To start or to not to start, that is the aspiring entrepreneur’s question
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.
Ashlee Fennell
Starting GGC we knew we wanted it to be a non-profit. We love where we live and wanted to do something to help those in need right here at home. A lot of people share a love for coffee but one thing that was important to us was to bring back “the good ole days” and romanticize brewing coffee at home again. Something else that was important to us was selling organic coffee beans. Not only is it better for your health but by going back to organic practices you can fix gut issues and even brain fog. We all seem to know someone with those issues these days? In all we wanted a product that gave back to the consumer and the community. Read More>>
Geoffrey Henning
Truly it was important to have an opportunity to have a final chapter in my career where I can share and excite my vision of fashion, style and creativity. Read More>>
Melissa Roberts
I realized I wanted to design a life I didn’t need a vacation from; a life where creativity and purpose meet. I craved the freedom to chase my curiosity, take on projects that made my heart race, and create spaces that feel like someone’s soul got a Pinterest board makeover. Read More>>
Amin Kabani
For me, it started with a simple but powerful realization: the beauty industry is overflowing with talent, but there was no platform that truly empowered the artists — the ones who actually do the work. I’ve seen too many gifted hair and makeup professionals struggle to find consistent, well-paid work, while big salons and agencies took the lion’s share of the profit. Read More>>
Leah Simone
I’ve always been a go getter and had an entrepreneurial spirit! When I finally found something that I was passionate about, I knew I could turn it into a business of my own. Read More>>
E’Lona (Lona) Andrews
I was addicted to fast money. I got into some trouble and was incarcerated for a while. While incarcerated I knew I couldn’t get out doing the same thing. However I also knew I didn’t want to work for anyone. That’s when I decided to become an entrepreneur. Read More>>
Daniela Portugal
After my husband finished his military contract, we made a big move to Texas. Being new here was exciting and daunting because we had uproot our selfs and embrace the new possibilities for our next chapter. Through those changes, I found myself changing to and began reflecting for what I truly wanted for life. I realized I didn’t want to go back to traditional work that left me unfulfilled. Creating has always brought me joy. Choosing it to be more than a hobby, to make it my passion and purpose for my life was the best decision I ever made. Pouring my energy into building a business that reflects that becomes more than a milestone, its way of life that I truly cherish and want to continue for myself. Read More>>
Karen Steele
My multi cultural family members exposed me to a wide world of people and experiences early in life. Abuelo, my grandfather, set the foundation for my success. My American father worked at NASA, so he was an early tech guy.
At the age of 14, I a saw a documentary on a career in public relations. My mother was fluent in three languages French, English and Spanish and spoke a bit of Italian. While in college, I thought about being a foreign correspondent. At the time, I worked at a major network . Read More>>
Conswello B. Foster
Starting my own business was less a single decision and more a culmination of creative restlessness and a desire for autonomy. As an author/life coach, I’ve always been drawn to storytelling—not just through words, but through the way we build experiences. I realized that the publishing world, while rich with tradition, often left little room for innovation or control over one’s own narrative. That sparked a question: What if I could create a space where stories—mine and others’—could thrive on our own terms? Read More>>
Angelica Alvarado- De Leon
My Journey into business started with Cosmetology. I went to college for it, but after graduating I worked in the clerical field for many years. Over time I felt myself getting burnt out and ultimately decided I wanted to return to my roots in the beauty industry, which lead me to further my education into lash artistry. A year and a half later, I still have so much love and passion for lashing and continue to work on perfecting my craft.Read More>>
Kylee Gilmore
I knew early on that I didn’t want to be tied down to just one industry, I wanted the freedom to be creative across all industries. Ever since sixth grade, I’ve known I wanted to pursue marketing. I loved the idea of connecting people with stories, products, and services in ways that actually matter to them. That’s what inspired me to start my own company. Building Inérra Marketing has allowed me to do just that: take my passion for marketing and apply it across all industries while giving each client a unique strategy that helps them grow. Read More>>
Margie Smith
My thought process was rooted in a combination of faith, purpose, autonomy, authenticity, and impact. I’ve always had a strong drive to build something of longevity on my own terms. Starting my business in real estate allowed me to use my gifts and skills to directly serve people, and make decisions that align with my vision and values: integrity, excellence, and empowerment. I prayed for direction and clarity on it, and real estate was the answer for me. My husband and I were already investors for some years prior to becoming Realtors®, and it was something that allowed me to have a multifacted impact on my family and others. Read More>>
