We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Daniel Marinelli

It’s not much of a thought process, really more of a gut response to what’s around me. I just have this intrinsic need to be making something that adds value, even if it’s just a small project with my kids. That’s why consulting came so naturally; I could see a client’s vision and feel how I could help. Read More>> 

Whitney Watson

After years of working for other companies that didn’t put family first, we realized that was the final push we needed to start our own business. That decision wasn’t rushed—years of preparation and countless big and small steps went into planning Golden Roots Landscape & Design. Backed by hands-on experience and a passion for thoughtful, sustainable landscape design, we built a woman-owned, design-build company with the goal of leading with purpose, creating exceptional outdoor spaces, and keeping family at the heart of everything we do. Read More>> 

Angela Pennella

I’m a visionary driven by curiosity, purpose, and faith. My God-given gifts fuel my mission to build authentic, trusting relationships. People are my lifeline—and inspiring, encouraging, and serving them is at the heart of everything I do. Through selling homes, delivering hope, advocating for head trauma healing, hustling with heart, and offering hugs, I’ve built a brand and my business rooted in connection. Read More>> 

La Tropa Incontrolable

First of all we tought about creating something for the people, and generating a fan base by the power of music, good vibes and love, then we started creating a path to follow, ¿where do we want to go? and ¿how are we going to get there?, started working on it, writing new music and lyrics, putting it all together, dreaming of it. Read More>> 

Jessica

wanting to surround myself around people I liked working with and giving them the freedom to make their own schedule. to be the boss of themselves. Read More>> 

Katherine O’Neal

While I was going through cancer treatment, I was laid off from my position at a global corporate manufacturer/retailer. Honestly, I’d already been working on a strategy to get out of there — it was all chaos all the time. They had recently brought in toxic, incompetent managers that made every day a grind. I knew I never wanted to be subjected to that kind of short-sighted “leadership” again. So when the layoff happened, my immediate thought was: “What can I do with this?” Read More>> 

Sandra Erdtmann

My partner and I have each run our own businesses throughout our careers—but this venture grew from a very different place. What started with a few walks on the beach, a shared passion for nature, and a spark of innovative tech quickly blossomed into something more meaningful. Together, we’ve created elegant nature-inspired products designed to promote kindness and spread positivity. Our collection features artfully-crafted rocks, each containing a beautiful gold heart and a unique QR code—offering every user a personalized and meaningful experience. Read More>> 

Chai Onmavong

My thought process for starting my own business was shaped by my professional career as a bookkeeper and tax professional. I saw firsthand how both businesses and individuals struggled to get the right kind of support with their financial needs, from bookkeeping to tax preparation. It was clear they weren’t getting the right kind of support. Read More>>