Starting a business can be terrifying. Weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and other considerations can be so overwhelming that often promising entrepreneurs stop before they even start. We asked some phenomenal entrepreneurs about their thought process behind starting their own businesses. Our hope is that by making the thought-process less intimidating we can help more folks think through whether they should take an entrepreneurial leap.

John Bayerl | Educator, Outdoorsman, Musician, Writer, Photographer and Entrepreneur

It all started fourteen years ago at the TroutBum BBQ in Grayling, Michigan. I was a full-time high school teacher and a part-time amateur fishing guide in town that hot June weekend for an annual fundraising event. The organizers had hired a bluegrass band to entertain. “Great” I thought…a bunch of old hillbillies in overalls. I couldn’t have been more wrong, as that band turned out to be U.P. legends Chasin’ Steel who brought their band of “hard driving bluegrass with a rock and roll attitude” to the party. I was so impressed, the very next weekend I bought my first guitar and started learning how to play. I followed Chasin’ Steel and eventually became lifelong friends with them. Closer to home outside of Brighton, Michigan, I started searching for a newsletter or website that could connect me to these kinds of live performances, bluegrass jams and other activities surrounding my new-found addiction to live, acoustic music. I quickly determined that no such thing existed and launched SeMiBluegrass LLC and it’s companion online blog http://www.semibluegrass.com to fill that need. The blog allowed me to exercise my passion for writing and growing interest in event photography to connect to the best in “live, local music” in South Eastern Michigan. The connections and friends I made with people in these circles spawned my tagline: “The People, the Places and The Music (always in that order)”…which was coincidentally “borrowed” from the TroutBum BBQ; bringing this story full circle. Read more>>

Monika Marie | Fashion Designer & Photographer

When I decided to start my own custom-made sewing business, my thought process was driven by two main factors: passion and opportunity. Firstly, I have always had a deep passion for fashion and design. Creating unique and personalized garments has been my creative outlet for as long as I can remember. I wanted to share my talent with others and make a meaningful impact in the world of fashion. Read more>>

Steven Lewis | Painting Contractor

There were so many thoughts behind the reason I decided to start my own buisness. I was involved in a accident on the jobsite. I had a man lift come down on me breaking my ribs and damaging my shoulder. The company I worked for decided shortly there after that I no longer held any value to them. There was no phone calls asking how I was or if there was anything they could do to help after I devoted thirteen years to the betterment of the company. As I recovered from my injury and the depression that set in over the course of two years I came to the realization that I was no more than a number to them. The company I worked for didn’t value their employees or even the customers that support them it was all about a financial gain. So I set out to change this industry for the better. I decided I was gonna create a painting buisness that’s sole purpose was to offer a quality service at an affordable rate to everyone that values their customers and every employee or sub contractor. Not only that but to give back to the community as much as possible. Every single customer we treat like family. We work hard to be an honest, quality, and affordable service who truly cares. Read more>>

Britney Slater | President of Initial Brand Inc. & Content Creator

Recognizing the potential to turn my passions into a meaningful venture, I started on a journey to identify unique opportunities within the market. I envisioned a business that not only addressed a specific need but also allowed me to express my creativity in innovative ways. By combining my skills and passions, I could create a product/service that not only stands out but also resonates with both myself and potential customers. Read more>>

Sophie Linden | Painter & Jewelry Maker

When I was a kid, I always knew the only thing I wanted to be when I grew up is an Artist. From the time I was born, I would watch my mother paint these incredible, detailed paintings with so much admiration. From the time I could hold a paintbrush I would paint alongside her, and as I honed my talent, I solidified my resolution to pursue a life of creating art. I acquired my Bachelor in Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan’s Stamps School of Art and Design in 2021, and began my process of creating my business as an artist. I have predominately been a painter throughout my life, but in the recent years I have also developed a love for jewelry making. I made an Instagram page to share my work, and when it was apparent there was interest in the jewelry I made, I decided to start selling it in addition to my paintings. Read more>>

Billy Harrington | Freelance Musician, Touring Artist & Producer

I think almost all of my musician heroes have been more or less a freelancer at some point in their careers. It can be a scary prospect but also one with extreme freedom, whether that be the working hours, the type of work, the frequency of it, and of course the artistic component of being in charge of your output and “brand.” It’s also something I think comes very naturally when you realize you want to work with all sorts of artists and groups, rather than just one act. It requires you to manage all of those outlets, which I think puts you in that self-employed freelance position surprisingly fast. You become your own boss overnight in a way. Read more>>

Chelsea Oliver | Event & Hospitality Entrepreneur

Starting Twist Events at the age of 26 was both a leap of faith and a personal journey shaped by a myriad of experiences. My decision to embark on the entrepreneurial path was sparked during a poignant moment in my life. Having just moved back to Michigan from Colorado to be with my Papa in his final days, I found myself at a crossroads. Writing my business plan on my Nana’s screened-in porch during that time was both cathartic and transformative. Read more>>

Loui$ Automatic | Business Owner & Rapper

I love the idea of controlling your own destiny. I saw other artists from the culture own their own record labels as well as brands and that’s what drove me. It was definitely more of a spirit than any formal education that drew me to business.I wanted to do something that represented me. I had to learn the business along the way. Read more>>

Kwin Morris | Owner of Twin Birch

Twin birch was actually not our first business we decided to start. We co founded a non profit in 2015 called stand up for Great Lakes and a Rental Property business in 2020. This one was by far the biggest. With me being a teach and Megan being a nurse, 2020 was super hard on me ( Kwin) and I started looking elsewhere on what we could do as a family. we had owned the golf course for several years but decided to tear down the existing clubhouse and build a brand new restaurant and event center. While we were building it, we thought many times, what the heck did we get ourselves into? We both had very little hospitality experience, building experience or golf course experience. We set out to not only do something with our family but something Kalkaska had never seen. A place to not only get an amazing chef crafted meal, a spectacular experience int he restaurant but also outside where we have golfing, hiking and biking in the summer, and skating, fat bikes, groomed trails and igloos int he winter! Read more>>

Chelsea Sinke | Content Creator and Grand Rapids Blogger

My venture into the blogging realm began unexpectedly during a casual chat at one of our go-to spots, Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids. It was a typical night out with my husband Tyler, striking up conversations and making new friends at the bar. On this particular occasion, we overheard a couple deliberating their next destination, and our outgoing nature led us to jump in with a slew of recommendations. To our surprise, they suggested I share my insights through a blog or platform, considering the wealth of local knowledge we seemed to possess. Read more>>