique. My thought process was: if I could combine art, exclusivity, and a personal touch, I’d be creating not just images, but eternal memories for families. Read More>>

Jessica Markham

Terrified! That was my main thought. Imposter syndrome is real and I was really battling with whether or not my baked goods were good enough for people to want to buy them. My dad taught me how to bake when I was young. I would help him bake for all the holidays every year. He really lit a passion for baking in me early. Read More>>

Alma Banks-Brown

Initially, Lil Audrey was an honorarium to my mother, Audrey! Her home was always a Safe Place for family, friends, students and anyone that needed a shelter and food. Lil Audrey Safe Place was just that. Read More>>

Glen Brown

After nearly 20 years in property management, my decision to start my own company felt like a natural evolution rather than a sudden leap. I’d worked my way through nearly every level of the business—from leasing manager to Vice President of Operations—and that hands-on experience gave me a deep understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and where the industry could do better. Read More>>

SHIRLEY GARCIA

My decision to start my own business came from a mix of necessity, vision, and purpose. I realized early on that I had the skills to help businesses grow, but more importantly, I wanted control over my time, my values, and the impact of my work. Read More>>

ADEDOYIN ‘Dee’ ONITIRI

My name is Adedoyin “Dee” Onitiri, Creative Director of Mightymac Fashion. The brand was founded from a deeply personal place and is inspired by my late mother. Growing up, I was influenced by her sense of style, creativity, and deep appreciation for well-made garments, which left a lasting impression on me. Read More>>

Tabitha Dominguez

I ultimately started my business because of the transformation I experienced when I began learning a true mind–body–soul approach during my time back in school. For years I worked in construction, but I always longed for work that allowed me to help, equip, and empower people in a deeper way. I’ve been on my own emotional health journey for about seven years. Read More>>

Lou Quismorio

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. When I was a child, my father was in corporate New York City. He worked for a Cabrini Medical Center as the CFO for years. When a new CEO came into the picture, he was let go. I knew at that moment I wanted to be my own boss. Read More>>

Enrique Carmona

My thought process to starting Revive Marketing has always been rooted in helping others succeed. The business idea became a reality post college graduation, when opportunities were available for me to help businesses solve this big problem: a lack of visibility in an online driven culture. Read More>>

Tiffany Deschler

I was a public school teacher for 22 yrs, with 18 of those years teaching middle school and the other 4 teaching kindergarten. In 2023, my grandson turned 3 and my daughter wanted to have him start in a program for more social activities. She and I searched for places with the mindset of open and child-led play. Read More>>

Stephanie Garza

The thought process really came from ownership of my time, my income, and my vision. Before becoming a multi-business owner, I spent years working in the personal injury and medical space. I was building a strong book of business, driving real revenue, and at some point I realized I was paying someone else’s dream income instead of my own. Read More>>

Evelyn Whitttaker

My decision to start my own business was shaped by a sudden, life-altering experience with my family. In 2017, my mother passed away unexpectedly from cardiac arrest. In that moment, my daughters — who were only 15 and 11 years old at the time — performed CPR on their grandmother before help arrived. Despite their efforts, my mother later passed. Read More>>

Robbie Rensel

I’ve known what I’ve wanted to do since I’ve been 15 and I’ve geared my whole life around it. I knew that I wanted to control my own destiny, work on building my future not someone else’s, and have the flexibility to live how I wanted to live. Read More>>

Diana Figueira

I have always believed that we carry a responsibility to pursue the best version of ourselves. For me, that journey led to starting my own business. Fitness has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, I played sports from a very young age and have always enjoyed staying active. Read More>>

Tara Yerigan

I have always loved the work I do as a Licensed Esthetician. Specializing in brow artistry, lash lifts, and Brazilian waxing, the confidence these services bring to my clients is unmatched. Helping people feel comfortable, confident, and cared for has always been the most rewarding part of my work. Read More>>

DeShauna Loud

The thought process behind starting Lifted D Photography was rooted in storytelling and representation. I come from the culture I photograph, and I understood early on that the moments, people, and legacy within it deserved to be documented with care and authenticity. I didn’t want to simply capture images — I wanted to preserve history and elevate narratives that are often overlooked or misunderstood. Read More>>

Dr. Scharlotte Spencer, APRN, FNP-C, ACHPN, CNEcl

I didn’t start my business because I wanted to be an entrepreneur — I started it because I never received the kind of help I needed myself. Read More>>

Daniel Langlois

The thought process behind starting my business was similar to many others: I wanted to have time and financial freedom. However, I quickly learned that is not how things start out in business. At first, you’re definitely sowing many hours and reaping little financial benefit!  Read More>>

Tonya Dean

Inspired Achievers Academy began as an idea in my early twenties while living in Gulfport, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina. At the time, I was raising two young children and attending college for elementary education. Watching how disasters disrupt families—especially children—made me realize how critical access, stability, and quality education truly are. Read More>>