Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Pat Washington | Entrepreneur

In all honesty, it was never my thought to start a business. I knew two things, I didn’t like clocking in but I needed money so I just started using my talents to make money and eventually the money grew. I was just hustling it wasn’t until a few years ago when my cousin Gavin Hawkins broke down to me that I had my own business, I just needed to legitimize it. Read more>>

Justin Brown | Wire Wrap Jewelry Artist

I had a lot of success in my previous career as a personal trainer. I owned a fitness branding agency that taught fitness professionals how to create their influence and brand themselves as credible celebrities online. Although I’d been successful I wasn’t necessarily happy. When I closed the agency I found myself with a lot of time on my hands and I wanted a way to make money, and make others happy, while simultaneously making myself happy. Read more>>

Dr. Logan Spacek, PT, DPT, PCES | Holistic Pelvic Physical Therapist I Postpartum Coach

II never expected to have my own business, but I felt the Lord calling me to help women after my own experience with mental health challenges during my pregnancies and postpartum period. I began to open up about my experiences and found that countless other women had similar experiences to me. Read more>>

Krystal Hall | Personal Stylist and Plus-Size Influencer

The thought process behind starting my own business was to help other women to feel better inside and out! I believe that fashion is a huge part of every day life and can make or break a woman’s confidence. Everyone wants to look good and feel good day in and day out. By being a personal stylist I’m able to do just that. Read more>>

K J Holland | Owner

My thought process behind starting my business developed when I was working for another company. I was doing sales, consultations, templating, and installations. Then I heard someone say “You must be willing to do today the things that others will not do in order to have tomorrow the things that others will not have.” I realized that I had it in me all along. That started me on my journey building Jae Woodwork not just into another construction business but a Relational Brand. Read more>>

William Banks | CEO & Creative Director of Divo Beaute & DivoUStyling | Professional Makeup Artist & Fashion Stylist

My thought process was I wanted to develop a brand that enriches the lives of people and gives back to the DFW community. Anyone can have a brand, but it’s all in what impact you have with your brand that counts. Divo Beaute and DivoUStyling has been afforded opportunities to support local school supply drives, coordinate natural disaster supply drives, participate in domestic violence awareness and prevention causes, as well as collaborate with various breast cancer awareness and prevention initiatives. Read more>>

IRENE TAM | Founder, Myz Designs

The stress of always going to the mall and not finding the type of dress I want to wear for an upcoming event was becoming verify frustrating. So, I thought to myself, why not learn how to design and sew it yourself? You’re the only one who can best bring that design to life because only you can picture it in your mind. Read more>>

Yajaira Adamo | Texas Wedding Photographer

Hi Everyone! My name is Yajaira Adamo but you can call me YaYa! I am a proud military brat/spouse who has given the opportunity to experience cultures, and meet amazing people in my life. The heart of my business as a wedding & engagement photographer in Dallas is rooted in the passing of my grandfather. For me, memories are a big deal. In my family I’ve always been the one to take photos. Read more>>

MaKayla Washington | Entrepreneur and Musician

I recently created my very own business in 2022. I’ve always had a passion and love for weddings. As a little girl I would watch shows like Bridezillas, and I found the process of creating a wedding interesting. During this past year, I found the motivation to create something of my own. I’ve always worked for a company and have been managed by others. I was ready to create something that I had a passion for, and something that I could dictate. Read more>>

Ally McCrory | Yoga studio owner

*I was a stay at home mom and begin doing yoga to keep myself busy and in shape. It was something that allowed me to have some time to myself and do something that felt good in my body. Read more>>

Amanda Bradford | Owner and Executive Chef

I wanted to be my own boss and I wanted to be a more meaningful part of society by creating special occasion desserts and memories for family’s and events through food. Read more>>

Bukola Betiku | Entrepreneur/Strategist

The process was a little difficult at first since I didn’t know how to start a business or where to begin, so trying to put that up first appeared to be really challenging. At the time, I was in the living room with a friend when we started talking about African goddesses and how I felt like superheroes on television appropriated their imagery without giving them credit. Read more>>

Kimberly Davis | Voice Artist / Digital Marketing Professional

I know it’s cliched but the answer is freedom, I learned thru many years of working a traditional job that I just don’t enjoy the monotony and the lack of freedom. I also realized that I have talents and skills that are marketable so I bet on myself. Read more>>

Robbie Estill | Dog Behaviorist & Educator

Dogs have always been a major passion of mine. Once I saw the opportunity to mix my love for dogs and help people and families along the way, I knew this was something I had to pursue to fulfill my mind, body and soul. As much as this seems like a dog business, (which it is) it’s just as much or more a people business. Read more>>

Shivansh Nikhra | Founder of Silent Safety

With a passion for technology, we sought to harness the power of programming to save lives in emergencies. After watching a video from Inside Edition about a woman calling 911 under the guise of ordering a pizza, we identified a desperate need to help those in domestic abuse situations. Thus, we came up with Silent Safety, a mobile iOS app that speaks to 911 on your behalf when you can’t make noise. Read more>>

Kaitlin Patzig | Registered Nurse, Vitamin Infusion Specialist

I wanted to provide a medical service that truly helped people feel better, in the comfort of their own home, while still being able to be generous to my medical providers. Read more>>

Vannesa Goytia | Makeup Artist

I remember being into makeup since a little girl. I would just feel a bit more confident and just thought it was a different form of art and expression. However the idea of pursuing makeup and turning it into a business started when i was 20 years old. Read more>>

Erika Sanchez | Founder & Teacher

Necessity is the mother of invention, right? I was teaching in a public school, which I loved, but I wanted to be more present with my children. I started this business with the hopes of being able to share my passion for the Spanish language with those around me, but on a more part time basis. Read more>>

Alyne Harding | Film Producer

For Austin, I really didn’t know what I was getting into, but I knew I needed a change. Having just finalized a bitter divorce, after years of longing to get back into something creative, I jumped at the first chance I had. I’ve basically been learning on the job every since. Read more>>

Eva Williams | Owner & CEO

I worked with several small businesses and non-profits and they would always tell me they would pay me if I had an official business. That’s when I began the work to establish On Brand Strategic Solutions as an official business. Read more>>

Candace Woodruff | Tax & Financial Strategist

I was taught that if you want a successful business, FIND A PROBLEM and SOLVE IT! When I created Performance Tax Group & Financial Services, the goal was for us to assist every day people with tax and financial strategies to help them thrive financially with tax and financial literacy. Read more>>

Shambrika Burnley | Entrepreneur/Business Woman

My whole life I was raised around business! My mom was a great entrepreneur! RS is not just one thing, it’s several It’s logistics, credit repair, tax prep, tax academy, air b n b, So to sum it up my thought process is to always have more than one income! I love to stay busy on my own time Read more>>

Lela Escobedo | Creative Designer

Before I started this business, I noticed the booming industry of tumbler making. People were doing the epoxy resin style and the sublimation style. I thought hey “I can do this.” So I figure why not try and see how it goes. My husband supported me and the idea and bought all the stuff I needed. So, there it went. All hours, day and night, I spent researching and watching videos, practicing, and correcting what I did wrong. Read more>>

Kathy O’Keefe | Executive Director and Founder of Winning The Fight!

When our son, Brett, was struggling with his drug addiction, there was no time for anything else. It absorbed all of our time and energy. The disease was misunderstood and my husband and I isolated. After Brett died, March 20, 2010, I knew that I had to do something. God told me I was going to do something. Read more>>