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.

Dr. Jodi Blinco

ZenLeader was born out of a deep realization that leadership development was missing something essential, the human being at the center of it all. I had spent years coaching, leading, and consulting in high-pressure environments, and what I saw over and over again was that traditional leadership models often skipped over the very things that make us thrive: Inner clarity, emotional resilience, and sustainable energy. Read More>>

Chloe Conrad

I’ve always been a creative person, and I’ve always loved making custom materials for my speech therapy clients. But I started looking for ways to do it more efficiently—something that could save time without sacrificing quality. That’s when the idea for a speech therapy app was born. Read More>>

Jasmine Jones

I’ve always been one to want to sell my artwork. In grade school I used to draw pictures and sell them for 10 cents! My business has evolved over the years and it really kicked off near the end of my college days since I had more experience and confidence under my belt. In “officially” starting my business, I buckled down to be my own spokesperson. Read More>>

Jill Pavlov

It started with a mix of frustration and intuition. I had been working as a corporate copywriter, and while I was good at it, it started to feel like I was just delivering polished words into the void. No real connection, no lasting impact. I knew I had more to offer than just clever taglines in Google Docs. Read More>>

Paola Castro

I started Todosx because I saw how overwhelmed dance studio directors were trying to manage class logistics, team rosters, and payments—usually across spreadsheets, texts, and Instagram DMs. I wanted to create something that took the admin off their plate so they could focus on what they love: building community and creating powerful, joyful spaces through dance. Read More>>

Veronica Carr

Starting my own business was both a heart-led decision and a strategic one. After years of working in the events industry and collaborating with incredible clients and vendors, I found myself craving a deeper level of creative freedom and a more personal connection to the celebrations I was helping to bring to life. Read More>>

David Reis

When we started San Diego Climbing Academy (SDCA), our motivation was pretty straightforward: we wanted more control over our own path. We liked the idea of taking risks on our own terms and not being limited by someone else’s approach. With a clear idea of what a youth climbing team could really become, we knew we needed full freedom to build everything exactly the way we envisioned—from coaching methods to team culture. Read More>>

Christopher Wendt

The original thought process behind starting my own business was to be my own boss. I was tired of the 8 to 5 working for irresponsible companies that only cared about financial gains and profits rather than client.
Working with unresponsive coworkers that lacked work ethic and experience etc
Also the lack of control over my schedule and free time and inability to feel that I could live a life, happy joyous, and free on my own terms Read More>>

Molly Terbovich-Ridenhour

I’ve spent my entire professional career in the nonprofit arts and culture sector, first as a performer, then as a leader on the administrative side. Over the years, I often took on side projects and consulting work, but ultimately found myself back in full-time roles within organizations. When my most recent position came to an end, it felt like the right time to fully embrace the idea of working independently and intentionally.  Read More>>