Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business

Adrianna Zizzo | Owner & Creator

My family owned an Italian restaurant for 15 years, up until my first year of college. I always knew that owning my parent’s restaurant or potentially my own business was something I wanted for my future. However, after my family got rid of their business I was no longer inspired to start my own and was unsure of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I worked two jobs serving tables to put myself through culinary school. I graduated with a degree in Baking and Pastry, hoping to find a job in a bakery or chocolate shop. After searching for jobs that “spoke to me”, I became less and less interested in the baking/culinary world and found myself back to serving tables. Read more>>

Annie Rodriguez & Nikki Rapp | Principal Planners

We both worked at the same wedding planning company (Nikki for three years and Annie for four.) We spearheaded individually all of the editorial shoots for the company. We come up with a design concept of a wedding, choose the color palette and overall vibe to deliver a visual concept as inspiration to couples. In our last year, we collaborated together on a shoot. We had so much fun and quickly realized we liked to work with each other. We wanted to provide the level of service that we both loved giving while providing couples with the design aesthetics we loved creating. Read more>>

Mary Carter | Cookie Artist

I was at a point in my life where every other weekend people were having engagement parties, bridal showers, weddings, baby showers and kid’s birthday parties, and I was constantly baking custom cookies. I though “nobody will actually pay for these, it’s easier to make your own,” and then I quickly realized that when you don’t have the time to bake, you usually have the money to outsource the baking… to me! After 2 years as a stay-at-home mom, I had an idea to start a home bakery as a creative outlet and I have had so much fun working with and getting to know the nicest people! I love working with clients to match the theme of their event with custom cookies– whether it’s a silly dump-truck themed 2nd birthday party or a classy floral themed bridal shower. Read more>>

Anton Anderson | Financial Advisor & Entrepreneur

Whether or not I would start my own business or work for someone else was never a question in my mind, it was just the way I was wired from a young age. From selling surf gear to kids at school that I got for free from companies, to selling berries door to door that grew wild in a field near the end of our street, I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart (way before I knew what it was or how to spell it). As far as my current businesses, they have all come about organically from what I perceived as needs in the marketplace. My formal licensing is in the financial services industry which is experiencing disruption resulting from technology, outsourcing, and market shifts. Read more>>

Ricardo Breceda | Metal Artist & Sculptor

To be independent. Read more>>

Monica Ruiz | Event Florist

Before Bloomie Creations was started, I was working a regular 9-5 desk job, literally going through the motions of life. Nothing was exiting, I left like I was just existing, and not living! I finally built the courage. and left that job. What was my next move? I asked myself two questions ” What do you like? I like plants.” and ” what do you want to do with your life? I want to be my own boss.” I merged my two answers and made a little adjustments and Bloomie Creations was born! I have had complete control of my business, and every new opportunity was exciting. Everyday is different, I am constantly learning new things, and the sky is literally the limit. Read more>>

Vanessa Murnane | CEO & Jewerly Designer

The thought process actually came from a place inside me that wasn’t quite activated yet. I was coasting in my job in the real estate industry. It seemed okay. But when I discovered jewelry making, something new was ignited. I realized there was this desire to be my own boss and do something that didn’t feel like “work”. Read more>>

Aaron adams | Freelance Artist & Musician

Im just not a 9 to 5 type of person. Hahaha. And I also don’t value money as much as most people. I don’t need much to be happy so I don’t feel the need to conform to the standard that success is measured buy how much money you have or the things you own. Because of that i just fell into starting and relying on my art to make ends meet. Read more>>

Christopharo | Dreamweaver

I love the freedom and challenges to having my own business. From the time I started my first business to the present, its always been my drive to be free to follow my bliss, make my own decisions, and meet my challenges head on. Naturally my thought process was to gather all the information I needed to meet the challenges of starting my business. Living in the age of the internet is great for that. The most important thing I feel one needs in starting one’s own business is to be able to equate one’s passion with a service that is unique to a consumer demographic. That’s basic supply and demand. So if someone is an artist, they should have a unique style of work they create and sell and a following of people that want to buy. Read more>>

Brooke Leverone | Naturopathic Doctor & Hormone Specialist

I’ve always been a hard worker and over the years I found that all my hard work was going towards building someone else’s business and vision. Eventually I decided if I was going to work this hard, I wanted it to be for my vision and to help my business grow. I also wanted to feel more freedom around my schedule and be able to prioritize things as I saw fit. Read more>>