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.

Rick Ryan | Real Estate Photographer and Videographer

I’ve always had a deep passion for photography, especially working with cameras and capturing visually compelling images. At the same time, I’ve had a long-standing interest in architecture and real estate, which naturally aligned with my skills. Combining these two passions made real estate photography the perfect fit. I saw an opportunity to use my creative talents to help real estate agents showcase their properties in the best light, and I knew I could provide a valuable service that’s crucial to the success of property sales. Additionally, I wanted the freedom to set my own goals and manage projects, which is why starting my own business felt like the ideal path. Read more>>

Chloe Daniels | Founder of Clo Bare, LLC

I kind of fell into it! I’ve always been a bit entrepreneurial– I started working when I was 9 years old at concession stands, baby sitting, and always taking on side gigs. In my early 20s, my love for trying things out on the side continued, and when I started learning about money (because I had been so bad with money!) I realized that I absolutely LOVED personal finance, and felt the urge to teach about it. Once I started writing about money online and sharing on social media– it kind of took off and folks wanted a way to work with me, so I started offering 1:1 coaching, workshops– and eventually as my books got too full, I switched into program based education. Read more>>

Patrick King | Handyman/contractor/best dad ever 🙂

Well, 😂! I basically had to. Among all things, being a successful Green Belt Six Sigma machinist/programmer/SOP guy/shop manager/contract profitability finder in the manufacturing field in San Diego and having no end to shops that wanted to bring me onboard as a full time asset to their shop… I was taken by a custody change with my kids. I have 5 by two mothers. And besides the six figure income I was making, I’m a father above all else. Read more>>