Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Tanicia Prioleau | Consultant, Author and Entrepreneur

I’ve decided to start a new business because it’s an exciting opportunity for personal and professional growth. Entrepreneurship allows me to pursue my passion and vision. As a business owner, I enjoy servicing my clients and seeing their projects come from idea to conception. Read more>>

Scotty Johnson | ceo of blaque kotton clothing

Blaque Kotton Clothing is more than just another clothing brand. Blaque Kotton is a creative movement created for the elevation of our ancestors
who believed in the dream of familial unity—between fathers and sons,
mothers and daughters, brothers and sisters—but most importantly, unity
among mankind. Blaque Kotton is a clothing company that dares to be
different and unique in a way that shares the greatest achievements of
African Americans and their rich culture and rich history. Read more>>

Tim and Amy Sherman | Purveyors of treats, sweets and delectable eats.

Even before we were married thirty years ago, we had been making candy, and cakes to share with family and friends because the joy we see in their faces when they enjoy our creations brings us tremendous happiness. Over the years the recipients of our treats have encouraged us to open a business to sell them assuring us that we would be successful; however, change is scary, and we were intimidated by the prospect for many years. Then, back in 2021, fate put us in touch with the owner of a Texas honey farm who was looking for a chocolatier to create a chocolate concoction that they would market as “Armadillo Turds.” Read more>>

Jessie Mcmillan | CEO

I knew how much the products I have helped me. With starting my nudism’s around these , I could help a lot of people with their injuries ans pain relief in a natural way. Read more>>

Devon YP | Artist & Music Producer

The thought process behind starting my music label business was driven by a combination of my core attributes: perseverance, optimism, high IQ knowledge of music, and a natural gift for recognizing what works. I firmly believed that with my hard work, dedication, and positive mindset, success was attainable. I had an unwavering determination to overcome any obstacles or setbacks that came my way. Read more>>

Debs Randall | Hospitality Guru and Candle & Spa Experience Maker

I was tired of being a disruption in the workplace and in educational institutions because of my vision impairment. I had to ask for accommodations everywhere I went, and it was always a hassle. I felt like I was always being treated differently, and it made me feel like I didn’t belong. But then I realized that my vision impairment didn’t have to define me. I could still do anything I set my mind to, even if it meant doing things a little differently. Read more>>

Abby Skeans | Social Entrepreneur & Writer

Belief Statements reflects a deeply personal journey for me. It was born out of a combination of personal experience, passion and a desire to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives, particularly in the realm of self-belief and confidence. For more than 15 years, my professional life has been dedicated to advising and building alongside some of the most successful and influential organizations in the country across a range of verticals to bring about positive change. Read more>>

Quyen Nguyen | Beautician

I started my journey in the beauty industry in 2009 by working for Snipz Salon as their front desk coordinator, in Mission Hills, sd, ca. it was 15 mins away from my home and situated in a neighborhood that I have been to, I wanted to expose myself to a different world to help me gain any knowledge and skills that my current circle of friends and family couldn’t provide. The amazing owners of Snipz Salon had purchased a house and converted it to a salon, which taught me a thing or 2 about owning your passion and business. Read more>>

Christian Sery | Real estate agent

To have control over my life. It means over my finances , my time , family and serve people Read more>>

Lawrence E. | Jewfrofragrances – Reviewer & small business owner

Believe it or not COVID is what gave me the push to get my fragrance reviewing started. At the beginning of the pandemic, I got laid off from work, fortunately work increased for my wife, but that left me, a super extrovert, just surrounded by four walls with nothing to do, but think of all of my fears at that moment. I want to be open about my mental health at that time, and for someone who thrives off social interaction not being able to communicate with anyone really triggered anxiety/panic attacks for me. Read more>>

Trisha Howell | Founder, Artly International

In the case of launching Artly International, I saw a need within the online art marketplace that I believed our business model could successfully fill. I wanted to establish a digital platform that was truly artist- and collector-centric while paying homage to the traditional gallery model. With an academic background in both business and art, starting this business presented a unique opportunity to combine my interests and skill set. I’m also naturally inclined to work independently and enjoy the freedom associated with being a business owner. Read more>>

