My journey reflects a combination of life experiences, professional passion, and a desire to make a meaningful impact. The motivation to start my own law firm in 2004 stemmed from the need to create a career that aligned with both my professional goals and my responsibilities as a mother of four. Balancing work and family has always been a priority, and founding my own firm gave me the flexibility to pursue a fulfilling legal career while also being present for my children. Before opening my firm, I taught high school for a year while attending law school, then worked full-time as an administration manager for the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census. These experiences instilled in me a strong work ethic and an understanding of the importance of adaptability and perseverance. My career then led me to roles that focused on advocating for children and families. Serving as legal counsel for the state of Florida's Guardian Ad Litem Program gave me invaluable experience in family and criminal law, and my time as a judicial intern for a family law judge in the 4th Judicial Circuit deepened my knowledge of the legal system. My passion for family law was ignited by the opportunity to provide children with a strong voice in court. I realized the intricacies of family law required a compassionate yet tenacious approach, which has since become the foundation of my practice. Through my firm, I've been able to guide clients through some of their most challenging times, always striving to balance empathy with strategic advocacy. Starting my own business has allowed me to be my own boss and implement a vision that reflects my values. It's a demanding role, but it's one that has brought immense satisfaction, knowing that I can make a real difference in people's lives while building a legacy for my family. My advice to other female founders is to embrace your unique motivations and trust that with determination and passion, you can create a business that aligns with your personal and professional aspirations.
Many female founders' motivation to start a business comes from a deep desire to align our lives with our values. It was about creating a life of freedom and adventure while empowering other women to do the same. When I started The Wanderlover, I knew I wanted to combine my passion for travel, creativity, and entrepreneurship in a way that would inspire others to step outside their comfort zones. The idea wasn't just about being my own boss but about reclaiming how I spent my time and energy. I left a corporate job in New York City because I felt confined by the traditional path. I wanted to design a career that let me explore the world, work from anywhere, and connect with like-minded individuals. But more importantly, I wanted to help other women realize they could do the same. Something is compelling about taking control of your life and proving that the unconventional can lead to success. For many women, motivations are deeply personal. Some start businesses to balance motherhood and work on their own terms. Others are driven by the need to bring a unique idea to life or to pursue a passion that lights them up. Ultimately, I think it boils down to freedom-the freedom to choose how we live, work, and impact the world. The Wanderlover is my way of blending creativity with the practical tools of entrepreneurship. Watching other women step into their power, launch businesses, and embrace a life they once thought impossible is the most rewarding part of what I do. Every founder's journey is different, but at its core, it's about believing in your ability to shape your own future. That's what keeps me-and so many others-motivated.
It was April 2020. A gloomy day in London. Covid had just hit. I was scrolling through my emails, when one caught my eye: 'We're looking for tourism companies to invest in. Portugal-based'. Interesting, I thought. The next day, that email still hadn't left my mind when I turned on my laptop for my - now remote - marketing job. The world was suffering and it felt ridiculous to be worrying about the sales quotas for hair straighteners. I was convinced that there was a better use of my time. I took three days off and worked on a pitch deck. The idea? Helping other groups organise their retreats in Portugal. Covid was stripping us of our most precious asset: social, in-person connections. So we needed a solution to re-connect as many people as possible (as soon as we were allowed to, of course). And then a miracle happened. I won the investment. But the first years were very tough. Between covid and wars, building a travel company when people were not travelling was quite a stretch. So, why did I stick around? Because on every retreat that did happen, I got to witness the power of togetherness. I saw the happiness, the hugs, the 'you look much shorter in person than on Zoom' jokes. Five years and 80 retreats later, I still jump out of bed excited every day. Being able to work on my purpose is a luxury I cannot describe. It is incredibly motivating to see the direct impact I have in this world, even if it's little. So, if you've found your purpose, go for it. And maybe you too, will start loving Mondays.
