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.

Steve Rahman

For me, it wasn’t just about building something for myself — it was about being present for my family. Living in Charlotte, a 20-minute commute can easily turn into an hour, and most days, it did. So on top of an 8-hour workday, I was losing 2 extra hours just sitting in traffic. That meant I was only getting maybe an hour a day with my kids. That didn’t sit right with me.

I wanted more time with them — to be there for the little things and the big ones. Starting my own business became the path to that. I knew I had the skills and drive, but more importantly, I had the reason. My “why” was simple: I didn’t want to miss out on what matters most. Read More>>

Elsa Lekovic

My husband and I recently moved to North Carolina from New York. While we were still living in NY and contemplating when to move and where in North Carolina, I was brainstorming what kind of business I wanted to start here. The whiteboard was full of different ideas – from ice cream to coffee shops, from salad bars to bakeries- but nothing really appealed to me. Read More>>

Ilsis Rice

My thought process behind starting my own business was deeply rooted in my love for my Aussie, Milo. When Milo was a puppy, he developed allergies to certain foods and ingredients. As a first-time dog mom, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to help him. I didn’t want him to rely on medication, so I began researching the root causes of his allergies. I discovered that many could be linked to the ingredients in his treats and food. Read More>>

Katie Sipple

A strong desire to build something of my own pushed me to take the leap and start SIPS Rentals. My journey through different areas of the event industry began with work as a planner in Syracuse, New York. I moved to Charlotte to work on the venue side of the business. Read More>>