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.

Hollis Gallagher | Owner & Designer

As a new mom in the thick of the pandemic back in 2021, I found myself with a lot of downtime during my baby’s nap times. What started as a fun creative outlet to keep me busy soon turned into something bigger. At first, my goal was simply to make some extra money without sacrificing precious time with my newborn. But I’d always dreamed of being my own boss, and as my little passion project grew, I saw the potential to turn it into a lucrative income stream. Read more>>

Laice O’Malley | Greeting Card Designer

Starting Notes2Pass was something that just kind of happened. In 2014, I lost my mom to cancer and moved from Wyoming to California. I was lost and lonely, searching for anything to hold onto. Growing up, my mom used to write me a lot of notes, hiding them in my lunches, on the stairs, my bathroom mirror, and other places. After she passed, I desperately needed her little cheerleader love notes, so I started writing and hiding them for myself—in my car visor, phone case, wallet, etc. They were reminders like, “You are not alone,” and “You are in the right place for the present moment.” Read more>>

Jessica Matthews | Da Real Creole Queen

Starting my own catering business was a culmination of years of hands-on experience, passion for cooking, and a deep-rooted desire to share the culinary heritage passed down by my grandmother. My early years spent in the kitchen with my grandmother were invaluable. She taught me traditional recipes, techniques, and the importance of cooking with love and precision. The joy I found in creating delicious meals and seeing others enjoy them was a driving force. Cooking was more than a hobby; it was a way to connect with people and share a part of myself. Read more>>