Starting a company requires a lot resilience, determination, curiosity, not to mention all the financial and operational know-how. But what's the most important trait?

Many of Dreamers // Doers' members are founders of companies, so we asked them. A resounding theme was passion: passion for solving a problem, for filling a market gap, for creating an ideal work environment, or for being on the bleeding edge of future innovation. When the challenges of entrepreneurship inevitably surface, it's this passion that serves as the fuel to keep going.

As shown in the journeys of the following 27 founders, their companies are built on a foundation made up of far more than their products or services alone. Each of these women have a clear "why" a reason for being that propels their visions forward.

Here are the stories of their "aha moments," along with their No. 1 piece of advice for those who've ever thought about starting a similar company.

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27 founders share how they knew what type of company to start - Business Insider - Business Insider