Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Lane and Lani Bidlack | Handyman and Event Planner

We started our podcast during avoid-Season, when the roof was quarantined to their homes. We thought “We have interesting thoughts and conversations, let’s record it!” I would have to speak for the both of us here when I say that starting our own businesses was scary, and that we just had to take the leap! Outside of the podcast, Lani runs a wedding rental business, and also a balloon art business that caters to parties and events of all different sizes. I work as a handyman, doing all sorts of different projects, which I basically had to learn how to do from YouTube for each project. So waking up every day and not knowing what you’re going to be doing, plus having to learn new skills to complete the task, is a very scary thing , We both feel that it beats being told that you’re only allowed to take one vacation a year for all your hard work. Read more>>

Tremayne Keath | Mobile Detailer

My original thought process was I wanted to just work for myself, be my own boss. I wanted to just call my own shots without having to answer to anyone. But that quickly changed once the process started. I started to feel like owning my own business was like starting a legacy for myself. It’s something I started from scratch, worked for spent countless hours thinking and preparing for. It’s something my kids can look at and say my dad started his own business so I can do the same. Read more>>

Jessica McPeck | Boutique Owner

Life is short. This was the thought behind starting my own business and leaving my teaching career. We only get one shot at this beautiful life and I felt like something was missing. I wanted to do something that had an impact on the town where I live and raise my kids. I wanted to be apart of my village. Read more>>

Alayna Bouie | Founder & Cosmetic Chemist

Shereen Cosmetics was a passion project before anything else. I knew that I loved chemistry and beauty/cosmetics. The goal was and is to make an impact on this industry in a way that I didn’t see other cosmetic chemists or beauty founders pursuing. I started this because I wanted to share my fun and effective creations with the community, and teach them about the amazing science that is behind them. There is so much fear around what people put on their skin, and I wanted to create a brand around making customers feel safe and cared for through education. Read more>>

Ashley Rapp | Photographer

My thought process was to start a business that I was passionate about, but also could be the mom that I wanted to be for my 2 beautiful girls. Read more>>

Alexa Nause | Photographer

My thought process behind starting my own business was that I wanted to dictate my life. If I wanted a weekend off for my kids, I could take it. If I wanted to take a trip, I could take it. I didn’t want someone to tell me where to be and when; I get to say that. I have complete control of my schedule and that to me should be the driving force for all people. Yes I have deadlines and work long hours but it’s for myself and my family, not anyone else. Read more>>

Dr. Monica Riley | Award-winning CEO, Educator, Philanthropist & Integrative Medicine Expert

I am thrilled to answer this question! We just celebrated our 7th Biz-Versary and in a reality where 45% of businesses fail within the first 5 years, I am so grateful that Dr. Monica’s Natural Beauty, LLC is still a beacon of light and transformation in the realm of sustainable beauty. When I think back to how I started my business, I must go way back; even before 2016. The idea for clean beauty self-care, with special care to melanated beauty, really began in my Nana’s kitchen. I was only 4 years old, but I remember being mesmerized by the plants and flowers that she would distill in this huge soup pot every Saturday. And, to my 4 year old self, I was living my best life….munching Nana’s homemade biscuits with strawberry jam and watching her create elixirs that healed the body, mind and spirit. Read more>>

Princess Heirsmac-Akinjogunla | Creative Director at Elarosesweetweddings

Starting a bridal store was driven by a desire to celebrate the unique beauty and diversity of every bride. Recognizing that women come in all shapes and sizes, yet the bridal industry often seemed limited in its offerings, the goal was to fill this gap. The thought process began with a deep understanding of the challenges many women face when looking for the perfect wedding dress. Often, they are confronted with a lack of variety in sizes, styles, and designs that genuinely cater to their individual body types and personal tastes. The vision was to create a space where every bride feels welcomed, understood, and catered to. Read more>>

Birdie Brennan | Professional Organizer

I was working for someone else in a different industry, but I always found myself organizing something! I organized the physical space, the timeline, and the work flow. When I was looking for something to do on my own, I made lists of what I was good at and “being organized” was always at the top of my lists. It was also someone I have always enjoyed, and I knew people could benefit from my help. In 2000, I found there was an association, NAPO, (The National Association of Professional Organizers). I scheduled to go to their national conference in the spring of 2001. At the conference, I realized I was where I should be and then after the conference, I started my business. Read more>>

Suzi Shelton | Family Performer & YouTube Host

I have always loved working on my own projects and even though I love collaboration, I know that I work best as my own boss. Starting up SuziMusic, LLC over 15 years ago has allowed me to focus on the things that I do best – making music for families, teaching music enrichment classes, curating music events, and producing and becoming a livestream host for my original children’s show, while also allowing me to hire creative and talented people to help me in the areas that I need help! This list includes hiring professional musicians, engineers, producers, artists, puppeteers, script writers, graphic designers and web designers to name a few. I also feel pride in running a women-owned business and I try to hire fellow talented women in the industry as well. Read more>>

