Why Did You Start Your Business? Week of November 11th

For individuals that constantly view financial statements or business plans each business looks eerily the similar. Even sometimes the brands, logos and names make consumers scream for the days of uniqueness. Peeling back the skin of business, it is often the entrepreneur and business owner that makes a business unique. Each and every business has an entrepreneur and unique story for launching his or her business, and it is that story which make each business special.

Because there was a Need

EPiC MEASURES (EM) was established in December 2001 as a resource for individuals with business communications needs. Four years later, the company began providing brand-driven business consulting services for individuals as well as organizations. The dire need for marketing planning, which incorporated the Seven Facets of Business with an emphasis on branding, was the springboard for growth.

Thanks to Isha Edwards, Epic Measures!

 To Help Others Realize their Dreams

I started Pure-Ecommerce.com, which provides turnkey Internet business for sale,  five years ago to help others realize their dream of owning their own retail Internet business.  All Pure-Ecommerce turnkey Internet businesses come with 40 hours of one-on-one consulting and mentoring, so entrepreneurs will have guidance as they launch, manage and grow their business. I founded Pure E-commerce.com after running one of the largest online maternity clothing stores, BellaBluMaternity.com.  I wanted to share the experiences, success and lessons-learned by running BellaBluMaternity. Pure-Ecommerce’s 40-step consulting process touches every area an entrepreneur has to know about to run a successful online business.

Thanks to Jennifer Varner, Pure-Ecommerce.com!

 To Help People Suffering from Depression

I started MastersChannel.com because of the alarming reality that over 20% of Americans are suffering from depression, with 80% currently not seeking any type of help. More alarming than that is the fact that a suicide happens every 15 minutes in the USA, and 17% of people taking away their lives are our elderly. MasterChannel.com was created to help people live a life they just love to live, before things get too out of hand. We offer life-changing classes, tools, and blogs that are provided by Masters from all over the world to empower people to overcome their emotional blockages.

Thank you Candice Pascoal, MastersChannel.com!

To Avoid Would've, Could've, Should've Syndrome.

I am young, vibrant, a survivor and full of ideas, yet that did not guarantee job security nor a round of applause. I had all this knowledge and was undervalued and the best way to combat that was to step out and start Connect The Dots PR. I am able to be hands on, work on projects that interest me and build relationships with those that could benefit from my help. It also challenges me to constantly educate myself and stay current in an ever changing market.

Thanks to Vannessa Wade, Connect the Dots PR!

To Make a Difference

After spending six years in the Marines and completing my masters degree, I ventured into the corporate world for over a year. The thing I missed most about my time in the Marines was serving a higher cause than myself. Doing something to make an impact in the lives of others. After working with a life coach, I transformed my life and decided to share that experience with others. Since then I have started two companies, Amara Adventures and Human Potential Development. Through Amara Adventures I am able to share my passion for travel and adventure with others by organizing and at times leading trips to Tanzania, Southern Africa and India. Through Human Potential Development, I get the opportunity to help people get from where they are to where they want to be through speaking, coaching and transformational workshops. As a trained coach by the ICF (International Coaching Federation) accredited program, “Accomplishment Coaching,” and using my life experience as a Marine and my adventures all around the world, including a one month 350 mile ski crossing of the second largest icecap in the world in Greenland, I help others transform their lives  and create the life they want to live. I started these businesses to make a difference in the lives of others. This was something I was not able to do working for someone else.

Thanks to Akshay Nanavati, Exisiting2Living.com!

It Was A Deep Desire in My Heart

My business had been a deep desire in my heart. With the demands of working easily 65 hours a week and a young child my efforts seemed futile. That is, until I got fired. I was angry, nervous and in fear at first then my dream of my business came into view. The reality that it was now attainable became the driving force to propel me forward. I began to write a book, “Let's Get You Happy First” to use as my calling card for speaking, coaching and creating live events for women. I hired an entrepreneurial coach and started networking. I created my business to empower and inspire women to create their amazing life based on my journey. One year to the date of being fired my business was up and running, I had clients, speaking events with the book ready to be published.

Thanks to Jenenne Mackiln, Consciously Creating Your Life, Inc.!