Female business founders are often motivated by a blend of personal and professional ambitions. For many, the desire for a better work-life balance drives the decision to start a business, significantly when raising a family or seeking flexibility. A passion inspires others, whether creating a product they believe in, solving a problem they've encountered, or pursuing a craft they love. In my case, I was motivated by both the desire to empower other female entrepreneurs and the need to balance my career ambitions with family life. Launching FemFounder allowed me to turn my passion into a platform that provides resources and tools to help women succeed on their terms. Another key driver for many women is the independence and autonomy that entrepreneurship provides. Being your boss allows you to set rules, define success on your terms, and take charge of your financial future. Many founders I've spoken to started businesses to escape toxic work environments or solve problems they felt passionately about. Whether it's creating eco-friendly solutions, addressing gaps in health or wellness, or building a legacy for future generations, female founders are united by their determination to make an impact.
I wanted a business of my own because it was time to have more control over my professional life. Working in the tech and government contracting sectors for several years, constant demands on time were made against me, but I had a point where I wanted to decide my schedule freely. I no longer was able to find the work-life balance I was looking for. This was, especially because most of my projects were high-impact and critical. I knew that I needed to find a platform on which I would be able to apply my skills and experience with the flexibility to focus on what mattered the most. To me, entrepreneurship also meant the implementation of ideas that I had long been passionate about. Having spent years solving complex problems for government agencies, I saw significant opportunities to streamline processes and introduce innovations. By starting my business, I could take those solutions directly to the market, creating change and impact where it was most needed. Owning my own company meant I could drive these initiatives without being limited by traditional corporate constraints, giving me the autonomy to lead in a way that was both meaningful and fulfilling.
Proving the stereotypes wrong is my primary motivation! I've heard male-presenting founders say that, "women don't really want to be founders, it's too much work, because my wife says she wouldn't do what I do for a living." My response? I wouldn't do his job either. I would found a business very differently, and that's what I did. When we stop assuming that the skills needed to run a business are those we consider primarily masculine, we'll realise that companies can be launched and startups can be founded without burnout, hustle culture, or toxic "loyalty" structures. I, for example, choose to lead with feminine traits: my smarts, my patience, my determination, and my community. These are more powerful for longevity, and it's the way that many women lead their teams.
My name is Sandi Hendry and I started my business, Minky Couture, in my 50s. I never planned on starting a business, however, a challenging time in my family's life sparked the idea. My daughter faced a long hospital stay, and during this time she asked me to make her a soft and comforting blanket to help her feel more at home and comforted. During my visits I would notice that other patients in the hospital began borrowing her blanket I made. I realized how much a simple blanket could brighten someone's day and how much of a difference the blanket made to patience facing a long stay. It was then in that moment the idea for Minky Couture came to me. What motivated me most was a desire to create something meaningful, not just for my family, but for others who needed comfort. It wasn't just about starting a business, it was about following my passion to help people feel cared for during challenging times. At the same time, I wanted to build something lasting that I could be proud of and that would leave a legacy for my family. Starting a business in my 50s, especially during a recession, wasn't without challenges. But I firmly believe that dreams don't have an expiration date. With perseverance and a clear purpose, Minky Couture grew into something far greater than I ever expected. Today, our blankets are known for their softness and luxurious feel, but our mission goes beyond that. Through our Heart of Minky initiative, we donate thousands of blankets to NICUs and families in need. Giving back is at the core of what we do, and it's what keeps me inspired every day.
