Starting your own business is no small feat—it’s a journey filled with challenges, long hours, and countless lessons learned along the way. But it’s the wins, big or small, that make it all worthwhile.

This National Entrepreneurs’ Day, we’re spotlighting the incredible stories from our Industrious community—entrepreneurs and small business owners who turned hard work and determination into remarkable success.

From closing major deals to achieving long-awaited milestones, these stories are proof that perseverance pays off. We’re proud to share a number of inspiring wins that reflect the grit, innovation, and passion that drive our members every day.

Scroll through our favorite entries below, or head straight to the entrepreneur of your choice:

Meet Kelsey Gilbert-Kreiling, COO of Week of the Website

What does your company do?

We work with businesses big and small to design elevated websites and e-commerce stores that defy expectation.

What made you want to start your business?

We wanted to build the best possible web design experience for our clients, be good bosses, and build a woman-owned business in a tech space. 

Tell us about your first big win.

In 2024, we became the sole professional services partner to Squarespace Enterprise and helped YWCA migrate their website to Squarespace. Once their main website was complete, we created a custom template on the Enterprise platform and moved 75 local association websites to the new foundation in less than 4 months. We trained each organization on how to use their websites, and we’ve seen them continue to power their success. It was an incredible moment to see our team’s project management skills, design ability and deep client empathy come together to help an organization that brings so much good to the world. 

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

Working at Industrious has changed everything. It’s helped us professionalize our business in uncountable ways. We’ve worked with MULTIPLE industrious businesses as clients and we love being here!

Meet Sera Bonds, Founder/Chief Everything Officer of Waking Giants

What does your company do?

We are a Jewish, woman-led company creating media tools for the good fight, specifically as it relates to systemic forms of oppression. We do this through institutional and cultural support offerings rooted in equal parts joy and justice: training, fundraising, coaching, and events. 

What made you want to start your business?

I believe that capitalism is a lever that can be used for good, that can be used to care for people. I am building a company rooted in that vision and helping others to do so, as well. 

Tell us about your first big win.

We were hired to manage the COVID testing and protocols for SXSW in 2021. This was the first festival after the pandemic started and SXSW was scared, overwhelmed, and didn’t know where to start. We collaborated to design care-focused testing, exposure, and community care protocols for hundreds of venues and hundreds of thousands of participants. It was a resounding success, we are so grateful for the opportunity to demonstrate that we can center care AND have fun. 

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

My love language is efficiency and Industrious has helped me level up. As a small business owner I can’t afford a full office so I am a community member (I don’t have an office). I hang around in the gorgeous public co-working space and use the cute phone booths. The location is close to where my teenagers row crew after school so this has extended my workday by a few hours since I am the after practice carpool pick up. As a very busy professional who is also a mother, that this place has a gym AND is on the trail is a game changer for my fitness practice. I love the snacks in the fridge that I didn’t have to plan for (no one thinks about the snacks that Mom wants). All in all, I really love it here and am so glad to have found my way to Industrious.

Meet Brandon Shepard, Owner & Winemaker of The Shepard Collection

What does your company do?

Brynne and Brandon Shepard created The Shepard Collection in 2022 as a wine and lifestyle brand to bring wine to culture and culture to wine. Their goal is to disrupt the world of wine by creating a space that inspires and builds a diverse community driven by creative expression, empowerment, and a shared love of wine. 

What made you want to start your business?

After 15 years in the wine industry, having worked my way up the ranks and developed the crown jewel of one of the most notable wineries in the Paso Robles region, I couldn’t help but notice the resounding lack of diversity and accessibility throughout the industry. Simply put – I wanted to find a way for more people to experience the joys of wine that had transformed my life.

Tell us about your first big win.

In just two years, The Shepard Collection has been recognized by Forbes as one of the six must-try Black-owned wineries in the United States, marking a significant milestone. This acknowledgment highlights the brand’s dedication to quality and its mission to blend culture with wine, bringing diverse communities together. Being featured by such a prestigious publication so early in its journey reinforces the impact The Shepard Collection is making in the industry and inspires continued growth, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

Being at Industrious Tempe has been a tremendous boost for our business. Surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs and business professionals, we’ve been continually inspired and motivated to push our boundaries. The collaborative atmosphere has also provided valuable feedback on our business systems, helping us refine our approach and stay attuned to what resonates within our community.

Meet Jordan Kaye, CEO of Analog Events

What does your company do?

Analog creates unforgettable experiential marketing and live events, with a strong focus on sustainability and as a proud B Corp certified agency.

