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.

Allison Odhner | CEO & Founder of Bach to Basic

I got married in 2016 and planned my wedding on my own, however, when it came to the bachelorette party, I wanted a stress free and memorable weekend with all my girlfriends and absolutely no involvement in the planning! Read more>>

Kim Harris | Owner of SKATE SNOB®

Well, a little background about myself – I think people recognize me for being an “active-professional”, because they become fascinated to hear of my collection of social activities that expand beyond the workplace, which comprises of skating, swimming, walking, dancing, and formally improv comedy & kickball. Read more>>

Amanda Ling | Physical Therapist, Functional Nutrition Specialist, Integrative Health Coach

Working over 2 decades in conventional healthcare I felt like what I had to offer patients was really too little too late. This model only allowed me to pull people out of sickness not actually push them toward vibrant health. Read more>> 

Danielle Cortez | Digital Marketer & Content Creator

Back when MySpace was a huge deal, I, like many others enjoyed building my custom profile and making it exactly to my liking. When I decided to quit my job, I referred back to these days and I thought I could make a living in the digital space. With my amateur design skills and my ability to talk to anyone, I decided to try the digital marketing route. Read more>>

Charlene Ridley | CEO & Dream Development Coach

When I first started my career, I never thought of starting a business. I didn’t have a business idea, didn’t have the confidence or belief in myself as an entrepreneur, thought there was too much risk and uncertainty in owning a business and preferred the stability of a paycheck. Read more>> 

Hunter Logan | Radio Personality & Singer Songwriter

I get asked this question or some form of this question quite a bit, and to be honest, I never get tired of answering it. The truth is, I never really had any kind of plan or thought process for starting a business, I just can’t work for anyone more than around two years at most. Read more>>

Dana (Cara-Mel) Holmes | Music Entertainer & Life/Health Coach

For many of my day ones who know me on my Cara-Mel music side; they are very much aware of my health and wellness knowledge (being a certified fitness professional since 2005) as well as my personal breast cancer challenges/struggles over the years. Read more>>

Marielle Echavez-Mathis | Photographer & Videographer

I fell in love with storytelling through visual imagery when studying photojournalism in college. I immediately knew that being behind a camera, documenting memories, being creative, and telling stories is what sets my soul on fire. Read more>>

Will Morris | Think. Create. Change

For me this business has been years in the making, I just didn’t know it yet. As a true blooded entrepreneur thats 37 and never had a real job Ive started, failed, grown, and succeeded in many different niches/businesses. Read more>>

Allen & Jodi Troutt | Krav Maga/Self-Defense Instructors

We started our own business after seeing a need in the community for a safe place for people from all different backgrounds to come together to learn self-defense. We definitely took a leap of faith. Read more>> 

Josh Barrera | Owner

Embarking on a new venture is always a thrilling and daunting endeavor, but for my wife and I (Aubrey), the founders of Fields Hollow Farm and Fields Hollow K9, it was an opportunity to turn our passions into thriving businesses. Read more>> 

Scarlet Paolicchi | Scarlet Paolicchi | Founder of Family Focus Blog

I used to work in retail management and I loved it. However, when I had my kids, I knew that I wanted to be able to stay home and raise my kids as my priority. I still wanted to work but I didn’t know what I could do from home. Read more>>

Gabe Carmona | Music Producer, Composer, Audio Engineer, Pianist, Recording Artist, Girl Dad, Dog Dad

Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to work alongside some amazing people in the music industry. Whether it was collaborating with record labels, music supervisors, upcoming artists, or A&R partners, I have always respected the creative process and the power of music. Read more>>

Danielel Buntyon | Hemp Farmer and Medical Cannabis Processor

Embarking on my journey into the cannabis industry was like stepping into a vibrant, unexplored realm where possibilities stretched as far as the eye could see. Read more>> 

Celia Newman | CEO/Founder of She Got Game League

I wanted to create a space for women to continue to play the game they love at a high level. She Got Game League was founded so women could still get exposure if they were still pursuing a professional career as well as a way to empower women to continue to chase their dreams. Read more>>

Dania Christian | Fashion Designer & Creative Director

As a child, I grew up watching my parents successfully develop and maintain their business. This was motivation for me to start my own business! As I matured and started a family I realized at that age, family and quality bonding time was important for me as well. Read more>>

Tootsie Bell | Silversmith/Jeweler

It was 1995, I had been working at a jewelry store since 1986, and was tired of the men that I worked with, that had been there a fewer years than me, getting raises to increase their pay because they were men. I would often hear the reason, “but he has a wife” etc. Read more>> 

Jackie Murray | Actress/Singer & Tour Guide

I have had the privilege of working as a tour conductor in the vibrant City of Memphis for numerous years, an experience that has allowed me to immerse myself in the rich culture and history of this remarkable place. Read more>> 

Katie Power | Editor in Chief and Independent Artist

I wanted to carve out a space for myself. I love writing, but wasn’t finding a lot of opportunities to share my taste and my favorite music. The idea for Music Marble came about when I realized how much I loved writing music reviews and how much I knew I wanted to get more involved with the independent music community. Read more>> 

Joshua Greer | Founder, Walkin’ In Memphis

My wife and I (Rachel) started our non-profit fundraiser in 2018 a couple years after our oldest daughter Marley was born. Marley was born with Down syndrome, and we wanted to start an annual event that did 3 things: 1) Raised funds for our local Down Syndrome Association so they could continue to provide and expand programs to individuals with Down syndrome and their families/immediate support systems. Read more>>

Souraya Christine | Author, Coach, Podcast & Conference Host, Insurance Agent, and L.I.L.A.C. (Lady Influencing Life Altering Change)

My though process behind starting my own business was simple, I love to travel! When you work for someone else, you’re typically subject to the requirement of asking for permission to take vacations, and unfortunately, your desire to leave may not always align with their plan for you at work or the plans of others who may also desire to take the same time off. Read more>>

Hunter Woodard | AKA Grixxly Musician/Skateboarder/Kendama Enthusiast

# things tie this question together. Music & skateboarding has always been apart of my life. I found Kendama in 2018 & made it apart of my branding as well. Kendama reminds me so much of skateboarding and music together. The more I played the more I fell in love and realized that it needed to be something I push towards others. Read more>> 

Jonathan Hatcher | Just Jon, like who’s that? Just Jon””

I just wanted a reason to work with my friends. Now we all work different shifts and never see each other, so I did not really think that one through. Making beer has been a group effort from the start. Read more>>