I Have Done it All My Life

Most of my adult life, I have been a collector of antique Tiffany-style iridescent art glass pieces. The iridescent glaze appears to shimmer magically, and it replicates the depth of light you can see in a person's iris, from which it derives its name. With a death in the family, I encountered firsthand how traditional cremation urn products can look cold and imposing. I couldn't imagine enjoying the presence of one of these urns in my home. I decided to return to my art roots and design a line of cremation urns in a pleasing shape, which included a sphere top that could act as a container for small mementos – such as a poem, wedding ring, or a lock of hair – separately from the ashes. I researched and found two master glass artists who were capable of duplicating the exacting and difficult techniques required to create these beautiful turn-of-the-century iridescent glazes. The result has been a full collection of cremation urns, keepsakes, cremation jewelry and pet urns, all available through my online store. I get great satisfaction from customers who express their gratitude at having finally found a beautiful and inspiring cremation urn that serves as an uplifting memorial as well as
a piece of art.

Thanks to Barbara Bergen, Cremation Urns by Legacy Inc!

To Bring Entertaining Books to Readers

I started Le French Book because I couldn't stand the fact that only a very tiny fraction of French books ever get translated into English. There I was reading all this very creative, entertaining French fiction, exciting crime fiction, thrillers, short stories and even non-fiction. And since I was in France, I was hanging out with French authors and networking with French publishers. At the same time, I was reading e-books and it dawned on me that the two could go together, and that I was clearly the person to make this happen with my combined experience in translation, publishing and communications. We are now translating prizewinning, international bestsellers that are in English for the first time. These are major books from France, chosen specifically for the tastes of an American and English-reading audience. All our books have great stories, with that additional je ne sais quoi that makes us all dream about Paris, along with pace and suspense and good writing.

Thanks to Anne Trager, Le French Book!

Because My Clients Experienced Serious Injuries

The thought of nonslip pants was in late 2009 while working with assisted living residents and those with physical handicap. While working with my clients, I saw many of them who were repeatedly falling and sliding from their chairs, beds and wheelchairs.  Some of these incidents caused serious injuries from which they never recovered and often caused institutionalization at long term care facilities. In April 2011, I was let go from my position as DON on Good Friday without notice after having a perfect survey 3 weeks prior.  At the same time I was taking care of my ill father who was rapidly declining in health.  I decided (along with a supportive husband) it was time to move on with my business.

Thanks to Barb Przybylowicz, Safety Buns, LLC!

Because I Don't Like Being Paid Very Much, Apparently

I had been working many years as a software contractor with an investment firm. Whenever I took a vacation, I'd go backpacking. When I returned to work, I found that not only did I feel better and was stress free, but that my clothes fit better and that I had lost weight. So I began Fatpacking weight loss backpacking vacations. Ostensibly, I wanted to take people hiking to get them fit and alter their body compositions. Although I have done this with moderate success for several years and clients do lose weight and build muscle, I find that I have another not-so-secret ambition: to introduce people to the wilderness and inspire them to protect it.

Thanks to Steve Silberberg, FatPacking!

Because I Wanted to Enjoy Retirement

I had an opportunity to retire at a very early age, after about six months. I realized that golfing was just not enough challenge for me.
I didn't want to return to work, because the freedom of retirement is great. My wife and I started our first eCommerce business 10 years ago and now we own two and are loving life. I can still golf as often as I want and have a challenging business.

Thanks to Bob Shirilla, Simply Custom Bags!

Because I Needed Flexible Work for Childcare

I started my own business (Lady Shotgun) because I wanted more flexible work hours to deal with childcare. I'd been working as a game designer for major video game companies like Eidos (where I worked on the Tomb Raider games, amoungst other titles), Sony and Creative Assembly for about 13 years. After I had my daughter though I found that the long office hours demanded by traditional game development studios were difficult to mesh with childcare arrangements   I started Lady Shotgun with two other mothers, and we now have an entire home-based team who work flexible part time hours. We just released our first game Buddha Finger for Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod) on the App Store and are extremely pleased that the pipelines we developed for working with a remote team worked exceptionally well. We're looking forward to moving onto a wide range of games and platforms in the future.

Thanks to Anna Marsh, Lady Shotgun!