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.

Kevin and Tania Merlos | Spicy Candy Experts

We never had intentions to start our own candy business. We wanted to make our own Mexican Candy since so we decided to experiment. Our recipes went through several rounds of trial and error until we found the right ingredients. My husband and I are a bit picky so we decided to have our family and friends try our final recipe. That led to more people trying our candy who then wanted to place orders. That was when we decided to start our own business. We want to share what we love with other people. Read more>>

Maeghan Freijo | Wedding Planner & Event Designer

It started out as this fun thing that I could do on the weekends outside of my full time job, and I wasn’t prepared for how rapidly it grew. Friends started recommending me to venues, and then I started putting together a website and marketing, and it just took off from there. I’ve always loved love, and weddings are the ultimate display of that. I wanted to be an event planner when I was a little girl, so it just made sense to follow that passion when I started to learn more about wedding planning. Read more>>

Tyler Patmon | Founder & President of Camp Exposure

Growing up as a child, I was always blessed with athletic ability. My friends, cousins, and I all had the same dream of playing professional sports. As we began to get older, some people realized that dream wouldn’t come true. As they began to realize this, I could see a shift in their mentality, as if they had no purpose or worth beyond sports. As I witnessed this, it created a passion for helping people discover their gifts and purpose and how to become successful in life. Read more>>

Alberto Alvarez | Owner/Graphic Designer

It started from one the most basic struggles. Financial security. I have a family and they were my first thought as far as figuring out that I needed something beyond the average 9 to 5. The typical day job just wasn’t cutting it for me, not in terms of hours or flexibility but having to deal with a standard job issues as far as being paid on time, being paid appropriately, being appreciated for said work. The next step was finding a need but I came to the conclusion there’s millions of needs but what need could fit with my skills or what I could do from scratch with little capital? Read more>>

Staci Seaman | Wife, Mother, and Photographer

My thought process behind starting my business was to offer others a chance to enjoy cute staged setups at an affordable price for photo opportunities of their children. They are only little once, and pictures are something that will last us a lifetime. Read more>>

MONICA BENNETT | Business Owner/Motivational Speaker

the thought behind starting my business was to bring the gifts and collectibles that I was so passionate about to my community. I saw a need and I acted on it. Yes we had gifts that was for other cultures, but I had not seen any in our area. I did my research, saw there was a need and here I am 25 years later. Read more>>

Sara Qureshi | CBS Chef & Owner

So, we had dabbled around with food as a business idea in the past as well. We had offered cakes to catering to personalized weekly meal-preps for families back in NJ and then for a short while in Dallas back in 2021. However we saw a significant gap in the Dallas market when looking for healthy AND Zabiha Halal eating options for our own family. It is safe to say that Chatkhara by Sara’s journey into the healthy meal-prep sector is a reflection of our family’s journey towards healthier eating habits, not only for health and lifestyle reasons; but also to instill healthy eating habits in our children. Read more>>

Lisa Scott | Licensed esthetician

The thought process behind my business is first my children having multiple sources of income to create and provide a better life for my children on my own. Also helping others feel more confident in their self when we live in a world of social media where we do nothing but judge and tear each other down. I wanted to create a safe space for people to love the skin they are in rather if it’s is healing skin or just self care days. Basically how can I help others and also provide wealth for my family.. Read more>>