Christine Frank | Co-Founder, Superscript Comics and Games

Around New Years 2019, I asked my husband, Elliott, what he would do for a career if he could do anything. He responded that he would open a comic shop or a record store. I thought about this response and suggested we start working toward this goal by signing up for a free class on entrepreneurship at the library. We attended together and began writing our business plan. We realized we would need a partner in this endeavor so Elliott asked his best friend, Nick, to join us in opening a comic and game store. They agreed and we spent 2019 planning to open Superscript Comics and Games in Lakewood, OH. Read more>>

Lenaille Smith | Real Estate Investor

The Smith Financial Relief Group LLC was founded with a mission to offer compassionate solutions to individuals navigating challenging circumstances, including job loss, family loss, and financial strain such as back taxes. Our commitment to aiding motivated sellers goes beyond property transactions; it’s about providing a supportive hand during times of adversity. By purchasing houses, we aim to alleviate the burden on sellers, helping them find a way forward with financial relief and a fresh start. Read more>>

Manny Hall | Brand Developer

I wanted to know what it would be like to work for myself and make my own hours. I was tired of working for someone else’s company to make them richer. I wanted to take a chance on me. Read more>>

Waverly Willis | Proprietor of the Urban Kutz Barbershop chain

I wanted to open up a quality multicultural business. People identify my business as a Back-owned business which it is however about 50% of our clientele is made up of other races ethnicities and lifestyles. He is ago when I pray about my business and put pin to paper to write about it I got exactly what I prayed for. I have a very multicultural business regarding my clientele as well as the staff. All races ethnicities and lifestyles have always been welcome inside of all three of my shops. I am very blessed. Also I wanted to have more than just the barbershop. Anyone can go to a random shop and get a haircut but no one can go to a barber shop and get their blood pressure checked or a list of employers that hire people with a felony background. Read more>>

Roger Hoover | Photographer

I started Rust Creative to give small business owners an affordable edge in their marketing, advertising and creative. I grew up working for my own family’s small businesses and know well the unique challenges they face. Read more>>

Traci Brown | Business Owner & Author

Interesting enough, I didn’t always see myself as a business owner. Owning my own business is something that I grew into. I started my Non-profit organization with one goal in mind, and that was to be of help and service to people in need. I have worked for and volunteered with nonprofit organizations for years. United To Bless, Inc. was birthed from having a desire to help others my own way. Read more>>

Candace Maiden | Co-Owner of Squash the Beef

Our journey into entrepreneurship was truly unexpected but incredibly rewarding. It all began in 2017 when my partner and I decided to transition to a plant-based lifestyle. As we embraced this new way of living, we quickly realized the limited options for vegan comfort food in the market, especially when attending events. It became disheartening to attend gatherings and find a lack of plant-based offerings. In response to this gap, we started bringing our own plant-based creations to events. The surprising part was that people not only enjoyed our food but were genuinely amazed to discover that it was entirely plant-based. This positive feedback sparked an idea – what if we could provide plant-based catering to fill the void we had experienced? Read more>>

Mikey Fragoulis | Adoniis Fiit Owner & Co-Founder

When Anthony & I had first met to discuss starting our own apparel brand, we were still extremely new and somewhat ignorant to the clothing industry. From playing sports our entire childhood, as well as having a passion for fashion, we knew that we had a very similar idea in exactly what it was that we wanted to create. We both owned our own personal training businesses as well and had a pretty accurate idea of what men & women liked to wear when not only working out, but in their day-to-day lives outside of just training as well. That being said, our thought process behind starting Adoniis Fiit was to bring a combination of luxury and comfort in athleisurewear to the modern fitness enthusiast. Our mission is to bring a blend of comfortability with new modern designs to the activewear industry. Read more>>

Isaiah Bey | Founder of A New Dream

When I first started A New Dream, I wanted a brand that didn’t just cater to one ethnicity, culture, demographic, or even age group. I wanted to figure out how I could create something that was so diverse everybody could wear it. I realized that there’s many ways to speak your truth in our lifetime. The way I wanted to do it was through fashion. A New Dream is built off of one thing we can all relate to and that’s struggle. No matter where you come from, what you look like, or what you believe in, there’s something that you had to overcome or trying to overcome. Read more>>

Sharon Grenier | Owner | Operator

Fresh Roasted Coffee. All About the People. My husband and I were living just outside Philadelphia. I was a kindergarten teacher; he a kids pastor. And we noted something about our culture– if you meet a new friend at the park (while playing with your kids) it was hard to find a way to connect with them. It’s weird to just invite them over to your house; since you didn’t know them all that well yet. So we wanted to have a space where it was safe and welcoming for ALL people. Where coffee can be used to connect; and we can be the hands and feet of Jesus as we love our neighbor and serve our city! This was the background behind Coffee Connections. We moved to Hilliard, Ohio– started connecting— and the rest is history! Read more>>