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.

Anna Choiniere | Chef & Owner of Raising Rose Kitchen LLC

While in culinary school, a chef once said to me “go find the best”. After graduating, I went out to do just that and tried to find and learn from the best. I found that often times I was sacrificing some of my own morals and values working under other people. I asked myself why am I trying to find the best when I can just be the best? And so, I created my own company, a business I could run that aligned with all of my standards and values. Starting my own business gave me an avenue where I could grow and prosper while also giving me the freedom to put an emphasis on my family and be there for them when I wanted to be. Read more>>

Lilly Whitley | Gut Health Dietitian

Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to become an entrepreneur. My dad started his own business from nothing and became very successful, which instilled in me a deep admiration for entrepreneurship. I execute at a very high level and pride myself on my efficiency, qualities I believe are essential for success in business. I want to run my own business not just to achieve financial independence, but to create something impactful that reflects my values and my life’s work. I understood that there would be many challenges when starting a business (navigating payroll, LLC’s, and more legalities) but I knew it was a challenge I wanted to accept. Read more>>

Daisha Calhoun | Event Planner & Florist

There were a lot of forces that pulled me to starting my own business. For one, it was a way for me to merge all the things I loved, my skills and passion into one thing that allowed me to make a difference. With a background in studio art, painting, ceramics and sculpture, I always has a creative calling. At the time, I was working in museums with hopes of being a curator which lead me into planning an unveiling reception for a new exhibit. In that moment, I never felt so at home in my purpose. I was able to plan details, create vision boards and handle all the meticulous details with ease that made me question how I had never thought of this as a career before. Read more>>

Sonja Miller | Entrepreneur & Shop Girl

I started working in my parent’s business when I was around 8 years old. I was the demo girl at tradeshows, worked around the dining room table putting displays together, helped unload containers with product into our garage. As I aged, the responsibilities started leaning towards bookkeeping, telexes, later faxes and admin work. As we grew I moved into leading production, unloading tractor trailers with a forklift, working with insurance companies, freight companies and general admin. I did it because that’s what was expected of me and I realized after coming back from college and continuing that it was all great but we didn’t make anything that I was passionate about. Read more>>

Jessica Lee Reader | Master Nutrition Therapist, Board-Certified Health Coach, and Yoga Teacher

Starting my own business was driven by a deep passion for holistic health and a desire to empower others on their wellness journey. For years, I struggled with my own digestive issues and fatigue, and after trying conventional methods without success, I turned to holistic nutrition and yoga. The profound impact these approaches had on my health inspired me to help others achieve similar results. Read more>>