After years of supporting businesses in achieving acclaimed success with my own limited rewards, I wanted to change how work works and decided to create a fulfilling venture that would build success for my clients AND me. I want the freedom to select my projects, focus on meaningful work and carve a niche in a specialized area that is not widely explored. I have a unique background in corporate marketing and organizational development. As I spoke to more businesses struggling with talent attraction and retention, I recognized my capability to help them succeed from within-aligning people, culture and strategy for long-term growth. My business, a consultancy in recruitment marketing and employer branding, bridges a company's internal culture with its external perception to attract and retain top talent. Drawing on over two decades of global experience in corporate marketing, brand strategy, recruitment marketing and employer branding, I specialize in guiding organizations through significant transitions, such as raising capital, expansions and major acquisitions. By fostering collaboration between marketing and HR teams, we develop cohesive and impactful strategies that resonate with both internal stakeholders and external audiences. This isn't a band-aid or a one-and-done. It's sustainable and empowers the entire organization to be involved and learn that they are stakeholders, while leadership is just as responsible to employees as employees are to the leadership. Small business ownership is exhilarating, terrifying, challenging and extremely fulfilling. Doing it without a safety net taught me resilience and rekindled my love for building from the ground up. I proudly display a crystal hammer that was gifted to me as a symbol of the power of building great things, and it's through creating strong foundations we learn, grow and scale. My belief in the power of early-stage organizational development for long-term success has deepened tremendously, while my work has highlighted a gap in research on how recruitment marketing shapes organizational culture in team building. Thus, in realizing the freedom I sought, I was motivated to pursue a doctoral degree to explore this under-researched area so I may trailblaze a path for the next generation to learn and grow through my work. My path has certainly not been linear and that's the lesson in all this. Freedom is living and building on our own terms. I am grateful to be writing this chapter.
I started my own business as a side hustle to pay bills while finishing university and working towards my dream job. At the time, I envisioned a career that would lead to a fulfilling life with a family. However, when I finally landed my dream job as an engineer, I realized that the reality wasn't quite what I had hoped for. The company offered me only six weeks of maternity leave, which didn't align with my vision of work-life balance. That was a turning point for me. Twelve years ago, I decided to go all in with my business, leaving behind the traditional job path to pursue something that could provide me with more freedom and flexibility. Over the years, my business has gone through many transformations, facing numerous ups and downs. Yet, I've never regretted my decision to fully commit. Running my own business has given me the freedom to live life on my own terms. I've been able to travel the world, homeschool my children, and stay home to care for my elderly grandmother when she needed me most. As my family grew, I was able to be present for all the important moments in my children's lives, without sacrificing my career or dreams. Even when life threw me a curveball and my husband passed away, my business continued to provide passive income through automations. This allowed me to take the time I needed to grieve and heal without worrying about the financial burden. Looking back, making the decision to build my own business was one of the best choices I've ever made. It's given me the freedom to design my life in a way that works for me and my family. The ability to be flexible, to work from anywhere, and to be there for my loved ones when they need me most has been invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend entrepreneurship to anyone who's looking for more than just a pay cheque. It's not always easy, but the rewards are worth it. If you're considering taking the leap, do it. It may be the best decision you'll ever make.
After earning degrees from Wharton (University of Pennsylvania) and Harvard Business School, I worked in marketing. But once I had children, my plan was to stay home when they were young. Of course, I knew that taking time off could make re-entering the workforce difficult-industries evolve quickly, and finding the right fit after years away wouldn't be easy. When I was ready to return, I struggled to find a career that aligned with both my background and my need for flexibility. I didn't want just any job-I wanted something intellectually engaging, meaningful, and adaptable to my family's schedule. It was important to me that I could still be available to drive my kids to their activities, attend their performances, and take family vacations that aligned with their school breaks. I wasn't willing to sacrifice that freedom, which made flexibility a top priority in my job search. After spending a few months researching, I I realized that my interest in college admissions could become more than just a personal hobby. Since I was a teenager, I had developed a fascination with the college admission process, and when I began job searching after my children were in middle school, I was excited to discover that independent educational consulting was a profession that seemed suited to me. In 2012, I co-founded One-Stop College Counseling with another woman I had recently met, helping students throughout the country navigate the complexities of selective college admissions. Building this business has allowed me to create a career on my own terms-one that is challenging, dynamic, and fulfilling while giving me the flexibility I needed for my family. I also loved the idea of being my own boss-having full control over my work, setting my own schedule, and making key decisions about my business. What started as an interest has grown into a thriving business where I get to guide students toward their futures, constantly learning and adapting along the way. For me, entrepreneurship wasn't just about working for myself; it was about creating a meaningful (and flexible!) career that fit my needs.
