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.

Nevine Younes | Owner, Radish Studio

I’d been working as a Graphic Design freelancer in San Diego for four years after moving from Washington, D.C. and leaving my secure, 9-to-5 job. I was working on projects I liked, earning money, and got to set my own hours. In 2020, I was lucky enough to get to illustrate and design a children’s book. I loved working on it so much that I felt like I was in my purpose. Read more>>

Arden Gillberg | Life Coach/Personal Trainer

The road to starting my own business started with surviving a divorce with a bomb-like explosion and watching cinders fall for month after month. This rocking of my world opened my eyes wide for a reset in my life. With uncertainty, feeling lost and alone, body movement got me through. It literally saved my life. As an athlete and competitor, I raced my way through adversity, overcame challenges and found a whole new me. So, I decided to get certified as a life coach and personal trainer. I consider myself a movement specialist. Read more>>

K.Kerr | Artist

As an avid music listener, I started writing rhymes at the age of 13. Scared of what my peers would say, I shared very little and only rapped within my own thoughts. Once more comfortable in the Navy though, I would show my writings to coworkers and seek a reaction, whether good or bad. Their kind words of wisdom motivated me to continue pursuing music professionally, practicing my voice and delivery ever chance I got. This was the developmental stage of The Komodo Dragon, K.KERR. Read more>>

Keyana Bacon | Resume Writer & Career Coach

I initially started revising resumes for family and friends, helping them to secure employment. A few other services included revising documents for their businesses, college applications, and coursework assignments. After realizing there was a need, I wanted to help others secure steady employment along with providing professional writing assistance. Read more>>

Britt Blaesing | Realtor & Loan Originator

I have always wanted to be my own boss. My father started his own company when he was 25 and has always worked very hard. This motivated me to work hard and be just as successful as him. I never wanted to be told what to do or how to do something. I have always had really great ‘people skills’ and provided excellent service in everything I’ve done. This skill has helped me be able to work independently and earn more. Read more>>

Traci Wilkerson Steckel | Founder & President

This is an excellent question because the idea behind Traci’s Paws goes back to my childhood. I have loved animals and grown up with pets all of my life. For the first eight years, I grew up in the country where our nearest neighbor was a mile away, and people found this to be the ideal place to dump their dogs and cats, usually while pregnant. As an adult, while I was a teacher, I also had several co-workers “dump” their unwanted classroom pets on me before we left for summer break. Read more>>

Aline Steiner | Founder and CEO / Koko Kai Yogurt

What was your thought process behind starting your own business? My partner Jon and I started Koko Kai Yogurt as a pivot business at the early onset of the Covid 19 shut down as our existing occupations and businesses along with the rest of world started to Shutdown in March 2020. After having a private Chef Services business myself and firm for the past 12 years and received an Holistic nutrition certification which resulted to switching to mostly plant-based eating; Read more>>