What made you want to start your business?

I wanted to start my own business to create impactful experiences that connect people and brands in unforgettable ways. I saw an opportunity to bring sustainability into experiential marketing and live events, allowing companies to engage audiences authentically while making a positive difference. Building Analog has allowed me to champion causes I believe in, work with clients driven by purpose, and set new standards for creative, sustainable event production. It’s fulfilling to shape each project with a clear vision, seeing firsthand how it can inspire change and bring people together in meaningful ways.

Tell us about your first big win.

Our recent big win was meeting a fellow Industrious member at the Westwood location who became a standout client: democracyFIRST. Working with Julian and Jordan, we produced nearly 40 events in two months leading up to the election, featuring historians, political figures, and changemakers. This serendipitous connection at Industrious transformed our perspective on the political landscape, deepening our commitment to clients who drive meaningful change. Seeing firsthand how democracyFIRST could inspire action and impact made our team more passionate about supporting brands with purpose, reaffirming our belief in creating events that foster connection and real cultural progress.

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

Working with Industrious has been transformative for our business. Meeting members like Julian, who’s now both a valued client and friend, has opened doors to meaningful collaborations that align with our mission. The community is truly welcoming, thanks in large part to Marwan, our Industrious manager. His dedication to creating an inclusive, inviting environment makes the Westwood location feel like more than just an office—it’s a space where connections naturally evolve into lasting partnerships. This supportive atmosphere has not only expanded our network but has also reinforced our belief in the power of authentic relationships in business.

Meet James Parker, Founder of Synchronous Pictures

What does your company do?

Synchronous Pictures is a boutique documentary studio specializing in original television, branded entertainment, and captivating non-fiction films. 

What made you want to start your business?

Immigrating to the USA with my parents and watching their journey as entrepreneurs.

Tell us about your first big win.

Producing Other Side of the Hill was a transformative milestone for our production company. The film platformed a nuanced understanding of climate action in rural America, sparking meaningful conversations and bridging divides through hundreds of screenings across the country. Its success—marked by an Emmy nomination, a national PBS broadcast, and festival wins—validated our mission to tell complex, bridge-building stories. The experience ignited a passion for creating work that unites and inspires, while fostering lasting friendships and partnerships. Today, we carry this purpose forward in our latest project with NAAEE, exploring the power of nature-based education to heal a fractured world.

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

[Industrious offers] an awesome and flexible home base for us wherever our productions take us, and a super cool place to host client meetings. And some of the best coffee in the game.

Meet Ken Babcock, Co-founder & CEO at Tango

What does your company do?

Tango allows teams to create software training walkthroughs in minutes and pin them directly to their business applications.

What made you want to start your business?

My co-founders and I saw tremendous inefficiency (and ineffectiveness) in how internal process knowledge is captured and accessed. Even the best companies still rely on PDFs and informal shoulder taps.

Tell us about your first big win.

A hallmark of my Industrious office is a big glass Google Chrome award that sits squarely behind my desk. In 2022, we were named one of Google’s 12 favorite Chrome Extensions of the year – a tremendous validation of our product and growing team. We almost missed the email from the Chrome team! Ironically, our Gmail instance flagged it as spam. This recognition from our most critical distribution partner brought us new business opportunities and lent credibility to existing conversations. Today, we’re 1 million users strong, helping enable software training in 10s of thousands of companies. 

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

We are a remote, distributed company and have been since the company’s founding in 2020. We’ve been able to leverage Industrious facilities for offsites, interviews, and customer meetings through my membership.

Meet Portia Richardson, Founder + Executive Director at Tumaini DC, Inc.

What does your company do?

Tumaini DC transforms communities and schools by delivering innovative, trauma-informed social and emotional learning experiences that drive transformational change.

What made you want to start your business?

I grew up in an impoverished, substance abuse-stricken community in Washington, DC. Becoming an educator and starting Tumaini DC was my way of giving young people in my community the opportunities, programming, and mentorship I longed for when I shared their struggles. I wanted to be the change I needed growing up, creating a path to hope, growth, and transformation for the next generation. Tumaini means “hope” in Swahili. 

Tell us about your first big win.

Our BIG win this year was taking 26 DC students, parents, and grandparents on a service learning and spiritual wellness journey to Ghana. For many, it was their first time ever traveling on a plane and an experience they never imagined having access to. It was transformative, filled with self-discovery, personal development, and cultural immersion that forever changed their lives. Witnessing the joy and growth in our youth and families was powerful and affirmed our mission at Tumaini DC. It reinforced our belief in creating meaningful, life-changing opportunities that break barriers and open doors for our communities.

