One of the most under-the-radar benefits of entrepreneurship is its ability to build fortitude and make the entrepreneur a more formidable person. Challenges – particularly the crazy, unexpected ones that take on a life of their own – build character and confidence. And the unexpected surprises to the upside, the crazy good moments offer a high that’s hard to reproduce elsewhere. The charm and the challenge of entrepreneurship is dealing with the crazy things that happen and so we’ve asked some fantastic business owners and leaders to share some of their stories with us below.

Ami Hendrickson

I got my first book deal by nearly killing someone. True story.Though that book project led to several others, establishing me as a niche ghostwriter and editor, manufacturing near-death experiences is still not a method I would recommend to writers trying to break into publishing. Read more>>

Megan Billnoske

It was about two months into owning my own business, and I made it a priority to volunteer once a quarter. Afterall, I had worked at an HR PEO company in Houston who gave us volunteer hours to go volunteer on company time. Read more>>

Brenda Florida

I have had several successful businesses in my life, so when I quit my job to devote myself full-time to building a private practice as a life coach, I had no doubts about my success. Read more>>

Deb Schaefer

One of the most interesting facts about photographing concerts is the time in the pit awaiting the show to begin. I use the time to set my intention for the evening and dedicate time to ensure my gear is prepared for the band / artists’ first steps on the stage. Read more>>

Ziuri Allen

As a newly founded cookie bakery, I was excited to take my first steps in to the “real world” and participate in my first farmer’s market. I thoroughly researched farmer’s markets, and visited a local market that I felt really good about participating in. Read more>>

Supranee ‘Nem’ Phramdang

One of the craziest and most heart-warming stories related to my business happened in the early days of Nem’s Japandi Bistro. Growing up in a mixed Thai-Japanese family and being exposed to the hospitality industry at an early age, I always believed in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Read more>>

Kelsey Wilson

Full presentation/ this is the back story/ during story and thoughts: Am I ready to let go? Let go of something I went to school for? Went to the academy for? Put my life out on the line for? … for the last 13 years.  Read more>>

Jonathan Bass

Well, this was definitely an unplanned viral moment from several years ago but here’s the story. I was working at another tattoo shop here in the town I live in and I had done a really wild tattoo on a coworker at the time, Read more>>

Bernadette Ashby

I never thought that I would be able to play the piano. After all, I was an adult with just a dream. As a child, I was jealous of my friends who could play Fur Elise; I wanted to play just like them. Read more>>

Kevito Clark

With ‘Love, Peace & Spades™’ entering its second year in Los Angeles, we’ve been blessed to have wonderful moments while at our monthly residency at The LINE LA (3515 Wilshire Blvd.). Read more>>