Each business has a story. No matter if the business is a Goliath like Wal-Mart or a local business owned by a couple or family, the business has roots in an idea. For each business owner, the story of their journey can range from monetary needs to the passion for a unique project. Each story is different though the reasons may remain the same. No matter the tale, the background behind each and every business is what fuels each brand.
We asked some entrepreneurs what their story is. Here are their responses:
#1- Bring together life insurance & diabetes
Diabetic Insurance Solutions arose from my desire to significantly impact the lives of those living with diabetes. Observing the challenges and biases that people with diabetes frequently face while purchasing life insurance prompted me to design a solution. My personal experience with diabetes fueled my desire to build a firm that not only provides financial stability through life insurance but also addresses the stigma associated with diabetes. My goal is to empower people by ensuring they have access to comprehensive life insurance coverage tailored to their needs.
Thanks to Hassan Sanders, Diabetic Insurance Solutions!
#2- Reduce gender gap in business
I started my business, The Biz Rebelution, because I saw firsthand the gender gap divide for women in business. 98% of venture capital funding goes to male-founded start-ups, leaving less than 2% for female-founded startups. I am yet to be able to contribute venture capital and prioritize shifting the gender gap through funding, but what I can do right now is provide accessible business education and community to give women in business in Australia a better chance at success. Long term, 10% of our revenue will become VC, so we can boost the economy with female-founded enterprises.
Thanks to Em Gee, The Biz Rebelution!
#3- Turn passion into business
My love for photography and the art of capturing moments has always been a part of me. But it was when I started my own business that I truly realized my passion for it. The idea of creating something tangible, something that can bring joy to others, was what drove me to start Kate Backdrop. As an entrepreneur, I wanted to control my work & create a platform for my creativity to thrive. I wanted to turn my passion into a successful business & make a difference in the photography community.
Thanks to David Zhang, Kate Backdrop!
#4- Embrace the need for quieter spaces
I noticed a trend that started during the pandemic: people leaving big urban centers and moving to the countryside, searching for a quieter and more sustainable lifestyle. I didn't think this trend was likely to stop after the pandemic, and I was right! The point of my business is to encourage people to make this 180-degree turn in their thinking and behaviour. And you know it's working when you see someone working in the field as a hobby or even a full-time farmer, and they'd never before lifted anything heavier than a computer mouse!
Thanks to Silvia Borges, Regional Rural Finance!
#5- I wanted flexible working hours
I started my own business because I wanted flexibility in location and time. Being a mother to a pre-schooler, I wanted to be more present for my child, particularly when he falls sick. When I was working as an employee, I found myself apologizing all the time for fulfilling my duties as a caregiver. As a business owner, I am able to work remotely without having to explain my absence. As a one-woman operation with lower overhead, I can cater to this market yet deliver a premium service.
Thanks to Samantha Chua, Sincere Copy!
#6- Be my own boss
I started this business because I was fed up with working for other people and felt like my creativity was always being reigned in. I knew I could do a great job myself at offering social media services, rather than working for someone else. I knew there was a lot of bloat with traditional agencies and saw a gap in the market for a leaner, more responsive, more authentic social media agency. It helps that it is now the trend with the main platforms to create more low fi, authentic content. You don't need a massive team to create great, engaging content these days.
Thanks to Natalie Lasance, The Meaningful Social Club!
#7- Make lunch fun, worldwide
I founded a kids' lunchbox brand (Mum Made Yum) in 2021, and it's taken off! We have shipped to over 40 countries in the past 12 months, and grown a social community in the 100's of thousands since. The reason I started my business was my “fussy” daughter. I wanted to support her by exploring new foods and overcoming food aversions, so I started getting creative with her lunchboxes. I wanted to make lunch fun! And it worked. Happy to provide more details if you wish me to contribute my story.
Thanks to Alison Said, Mum Made Yum!
#8- Relax, indulge and explore
The business, Fjaka Sail, was started just under two years ago and is aimed at being a young professional sailing tour based in the US, running tours in Croatia. We created it to fill a market void where young professionals were either too old, too mature or just didn’t feel welcome on traditional sailing tours in Croatia. Our motto is “relax, indulge, explore” and our business name Fjaka, means to have a siesta or a nice chilled-out rest, which we feel embodies our reason for starting the business– to give a well-rounded experience of culture, food, adventure and a bit of a party, but not every night!
Thanks to Eliot Davenport, Fjaka Sail!
#9- To offer them a better solution
Before I built my own law firm, I spent years working for large law firms as a Prosecutor, and I fight for justice every day. But my passion for helping others and fighting for what's right led me to start my own business. I wanted more control over the cases I handled and the clients I represented. I saw the struggles of individuals and families facing brutal legal battles, and I wanted to offer them a better solution. Starting my own business allowed me to do just that – provide exceptional legal representation while also taking a compassionate and supportive approach.
Thanks to Andrew Pickett, Andrew Pickett Law!
