Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Ariel Gamm | Local Life + Style Content Creator

This actually started as a hobby for me. I’ve always been an open book and a big fan of social media, so content creation felt like a natural fit. When my dad was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer just six weeks before my wedding in January 2023, it made me realize I needed a creative outlet. A friend who had gone through something similar suggested I try content creation, and once the wedding planning was behind me and I was looking for a new project, I figured there was no time like the present to give it a try. Read more>>

Niki Farahmand | Creator, Lay of the Land

I’m an anxious extrovert. I want nothing more in this life than to explore new places and make connections with those around me. There’s always just been one problem: my crippling fear over looking like I don’t belong – at all times, in any environment, no matter the occasion. I found myself constantly worrying over the small things while visiting unfamiliar territory. What’s the parking situation? Will my name be called when my order is ready, or do I stand here and wait for it? Does that door lead to the restroom, or will I walk all the way there just to look awkward when finding out it’s for employees only? A therapist once told me, that’s called social anxiety. Read more>>

Abby Beach | Entrepreneur & Healthcare Professional

My thought process for starting The RV Social Lounge stemmed from a moment of inspiration during just an ordinary drive home from work. I wanted to create a space where people could gather, celebrate, and enjoy themselves without the hassle of hosting at home or going out. As a busy mom, I recognized how challenging it can be to create fun, stress-free experiences, especially when it involves setting up, cleaning, and entertaining guests. Read more>>

Derek & Ali Gerdeman | Custom Cabinet & Furniture Maker

Starting a woodworking business was always Derek’s dream. In high school, he worked in a cabinet shop and learned a lot of valuable skills and habits that are critical to our success today. After college, Derek became a civil engineer and built furniture as a hobby for family and friends. Meanwhile, Ali grew up in an entrepreneurial household and always had a business mindset. Our skillsets complemented each other so we took the leap shortly after getting married to start our business.
It actually started out as a side hustle, but we were quickly able to shift Derek from his engineering job to working in our business full time! Three years later and we still love it! Read more>>

Brody Smith | Store Owner

I have always been a sneaker-head growing up, I did not have the money to buy all of the new releases, but I always dreampt of having them. I always have had an entrepreneur mindset, I wanted to turn my passion into a way to make money. It started off as just reselling my own personal collection, and meeting up with people on Facebook marketplace, attempting to flip shoes. Next thing you know I created an instagram page, at which I conducted most of my business on there, I was traveling across the country going to sneaker conventions, and continuing to flip shoes. I did this for about 2 years. It then got to the point to which I was so busy with day to day meetups, and had so much inventory, that I was unable to do it on my own anymore. I figured the next step would be opening up my own brick & mortar! Read more>>

Eben Greene | CEO and Vision Keeper

When I started my business in the late 80’s, the world was beginning to use computers, today, everyone carries a phone that can do almost anything with AI-powered apps. So, after many years of brand marketing design, I repositioned as a strategic change agency in 2022 to help organizations grow forward by embracing innovation, building brand culture, and marketing smarter. Essentially, we create opportunities for business growth by “shifting things up” to stay in step with the time. Read more>>

Naila Goldenberg, Md | Owner of Functional Endocrinology (FUNCDE, LLC) and Functional Aesthetics, LLC

I started practicing Functional Medicine while working for Mercy Health more than 10 years ago and realized that the business structure there does not support more wholistic evaluation and treatment of my patients. Due to that we opened the Practice that allows us to spend significantly longer time with each patient so we can get into root causes of their endocrine conditions like Hashimoto disease (major cause of under-active thyroid), Adrenal insufficiency, diabetes, pituitary disorders and such. Read more>> 

Ervin Johnson | Co owner of OHIOVsOHIO

Me and yungFrost met through a mutual person and when I heard his music I knew then I was going to support him on my social media sites really I did not see this occurring I was just supportive but we build up a business here and me not knowing so I started looking at the bigger picture and I said hey me and frost became real close over the telephone and we only met twice in person so as time move on like 9 Year’s we put our energies together and created OHIOVsOHIO to help the community’s in the state of Ohio to bring their music to the world. Read more>>

Kara Clark And Candice Ross | Owners

Purple Hearts Home Health was founded on a simple principle: to provide exceptional home health care with a personal touch. As an experienced caregiver, I’ve always been driven to help others. By breaking free from corporate constraints, we’re able to offer flexible, customized care plans that truly meet the needs of our clients. Our dedicated team is committed to delivering compassionate, professional service, fostering a sense of trust and well-being in every interaction. Read more>>

Zeus The Barber – Jesus Ramirez | Barber

Starting a business is a challenge I accepted and a complete life change, it requires a lot of dedication and full commitment. I had to make many sacrifices to achieve my dream of becoming a business owner. It all began when I was a former company employee for 5 years. I spoke to my boss about my wish to become a manager of his company. I was told that he was willing to become my mentor to show me everything I needed to know to become a manager, but yet he did not commit to that promise just because in his eyes, I was too young to be a leader. I wanted to prove them wrong somehow, so I dedicated myself to my side hobby as a barber. Read more>>

Olena And Mariia Firman And Grygorchuk | Owners

At first, me, Olena Firman was attending the Culinary Arts program in Tri-C, I also graduated Pastry Arts and Restaurant Management, I have a degree in Applied Business, now I’m a Kent State University student, I’m there for my wine degree! Mariia Grygorchuk is my business partner, one of the best friend and my family, we came to USA in our 20s, both came here alone and since we met we were very close friends, and now I am proud to be a Godmother for her wonderful son Daniel! Mariia grew up in a business family and knew how everything is working in business, so one day we were talking about future plans and ideas and shared our thoughts ( we were in our late 20) what we want to do in future,  Read more>>