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.

Yolanda Ragland | Executive Director of Elevation Youth Corp

My husband Keith and I have started several businesses together for the sake of making money by doing what we love in the creative arts. Our Non-profit organization, Elevation Youth Corp had a much deeper thought process. We wanted to give back to our community youth by sharing our creative arts talent in hopes of saving at risk teens. EYC was born out of pain with the loss of our son in 2017. Giving back helps to heal us in ways we could have never imagined while also introducing young people to the world of multimedia, community service and the creative arts. Read more>>

Shelbie Flegal | Owner/Operator of From Goat to Soap @ the Flegal Family Homestead

We started off with a son with awful ezxcema. None of the fancy creams or steroids would help his skin. We were also in the middle of a pandemic, trying to live more sustainably and just provide for our family in a time when things were incredibly unstable. We had a flock of chickens, 2 diary goats and a large garden. We were raising our own meat from the chickens, collecting eggs, growing and preserving vegetables and now we had these new goats who could provide us with diary. A quick google search reviled all the things you can do with goats milk. A healthier alternative to cow’s milk to drink, cheese, Carmel, whipped cream and soap! Read more>>

Jenna Arcidiacono | Chef/owner of Amore Trattoria and Founder of Non Profit Food Hugs

Honestly, I was 34 and had 20 years of restaurant experience under my belt but no one would hire a female – especially a mom to be their chef. My dream had always been to have my own place, so we met someone eager to sell. We made a business plan and I cooked a 7 course meal for them. They handed over the keys the next day. The building was old and needed loads of sweat equity. We had 2 daughters who were 3 & 5 at the time and went into credit card debt on a wing and a prayer! Now they are 17 and 20 and works as servers. Read more>>

Brian Thomas | multi-disciplined artist

Well, it all started with a blend of passion and purpose. After years of honing my craft in the entertainment industry, I felt a burning desire to carve out my own path and make a real impact. I wanted to create something that reflected my values and allowed me to express my creative vision without constraints. Starting my own business was about seizing the opportunity to pursue my dreams on my own terms, and to build a platform where I could promote empathy, connection, and equality through visual storytelling. It’s been a thrilling journey so far, filled with challenges and triumphs, but every step of the way has been worth it. Read more>>

Tamara Cherry | Founder of Pickup Communications, Author of The Trauma Beat: A Case for Re-Thinking the Business of Bad News

My first thought was that I needed to find a way to be home for dinner with my kids. As a crime reporter filing live each night on the 6 o’clock news, then battling traffic for more than an hour home, I often didn’t arrive home until my kids were in bed or nearly there. My job was no longer in line with my priorities. Read more>>