Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Jeffrey Gladden

Earlier in life I was tired of seeing other people mess it up and felt I could do better. I’ve had a number of businesses Read More>> 

Demarkuss Day

Starting my own business came from a mix of frustration and inspiration. I saw gaps in the smart home industry—things weren’t streamlined, service was inconsistent, and the tech wasn’t always user-friendly for homeowners. I knew I could do it better. I wanted to create something that combined innovation with trust, and offered real value to people, not just products. I started with the mindset of solving a problem, and that grew into a passion for building systems that make life easier and more connected. Read More>>

Jessica Wood

It’s something I stumbled into. I was a professional photographer for about 10 years before pursing painting full time. It was just a fun side project to pull out every now and then until about 2018. I had a friend over and she commented on one of the pieces I was working on for my house. “Hey can you make me something like this?” That’s when it hit me that other people might like the artwork I create by brush instead of with my camera. Read More>>

Stefani Crowley

Honestly, I was exhausted by how we had to do physical therapy. When insurance dictates what you get paid and you have to see 2-3 patients in an hour to keep our doors open, you get burned out. When you have to do double the paperwork – your notes and extra paperwork to get approved visits you get burned out. When you try to do your best by the patient you get burned out. So, I left the insurance world and took about 6-8 months off because my body crashed.  Read More>>

Lee Bolling

Once i started building clientele and there were still more clients inquiring about their need for service. I saw there was a demand but not enough stylist to supply the services. I saw that there are enough clients for all of us and more ladies could share in the freedom of having their own schedule. My goal shifted to this opportunity. Providing an opportunity to consistently serve clients and get them in and out and on with their daily lives. Read More>>

Jordan Helal

My thought process behind starting the business came from seeing a real need in the roofing and storm restoration industry—especially here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. After witnessing how many homeowners were left feeling misled or taken advantage of during vulnerable times, I knew there had to be a better way. I wanted to create a company that homeowners could truly trust—one that prioritizes honesty, transparency, and doing what’s right for the customer, not just what’s profitable. Starting my own business gave me the ability to set that standard and lead by example in an industry that really needs it. Read More>>

Janelle Rodriguez

I originally started my business career when I started my Baking business. And things have been amazing since the time I started. But over time, I got fascinated with hosting events. It started from Girls Nights to Baby Showers and now Networking Events! Something about helping small businesses get their name out there and boosting up their sales/clientele is just an amazing feeling for me. Some people host events just for the money but I end up spending money. And that’s just to showcase a lot of the wonderful masterpieces that a lot of these vendors have to offer.

Trish Williams

I wasn’t sure how this would play out but I knew I wanted to be successful and I knew I loved photography. I had some great people in my corner encouraging me and I went for it. It turned out to be a great decision! Read More>>

Marc Leverett

When I made the decision of starting my own business, I knew I’d rather put my time, energy and skillset into my own company as oppose to another big company. Read More>>

Ashley Danyell Galloway

As a Black woman and a homeschooling mom of three, starting my own business wasn’t just a dream, it was a necessity. I needed the flexibility to work around my children’s needs while still pursuing something meaningful. I wanted to create something that not only served others in a real way but also allowed me to lead by example for my kids. To show them what’s possible through dedication, creativity, and purpose. This business is more than work; it’s part of the legacy I’m building for them and proof that we can shape our own path and make room for both family and impact. Read More>>

Ariana Reyes

After years of working in different waxing chains, I started to feel like those environments just didn’t reflect who I was. A lot of them felt sterile and impersonal —bright fluorescent lights, all white everything… it felt more like a doctor’s office than a place to relax and feel taken care of. I wanted to create something completely different. I envisioned a space that felt warm, inviting, and comfortable, with dim lighting, LED lights, and a vibe that felt comfortable as soon as you walk in. Read More>>

Naz Khatoun

A deep love for cooking and creating enjoyable culinary experiences was a primary motivator. I also enjoy when I see people recognize this food made by Love! Read More>>

Patrick Arnzen

From a very young age, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, I was going to be in aviation. That part was never in question. But the path to getting there wasn’t easy.
I became an airline pilot right around the time of September 11th, which, as you can imagine, was an incredibly tough time for the aviation industry. Jobs were scarce, the industry was shaken, and like many others, I had to find my own way forward. I started a small flight school in southeast Georgia, nothing fancy, just a few airplanes, a bit of maintenance work, and a skydiving operation. It wasn’t glamorous, but it kept me flying and put food on the table. Read More>>

Quacy And Shenellaz

The idea for our Caribbean food truck Gift of Taste Kitchen, was born from a deep love for our culture, our food, and our community. We wanted to create something that not only brought authentic Guyanese and South American flavors to the streets but also celebrated the richness of our heritage.

Starting our food truck was more than a business idea, it was a calling from the heart. We grew up surrounded by rich flavors, spices, and stories of Guyanese and Caribbean cooking. It wasn’t just food to us; it was a connection to home, to our roots, and to the people who raised us. Read More>>

Dr Omomengbe Oni

I have always wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, since I was a little girl. However, my life’s journey took a different path, working in oil and gas, starting a family and I thought that dream was dead. After many years working in the oil and gas sector, that desire never really died but I assumed it was just a pipe dream and if I did anything healthcare related, that would be enough to satisfy that itch. I trained as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist and MRI Read More>>

Cory Hungerford

As a musician, specifically a tuba & sousaphone player, opportunities for performance can be a little scarce as we typically operate as a one-of-one in groups outside of larger, traditional concert bands. While I respect and appreciate classical music, it doesn’t really appeal to me as much as it once did. So, I decided to sidestep the more traditional route and dove into more commercial music. My goal is to play the music I enjoy while bringing a high quality and unique product that offers a memorable experience. Read More>>

Faith Harrison

My thought process behind starting my own business was deeply rooted in both personal inspiration and a desire to fill a gap I saw in the industry. Growing up, my mom was always behind the camera; capturing moments through both photo and video, and that constant exposure naturally sparked my own love for visual storytelling. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for art and fashion, and by the time I turned 18, I knew I wanted to pursue photography seriously. Read More>>

Kelaiah Conway

My thought process for wanting to become a content creator was I share anyways, so I might as well put more effort into it to reach more people! Obviously when I’m able to grow my platform to a bigger level there will be financial benefits and don’t get me wrong, that will be awesome! But what I really love is being able to encourage others and show them what they’re capable of by seeing me do it. Read More>>