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

Working with Industrious has created incredible ease for our organization. It provides a safe and equitable workspace, easily accessible to the communities we serve. The staff are friendly and accommodating, and having the ability to host workshops for our youth and families on-site has been essential to the growth of our programs.

Meet Hunter Brooks, Co-founder & CEO at Ellipsis

What does your company do?

Ellipsis is a developer tool that allows software engineers write code 13% faster with AI Code Reviews and Bug Fixes.

What made you want to start your business?

Nick and I want to automate all human labor.

Tell us about your first big win.

Earlier this year, Ellipsis was funded by Y Combinator as part of the W24 cohort. Y Combinator has given us a HUGE microphone to communicate with. And it’s working. Thanks to Y Combinator’s pragmatic community of technical founders hundreds of companies are now using Ellipsis to move faster. 

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

Every Monday at 8am our founding team meets at the office to make a plan for the week and eat complimentary bagels. It’s important to have a full belly when chasing product market fit!

Meet Kim Lawton, Co-founder & CEO at Enthuse

What does your company do?

We teach the world to love your brand. Enthuse is a WBENC-certified women-owned agency that specializes in education-based marketing for emerging and global brands.

What made you want to start your business?

Enthuse is the second agency that my partners and I launched. The fact that only about 1% of all advertising and marketing agencies are women-owned, made me even more passionate about building an agency that’s built to last, puts its values over profits, offers a supportive culture, and is rooted in our purpose through the Enthuse Foundation, a non-profit that we started in 2018 that supports other women entrepreneurs through community, education, and capital.

Tell us about your first big win.

In 2024, Enthuse Marketing partnered with Diageo, to launch the Academy of Beverage Leadership to train beverage industry personnel. Within 12 weeks, we assembled expert talent and developed a five-month hybrid curriculum, including lectures, tastings, exercises, and experiences. To date, we’ve trained 500 professionals. This initiative sets a new standard for industry learning and leadership development, boosted our revenues by 12% and expanded our team by 10%. Seeing our efforts lead to significant growth, creating impactful industry leadership programs, and engaging so many professionals fills me with pride and a deep sense of accomplishment and speaks to our agency’s agility and expertise.

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

Industrious allows us the flexibility to grow as our national team expands. This allows us to utilize space at Industrious locations across the country for meetings and events. The offices are always centrally located, welcoming, and beautifully designed which is an added bonus!

Meet Lori Jung, Co-founder & CEO at Hudson West

What does your company do?

We create dynamic PR campaigns for consumer product brands, entrepreneurs, advocacy organizations, and non-profits, using expert storytelling and strategic connections to drive high-impact media coverage.

What made you want to start your business?

After decades of working as an account director at major PR firms, I met my business partner, and we quickly realized we could offer so much more to the clients we truly cared about on our own. With my background in editorial journalism and media, combined with her expertise in broadcast PR, we had the perfect foundation to launch Hudson West. Over the past 12 years, our firm has thrived on reputation-based referrals, delivering impactful national and local publicity, marketing, social media, and branding campaigns, and turning each client into a captivating success story.

Tell us about your first big win.

In October 2024, Hudson West was honored in the Inc. Magazine Power Partners Awards. The judges required 10 first-person client references, and the fact that we’ve built our 12-year business on word-of-mouth referrals speaks to the trust we’ve earned. Being recognized alongside giants like Intuit QuickBooks, Slack, and Oracle NetSuite is an incredible honor. This award underscores the value of authentic partnerships and the real impact we create for our clients. It’s a testament to our dedication and hard work—and I’m deeply grateful to our clients and our small but mighty team for making it all possible.

How does working with Industrious benefit your business?

Having an Industrious office has been a game changer for both me and my business. From headshots and photo shoots that take place in the stylish, professional settings of Industrious offices, to always having a conference room or place to meet when my business partner visits New York, it has made a huge difference. With three team members in the NY/NJ area, three in Phoenix, and most of our clients in the Midwest, having a flexible, comfortable space wherever I go is invaluable. Whether hosting meetings, clients, or conducting press interviews (with the perfect corporate backdrop), I couldn’t be happier to be part of the Industrious family.

Meet the rest of our entrepreneurs:

Inspiration abounds! We had so many wonderful entries from members around the country, we’d be remiss not to share their stories. Check them out here!

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