Almost every entrepreneur has had to decide whether to take the leap now or wait– perhaps they wanted to acquire more capital, experience or connections. Given how common this predicament is, we asked some successful business owners to reflect back on whether they wish they had started sooner or waited for a better time.

Jessica Cain

I founded J. Renee Services, my wedding and event planning business, in July 2016 after a long and challenging journey. I am still working hard to grow my business bit by bit so that I can eventually focus on planning weddings full-time. Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Read more>>

Ian Childs

I love this question because the journey of my business has been such a rollercoaster. I originally started as a catering business named Smack Shack! I was living in Fargo at the time working on political campaigns. I felt there was a huge gap in the food offerings, so I wanted to fill that gap myself! Read more>>

Liza & Trovon MacKinnon & Quetant

We absolutely wish we had started our business sooner! It wasn’t until Liza had finished college, and Trovon had been working in the restaurant industry for several years that we had the idea. If we had known the our true potential as business owners here in Boone we would have started our catering business years earlier! & Although I (Liza) am thankful for my time at ASU, if I could go back I would probably just start my business instead.  Read more>>

Michelle Fitzgerald

As I was toying with the idea of going out on my own, it took a good six months to finally make the jump from talking about it to acting on it. I would talk to anyone who would listen about the reasons I wasn’t fulfilled at my job, spitballing ways I might casually start my own project.  Read more>>

Tymekia Rayford

Knowing what I know now, I wish I had started my business sooner than later. However, I also believe everything happens when it’s supposed to. I started my business in April of 2021 in the middle of a pandemic. It’s crazy because all of the ideas I ran from I suddenly had both but time to create. The hair industry has always been apart of me since a little girl.

Nnamdi Arinze

I was elated to see this question selected, as it’s a topic I’ve often contemplated. Having been raised as a vegan back in the early 1980s, I’ve witnessed the trajectory of veganism resembling that of an airplane taking off and landing, with relatively few passengers on board. In 2021, Vegan Wangs, located at www.veganwings.com, was founded in Atlanta, Georgia. Read more>>