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.

Nara Lee

After several years of teaching Pilates at premier fitness clubs such as Life Time Fitness and Equinox, I reached a point where I felt ready to transition from being an instructor within an established organization to building something of my own. As I began working independently with clients, my goal was to assess the full extent of my capabilities — how effectively I could manage operations, client relationships, and overall business growth on my own. Read More>>

Hector

The first thing I thought of was the responsibility of bringing authentic traditional Mexican music to this country. Yes, there are many mariachis, but very few true mariachi musicians here in Dallas. As someone who comes from generations of mariachi musicians, I have always been concerned about the musical avality Mexican folklore as well as the image we project.  Read More>>

 Stephanie Peterson

Stylement was born from my own journey with confidence and style. I learned firsthand how powerful it is when what you wear reflects who you are, and I wanted others to experience that same transformation. For me, it’s never just been about clothes; it’s about giving people the confidence, time, and ease to show up as their best selves every day. Read More>>

Samantha Garcia

Baking was my escape. As a young girl navigating the everyday challenges of life, I found peace in measuring flour, mixing batter, and watching sweet treats come to life in the oven. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was my therapy. My safe space. I could be in the kitchen for hours, completely zoning out and pouring every ounce of emotion into my creations. By the time I looked up, it would be dark outside and I’d have an entire table full of desserts to show for it. Read More>>

Kaia Stevens

The idea behind starting my own business came from wanting to share my art with more people, drawing inspiration both from the place I grew up and the places I’ve been lucky enough to call home. Surf Cowboy began when I was gifted an old, beat up surfboard. I fixed it up, painted it, and eventually sold it. From there, I started receiving donated broken boards, which I upcycled into art pieces, in and out of the water.  Read More>>

Mary-Lauren

I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, so the thought of building a company of my own felt natural and was supported and celebrated. In fact, I started my first company, Ride Fit Café, when I was in high school, catering nutritious meals to competitors at equestrian events after learning firsthand about the importance of proper nutrition and its impact on athletic performance. Read More>>

 Kinsie Wright

My thought process behind starting Soul Family Healing came from both my personal experience and what I was seeing in others. I’ve always been drawn to self-development and inner work, and during my years teaching elementary school, I realized how much the social and emotional side of growth really matters. I watched teens and young adults wrestle with confidence, resilience, and simply wanting to feel seen.  Read More>> 

Cheyenne Spivey

Ive worked in kitchens for over 18 years. I traveled around cooking different cuisines with some of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. After I had my daughter, Birdie, I decided it was time for a change from the hard-core kitchen life of working 16hr days.  Read More>>

Joshua Graham

My “businesses” are my radio show and my mobile DJ company. My radio show is “The Sunset Soiree”, which I’ve been doing since 2020 and currently airs on KNON Now Radio (www.knonnow.org). My mobile DJ business originated from being asked to DJ at weddings, corporate events and civic events over the last 20-30 years. This came from my reputation as a well-known and in-demand club DJ in the 90s and early 00s. Read More>>

 Chase Record

My wife, Justina, and I have over fifteen years of combined experience in the specialty coffee industry. When we set out to start Record Coffee Supply we knew we needed to do something that was quintessentially us. We wanted to share our passion for coffee and hospitality with our friends, our neighbors, and strangers alike.  Read More>>