Taelor Nelson | Digital Marketing Agency Owner – Serial Entrepreneur

My journey to starting my own business has been a culmination of experiences and self-discovery. I remember setting up my first businesses back in elementary school, whether it was selling handmade crafts or organizing small events. As I grew older, I got caught up in the excitement of starting businesses based on what was trending at the time. However, it wasn’t until I found myself in Dallas, working tirelessly across more than 10 different jobs, that I took a step back to reflect on my true passions and strengths. Read more>>

Tori Lecuona | Balloon Artist, Picnic Setups & Party Event Decor

Going through the thought process, once I realized that I truly wanted to start my own business I knew that if I was going to be successful at being my own boss then my business had to be something that I was passionate about. For myself I needed it to be a passion of mine in order for me to always work hard and not burn out. I did not want to start something that I could not give my all, as I knew I wanted to create something that I could be proud of. Read more>>

Natalie Shaw | Theatre Journalist

Dallas Theatre Journal began in order to meet the needs of the Theatre community in Dallas Fort-Worth. And, like many businesses, it was developed in response to the COVID pandemic. Beginning in March of 2020, local theaters were canceling productions and shutting their doors, without reassurance that they would be able to open them again. I began Dallas Theatre Journal to encourage theatergoers and artists to keep the faith. Read more>>

Trey and Michelle | Podcasts Hosts

Our thought process was that we felt like there are a lot of different voices in the podcast space, but the ones that seem the most popular and trending are generally people who don’t have any true background knowledge or formal education on the subject matters they’re talking about. So we just wanted to bring an actual professional and educational background to popular topics and then to specific topics that we feel like we struggle with as adults. Read more>>

Janet Johnson | Lash Artist, Hair Supplier. Eyebrow Threader and Las Vegas Esthetician,

My thought process behind starting my own business was that I knew it was going to be hard but I know the person that I am and I will not give up so easily on something that I truly want. Read more>>

Dr. Seth Austin | Pediatric Chiropractor

I wanted to help people get truly healthy without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractic does just that! Read more>>

Samantha Uwagboe | CEO/Executive Producer of Boe TV & Airbnb Host/Real Estate

The thought process behind starting Boe TV Productions is as follows; inspiration and motivation. I say that to say, I watch a lot of reality television, and one day I was watching Zeus Network, and immediately a light bulb went off in my head like “I can do this myself”. If you notice, there aren’t really a lot of shows or networks that showcase Texas as a state and more specifically Dallas. Being raised in Dallas, I kind of wanted to pioneer the way for Dallas Texas to be spotlighted on a reality television series, while chronicling the journey of entrepreneurs in the city. Read more>>

Shannon Cobb | Singer/Entertainer

I wanted to do music that I loved with people that I loved and respected. So I formed my bands around those ideals and hoped for the best. Its all worked out great so far. Luckily 😊 I have so much going on, it gets pretty crazy. My main band is “Metal Shop”. An all 80s hair metal tribute with eyeliner, spandex, big hair and all the shenanigans that go along with it. Read more>>

Catie Wilson | Photographer/Mom+Wife/Team Roper

I honestly didn’t have one. Life is crazy and throws you curve balls constantly. My husband and I fly by the seat of our pants and with his support, I did it. I went to college for business, so the financials didn’t scare me. The people did. I was terrified of failing someone and what they would think of me. I just reminded myself that everyone starts somewhere. My first set of clients were the absolute best and many of them are still with me today. Read more>>

Vishwas Vijayan | Student and COO of project 10-10

In my sophomore year, I had the privilege of meeting a senior who I looked up to as a role model for academic excellence. Although she had a vision, she needed help executing it. I offered to assist and we started working together on Project 10-10, a website aimed at helping teens and children struggling with math due to the COVID pandemic and falling behind in middle and high school math. Our goal was to support elementary learners and we have since expanded to assist middle and high school students. Read more>>

Batina Jones | COO

Our thought process behind starting our moving business is to do what we love doing, which is rendering our support to those who needs it and also a way for us to give back to the community by hiring those that can’t get a regular 9 to 5 job. Seeing the smile we put on our customer faces makes it worth the while and that fuels our passion in the continuation of our moving business. Read more>>

Rosae Tyler | Vegan Activist & Community Curator

Our objective was to establish a community anchored in vegan principles, aiming to provide a haven for individuals in the DFW area to connect and collaborate with fellow vegans. Read more>>