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.

Michael Chabala | CEO & Founder

I was upset, lonely and determined to change a broken system within major league soccer to help guys when they finish playing. I was also over wearing a suit and tie to work at my first ever job outside of soccer and was tired of someone telling me what to do. I took a shot on myself to play professional soccer and I know what that looks like and was willing to go the distance again, so I started. Read more>>

Keren Eldad | Personal / Executive Coach & Speaker

The answer will inspire many readers who themselves are thinking – as I was when I started – about pivoting their career, but don’t even know where to start. You may be surprised to learn that I did not HAVE A DREAM to become a coach and speaker (ah yes…. here comes the lesser known I DID NOT have a dream speech). Instead, I found and launched this career through a period of active EXPLORATION. About 6 years ago, I went through a personal crisis: I got divorced, quit my job to move back home, and found myself after that without a job for quite some time. One of the reasons I made it to the other side of that with a whole new career was that, even though I was flat broke at that time, I first and foremost dedicated myself to finding out what the heck I wanted to do. As a matter of fact, it was the first time in my life I turned inward like that. Read more>>

Meredith Jurica | Entrerpenuer & CEO

I developed an item that I needed strictly for personal use. I did not know at the time that it would develop into a business. The organic nature of it’s development caught even me by surprise! Read more>>

Jason Rorie | Entrepreneur, Veteran, Author & InfoSec Specialist

With a focus on cyber risk management and control testing for the small and medium business sector, Elevated Technologies protects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their clients through their signature triad of services- technology, training, and insurance. Founded by Jason Rorie, US Navy Veteran and author of “Small Business- A Hacker’s Playground”, his belief that adding value always wins over perception fueled his passion for founding Elevated Technologies and fill the void he saw in the small and medium business sector. Read more>>

Arlina Roman | Graphic & Brand Designer

Last year I was working at a marketing agency and one of my tasks was to help the creative director bring logo and brand identity design ideas to the table for our clients. I gained so much insight and experience that my relatives started asking me for logo designs for their small businesses. They later told their friends about my graphic design expertise and as a result I gained more client branding projects through them. I was beginning to see that I had the potential to do this as a side hustle as I was getting more and more business, but then I got laid off from my job and worked to take my design business to a full-time endeavor. Perfect timing if you ask me! Read more>>

Vel Lewis | International Recording Artist & Founder

In the late 70’s, I worked for quite a few corporations in the capacities of data entry clerk, special projects facilitator, Credit Administrator, Accounting Manager, Director of Credit, on up to my last position as Chief Financial Officer for a retail chain of six stores that sold computer parts and built computers, while performing frequently and continuing to write my own music as a songwriter. I knew in 1974 when the first song I composed was featured on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand’ TV show, that I could write hit songs and that I would eventually start my own business in the music industry. I also hoped that I would have the opportunity some day to help some young musicians become successful, just as someone helped me when I was young. Read more>>

Tyron Perry | Massage Therapist, Massage Therapist Instructor & CE Provider

Honestly my thoughts was process was I’ve been practicing in my field for 17 years, I should have more confidence in myself, now is the time. Read more>>

Charles Brantley | Digital Artist

I think I’ve always been destined to attempt direct business with customers. For me, a business can be a lot like art in that you have to bring the formless, intangible, and obscure into the physical realm. Your job is to make it real and that requires creativity. Creativity happens to be a quality about myself that I a proudest of. Read more>>

Schetauna Powell | Culture Worker & Teaching Artist

I entered the professional art world around 2007 when I was an undergraduate student minoring in Studio Art at the University of Houston. At that time I found myself feeling alienated because there were not many people of color in my studio art classes. It was only during my post graduate career as a teaching artist at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston that I found out that there is a lack of participation in creative fields among African Americans of all ages. In the early days when I began organizing through Artivism Community Art I found myself having deep conversations with the community wherin I learned that this lack of participation in the arts was a result of a fear to be vulnerable. Their experiences have lead them to this fear, which ultimately I learned contributes to the mental health crises in our community. Read more>>

Damien Lawson | Marketing & Advertising Expert

I wanted to become my own boss and gain financial freedom. To add, the only way for me to obtain financial liberation was to start my own company and put my livelihood in my own hands versus someone else’s hands. Read more>>

April Greene | Serial Entrepreneur, Childcare Specialist & Interior Decorater

My thought process in starting my own business was I wanted to create a legacy for my children, children. Read more>>

Cindy Hide | Family Lawyer & Clarity Coach for Relationships

I appreciate others who share their experience and knowledge with the intention of being of service. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do through Love, Money & the Law, clarity relationship coaching, and, my family law practice. I reasoned that if I had a tough time trying to decide whether to stay or leave my marriage, other women might be struggling with their decision making and divorce experiences, too. I also understood the value and consequences of complete financial disclosures during settlement negotiations. At the time there wasn’t really a person or place to go for insights into the legal system other than an expensive lawyer, or, someone to act as a guide. Read more>>

Young Picasso | Artist

I felt like My creativity was being stifled. I worked in the traditional work world for over 10 years and i was never happy. I would always do projects on the side but that wasn’t enough. So one day i decided to take the proverbial leap of faith and do my creative work full time. Read more>>