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.

Louise Houghton

In many ways, I’ve always had my own business. As a freelance broadcaster, you quickly learn that being an independent contractor in entertainment requires far more than simply showing up on stage. You’re managing relationships, negotiating contracts, building a personal brand, understanding production, marketing yourself, and constantly evolving — even when you have a team around you. You are the business. Read More>>

Alisha Mowry

I have ALWAYS loved photography. I was also a military spouse for 20 years. Moving every 2-3 years was challenging with a traditional career. When my children were very little, I began to learn the technical side of photography. As I progressed and took more and more photos I realized it was a business I could do that I loved. Read More>>

Johnny Schaefer

I knew that I wanted to be a singer-songwriter as soon as I became aware that they existed when I was four years old, which is when my Mom helped me write my first song. My Dad was a Lutheran minister. I sang my first solo in church at that tender age, too. Read More>>

Jeffrey E. Hill

I started my real estate business because I wanted to build something I truly own a reputation built on service. I spent years in field service and project management where results came from being organized, communicating clearly, and doing what you say you’re going to do. Real estate is the same, just with higher stakes for families. Read More>>

Lulu Bailey

My husband and I started our own film production company out of a shared commitment to creative freedom, meaningful storytelling, and building something rooted in integrity and purpose. We wanted the ability to develop bold, emotionally honest projects from the ground up—stories that challenge, inspire, and amplify underrepresented voices while still captivating audiences. Read More>>

Janitzio Leal

TireTech started from noticing how inconvenient and stressful traditional tire shops can be. People often lose hours waiting, rearranging their schedules, or dealing with unexpected tire issues at the worst times. We realized there had to be a better, more convenient solution. Read More>>

Syrisa Metzger

Syrisa Soy Candles originally was founded in 2005. It all started from a small dream of creating a home-based business from my apartment in Pasadena, CA. Concurrently, I was a full-time healthcare professional which still rings true today. One might describe me as an ideaphoric with a penchant for the arts. Growing up, I was always drawn to light, beauty, design, ambiance & fashion. Read More>>

KC Lee

I understand firsthand how confusing and emotionally draining modern dating can be when you don’t have a clear framework to guide you. I spent over 15 years navigating dating largely on my own, experiencing heartbreak, missteps, and long periods of uncertainty about whether finding a truly compatible life partner was even possible. Read More>>