#10- For more autonomy and creative control
I was at University, and soon to graduate, when I discovered my entrepreneurial side. I had been given the opportunity to produce the latest set of promotional films for the Uni,. I was given an in-house ‘producer' to work with. I felt I understood the audience, & was making video content that would resonate with the younger generation looking for a Uni. The Producer had other ideas & pushed the project down. That's when I realized I wanted to make films and marketing content, but I wanted full creative control. It was following this project that I set up my own company.
Thanks to Ryan Stone, Lambda Films!
#11- Two reasons
Growing up, I was always surrounded by the tantalizing aromas and vibrant flavors of my family's kitchen. Cooking became my passion, and I found immense joy in experimenting with ingredients and creating delicious dishes. As I honed my skills, friends, and family started encouraging me to share my culinary creations with a broader audience. That's when the lightbulb moment happened – why not turn this passion into a business? It was this desire to share my culinary creations and create memorable experiences for others that fueled the inception of my culinary venture. And let me tell you, the journey has been as fulfilling as the dishes I serve!
Thanks to Gabrielle Marie Yap, Carnivore Style!
#12- Create a space where beauty and wellness come together
I truly believe that when we feel good about ourselves, it just shines through in everything we do. As an aesthetic RN, I have seen firsthand how enhancing our appearance can really boost our self-confidence and help us love ourselves even more. That's why I wanted to create a space where beauty and wellness come together, offering treatments that not only make us look beautiful but also make us feel amazing inside.
Thanks to Diane Howard, Esthetic Finesse!
#13- Simplify bonds & insurance solutions
Observing firsthand the challenges contractors encounter in obtaining customized bonding and insurance solutions ignited my drive to effect change. My experiences navigating the complexities of the industry underscored the necessity for a solution to ease the burden of securing bonds and insurance. This realization propelled me to action, leading to the establishment of a service aimed at addressing this critical need.
Thanks to Michael Benoit, Contractor Bond!
#14- Impart deer hunting fundamentals
From my upbringing, deer hunting transcended a mere pastime; it embodied values of nature reverence, and patience. Witnessing a void in how hunting experiences were shared and taught, I envisioned a platform that not only imparted deer hunting fundamentals but also instilled a deep appreciation for the wilderness. Hence, our business emerged, driven by a mission to offer comprehensive, ethical, and immersive hunting guidance for enthusiasts of all levels. Through our platform, I aspire to foster a shared passion for hunting while championing sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Thanks to John VanDerLaan, Deer Hunting Guide!
#15- Break the 9-5 cycle
The main reason why I started my own business was pain – I didn't want to suffer through a 9-to-5 existence. I figured that I would spend most of my hours awake in this life making money. So, I might as well do something that I'm passionate about. I ended up going with content creation and starting a personal brand — a decision I never regretted for even one day.
Thanks to Niels Bohrmann, Neils Bohrmann- Life Outside the Box!
#16- Passion for gaming
Marin here, CEO of Online Games. Since my childhood, video games have served as windows into extraordinary universes, weaving immersive tales and presenting complex puzzles that fueled my imagination like nothing else. This enduring passion for gaming, combined with its capacity to conjure joy and wonder, propelled me to pursue a dream: creating gaming experiences that resonate on a profound level, providing both amusement and solace. It was about designing games that not only captivate but also inspire and unite people.
Thanks to Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, Online Games!
#17- Make real estate a better place
Real estate is known to be a cut-throat industry. Developers are often referenced as blood-thirsty sharks & real estate agents don't always have the best reputation. I started HANA as I believe this industry has a tremendous opportunity for collective collaboration across the board. Regardless of which seat you‘re in, approaching this business with a sense of shared transparency, resources & knowledge can deliver greater results across all segments of this business- real estate agents can provide better service, and developers can build more functional homes for people to thrive in.
Thanks to Hana Cha, The HANA Collective!
#18- To do what we enjoy
We started our business to bring our take on traditional New Orleans cuisine to local corporate events, weddings, and parties. We love to share our culinary talents to make events truly special, and we get to do work that we enjoy every day. Starting our own business of course took a lot of work, but we consider it time well spent because now we get to choose our schedule, our clients, and our focus.
Thanks to Brandon Blackwell & Jen Sherrod, Elysian Events Catering!
#19- Step up the recruitment game
I'd been in the recruitment game for quite a while when my close friend and I decided to kickstart our own venture, TechNET IT Recruitment. This industry was my world—I lived and breathed recruitment, and still do to this day. But, I'm not one to accept limitations. Never have been. There's always that drive to do better, to push the boundaries. So, starting my own agency felt like a natural next step. I craved the freedom that comes with running your own business, building something substantial instead of contributing to someone else's success.
Thanks to Curtis Bailey, TechNET IT Recruitment!
#20- To upgrade the insurance industry
I started this business to show that there is a better way to do things in our industry. Our technology solutions streamline self-funded benefits. We help insurance brokers to be able to provide a quote in two minutes, speeding up a previously tedious process. We also provide solutions that help patients to know how to make their plans work for them. These are just some of the ways we have been able to make life easier for our clients and improve the insurance industry in general.