I started Vagabonda Travel after 20+ years of working in the travel industry. When the Coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020 I lost a job I loved. I was able to find another job, where I was both inspired and suffocated. I held a Vice President position and felt respected by both my boss and colleagues, but the direction where the company was going was not aligned with my beliefs and values. I had this whole idea about small group tours, with a slower travel pace, staying at amazing locally owned hotels, with many amazing authentic local experiences that allow the traveler to form a real connection to the visited places. I needed to make this happen, I needed to be able to speak out loud and have the whole world hear that I think going slower and staying longer is the key and the future of tourism. Sometime in 2021 while travel was very limited due to the pandemic, I started to post travel content on TikTok and Instagram, sharing these ideas. My audience grew and more and more people were saying they wanted to travel with me, and more and more they were asking me to help them plan their trips. While things were getting worse at work, I had this wonderful, positive energy coming from my online audience. Then, something happened at work, something that I could not accept and forget. This pushed me to take a leap of faith, I quit my job in December 2021 and started Vagabonda Travel in January 2022. As I walked into this entrepreneurial adventure, I immediately knew I made the right decision. My mission now is to impact people's lives and change them for the better, through amazing travel experiences. 3 successful years are behind us, and we are just getting started! Now I know, this is what I was meant to be doing in this life, everything that happened to me before, both in my professional and private life was preparing me for this journey. Vagabonda Travel has a mission much larger than myself, and much larger than I previously thought. Vagabonda Travel is here to support locally owned businesses in amazing destinations, impacting the local economy and the livelihood of local communities while providing amazing life-changing authentic experiences to travelers. We are creating a travel family, a community of like-minded people who enjoy traveling together and are becoming friends. That is the core of my WHY.
One of the key motivations behind starting my business was the desire for freedom. Owning a business allows me to create my own schedule, which has been invaluable as a mom balancing the demands of family life. That freedom is not only practical but also incredibly empowering and liberating. Of course, achieving a perfect work-life balance is a constant work in progress. I've learned the importance of giving myself grace when things don't go as planned and letting go of unrealistic expectations. For self-care, I try to incorporate small, manageable practices like meditation, a quick walk outside, or reading a book in the sun-anything that helps recharge my energy and focus. Another key driver for starting my business was passion. I've always had a fire inside to do something I truly love and build a career around it. For me, that passion was video production. I wanted to create a company that specialized in branded, digital content-a space where creativity, storytelling, and strategy intersect to create impactful videos for clients. Pursuing this passion has made the hard work and challenges of entrepreneurship feel incredibly worthwhile. I was inspired to start my own company after working at a video production firm where I was the only woman. I often found myself uncomfortable with the "locker room talk" culture and questioning business decisions that I would have approached differently. Over time, I began to dream about creating a company of my own-one where professionalism and inclusivity thrived. That daydreaming eventually evolved into research, planning, and finally signing the papers to establish 336 Productions, a full-service video production company specializing in corporate and branded video content. This year, we're celebrating 17 years in business-a milestone I'm incredibly proud of. To think that I helped build a company that not only reflects my values but has also financially supported my family is something I truly honor. It's been an incredible, wild journey, and I couldn't feel more grateful for what we've achieved.
