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.

Camille Ashraf, Maryam Aasif | Co-founders and Community Organizers

We started Actors Across Borders to create a community that truly reflected our backgrounds and experiences. As South Asian founders living in one of the most diverse cities in the country, we were searching for a space where we could connect with other artists who looked like us and represented the city’s diversity. Through our events, we wanted to bring together creatives to enjoy improv, learn acting fundamentals, and collaborate across different mediums. Our goal was to build an inclusive environment where artists could connect, learn, and create together. Read more>>

Dr. Jenn Au | Somatic Mindfulness Coach, Hypnotherapy, Doctor of Physical Therapy & Holistic Bodywork

For most of my life, I never imagined starting my own business. Read more>>

Mercy Herradon | Hair Stylist

I’ve always been drawn to anything having to do with beauty. Since a young age I was a little fashionista and the older I got, the more I was inclined to do my hair and makeup as opposed to going and getting my hair done at a salon. Not that someone else couldn’t do a good job at all, I just always had the mindset of ‘I would love to do this myself’ and I love the process of enhancing myself and others. Read more>>

Frank Galeana | Owner

My wife and I have been in the event industry for a couple years and saw the need for a print shop that understood our language and could deliver quality items so we figured why not us?! Read more>>

Jason Becker | CWI/CWE

My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by a combination of passion, opportunity, and a desire to create something meaningful in the welding industry. I’ve always been passionate about welding and education, and I saw a gap in the market for hands-on, short-term training programs that cater to beginners, hobbyists, and professionals seeking to improve their skills. Read more>>

Darnell Sneed | Recording Artist, Songwriter, Producer, Audio Engineer

Wanting to have a brand that represents the culture in a way that hasn’t been presented or maybe it has been presented just not the way I see it. Read more>>

Ced Thomas | Realtor, MBA

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and I ultimately chose real estate because I thought it would offer the most flexibility—though I quickly learned that wasn’t exactly the case. In reality, I’m often on call for my clients, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Seeing the joy on their faces at closing makes all the effort worthwhile. Read more>>

Onex’s Gardner | Photographer – Model – Stylist – Talent Manager.

To be completely honest, I had to figure out what my next big move would be in the great country of opportunities! I’ve learned so much since being here, and the creative side of me was itching to break free. I’ve always been a creative soul, but you know how “survival mode” can keep you too busy to really dive in, right? Read more>>

Nicole Riley | Party decorator & Teacher

My initial thought process was I wanted something my mom and I could do and learn together during the COVID shut down. Even though we knew were not going to be able to sell and advertise like we wanted to, we thought it was best to practice and either make shirts, cups key chains or balloons for friends and close family. We noticed our hobby was one that others enjoyed and we sat down and began coming up with a name and business cards. Read more>>

Jada Smith | CEO of Snooty Hair Boutique

Absolutely! Here’s a response that feels genuine and engaging: Read more>>

Maura Montalvo | Life Coach for Entreprenuers

My thought process behind starting my own business was rooted in the desire for freedom, flexibility, and a fulfilling career that aligns with my core values. I wanted to create something meaningful that allowed me to help others while being present for my family. I also craved a life where I could set my own boundaries, work passionately toward personal and professional growth, and build a community focused on empowerment and success. My business reflects my belief that entrepreneurship should lead to a well-balanced, purpose-driven life. Read more>>

Beck Velasquez | Hairstylist / Salon owner

I have been in the beauty industry for seven going on eight years. I’m started whenever I was 14 getting in my mom‘s make up samples and cutting my own bangs from a video I saw on YouTube. I was just 16 when I started working at Sportclips as a receptionist by the time I was 17 I had my license and I was able to cut hair. Within their company, I probably jumped around to 6 to 7 stores I believe, And from there, I have probably worked from 10 to 20 places within my career constantly always trying to find the place that I could call home. Unfortunately, in this industry, I don’t think a lot of us have found that place to call home, the thing is the beauty, industry and salon industry is very toxic. You can easily be overworked and getting paid, a quarter of what the Salon is charging for the service that you’re providing. I love my job but working under other people was starting to depress me, i wasn’t able to do what i wanted / do the types of services i wanted to provide. Read more>>

Alberto Perez | Bands Of Ecom

Honestly it was for the freedom & time. I knew if I could have a successful business I would have a lot of time & freedom to do whatever I want when I want. My business lets me work from wherever I am since it’s an online business. Read more>>

Toyet Pearson | Esthetician

When I started VaniTee BeauTee I was thinking of ways to help people feel more comfortable in their natural skin. I always say that my business is a representative of when skincare meets beauty, so yes makeup and lashes can work wonders but is your skin healthy? Can you wake up and go natural if needed? I believe in natural beauty and I believe that everything else should just be an enhancement, not a mask. Read more>>

