Starting a business requires a strong motivation to solve a problem or fill a gap in the market. Entrepreneurs often have a vision and a passion for their ideas, products, or services. They may want to make a positive impact on society, create jobs, or simply have the freedom to be their own boss. Ultimately, the reasons for starting a business are personal and unique to each individual.
We asked entrepreneurs to share why they started their businesses and here are the responses:
#1- To be close to my family
As an engineering project manager, I faced a crossroads in my life. My work required me to relocate, which would separate me from my loved ones. Knowing that family is the greatest adventure and with aging family members, I yearned for more time with them. I dreamed of building a future family with my partner and pursued a lifestyle that was not tied to a specific location. Sure, I could have chosen a remote job, but I didn't want to rely on someone else's decisions for my future. It's not just a business, but a commitment to family and charting my own course.
Thanks to Daniel Espada, Geardventure!
#2- Transform lives and empower people
I started my business because of this profound desire to transform lives and empower others. Being a serial-preneur – all of my businesses were born based on my own struggles, fueled by my unwavering belief in the transformative power of authenticity and resilience. After facing some turbulent times in my personal life, as an entrepreneur, I realized the potency of storytelling, the cathartic release that comes from embracing one's true self. This realization birthed many of my business ventures—from a social media and creative agency to my coaching and online course.
Thanks, J.D. Drayton!
#3- Gain financial stability
As a single mum for the last 8 years, I knew that I couldn't keep putting my financial stability in someone else's hands. I needed to find a way to take control of my finances for me and my son. I decided that starting my own business assisting other women-led businesses was going to be the next step for me. I had to dig deep to find out what it was that I was good at and how I was going to make that work for my own business. After working within industries I took my experience in project management and applied that to helping women-led businesses work productively.
Thanks to Leah Selfe, The Productivity Queen!
#4- Fulfill a personal dream
After facing the harsh reality of redundancy, I found an unexpected silver lining – a golden opportunity to embark on a personal business venture that had been a dream of mine for years. As a senior manager, I spent years honing my skills in streamlining operations and systems for the companies and business owners I worked for. I took the leap and launched my own consulting agency. Today, I am able to reach out and assist a multitude of people, guiding them as they launch their businesses and helping them achieve their dreams.
Thanks to Meredith Bell, Glass Elevator Consulting!
#5- To fill a niche in the market
I started eBike Generation because of my burning desire for change. The finance industry, with its grueling 60 to 70-hour work weeks, felt like a relentless burden. E-commerce and dropshipping emerged as my chosen path, but the turning point came when I realized that there was a distinct lack of options for hunters in the eBike market. The idea of crafting a niche specifically for hunters sparked a strategic direction for eBike Generation. I wasn't just selling eBikes — I was catering to the needs of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.
Thanks to John Murphy, eBike Generation!
#6- To take control of food source
I founded Urban Organic Yield out of a passion for gardening and a desire to bring the joy and satisfaction of growing one's food to as many people as possible. I realized there was a gap in knowledge for many who wanted to create their home gardens but didn't know where to start or had been unsuccessful in the past. I saw an opportunity to help, to share my expertise, and to make gardening accessible, enjoyable, and successful for everyone. The motivation to empower others to take control of their food source, to understand the process from seed to plate, and to experience the fulfillment of harvesting their produce was the driving force behind Urban Organic Yield.
Thanks to Lindsey Hyland, Urban Organic Yield!
#7- Out of my passion for traveling
Launching ‘Why This Place' was born from my passion for travel and my desire to inspire and empower others to explore the world. I realized that people often stick to tourist-filled areas, unaware of the less-trodden paths and authentic local experiences awaiting them. This inspired me to bridge this gap, sharing insights and unique finds from my own adventures. I aimed to build a platform where travel enthusiasts could gain a fresh perspective on destinations beyond the typical travel guide narrative.
Thanks to Nadia Podrabinek, Why This Place!
#8- To connect people with AI
I started in the business world because I was passionate about technology and wanted to create something that would make a difference. The idea of starting my own business was born because I wanted to connect the world of AI with the people who use it daily. When I decided to start this business, it wasn’t just about building a business. It was about making a difference in the tech community and helping consumers make better decisions.
Thanks to Max Maybury, Ai-Product Reviews!
