Innovation Destination Hartford asked Hartford-area business owners to tell us about their best day as an entrepreneur. Below, 7 of their answers.
Beth Bolton is Owner/Pastry Chef at A Little Something Bakery in West Hartford, CT.
A LITTLE SOMETHING BAKERY
My niece, Allison, works as a second grade teacher in New Britain. She had helped me with my business since day one. Allison asked me to make undecorated gingerbread men for her class. I told her she could not pay me, to just let me know how the kids enjoyed the project. She sent a video of her class—their enjoyment brought a tear to my ear. This is why I do what I do! I think as entrepreneurs it’s it is our responsibility to give back. Thank you for letting me be a part of something wonderful.
— Beth Bolton, Owner/Pastry Chef
READ: Entrepreneurial Center Fosters Hartford-Area Startup Bakery
VISIT: www.alittlesomethingbakery.com
FOLLOW: Facebook and Instagram alittlesomethingcakestudio
ASSOCIATION OF PERSONAL PHOTO ORGANIZERS (APPO)
Three years ago, as I walked around the convention hall of our third annual photo organizing conference, I knew the profession and business I started would continue on without me. It was no longer just “my idea,” but a business and passion for hundreds of others.
— Cathi Nelson, Founder
READ: Entrepreneur Helps Empower Small Business Owners
VISIT: www.appo.org
FOLLOW: Facebook
CONNECTICUT PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALISTS
I’ve had too many “best days” in the past year to single out one day. But, today is going to be one of them. I make it my daily goal to ensure that someone is going to have a magic moment, either myself, one of my employees, or one of my clients.
— David Bostic, Founder
READ: Successful Physical Therapy Startup With 3 Locations in Connecticut
VISIT: ctpts.com
FOLLOW: Facebook and Twitter @callmyPT
LIFER FITNESS STUDIO
I love that Lifer Fitness Studio plays a part in making people feel good about their bodies and their overall fitness efforts. I have a few phrases I find myself repeating during my classes to help encourage and motivate people to finish strong. To me there is nothing better than that look of accomplishment on our clients’ faces after they finish a workout. I’m convinced that these good feeling stay with them as the go out into the community. Teaching classes and riding that wave of endorphins with my class is the Best Day for this entrepreneur.
— Debra Fountain, Owner
READ: Entrepreneur Creates Fitness Startup Success in West Hartford
VISIT: liferitswhatwedo.com
FOLLOW: Facebook, Instagram liferfitness, and Twitter @liferfitness
Onyx Spirits Co., Highclere Castle Cigar & Highclere Castle Spirits Co-Founder & CEO Adam von Gootkin delivers a Ted Talk.
ONYX SPIRITS CO., HIGHCLERE CASTLE CIGAR & HIGHCLERE CASTLE SPIRITS
My best day as an entrepreneur was the day we had our son this past July. It struck me more than ever that entrepreneurs are the designers of reality, and with that power and vision we are, in fact, continuously engineering a new world.
Using the wins, failures, and infinite daily lessons we inevitably experience as entrepreneurs can equip us well for raising good children—if we are conscious enough and can muster the wisdom to use it.
I’ve realized so many parallels in having a child and starting a company—not always knowing what you’re doing, big learning curves, lots of sacrifice, working as a team, and of course sleepless nights! The rewards and sense of pride that come from both are similarly fulfilling, as both involve creation.
The key to success in entrepreneurship is to dream big, clarify your vision, do what you say you are going to do consistently, and get to work. To be conscious of what you’re creating and the impact is has on people is the new requirement and obligation for business. If I’m successful in teaching these principles to my son, I’ll consider it my greatest success in life. And, to those looking to start a business I say that if one can do a great job raising children, they likely have just what it takes to start a business and succeed.
— Adam von Gootkin, Co-Founder & CEO
READ: Entrepreneurial Team Launches Connecticut-Based Cigar Company
and Onyx Moonshine: Reviving the American Spirit In Connecticut
VISIT: www.onyxmoonshine.com and highclerecastlecigar.com
FOLLOW: Onyx Spirits Facebook and Highclere Castle Facebook, Instagram onyxmoonshine and highclerecastlecigar, and Twitter @OnyxMoonshine, @HighclereCigar, and @AdamvonGootkin
SUDOR TAINO FITNESS STUDIO
Recently, I had a media company come in and film a class. When we were done, they were emotional about what they had witnessed. Each one of them was enamored by the energy, camaraderie, passion and power—namely the overall vibe they saw. It made my heart smile because it meant my business was showing up exactly the way I intended it to thanks to our commitment to its cultivation.
— Karla Medina, Owner and Founder
READ: Entrepreneur Founds Innovative Variety Fitness Studio
VISIT: www.sudortaino.com
FOLLOW: Facebook and Instagram sudortainogroupfitnessstudio
TEN DIGIT COMMUNICATIONS
An entrepreneur’s best day is always to come. There is always an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to circumstances and unfolding events—or a permanent state of optimism. This drives a constantly evolving expectation that tomorrow will always be better than today.
This is true at TEN DIGIT Communications, where we have identified a very large problem to be solved. These undertakings take time and persistence. Hope is a tremendous guiding light, and in our case, we hope businesses ultimately wish to communicate with customers the same way these customers communicate with their friends—using smartphone solutions and intelligent messaging.
— Gary Brandt, President & Co-Founder
READ: Hartford-Based Innovative Telecommunications Startup
VISIT: www.tendigitcommunications.com
FOLLOW: Facebook