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.

Chris Cade | All-Around Creative Artist

I was always thankful for every 9-5 job I worked because it helped me to have financial stability but also learn to work with people. The only downside was that they never aligned with my passion as a creative artist. I knew I would have to create my own business to have both financial stability and share my love of creativity and art to the world. Read more>>

Dihandria Bright | Founder of PillowScript

I was motivated to start my own business when i became a mother. I knew that i wanted more flexibility and freedom with my time to be present during my newborns milestones. I have always loved home decor and decorative pillows and once the idea of creating a word shaped pillow came to me, it stuck. I knew i had innovated something that could be special. Read more>>

Sophia Hall | Owner & Manager

The reason why I decided to open an Indoor Playground was because of our daughter Kennedy. She had just turned two and we found ourselves having to travel to find somewhere indoor and safe for her to play. Most of the times I was going alone because of my husbands work schedule. It was difficult with both of our work schedules. We had just one weekend where he wasn’t on nights and was off. Read more>>

Rain Agullana | Researcher & Army-preneur

I started my business out of love for stationery. One day, when I got assigned to work from home. As I was trying to convert our extra room into a home office, I realized that I have collected more than enough stationeries for myself. Read more>>

Skyler Tran | Broker/Co-Founder

We wanted to pay it forward and leave a legacy for newer agents entering the business. We’ve learned and went through so much in our careers which we’d like to pass onto future generation of agents. Read more>>

Suly Florian | Artist/Muralist

My thought process behind starting my own business was actually a short and necessary one. I had been laid off from my first job as a muralist, and necessity prompted me to start my own business. I didn’t have much time to think about it because I had many bills with only a small savings. Once I began the process of starting my own business however, I knew this was the right path for me. I’ve never worked harder in my life, and also have never have been more fulfilled. Read more>>

Cheryl Martin | Head Baker and Business Owner

I’ve always loved baking and when my daughter got accepted to a summer camp in the 4th grade, I used baking as a fundraiser to help pay for her trip. As a result of customers loving the desserts and my success with fundraising, I decided to continue baking on a more consistent basis. Read more>>