Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Erin Wallen

Honestly, I never planned to start a business. I always say I was my own first client. After burning out as a clinical pharmacist, I was desperate to figure out how to manage my stress and just feel better. Through a lot of trial and error, I slowly found tools that actually worked—things that felt like magic because they made such a big difference in my life. I kept going because I wanted more of that ease, more of that alignment. And once I saw how good it could really feel, I couldn’t not share it. I knew other women needed to know this was possible for them too. Read More>>

Charmaine Johnson

I started The Cut GSO because I saw how many barriers existed for emerging artists—especially those who are Black, Brown, queer, or neurodivergent. Galleries, grants, even basic networking felt gatekept unless you had the ‘right’ connections or aesthetic. Instead of waiting for someone to open the door, I decided to build my own damn house. The Cut GSO is that house: a space where talent—not privilege—determines who gets seen and celebrated. Read More>>

Raegan Baer

It was honestly very organic and something that wasn’t preplanned. During Covid, I quit my job and ended up signing up for Rover to walk dogs. I was making money but knew at some point, I’d have to get a “real” job. While walking dogs, I began teaching them how to walk nicely on leash so that it would make my days easier. Eventually, the parents began to notice a positive change in their dogs and this led to some of them asking me to teach them what I was doing. This is when I realized that my knowledge of dogs was not common knowledge like I had thought, I had a talent and I could use it to help people and their dogs live easier lives. A few months later, Canine Composure was born! Read More>>

Virginia Luttrell

“I started my own business because I wanted to do something I truly enjoy—creating thoughtful, meaningful gifts that make people feel special. After working many years in another field, I saw an opportunity to turn my passion into something more. I love being able to use my creativity to help people give gifts that leave a lasting impression. Running my own business also gives me the freedom to do things my way and connect more personally with my customers.” Read More>>

Loghan Burkes

So, about three years ago, I decided to take the leap, left the school system as an educator and become my own boss in a field that I genuinely had a passion for stemming from childhood when my great grandparents would take me around town to different open houses as a hobby on the weekends. As a former educator, I knew my heart was no longer in it, I had fallen out of love with the idea of teaching and I knew I needed a change. There’s often a deep satisfaction in building something that is truly your own. I envisioned myself creating a business that reflected my values and ideals for my future which ultimately turned my passion into my profession! Read More>>