Thanks to Tim Johnson, Health In Tech!
#21- Love for problem-solving
My business starts with my genuine passion for problem-solving. Whether it involves diving into research and discovering solutions independently or delving into tutorial videos, I find immense satisfaction in unraveling challenges. This innate curiosity led me to establish an explainer video production (also driven by my deep affection for animations). I aim to help businesses produce videos that communicate their intricate messages. This way, their audiences effortlessly grasp the answers they seek to solve the problem they have.
Thanks to Andre Oentoro, Breadnbeyond!
#22- Desire to provide something unique and trustworthy
Having spent a substantial amount of time in the industry, my burning desire to provide something unique and trustworthy compelled me to establish my company. It's the pursuit of delivering on the promise of transparent, data-driven results that not only met but exceeded expectations that truly ignited my entrepreneurial journey. I saw a gap in the market and a need for reliability and accountability, which drove me to start this business.
Thanks to Cody Jensen, Searchbloom!
#23- Take the legacy forward
Starting my e-commerce wholesale clothing business is deeply rooted in my family's multi-generational journey in the industry. With a legacy from my grandfather's hosiery manufacturing days in the 1950s, I inherited a passion for this field. My father took the business into printable apparel, & with my brother, we recognized the potential of technology & e-commerce. This venture is not just about commerce; it's about honoring our heritage, & continuing the legacy while meeting the needs of our customers in the modern world.
Thanks to Jordan Adair, ShirtMax!
#24- Based on a personal experience
I am the director at WhatManandVan, an online marketplace dedicated to connecting individuals with reliable man & van movers. Its genesis was rooted in a personal experience. I had moved homes several times, consistently facing challenges in finding trustworthy & affordable moving services. The market was saturated with options, but there was a glaring gap regarding a platform that could assure quality & affordability. My partners & I envisioned WhatManandVan as a solution to this problem, aiming to streamline the moving process for countless individuals.
Thanks to Michael Dent, What Man and Van!
#25- Keeping intact the scales of justice
I started Sadaka Law out of a profound commitment to leverage the law as a force for good, to right wrongs, & to address the power imbalances in society. My background in medicine & public health, combined with a passion for justice, uniquely positioned me to advocate for individuals harmed by medical products & workplace exposures. Recognizing a gap in legal support for victims of medically complex litigation, I aimed to fill that void, providing a voice for those often silenced by large corporations.
Thanks to Mark Sadaka, Sadaka Law!
#26- After an inability to transfer a job
I started the business that became Geelong Insurance Brokers on the 10th of December 1993. I took a promotion with my then-employer to Mildura and my then fiance joined me & we bought a home. My employer then transferred my job to Sydney, and my fiance (a State Government employee) was unable to transfer there, and I was unable to transfer back home. When I was unable to locate a job with another employer in Geelong, I started my own business.
Thanks to Don Shields, Geelong Insurance Brokers!
#27- Offer a range of exquisitely crafted gemstone
I recognized a significant gap in the market catering to women aged 40 & above who desired high-quality gemstone jewellery at an accessible price point. Too often, this demographic was presented with options that fell short in both craftsmanship and affordability, leaving them with little choice but to settle for throwaway pieces lacking in longevity & style. Determined to address this oversight, I embarked on a mission to offer discerning women a range of exquisitely crafted gemstone jewellery that resonated with their sense of style and met their expectations for enduring quality.
Thanks to Janine Leghissa, Taleeta!
#28- To provide for smarter fulfillment solutions
I founded ShipSage to address a gap I saw in e-commerce: the need for smarter, more efficient fulfillment solutions. I was convinced that integrating advanced technology with warehousing could revolutionize how businesses manage inventory and fulfill orders. My aim was to create a service that not only streamlined these processes but also made them accessible to businesses of all sizes, helping them to compete more effectively in the digital marketplace. This drive to innovate & democratize e-commerce fulfillment is what motivated me to start ShipSage.
Thanks to Ben Pu, ShipSage!
#29- Twofold
The reason I started up my own business is twofold. Number 1- I previously worked in a large corporation where the ability to really help your fellow man was always partially blocked but the overgovernance and rules. Secondly, I wanted to establish something in my lifetime that I would be proud of… that I can say at the end of my time here that I set up something that did a lot of good… helped clients (people), helped me and gave back to the community.
Thanks to Chris Clarke, Clarke Buyers Agents!
#30- Passion for traveling
My travel business, Gecko Routes, is not something I built to earn but to transform my likings into the lives of others. Ever since I was young, I have been fond of traveling and exploring. I worked in companies for a while, but soon, I realized it was not for me. I quit my job as a stock analyst and started traveling through Southeast Asia. Then I started to plan trips for people, and soon I founded Gecko Routes. Even though I was doing good as a stock analyst sometimes things are just not for you, and you are meant for better and bigger things for yourselves.
Thanks to Maarten Cox, Gecko Routes!