The motivations for women to start businesses are as varied as their stories. Some pursue better work-life balance, especially when raising families. Others are driven by passion, a desire to solve a problem, or simply the need to take control of their careers. My journey to founding Hello Mamas was shaped by all these motivations, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit I inherited from my family. Growing up in a family of successful business owners, I saw firsthand how innovation and determination could transform ideas into impactful ventures. These early lessons instilled in me a deep respect for entrepreneurship, though my own path was not immediately clear. When I became a mom, everything shifted. The demands of motherhood made balancing my career and family life feel overwhelming. I realized how isolating the journey of parenting could be and saw an opportunity to create something that would help other moms thrive, not just survive. That's when Hello Mamas was born. One of my key motivations for starting Hello Mamas was to design a career that worked in harmony with my family life. I wanted flexibility and purpose-qualities I knew many other mothers also craved. Hello Mamas became a space where women could find the support, tools, and connections they needed to navigate the motherhood. Beyond flexibility, my passion for meaningful connection drove me forward. I've always believed in the power of relationships to spark change. Hello Mamas wasn't just about creating a business-it was about building a community. Whether women needed support, friendship, or resources, I wanted them to find a lifeline through our platform. The greatest joy of entrepreneurship has been seeing the impact of Hello Mamas. It's not just a business; it's a community that has empowered women to build relationships, start ventures, and find the support they didn't know they needed. Through my journey, I've learned that women's motivations for starting businesses often blend practical needs, creative ambitions, and a desire for purpose. For me, the lessons I learned as a child about perseverance and innovation came full circle when I channeled them into a business rooted in support and connection. To women considering starting their own ventures, I'd say this: reflect on your "why." Whether it's balancing work and family, pursuing a passion, or making an impact, your motivations will guide you through the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship.
The motivation to start my own business stemmed from both a desire for balance and a passion for helping others. As a licensed psychotherapist, I saw firsthand how impactful mental health support could be, but I also recognized the limitations within traditional clinical settings. I wanted the freedom to create something that would make mental health tools accessible and practical for people navigating everyday challenges, especially those managing stress and anxiety. My business, Progress Wellness, grew out of this vision. It allows me to provide therapy while also building resources like my lifestyle site, Worried to Well Balanced, where I share actionable advice and tools to help others prioritize their mental health. Starting my own business gave me the flexibility to balance my professional goals with my personal life and focus on creating a career aligned with my values. The ability to be my boss has empowered me to approach mental health in innovative ways.
After two decades of watching women's faces light up in my salon chair, I realised something profound: hair isn't just about aesthetics - it's about transformation and confidence. But I kept seeing clients, especially those dealing with hair loss, settling for wigs that were either luxurious but wildly overpriced, or affordable but obviously fake. As a stylist, I couldn't bear it. That's what drove me to launch Wigonia. I wanted to create luxury wigs that make women feel like themselves again, without having to choose between quality and affordability. Being my own boss wasn't the goal - giving women their confidence back was. Though I must say, trading my styling scissors for Excel spreadsheets has been quite the journey!
For me, it was a combination of longing for independence and wanting to make my idea come to life. I've always wanted to have my own thing without having to depend on strict working schedules set by other people. I wanted to have the freedom to manage my work freely and actually enjoy it. That's when I knew I had to start my own business. I've always had passion for education and academia. And reflecting on my college years, I realized how much we were all struggling with long essays and tight deadlines. So, it became obvious to me that I can actually help students through their university years. So, I got this idea to create a platform that helps students with their essay-writing. It was my baby that I really cared for, so it was important to me that it comes true. And now, I am my own boss and decision-maker who is passionate about what I've created. It's truly a win-win.
For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to own my own business. I used to sit in the back of class at school and write out one-page business plans for all kinds of crazy ideas and the motivation never went away. I truly believe that starting a business is a vocation; it's a call you've got to answer or an itch you have to scratch. You have to be mad to start your own business - the amount of work involved is incredible and as a female founder, you can add "be taken seriously" to your list of jobs. I remember I was sat in the bank manager's office after filling out a business loan application. I had my business plan and financial projections and I was ready to talk through any aspect of the business. What I wasn't ready for was the off-handed remark, "so nice of your Dad to let you do this". What exactly my Dad has to do with anything, I'll never know; I'm in my 30s, married with children of my own, a master's degree and almost 10 years experience in my field. But the snarky remarks just add fuel to the motivational fire. Being your own boss definitely has it's perks, like being able to do the school drop-offs, being home in time for dinner or closing early on a random Wednesday to see your kid's school play, but ultimately all of these resonate with the biggest motivation for me personally, which is freedom. So far, starting my own business has been the biggest challenge I've ever faced in life, but I wouldn't change it for the World.
