Readers often email us asking us for advice about new businesses they are thinking about starting and we often find that many of them don’t have a framework for thinking about a more fundamental question: why should or shouldn’t you start a business?

Below, you’ll find how successful entrepreneurs from across the city thought about this very question when they were considering whether to start their businesses.

Chet & Kayla Jamison | Founder’s of EDN Creative

I have always wanted to run my own business since I was fairly young. It has always sounded fun and exciting to me. Growing up, my dad ran his own general contracting company and I remember I would hang out at his office, take naps under his desk and play brick breaker on an extra blackberry he had laying around. Those moments of looking up to my dad and being by his side had made a significant impact on me, whether I realize it or not, to start my own business. Along with that, me and my wife Kayla found ourselves wanting to truly do something that we love to do: create. Read more>> 

Derek Goldschmidt | Owner & CEO

My thought behind my own company was to provide a quality service for an affordable price. I know how other I.T Service Providers charge anywhere from $50.00 to $150.00 an hour where I only charge $25.00 per hour. Read more>>

DeMarco McKinney | Musical Artist/Videographer & Photography

My personal thoughts on starting my own business was purely leaving a legacy behind for my children. I want them to have something they could always fall back on to make passive income off of as well as help them keep their creativity alive and vibrant. Read more>>

Kelsy Gray | Full-time Artist, Mama, and Small Business Owner

I grew up in a household where my dad was a full-time artist and my mom was a full-time small business owner. I began doing art at a very young age, following in the footsteps of my dad. As an adult and a full time artist now, I wanted to incorporate a mix of being an artist and small business owner. I saw my mom growing up killing the boss mom life and I thought to myself as a mom too, that I can do the same. I wanted to test my potential deep inside of me and see how hard I can push myself to be a successful artist and business owner. Read more>>

Ariel Robbins | Vintage Curator & Stylist

I’ve always wanted to work for myself, it was something that I grew more and more passionate about as I felt a disconnect with most of the jobs I have had before. Before starting Last Word Vintage, I was previously selling on online platforms and was lucky enough to have friends doing the same. One day, I felt like I finally wanted to take the leap and had branding designed for me and started reaching out to find opportunities to host or sell at events! Read more>>

Tiffany Bailey | Visual Artist

As soon as my art became more than a hobby, I applied for my LLC. As a creative, I tend to stay in the mindset of doing things for the love of art; however, I must be mindful of protecting my art. Starting my business allowed me to do just that. I also wanted to create a brand with my art. Starting BTB Artistry allowed me to create a brand that reflects my artistic style while becoming more professional in the industry. Read more>>