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.

Diane Helbig | ChIC – Chief Improvement Catalyzer

I wanted to positively impact as many small business owners as possible while gaining flexibility with my young children. I truly wanted to have a greater impact on the world than I had in my job at the time. And, I wanted to be the victim of my own decisions instead of someone else’s. Read more>>

Nicole “nikki B” Hutchins | Media Executive & Personality

At first there was not a particular thought process. Yet, there were thoughts of not liking the jobs I had or there was not someone such as a manger or a person in leadership that I wanted to learn from or that looked like me. Although, I did learn what not to do from those jobs and individuals. Since then my thought process has shifted and became more precise. Read more>>

Sean Patterson | Founder/CEO of The 411 Foundation

When I started the 411 Foundation, the thought process was really rooted in a desire to address the gaps I saw in our community. Growing up, I was fortunate to have people who stepped in and helped me when I needed it, whether it was through mentorship or simply having someone to lean on. I realized that not everyone has that kind of support, especially in underserved areas. My goal was to create a space where children, schools, and homeless individuals could receive the services they need to succeed. Read more>>

Lamikia Larue | Registered Nurse

We wanted to start our own business because we have always been passionate about creating something that truly reflects our values, skills, and vision. We believe in the power of entrepreneurship to not only offer personal fulfillment but also to make a meaningful impact. By starting our own venture, we can pursue our passion, solve real problems, and have the freedom to innovate. It’s about taking ownership of our future, having control over our work, and building something that positively influences the community around us. Read more>>

Suburban Euphoria | Indie band

We wanted to take the one thing in life we love the most, and make a career out of it. Using the mindset of as long as we never stop working we will always eventually succeed. Read more>>

Maribeth Richards | Family and Newborn Photographer

I worked in the corporate world since graduating college in 2016, but everything shifted after the birth of my first daughter in 2022. It made me reassess how I spent my time and what truly mattered. I realized that if I was going to spend time away from my kids, it had to be for something I was deeply passionate about. Photography had always fascinated me, so one day I told my husband I was going to invest in a camera and dive into learning everything I could—lighting, posing, camera settings—and he couldn’t have been more supportive. Read more>>

Caitie Otto | Owner, The Wicked Plant Co

I’ve always dreamed of working for myself, and after 15 years of dealing with tough management and feeling stuck, I finally decided it was time for a change. During COVID, I started selling plants online from my greenhouse at home—houseplants were having a moment, and it gave me a sense of freedom I hadn’t felt in years. Then, I kept noticing this old vacant building near my house, and one day a “For Rent” sign went up. That was my moment. After talking things through with my husband, I decided to take the leap. A few months later, we were cutting the ribbon on our own little shop. It was scary, but it was also exciting—and I haven’t looked back since! Read more>>

Coyytheboyy A | Artist

My thought process was that I wanted to be successful but also wanted to help people. Whether it’s through music or giving them something they can believe in that will make them motivated to keep striving for their own goals and achievements. Read more>>

Dania Cueto | Published, Award Winning, Safety Certified Professional Photographer

Initially I had no intentions of starting my own photogaphy business. Being a stay at home, home schooling mom of 4 kids, who were all in privatized sports, we couldn’t afford the high dollar CD from every competition, meet, game, or recital. So what started out as a way for me to capture my own kids, became a passion! Soon I had friends asking if we would capture their weddings. Not sure of what to do, or how, we risked it. First three weddings were portfolio builders, and from there, I found that I loved photography. Although weddings were not the genre that I wanted to work in, it is what got me started.  Read more>>

Roneesha Ocloo | Ecommerce Email Marketing Strategist & Ecommerce Consultant

That’s a great question! I’ve always had the mindset of an entrepreneur, but for a long time, it was something I pursued on the side. My first real experience in business started in 2013 with network marketing. By 2019, I knew I wanted to leave my job to run my own business full-time because I was completely unfulfilled. I was working 10-hour shifts, four days a week, and sometimes even six days during busy seasons. Eventually, I stopped caring about hitting daily quotas, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I’d be let go. Read more>>