We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Krystal Crouse | Artist & Maker

We are both extremely entrepreneurial-oriented and we have both been self-employed to some degree our entire adult lives. Now, more than ever, we both want and need flexibility in our lives, which has driven us to expand our entrepreneurial endeavors. Haus of Crouse is a labor of love between two women who want to not only share their lives together, but also be able to work together. Krystal has an incredible talent for decor, design, and carpentry, so this particular venture was a no-brainer. Read more>>

Kate Mardigian | Founder and Executive Director

My thought process behind starting my business was, and still is, to help families caring for children and young adults 5-35 yrs old with disabilities. We create for the family member(s) social, athletic and enrichment opportunities, with volunteers to assist, which gives the parents a chance to rest, watch their children enjoy independence, and a chance to socialize with other parents. Read more>>

Taylor Dean | Owner and Founder of Tart By Taylor

Tart By Taylor (Tart = Taylor Art… get it?) was a pandemic born business. Previously, I was a personal stylist and once Covid hit, clothes were everyone’s last priority so I had to make a quick pivot. I started making our classic pill coasters as a fun craft (and covered my mom’s laundry room with resin in the process). People kept telling me, “you have to sell these”, so finally (and after a few martinis), I got the courage to post them on my social media and the rest is history, as they say! I sold over 1,000 coasters before I realized I had a pretty cool thing going and that I should probably turn this into a business. We’ve since expanded into several different product lines, numerous different styles and sell in over 1,000 stores nationwide. Read more>>

Paula Bearden | Director & Owner of Zeal Dance Force Dance Company

I started my business back in 2018 to create a safe space for kids to learn and grow their passion for dance. My thought process was to start now while I had a fire within me to do so then to wait procrastinate until I had all my “duckets” in a row risking the potential for my passion to fizzle out. I started with only a vision, little money, and no students. Read more>>

Ron Thompson | Financial Advisor

So I’ve always been a pleaser, i have always wanted to be the person that changed lives and after a lot of consideration i turned towards the financial industry to start to be the change. Read more>>

Kevin (Maham the Mentor) DuBriel | Author and publisher

I’m aware of the literature that is created while individuals are incarcerated that can be instrumental to young people. So I created my publishing company mainly to help people who are incarcerated publish their books while they’re behind bars. Read more>>

Rebecca Robinson | Social Media & Content Creation Specialist

Turning our new home into a photography studio was definitely not a part of our original plan. Our new home search began in early 2021. My husband owns his own window tinting business and, because of that, we either needed to find A) a home with a pre existing shop on the property B) a home on a lot large enough to build a shop or C) land only. Read more>>

Tati Samson | Beautician

When I moved to DFW in 2018 it was the ultimate Struggle for me to find women in my area to properly and professionally care for my hair. I drove miles looking for hair salons and could never find any. I would have to drive 40 minutes or more into Dallas or further to get my hair done. That process was exhausting and I knew I needed to fill a gap because I wasn’t alone in that journey. I come from a family of licensed beauticians and barbers and decided I needed to continue in the family business. I wanted to give my community the luxury they desired without having to travel far & long for something so important to our confidence. Read more>>

Steve Severance | Wine Bar Owner

When we began the idea of having our own business, it was more from a forced career change than a plan. After working in Sales and Business Development for several businesses over the years, and then being laid off, the opportunity to consider doing our own thing presented itself. My wife and I (Karen) had been hosting wine dinners at our house for several years and many of those friends who attended suggested I might want to look at doing something with wine rather than continuing on the path I had been on for 30 years. That idea began to blossom as I investigated and started to craft a business plan around a wine tasting business. One thing led to another and the person I was working with to lease some property mentioned he knew of a wine bar for sale. Read more>>

Dacia McGee | Little bitty climbers LLC Owner

I truly was very hesitate starting my own business. It’s SCARY. Will it thrive?? Will it fail?? There are so many what if’s!! BUT! My husband was so encouraging! And gave me the courage to be my own boss and start my own business. Read more>>

Kelly Hans | Dance Choreographer & Technique Coach

I started my own business because I saw a need in the dance community. Growing up, I was constantly dancing and trying to become the best dancer that I could be. My passion to train dancers, help them feel valued, and push them to be the absolute best that they can be really started while I was training for myself! I would take private lessons from instructors who just didn’t seem to care if I advanced or not….it always felt like I was just a dollar sign to them. When dancers take lessons from me, my goal is that they always leave feeling like they learned new skills, added to their dancer toolbox, and are excited to train! Read more>>

Eric Meyer | Multimedia Production Facility Owner

I had spent so much time and energy working for other people that I had thought the time and energy spent working would be better spent working for myself and chasing the things that I thought were valuable. It always seemed like the companies I worked for didn’t value the people that made them successful and because I felt devalued as an employee I wanted to make that change at my business and let those that helped elevate the business know that they are valued. Read more>>

Joey Torrescano | Designer & Pet Portrait Artist

There’s 2 things I’ve always been passionate about: dogs and art. Naturally, I got a job as a kennel assistant at a local doggy daycare in 2018. My focus shifted into painting watercolor portraits of the dogs I worked with every day. With the support of my friends, family, and even my bosses at the daycare, I began selling dog portraits as a side gig. 4 years and several commissions later, I decided to start a business making dog-themed merchandise and custom pet portraits called Pawchi Pups. Read more>>

James Samuels | Owner | Contractor

Starting this business wasn’t necessarily easy. I had just got laid off due to a nationwide pandemic and the clock was racing against me. I wanted to do something I was good at an enjoyed doing in my spare time. I’ve been taking care of my vehicle since I was 15 years old, and I knew the ins and outs of making a vehicle look like it just came off the showroom floor. This is what I’d do until I got back on my feet. I would detail cars but make it easier on clients. Read more>>

Rebekah Sawyer | Owner & Operator

Having the flexibility to turn “on or off” is very nice. It allows us as a family to have financial freedom, but also flexibility for long weekends, vacations or working from *almost* anywhere. With that being said; starting a new business can be so scary! Thankfully there are so many amazing resources and support to help guide a new business owner along the way. Read more>>