Jean Hawney | Speech Language Pathologist & Feeding Specialist

My journey to starting Little Eaters & Talkers was driven by my passion for empowering families and the recognition that many of the children I was working with needed a different type of support than I could offer in a hospital setting. In my hospital work, I saw time and again that feeding and language challenges often extended beyond the sessions. Many families needed more time, flexibility, and tools to reinforce skills at home, and I wanted to create a service that could provide exactly that. I wanted to make a space where families could feel understood and supported, where I could offer workshops, hands-on support, and ongoing resources. This focus on building a collaborative approach between therapists and parents became my primary motivation. Read more>>

Libby Darling | Make-up Artist

After nearly 20 years in the Retail Corporate beauty world, navigating countless changes, I realized something profound—my passion was shifting. What once fueled me, making people look and feel beautiful, had turned into a focus on metrics and the bottom line. I found myself longing for something more personal and meaningful. Read more>>

Steve Perez | Machine operator

Really just always wanted a clothing brand honestly, but that I could buy my lifestyle into it and be about what I go threw in my actual job as a blue collar worker..father and man. Read more>>

Flor Aponte | LCSW-S

My thought process behind starting my own therapy practice was deeply rooted in my passion for helping people and creating a space where clients could feel truly heard and supported. I wanted to offer a personalized approach that might not always be possible in larger organizations. Read more>>

Prinston Hicks | Entrepreneur, Founder, Speaker

When I started my business, the world was very different. There were no business influencers sharing strategies or motivational speakers inspiring success stories. Since the age of six, I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Watching my grandmother work her entire life without fully enjoying the fruits of her labor after retirement motivated me to pursue a different path. While her life wasn’t bad or unsuccessful, I believed there was something greater waiting for me. Read more>>

Fawaz King | Photographer & Videographer

Thank you, starting my own business was driven by a passion for storytelling, the desire for creative and professional independence, and the opportunity to build a brand that reflects my vision while meeting a growing market demand.
It’s about doing what I love, connecting with people, and creating meaningful work on my own terms. Read more>>

Trey Dewitt | Real Estate Agent

From an early age, I knew I wanted to do something big in life. Move to LA, become a successful actor, connect with as many people in my life, or start a business. I landed on building my business in my last semesters of college when things were not aligning with the traditional “9 to 5”. I later got a job in broadcast news working at FOX news in Downtown Austin. Things were not aligning with my goals there and it was time to find what my passion was . My family brought up the idea to get enrolled in real estate school. Read more>>

Dolores Hernandez | Owner/Creative Director, DHP Advertising & Creative

Entrepreneurship has always been in my blood. Even as a child, I was eager to create and build something. I vividly remember starting my first business at just six years old – a candy shop run from my front door, selling unique sweets my grandmother brought me from Mexico to the neighborhood kids. It was a short-lived venture, as the sugar-fueled chaos caught the attention of parents concerned about cavities and energy spikes. While it didn’t last long, that experience sparked my passion for turning ideas into action, a drive that has stayed with me throughout my life and ultimately led me to start my own business. Read more>>

Worldpeace Htx | Charitable Organization

At WorldPeace HTX, we believe everybody dreams of experiencing owning their own company or starting an organization . Their own anything. We just look at it as another opportunity to help others through expressing ourself/ our ideas. Read more>>

Amber Carroll | Founder and operator of Crafted by Carroll

I started my business during the pandemic. During that time, I was struggling with mental health issues. I needed an outlet and began to try different hobbies. I received a candle making kit and used it as a form of therapy. I thought maybe my candles could help other people who are stuck at home and having mental health problems of their own. I began creating candles named for people, places and things that helped me battle depression and I also traveled to teach others how to use candle making as a form of therapy. My thought was that if I can help people struggling with my candles, maybe one day we could heal the world. Read more>>

Kiersten Ortiz | Photographer

I’ve always had a passion for taking pictures ever since I was a child. Perhaps it’s because of my terrible memory, but I love the idea of capturing a moment in time and being able to relive it every time I look at the photograph. When the pandemic started, like many of us during that time, I needed an outlet. Not only was I a new mom trying to rediscover who I am, but I was locked down in a 1 bedroom apartment with my husband and 3-month-old son. I wanted something that was my own, an outlet for my creativity and my sanity. Something I did just for me and no one else. Photography became that outlet. I took hundreds of photos of my son, practicing my skills until lockdown was lifted, and I felt comfortable enough to photograph other people. Read more>>

Dallas Burkhalter | CEO of SpringStock Music Fest

Our thought process behind starting SpringStock Music Fest was that we all wanted to make our own music festival to highlight local musicians and bring together local businesses for an unforgettable experience. Being that each of us are musicians ourselves, it shaped our perspective on what a music festival could be and how we can give a platform to those who deserve it the most. Read more>>

Amber Baylor | Media Marketing Expert & Publicist

My thought process behind starting Motion Media and Public Relations was driven by my unique experience working in television news and production for seven years. During this time, I gained an in-depth understanding of what media outlets are looking for, and how they operate. I noticed a gap between business owners, corporations, and the media—many organizations struggled to effectively present themselves or tailor their messaging to meet the standards and expectations of media outlets. Read more>>