When I started my first business over two decades ago, it was in a desperate quest for more work/life balance. I had been working in a highly demanding corporate role with long hours and as a new Mom, I found myself not knowing how I was going to raise my new daughter in alignment with my family values while giving my work life what it had needed thus far to be successful. Would I have made the same decision today, in today's work environment? Perhaps not - today's corporate world offers so much more in terms of flexibility + I have found my voice to ask for what I need and have the tools to know myself. The gift in this for my clients is that I now coach and guide women at the crossroads in their career or business to gain deep clarity about what they want next, the right path forward for them, and the tools to get there. I believe everything happens for a reason, and the hundreds of women I have supported to this point, have gained the benefits from the challenges I experienced in my 30s as a young, new Mom. Self-employment is a great way to achieve work/life balance -- and you don't have to quit your day job to get it either. Today's woman has choice!
I founded Lodestone People Consulting at the end of 2020, after spending many years working for others. I had worked in automotive, in large consulting firms, and finally in private equity. I founded Lodestone for a myriad of reasons: first, I saw a total addressable market: the intersection of people trained as workplace psychologists (we are all Ph.Ds in Organizational Psychology) and knowledgable about privat equity was incredibly small. Many private equity firms didn't have an internal human capital person and those who did rarely had one who was trained in organizational psychology. So Lodestone was formed to specifically consult to PEs and their portfolio companies on human capital science: assessing and developing portfolio company leadership, solidifying company cultures, employee listening through surveys and focus groups, and optimizing human capital processes. Second, I founded Lodestone for personal reasons. (I think all founders, if they're honest, have a mix of business and personal reasons, by the way). I found myself at the private equity firm loving my time with my portfolio companies vs my time in our internal meetings. In other words, I loved consulting. And I missed the agency of deciding to whom I'd consult and how specifically I would do the work. So it was time to found Lodestone. It also meant I got to move to a part of the country I preferred rather than being constrained to in office in San Francisco. Lodestone has flourished and grown rapidly and made meaningful difference in many middle market companies. Founding Lodestone is the best career decision I've ever made.
I did not plan on starting a company. I always wanted to go work for a global business and be a Fortune 500 CEO. When I was a student I looked at leaders like Meg Whitman & Ursula Burns as my role models. I started my company after beginning my career on Wall Street in the 80s and having a successful career in Corporate America at companies like Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola and then working at 3 different startups as the head of marketing. All 3 startups had positive exits. I took the leap right after 9/11 when the company I worked for cut their marketing. I had nothing to lose. Running a global marketing business provides me a platform to do work I truly enjoy with and for people I respect. It has been a journey to get here but I am lucky to have found it. I love the autonomy, flexibility and the fact that I know every day the impact that I have on my business. When I worked at big companies I always felt the ball would roll with or without me, that if I got hit by a bus someone new would be in my office right away. Now my DNA is in everything we do and I can trace every decision and sale to something I did or a decision I made and that is incredibly gratifying and fulfilling. Like most entrepreneurs, I am working harder and longer than ever and I have never been happier. Working for yourself and building a business you started in incredibly rewarding and gratifying. It has been a lot of fun, I joke that I am the accidental entrepreneur. I do not think I could ever go back. I am so much happier and more productive as an entrepreneur than I ever was working for others. As an entrepreneur, I can be selective. Less really is more. I've chosen quality over quantity. It sounds trivial but it is true. I created a platform to do work I enjoy and feel energized by. I feel I have found my purpose because I used to work all the time and life was passing me by. I got raises and promotions but I was all work and no play and I did not feel fulfilled. Since starting my business I have joined boards and volunteered at several organizations. I am a mentor to the next generation of leaders and have helped build a very successful anti-bullying program that >250,000 middle school aged kids have gone through. As a marketing consultant I am able to write articles, contribute to books and speak at events to share my experience and lessons learned.