We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

AAE. RUSSELL | Artist

I started my own business because I saw a need for more uplifting art and intentional use of color in public and private spaces. I noticed how color and design sets the energetic tone for how you feel when you walk into a home or a skyscraper lobby, and how the lack of artwork say in a hospital room or office can also make you feel. I want to help influence the energy of spaces and places to elevate people’s energy within it to lower stress and increase overall health and wellbeing. I felt that my unique approach to artwork can have a positive change in the world. Read more>>

Meegan Winters | Co-Founder of Able eyes and AbleVu

In 2011, I had an idea and dream that I knew could have a huge impact on the world. It remained just an idea for many years while I continued my stable career as a special education teacher and later an Assistant Principal. In 2015 one of my best friends, Jessica, passed away. Jessica had Muscular Dystrophy and used a power wheelchair to navigate life. She and I lived together in college and during that time I learned so much about the challenges many people with disabilities face. Jessica’s passing was the event that finally pushed me to pursue my dream of creating a company and tool that would help people with physical and invisible disabilities. Read more>>

Alex Jean | Chef & Food truck owner

The idea began when I was inspired by other local restaurant owners & food truck operators and how they managed their businesses, all the good and even the bad. Working for several great chefs over the years I had my own vision of what I wanted to create and offer, and I stuck to it. I wanted to expand into events all throughout Michigan and offer a delicious chef created menu that interests everyone! Im determined to keep our business thriving and it’s working! Read more>>

Cathryn Coleman | Detroit Balloon Boss

I started my business in February 2017 when I was up against the wall with a ailing hospice mother, young children and no other family to help me so I chased my fascination of balloons and once my mother passed in the Fall of that year I decided to do what I wanted to do for once, to step out on faith. Read more>>

Mykaila Boyd | Chef

My thought process behind starting a business is to help others who may wanna eat healthy and don’t know how or may have the courage to do so . I wanna help people explore different SaladZ and deserts that they may not be use to . I also started my own business so I can forever have and call something my own and I wanna leave something behind to kids Read more>>

Todd Wilson | Entrepreneur-Recycling Enthusiast

Since I can remember as a young man finding my way in life, like many people ask themselves.What do I want to do with my life? We all look at our interests, passions or hobbies and try to morph those into a career that we will enjoy and embrace. My passion and interests of nature and sustainable living has grown into a lifelong obsession of finding new life from old things. Read more>>

Jamika Steen | Jay’zo

I’ve always loved cooking and being able to bring joy to friends and family when cooking for them. It was always amazing to me. I decided to branch out that joy and start selling food for others and also record me making food for the ones that were not close enough to try it. Read more>>

Jeanette Cobb-Johnson | Creative Designer

I have always been a busy person, no matter how much was already on my plate. I was looking for something that I would enjoy doing, be fulfilling and be passionate about. In whatever I do, I want to be able to express my creativity and craftsmanship. Creating wood products provides a medium for creating unique and beautiful one-of-a-kind items. I find great personal satisfaction in creating custom-made products and seeing a finished piece that I have designed. Read more>>

Luke Hessler | Digital PR Expert

In college I was introduced to some interesting statistics that showed 54% of college graduates were unemployed or unemployed following graduation. There was also a poll done on good morning America that showed 78% of people hated their job. These two statistics combined with me to rethink what I wanted to do for my career. Then, at 19 years old I met someone who is 25 that was earning $40,000 a month from an online business. He didn’t have any college degree and was able to work from anywhere. In that moment, I decided if he could do it, so could I, and committed to figuring out how to make money online so I could gain true time and financial freedom two things that weren’t possible working at traditional job. Read more>>

Amanda Walma | The Crafty Counselor – Creator and Counselor

I began MI_CraftyCounselor as my own personal coping skill. I was counseling within a specialized program in an agency, and I learned quickly that I needed an outlet to cope with the trauma that I was hearing on a daily basis. I began wood burning as a grounding skill, using my 5 senses to calm my body and mind. Shortly after, I opened my Etsy shop to begin sharing my art as well as participating in markets in West Michigan. Over time, I realized how difficult the social media world was, and how it was negatively impacting so many. When I transitioned from agency work to private practice, I shifted my focus to the Crafty Counselor. While I still wood burn and create, I now get to provide additional mental health support, advocacy, and skills. Read more>>

Sabrina Klein | Small Business Owner

Crafting has always been a passion of mine throughout my life. Particularly during college candle making gave me an outlet to destress and be creative. Candles seemed like a fun challenge to try my hand at and from there my passion has blossomed into a business. I continued to expand my knowledge and improve my techniques until I was happy with the final product. In recent months I have found my love of candles giving me the opportunity to stay at home and support my growing family. Read more>>

Danika Coyle | CEO, & Influencer Manager

I started D&G Influencers in 2021, during the 3rd pandemic lockdown. It felt like a natural business venture to take, as during the 1st lockdown I had started influencing and building my social media. I had grown my personal account from about 4k to 15k in the span of three weeks, and while networking with other creators, I always got asked the same questions – “how do you work with brands and get sent pr?”, and “how do you grow your audience?”. Read more>>

Shelby Ferguson | CEO HotKey Comics

My business partner and I had invested a little money in bitcoin and made a nice profit and were considering different options when I found a nice collection of star wars comics and action figures for sale. We talked about it and decided to start a comic and collectible business and bought the collection, made a profit and HotKey Comics was born! Read more>>