The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Marina Lopes | Licensed Food Manager Processor and Co Founder at Flavoreat Foods

Start a new business is never a easy process. Is also hard to tell with part is the toughest, but what come to my mind when you ask me something like this, I would say is all the regulations, licenses and permits you need to figure out and go trough it to make all right and not get in trouble. Also, overall is a very time consuming. You need to be available any time to whatever shows up. Some things need to be decided immediately, right the way. The cost is also something that can surprises you all the time, so is something which needs attention.
Button line, nothing is easy, but also not impossible. You only needs to be prepared and available to make it happen. You need to want to make it and wake up every morning thinking about how to get trough it. Read more>>

Christine Bresett | Freelance Graphic Designer & Photographer

When I initially delved into the world of professional photography, my passion for design was ignited, particularly in crafting graphic tee designs. As I worked in retail and sales, I found myself not only approached for graphic tee designs and vinyl stickers but also for branding and marketing projects. This realization sparked the idea that I could be my boss, set flexible hours, and be more present for my family while working from home during the pandemic. With the demand for my services evolving towards branding and marketing and my business partner stepping back to focus on her growing family, I saw an opportunity for growth. I decided to continue the journey as a solo artist. This shift has allowed me to rebrand and further specialize in the areas where my skills and passion align. Read more>>

Kathleen Lisbeth | Fine Art Portrait Photographer

My thought process behind starting my own business was that I knew I had to be smart about starting it and know what exactly my business needed to run successfully. In the beginning I was tempted to open my own studio, buy so many dresses, props, camera gear and more but I had to step back for a second and remind myself that was not smart. I had to first figure out what I wanted to do with my photography and working with women was something I was extremely passionate about. Knowing my numbers and the cost of doing business so I would understand that my business has to pay for itself. In my pervious articles, I spoke on how I had to seek more education on learning more because I knew this all couldn’t be done alone. Read more>>

Elvis Torres | Freelance Designer & Entrepreneur

When I decided to go into business for myself, I was working as kitchen help at a local Chinese restaurant and doing freelance design on the side. As time went on I found myself losing money while on the clock at the restaurant. The money from the freelance jobs was better and coming in faster than my checks at my day job, as the energy I would expend in the kitchen was taking away from energy and available hours that I could put into my design career. I weighed my options and ultimately determined that the extra time I would be able to put into building my design business could sustain my lifestyle and allow me to grow. Working as an employee there is a hard ceiling on your income with each job title, as an entrepreneur I saw income potential being unlimited and dictated purely by my work ethic and business skills. Read more>>

Brad Cocklin | Chief Executive Nibbler

My wife, Katie, and I wanted to put our time and effort into something we could build for the future. Something that we could be proud of and put our stamp on. With that being said, we weren’t looking to start a franchise or anything like that but food seemed like a great opportunity with a wide market to go after. My Grandma, Cuddy, always had this snack she would make at Christmas and called it Chunk Nibbles (also Christmas Crack – but not nearly as marketable when trying to sell it year round). After making a test batch and approval from Katie – we decided to go all in by quitting our corporate insurance jobs, liquidating our 401ks, and selling my car to buy a used Ford Transit van to chase the dream. Read more>>

Dane Porter | Artist & Designer

As attention grew for the artwork, I knew I needed to create a business from my work. I would have never guessed that demand would grow as great as it is today. There has been a great amount of learning and figuring out along the way. However, I always looked at the business as a way to bring color to communities while creating a full-time income. Read more>>

Remie Gasirabo | Media Brand & Studio Owner

Grand Rapids has such an enormous creative scene that it was a pretty obvious necessary investment for me to open up a 24hr creative studio. Though I don’t necessarily compose music, take photos, paint, etc., I recognized how vital it is to not only have a workspace and access to the essential tools and equipment to create but also the benefits of being a part of a like-minded community. Having a strong creative network can be crucial for a majority of artists, and our foundation is built on that. I believe that as a young adult who was surrounded by so many talented artists and individuals, having a professional creative space to capitalize on and strengthen our skills could have been crucial in achieving our personal and group success at an earlier time. So now, I hope to provide that for the next generations to come. Read more>>

Sharaina Jones | Owner at Beauty of Pearl

Starting a business required a lot of hard work and dedication. I knew I had to have a passion for what I do, and a strong desire to succeed. The decision to start my own business is driven by my love for this field, such as fashion. The freedom to express oneself creatively in this field is a powerful motivator. Before starting my own business, it was important to do my research, develop a solid business plan, and be willing to take risks. Making sure to keep the right mindset and the proper planning, I’m on track to turning my passion for fashion into a successful business. Read more>>