#9- For maximum customer satisfaction
When I started Hiller Plumbing in 1990, my vision was anchored in a belief that still resonates at the heart of my business today: “Care is Our Core Value™.” This wasn't just a slogan; it was a commitment to combining professional skills, a positive attitude, and the integrity necessary to do every job right. My promise was simple yet bold: “Happy you’ll be, or the service is free.™” This pledge not only expressed my confidence in our service but also underscored my unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
Thanks to Jimmy Hiller, Happy Hiller!
#10- Desire for autonomy
Embarking on the journey of entrepreneurship was my quest for autonomy and the desire to be the master of my own time and choices. Starting my business wasn't merely a professional endeavor; it was a declaration of independence. The allure of shaping my destiny, coupled with the thrill of creating something uniquely mine, fueled my entrepreneurial spirit. Today, as a business owner, I find fulfillment in the freedom to innovate, make decisions, and chart the course for both my career and life. Additionally, the passion to address a gap in the market and offer a distinctive value proposition ignited the spark for my business journey.
Thanks to Paul Mario Vratusha, D Studio Consulting Ltd.!
#11- To focus on my passion
It took a while to realize that I did have what it takes to launch a business doing what I actually cared about, and when I did, I would always find myself exceeding in areas I struggled with at prior jobs. It boiled down to the fact that I hated working for someone else's vision and fell in love with the art of building something that could outlast me and allow me to spend my days doing something I'm genuinely passionate about.
Thanks to Nick Brose, Titan Media Collective!
#12- Help businesses overcome language barrier
In 2007, I founded Tomedes with the specific goal of providing translation services for
businesses encountering language barriers in their interactions. At that time, I noticed the gaps in the underdeveloped translation industry, coinciding with the Internet's increasing accessibility to the public. Fueled by the desire to address these issues, I took the initiative to establish Tomedes. I created a platform for translators and language experts to share their skills, aiming to tackle communication problems effectively. Since its inception, Tomedes has not only met but exceeded the goals set forth.
Thanks to Ofer Tirosh, Tomedes Translation Company!
#13- Improve customer service
We started our business in Wedding Cars and Limousines because of our own experiences with poor customer service when we got married 10 years ago. The industry at the time seemed to be made up of grumpy old men, and we knew that we could do better. My commitment was not just to offer transportation, but to ensure each journey was an experience in itself, marked by professional chauffeurs, state-of-the-art vehicles, and impeccable customer service. We have now grown to 14 vehicles in 9 years.
Thanks to Matt Smith, Allure Limousines!
#14- Help businesses grow
One of the most rewarding things in teaching myself SEO and managing it in my own business was seeing the results I got – watching my keyword rankings grow higher, my backlinks begin to flow in, and my traffic increase. As the traffic increased, my sales and profit margin began to boom – the ultimate dopamine hit for any entrepreneur. Imagine then the thrill of doing this for other businesses – and getting paid to do so! Watching their stats increase and their businesses grow as a result is the uttermost privilege and the principal reason I started my own SEO and website strategy business!
Thanks to Zara Avila, Online Strategy Co!
#15- To offer reasonable insurance products
Having lived with diabetes for many years, I am aware of the special obstacles and worries that diabetics encounter while attempting to obtain life insurance coverage. I wanted to start a business that could offer reasonable and comprehensive life insurance products geared exclusively to the needs of diabetics. Our objective is to ensure that everyone, regardless of health, has access to the security and peace of mind that life insurance provides. Through Diabetic Insurance Solutions, I hope to make the process of acquiring life insurance for people with diabetes easier and more transparent.
Thanks to Hassan Sanders, Diabetic Insurance Solutions!
#16- For helping businesses thrive in digital landscape
I founded SocialSharings out of a genuine passion for helping businesses thrive in the digital landscape. Seeing the challenges many small and medium-sized enterprises face in reaching their target audience online, I wanted to create a solution. The idea was not just about providing marketing services but fostering genuine connections between brands and their customers. I believe in the power of meaningful engagement, and SocialSharings was founded to empower businesses to effectively leverage digital platforms.
Thanks to Daniyal Sanaullah, Social Sharings!
#17- To set new standards for bathware
Despite a growing demand for contemporary and aesthetically pleasing bathware, there were limited options for consumers seeking products that combined both style and functionality. Armed with a keen entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for design, Alexandra and Tim saw this gap as a golden opportunity. They envisioned a brand that would not only fill the void in the market but would also set new standards for bathware in Australia. The lack of competition in the realm of bold designs and effective marketing became the driving force behind the decision to launch BelBagno.
Thanks to Alexandra Borysenko, BelBagno!