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.

Sarah Moseley | Owner and Founder of Songbird City

I actually never intended to become an entrepreneur and start my own business, but I saw a need in my community and I wanted to help! I am a singer/songwriter in Nashville and I was looking for ways to make extra income as a creative and I started asking friends and family if they wanted any custom songs written for special occasions. Read more>>

Anna DiCarlo | Ower/Founder of La Belle Naturelle LLC, Soul Energy Healer, Certified in Acupressure & Angelic Medium

I never meant to start this business. In fact, it was a ripple effect from my (now oldest) being diagnosed with chemically induced eczema over 11years ago. When I found out there really was no cure (as all store products have chemicals that would in some way shape or form harm my daughters’ skin), I knew then that the only option I had was to make the products myself. Read more>>

Kenzie Maroney | Freelance Photographer

For me starting my own business was kind of my only option. As a freelance photographer you just have to start doing it and see what happens. (That goes for any business owner honestly). Read more>>

Manuel A. Delgado | Old World Luthier and Owner of Delgado Guitars/La Tradición Music

The process behind starting our business was not one that I created, it is one that started in 1928 with my grandfather and great uncle. I am trying to continue a family business now in its fourth generation as my daughters have taken interest in it as well. Read more>> 

Gemma Downes | Founder of Music of The Future & Other Music Services

The thought process of the creation behind Music Of The Future is one that puts the artists and bands first. I created MusicOTFuture as a promotional platform for bands and artist to promote their music for free this was to give those independent artists or bands who are not able to afford a PR campaign to have the chance to possibly get a feature without payment and get their music out there more. Read more>>

Michael Jordan | Sports Massage Therapist with and emphasis on postural correction/realignment

The conception of Fortitude Sports Therapy had its initiation back in college when I suffered a lower back injury. Doctors said I had spinal stenosis and surgery could be a good option. Read more>>

Marjorie Poff | Owner and Creator of Enneaplanner

I am passionate about how people tick and work efficiently. If you put a personality test in front of me, I will devour it. When I was introduced to the Enneagram system, I felt like I found my home. Read more>>

Laura Prechel | Animal Rescuer & Non-Profit President

I honestly never had the desire to start my own non-profit business. It was born out of necessity. I started saving shelter animals in a volunteer capacity and then brought my efforts under the umbrella of another non-profit because I was really resistant to starting my own thing. Read more>>

Skip & Bobbie Work | Happiness Philanthropists & PhD Student

After a lifetime of hanging out with the happiest people I could find living, working & flying all over the world & driving the backroads of the United States from sea to shining sea, I fully retired from work. Read more>> 

Victoria Valdez | Founder, Owner and Clinical Operational Director of TSC & Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

About six months before I graduated from my counseling master’s program, the idea to start my own business was directly inspired by my husband. He started his own home remodeling business, and I started planning mine. Read more>>

Jamiku Gee | Food Photographer

My thought process behind starting my own business is simple. As much as I would like this to be a great and profound explanation, it isn’t. I found something that I enjoyed doing and began to pursue it as a hobby initially. I knew that I enjoyed the visuals and aromas of different foods. Read more>> 

Ivan Wentzel | Drummer & Band Leader

I’ve always been inspired by the independence, flexibility, and opportunity that business owners have access too in their lives. When i started my business (The Wentzel Brothers band) it wasn’t a business at all. It was myself on drums and Jacob Newcomb slapping the bass in the shed behind my dad’s woodshop in Chapel Hill, TN. Read more>> 

Keosha Thomas | CEO & Founder of Tallgirlsmatter

My thought process was to be a blessing and win for women, kids , teens and anyone who loves tall women. I aimed to become a resource, safe space, and worldwide positive community to impact and showcase tall women in a positive manner. Read more>>

Christian Ross-Francis | Brand Manager

The main motivation behind starting my business goes far beyond simply wanting to make a profit. It is driven by a deep-rooted desire to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and help them transform their aspirations into reality. Read more>>

Karyssa Michellé | Self Love Coach and Therapist

I wanted to create a business surrounded by my passion. I am very passionate about empowering women who are struggling to let go of painful life experience build confidence, heal, and live intentionally by curating positive mindsets, motivation, and purpose through raising self awareness. Read more>> 

Hayley Gregory | Master Cosmetologist, Curl & Bridal Specialist

When I moved back home to Tennessee from Savannah, I wanted to work in a salon that had the best attributes from the salons I had worked in and cosmetology schools I had taught in while I lived in Asheville, Charlotte and Savannah. Read more>> 

Emily Adams Cat Friel | Wardrobe Stylist

We have always had a passion for styling, fashion, and the confidence it instills in our community. We felt empowered to provide a styling service that was approachable and accessible to anyone looking to update their style and their wardrobe.  Read more>>

John Sanders Also known as TDKMulaa | Founder/Creative Director

My thought process of starting TrillionDollaKidd Luxury apparel Chicago was fearless but strategic. I made sure what I wanted was really in grasp and I take everything in my power to get where I want no matter how many no’s I receive or losses I take , it’s always major yes’ and wins. Read more>>

Marin Rylee | Dancer, Singer/Songwriter, Actress and Model

Honestly, I never really thought that much about it. I just couldn’t imagine myself doing anything other than music, dance and/or acting. Now that I’m a little older and have more experience in the entertainment world, I do see the freedom in being and running your own business. Read more>>

Jon Wyatt | Band leader of DividedBy5

I had played for many years backing other artist. Playing the material they chose or wrote. I just got tired of that and playing that role. I felt like I should use the rest of the time I am gifted with to play the music that made me most happy. Read more>>

Mike Billups | Independent Record Label owner

I started Coffin Curse Records as a way to distribute physical media – Vinyl Records, CDs & Tapes – for my band, and my friends bands. It is very hard to get physical media into fans hands in the digital media age, so small independent labels like ours are necessary for keeping the dream alive. Read more>>

Junior Padilla | Music Producer, Drummer & Composer

When I was in my late 20s I worked for a fortune 500 company as an international sales representative. A few years in a row I made the company over 1 million dollars and was consistently in the presidents club. Read more>> 

Tammie Polk | Book Expansion Coach

I wanted people to see that achieving their goals is possible! There are so many who feel that they can’t do what they see others do because of what’s going on in their lives and that’s not always the case. Read more>>