Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy.  So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Michelle Leotta | Business Mentor for Health Coaches

I started my career in Big Advertising where very few women held high-level positions. Once they started a family, most did not return to the office. My friend Meg was a Creative Director and we commuted on the same train. But she would sprint for it because missing that train meant she wouldn’t see her kids all day. She left in the mornings before they were awake! I knew I wanted a career AND a family. Starting my own business in 2009 and working from home was my plan to be with my kids as much as possible. That’s exactly what I got – now I’m here every day when they get off the bus at 3pm. Read more>>

Tommy Adetunji | Creative Director & Engineer

I recognized the power of clothing as a universal language. I established One Impulse & Co as a global fusion brand with a vision for unity celebrating cultural diversity through fashion and design. The goal is to foster a sense of connection and understanding among people transcending borders and promoting a world where diversity is embraced. Read more>>

Whitney Kilpatrick | Hairstylist, Salon Owner, & Mentor

I started my business out of pure necessity. I did not want to become a salon, because every single one I knew was miserable. I was making more than my parents combined at the age of 21. I was driving my dream car, purchased my first home, all while putting my husband through college. As a hairstylist working for someone else. Unfortunately there was two major problems in that salon. There was a lack of leadership and culture and then there weren’t many long term career opportunities. I stayed for four years, but it got to a point where I was dreading coming to work. After interview with several other commission style salons I realized that I had envisioned didn’t exist in my area so I was going to have to make it myself. Read more>>

Kara Cecala | co-Founder/CEO

When we started our brand, we didn’t approach it as wanting to start our own business. We were friends discovering Dallas and sharing our adventures to Instagram with the hope to be a resource for encouraging others to find their sense of place in the city and feel proud to call it home. We were new to Dallas and our newcomer-perspective resonated with followers. Our account gained traction quickly and local businesses started reaching out to work with us. Recognizing the value that others saw in our brand motivated us to incorporate, shifting our mindset from a hobby to a business as well as from friends to business partners too. Read more>>

Ted Gambordella | Author, Martial Artist, Fitness Guru!

In the quiet chambers of introspection, where the tapestry of dreams weaves itself into the fabric of reality, the genesis of my entrepreneurial journey unfolded like the delicate petals of a blooming flower. A symphony of aspirations conducted by the baton of conviction resonated within, guiding me to embark on the odyssey of crafting my own business. It began with the alchemy of inspiration, distilled from the crucible of personal experiences and fervent desires. Like an artist contemplating a blank canvas, I envisioned a tapestry of innovation, where the colors of passion and purpose would intermingle to create a masterpiece of enterprise. The allure of autonomy, the siren song of self-determination, whispered seductively in the corridors of my mind, beckoning me to shape my destiny with the chisel of initiative. Read more>>

Jack Feltgen | Automotive Marketer & Content Creator

I ended up in automotive media & marketing after a long, nonlinear path of combining both what I was passionate about and what I was talented in. I had been interested in cars since I was little, growing up a huge NASCAR fan in the early 00s while also growing an infatuation for my grandfather’s custom hot rod — a 1923 Ford Model T aka “T-Bucket” donning flaked blue paint. huge flames, and lots of chrome components. I had dozens of hot wheels, and “professional race car driver” was my early career choice for the first ten years of my existence. When I was 10 years old, I finally picked up the family tape-based camcorder from the 90s, videoing anything and everything around the house. Read more>>

Maisha Lacy | Owner of Vibrant (detox) Water

My business like many other small businesses formed during the height of the Covid Virus. Like many others, I was laid off from my job of almost 10 years and quarantined due to the virus. During this time so many of us were gaining weight because we simply had nothing to do but eat and sleep. I’ve always tried to be conscious regarding my health and weight and being a vegetarian I wanted to be mindful of the things I put into my body especially during a time that was so easy to just binge eat out of boredom. I’ve always incorporated lemon in my drinking water because drinking lemon water helps you drink less sugar-sweetened beverages, keep you hydrated, and increase your intake of antioxidants and vitamin C, and also aids in weightless (if substituting for sugary drinks). Read more>>

Maribel Andres | Owner/designer

I believe it was that I wanted to create something different for the events of our quincenearas and wanted to customize and be known for originality’. But also to create a buisness that i can manage around my busy life. Read more>>

Tannis Owens | Massage Therapist

I started Total Touch Massage because I wanted to pursue my passion to help others while having the creative freedom as a business owner. My goal is to promote self care awareness and the positive benefits of Therapeutic Massage. Read more>>

