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.

Gris Alves | Earth Based Healing Arts and ‘Compassionate Inquiry’ Somatic Therapy Practitioner

After many years working as an investigator in the Federal Public Defenders office and the high stress level of intensity in the criminal justice field, I began to meditate and practice yoga in order to help my nervous system calm down and to be able to in peace regardless of my work situation. As time went by, I realized that regardless of all my new found practices, I did not enjoy this public defender work at all, and that I had fallen into the matrix message of just hustle and work regardless until you drop and be a slave to capitalism. My body was not responding well to this, it would shut down even after all the yoga, breath-work, nutritious meals etc. It was time to LISTEN to my body and get out of a situation that was neither life giving or life fulfilling for me. Read more>>

Mary Vensel White | Author, Publisher, Editor, Professor

I’ve been a writer for a long time and had published three novels, with both a small press and a big publisher. I had great experiences with those books, but when the time came to think about how to put my most recent project out into the world. I realized I’d like to retain the artistic vision I had and basically, do it my way! This led to thoughts about nurturing other writers and applying all the skills and experience I’ve acquired over the years working as not only a writer but as an editor and writing coach and writing business consultant. Read more>>

Michelle Tholen | Michelle Tholen Fine Art

Towards the end of school my mind totally switched and I thought “I need to get a real job.” So, I went to school in the East Bay, got my CPA license, became an accountant, and worked for four years. But whenever I got home at night, I’d teach myself to paint on canvas using oils. I’d constantly go to the SF Museum of Modern Art, and I especially found inspiration in the works of Rothko. Eventually, I threw in the towel and decided to be an artist. Educated and working as an accountant, the I found fulfillment creating art on the side when I wasn’t working. Read more>>