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.

Carl Hess

I started my Portrait painting business in 2005 when I painted my first clergy leader, which was the Pastor andFirst Lady of my hometown church. With this natural talent, I’ve always had a desire to use it to honor the leaders of my community. My mentor encouraged me to consider being a professional artist. I began to research Portrait Artist and discovered the elite circle of artist that painted the leaders of our country. I was young, but my ambition drove me to break into the profession, even at a young age. Read More>>

Chris Jordan

Initially I was looking to only be in a band and not lead one. It started off as coworkers putting together a band, but I realized there wasn’t a leader. During high school and college I was a songwriter and producer, so I decided I might be the best leader for the group. My forte at the time was arranging music and making the songs we do sound their best. Once I realized how happy it was making me, I pounded the payment to get as many shows as possible. I would google live music venues and go there after my day job to introduce myself and try to get us a booking. The learning never stops and I’m happy how things have grown since then. Read More>>

Brittany Petty

I have always loved party planning and seeing the final product come to life! Bringing people together in a special and memorable way has always been a passion of mine. After many years of planning all types of events and doing balloons and banners for family and friends I was constantly being told, “you should start your own business with this!” I finally took everyone’s advice and branched out to start Cheers To That! It has been such a fun adventure and so fulfilling to play a small part in helping family and friends create everlasting memories! Read More>>

 Jazmina Urriola

Allayya was born out of my own personal journey. Around 2017, life felt overwhelming. In just a couple of years, I lost my mom to leukemia, got married, moved from my hometown, Panama City, Panama, to the U.S., and once I got here, found myself unable to work while waiting for my employment authorization. I had always been career-driven, independent, and suddenly, I couldn’t work. That was a huge blow to my identity. I had spent so much of my life defining myself through my career, and now, I was financially dependent on my husband, which was hard to accept. Read More>>

Trai Mosley

In 2016, I was a college football player with aspirations of making it to the NFL. However, a tragic accident during practice led to a serious neck injury that required surgery and forced me to take a year off from all contact-related activities. During that time, I found myself navigating life as a regular student—uncertain, but still holding on to my creative roots as a graphic design major. Read More>>

Dayshawn Nellon

For me, starting The Brewed Collective was about more than just coffee—it was about creating connection. After serving in the Army and transitioning back into civilian life, I realized how many meaningful moments in my life were centered around coffee. From making cups for my grandparents as a child, to reconnecting with my sister and daughter after deployments over shared coffee dates—it’s always been something that brought people together. Read More>>

Lawain Cannon

Having worked in various restaurants, I’ve learned from some of the most talented and passionate individuals in the industry, and I’ve also encountered those who didn’t share my enthusiasm coming to Texas, I’ve realized that many restaurant owners are missing the spark that drives true success, which made me think, this can’t be how this is done I shifted my mindset and focus on opening my own business Turning my passion for cooking into a business has been a dream come true, and I feel fortunate to be able to share my love of food with others. Read More>>

Deborah Fessenden

I officially started Apples & Oranges Jewelry and Apothecary last year on April 27th, the day I participated in my first community market with the city of Pilot Point. I had been making jewelry for 2 years prior, but finally gained the courage to form a business after many friends (and strangers) encouraged me to do so. I started my business because I love to help others feel beautiful, inside and outside  I am incredibly passionate about what I do! I am always crafting and making something unique – it’s a huge aspect of my business model to help the earth by upcycling and picking up trash/recyclables while I’m foraging for flowers.  Read More>>

Queita Davis

At the time, I was younger, had just had a baby, and knew I needed a fresh start—not just for me, but for my child. I was looking for more income, but I also wanted something that gave me purpose and stability. I realized that working for someone else wasn’t going to give me the flexibility or the financial freedom I needed. I had a skill and a passion, and I knew I could turn that into something bigger. Starting my own business wasn’t just about making money—it was about creating a better future and building something I could be proud of. Read More>>

Jessica Boniol

I saw gaps in conventional care.
My experience in pediatric nursing showed me that while traditional medicine is essential, it often misses the root causes of chronic issues in children—things like gut health, environmental triggers, nutrition, and stress.

I wanted more time and connection.
I was tired of rushed visits and checklists. I wanted to build deep relationships with families, giving them the space to be heard, and the time to be fully understood. Read More>>

Cam & Madi

Madi and Cam started Pilabarre because they wanted to build something meaningful that reflected their passions and values. Madi hated the current grip socks on the market—they often had painful, overly firm grips and weren’t cute, leaving her frustrated with the lack of comfortable and stylish options. Meanwhile, Cam looked into the market and saw how large and fast it was growing, recognizing a clear opportunity for something better. From there, their thought process began with a shared desire to help people feel their best and embrace self-love, which became the heartbeat of their brand. Read More>>