Jessica Adaway | Family Photographer

I actually accidentally started my business while in college! I had started shooting more engagements and portraits for some friends and then eventually was asked to photograph some friends’ weddings. I was finishing up my degree during the week and filling my weekends with weddings and photo shoots. Around the time of graduation, I decided to continue pursuing the wedding photography world and officially started my business then. I loved serving couples as they they began the journey of their new families. I loved getting to know these brides and grooms and documenting what was most valuable to them: their long awaited weddings days with all of their people by their sides! Read more>>

Erica Barnes | Owner and Principal Designer

Whenever I dreamed of starting my own company, it wasn’t money, success, freedom or notoriety that motivated me. I wanted to create a work environment where people loved to come to work. Creativity can soar when a team feels appreciated, supported, and empowered to become skilled at their work. I have a heart for mentorship, and it gives me so much joy to help give a platform for design to flourish and grow. Read more>>

Heaven Savior | Nail Technician

By the time I was Junior in high school I realized that I wanted to become an entrepreneur. My mother heavily influenced my decision because she was an entrepreneur as well, she built a landscaping business from the ground up to support us financially. As I grew up she taught me about how to become my own boss, but I just didn’t know what type of entrepreneur I wanted to be at that time. All I knew was that whatever business I decided to pursue had to go by three rules: I had to be passionate about what I put out to the public, the service must make customers look and feel beautiful at all times, and my business has to be in a high profitable market. Read more>>

Melody Brager | Mom, Business Owner and Spiritual Advisor

I wanted to keep my mom’s legacy alive due to her passing last year. So my sister and I wanted to make sure we kept the Total Unique name. We thought what would be unique and we decided on the name Total Unique Dallas party pleasures and more. Read more>>

Justin Rasco | Owner | Mustard Seed Media Productions, LLC

I’ve always wanted to move in a way that honored that honored what Jesus did on the cross. From a young age. I had always been interested in photography and videography and loved making personal films – highlighting trips I’ve gone on or capturing special moments. I vividly remember it was a trip I took with three of my closest friends to Napa, California and I put together a video of the experience we had there. After I completed it, I was watching it along with some of the first videos I ever made and saw just how far I’d come in the quality of these and it just got me thinking “hmm I wonder if I could monetize something like this.” It was something I found complete joy in doing – reliving these precious moments. Read more>>

Chris Condon | Father of three and a Digital transformation leader

Starting AIRCON was driven by two key considerations. First, as a smaller player in the industry, I found it challenging to compete in AIR Freight due to the dominance of larger entities. Recognizing that economies of scale extend beyond just purchasing power and labor efficiencies, I saw the significance of scale in controlling costs and accessing cutting-edge technology within the supply chain industry. The second motivation stemmed from a belief in the power of people to help people. I understood that for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), success hinges on the relationships they cultivate. Interpersonal dynamics play a crucial role, whether it’s the formatting of a report or establishing a foundation of trust during challenging times. Read more>>

Tamanisha Berry | Nationally Accredited Lash & Brow Artist/Instructor

When my husband and I relocated from Memphis, TN to Dallas, TX in 2019, we faced the challenge of managing a newborn and an 8-year-old son without any outside support. With my husband working full-time and my responsibilities at home, finding a traditional full-time job became difficult. Recognizing the need for flexibility to care for my baby and maintain a harmonious work-life balance, I made the decision to embark on the journey of starting my own business. This way, I could create a work schedule that suited my needs and allowed me to strike a meaningful equilibrium between work and family life. Read more>>

AMANDA PERDUE | Occupational Therapist & Private Practice Owner

I was working as an occupational therapist in the area and noticed there was very limited services for children with special needs. I had for years worked in a for profit hospital and felt that the area lacked a private practice that catered to the pediatric population. Professionally I got to a point where I wanted to expand my knowledge and I felt entrepreneurship was would be a great adventure. Read more>>

Marcus Jones | Actor & model and running my business

I have always wanted to start a business but at the time I didn’t know what I wanted to start doing . Then one day it hit me a few years back. I have been driving big trucks for over 25 plus years with CDL’s. So i decided to take my credentials buy my own truck and start my own moving business so that’s how I end up starting my business. My wife & I been in business since 2020 and doing quite well along with me acting and modeling. Read more>>

 

Amy Aceto | Owner/sole proprietor

After designing swimwear in the fashion industry for over 20 years, I was looking for a creative outlet. I have always been a candle lover and after discovering my favorite candle from a big candle company was going out of production I decided to take a candle making class. Three months later Cera Soy Candles was born and I was producing my first candle collection. Read more>>

Lacey Brackett | Realtor

managing real estate can indeed be quite labor-intensive. From property maintenance and tenant management to handling legal and financial aspects, successful real estate ownership often demands significant time, effort, and ongoing commitment. Many people underestimate the level of involvement and dedication required to effectively manage real estate properties. Read more>>