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.

Andrei Restrepo | Photographer, Videographer, & Owner of ProReal Media

For as long as I’ve been a freelance photographer & videographer, I’ve always wanted to run my own business in this field. The idea of building a creative agency that produces content at a professional level, and having a dream team! After landing in the real estate field many years ago thanks to my wife, I decided to purse real estate photography & videography. Fast forward a few year later, I left my full time job working as an on-staff photographer for a real estate team, and left to start my business – ProReal Media. The name is super unique I know.. as I shortened the phrase “Professional Real Estate Media” into the name it is now haha. I found that there was hole in the market for luxury real estate content so I based my business around that and aimed to dominate that niche. Fast forward to year 3 in business, we are definitely becoming known as the go-to real estate media company for luxury listings and high end social content. Read more>>

Farah Mian | Bridal Hair Stylist

To be completely frank, there was no thought process. I was really fortunate that my entire career sort of fell into my lap. I remember completing cosmo school & thinking- okay? what’s next? I have to assist at a salon. I have always been a girly girl so I know a career in beauty was always very appealing to me but I did not know exactly what I wanted to specialize in. After assisting for a couple years I realized I wanted nothing to do with the salon life- I needed to find my own way, & I always found hair design more rewarding for me personally. It required me to be super creative & the results always put me on a slight high. That’s how I knew what I wanted to specialize in. It always feels really special to me when someone books me for the most important day of their life! Read more>>

Brian Caldwell | Gym owner/Coffee business owner

I’m not a good follower. Read more>>

Eddy Deynes | Please use my DBA – SalsaEddy: Latin Dance Instructor & DJ

My thought process was straightforward: I began with small one-on-one sessions at their homes. As my clientele grew, I started renting space at different dance studios. With that growth, I eventually reached the point of owning my own studio! Read more>>

Nancy Acosta | Balloon Artist

When we decided to start our balloon art business, we knew we weren’t just pursuing a career- We were building a platform for creativity and joy. We always loved creating unforgettable moments for people, and balloons became our medium to do that. They’re universal symbols of celebration, and we saw an opportunity to use them to bring people together. Read more>>

Stephan Walters | CEO/Creator of Streets & Full Time Software Engineering Manager

I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart. I’ve been working in the software engineering industry with corporate America for about 13 years now and although work has been fun and enjoyable, I’ve always had the passion to create. My passion has always been to create solutions that solve human problems (and I like to do them with apps). Read more>>

James Warfield | Content Creator, Artist & Developer

Well I Starting Making Videos and Music All for The Joy of It, Then it started to become serious and I was mostly alone doing it then once I taught myself how to get better I produced and made my own music videos i even made vlogs. Read more>>

Lou Robinson | Animal Advocate/W.E.A.R.

We started the non profit in 2016 after always being involved in animal advocacy. Nubby was saved 8 years ago because of the call our non profit received. Since then we have saved so many more two legged dogs and others (including cats), all adopted by amazing forever homes. Read more>>

Daniela Barraza | Nail Artist

Since I was a little girl, I have always been very creative and authentic. I used to tell my parents, “I don’t know what I’ll become when I grow up or what I’ll do for a living, but I’m sure you’ll be proud of me, and my name will be out there.” Read more>>

Alicia Sebastien | HRIS Professional & Career Solutionist

I started my business to help those who have been impacted by job loss and/or considering job transition as their interests and passions change. I was impacted by layoffs from the oil and gas sector in August 2019 and also by a contract change in November of 2022 within the cryptocurrency industry. Therefore, I understood what was necessary on how to navigate a competitive job market along with how to switch careers fully leveraging my skillset and ability to market myself. I wanted my legacy to include helping others reach their full potential and improve their quality of life. I created my own self help guide e-book titled; Better Never Bitter: A Self-Help Guide to Job Loss and Transition. Read more>>

Minister Adams | Spiritual Practitioner and Holistic Health Practitioner

I opened Our Little Red One Shop to offer my community alternative options for healing. The areas where my stores are located are typically under-resourced, high-crime, high-stress, and impoverished. I established Our Little Red One Shop to provide a community resource where people can come to feel heard, acknowledged, and receive help in their healing journey. Read more>>

Jana Miranda | Owner/Master Hair Stylist

I hated being micro managed at my corporate salon and wanted to create a salon that people enjoyed being at where they could have the freedom to create and enjoy their life. Read more>>