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.

Tim Heron | Illstrator, Graphic Designer & Climber

From college, I knew that I would most likely have to start being a freelancer. There isn’t too many in-person illustrator jobs out there. I worked with local clients and moved to online platforms to receive more jobs. Read more>>

Bikash Kandel | Owner of The Gurkha Bar & Grill, and Respiratory Therapist

Inspired by a lifelong dream, I saw an opportunity to turn my love for cooking into this small, thriving business. When I decided to bring my culinary dream into life five years ago, I recognized a need for Indo-Pak cuisine in the DFW area, which led me to embark on this journey of entrepreneurship. With my international culinary degree obtained from Australia, I aimed to introduce a unique blend of flavors in the form of an Indian-Nepali restaurant. Read more>>

Keundre Russell | Entrepreneur/ Investor

Making my own money has always been the goal. I was fired for the first time back in 2015 for unjust reasons and I vowed to never give “the man” or any other company the power to shake my world like that again. Read more>>

Takara Franklin | Takara Franklin I CEO of TakaraSocial Marketing Agency

Launching my clothing brand amidst the pandemic was an eye-opener. I discovered a knack for marketing that I never knew I had. As I delved deeper into the world of digital marketing, my skills and passion grew exponentially. I was not just selling clothes; I was weaving stories, engaging communities, and building a brand from the ground up. The more I learned, the clearer it became: my expertise could be a catalyst for other small businesses striving to find their voice in a crowded digital space. This realization was the birth of Takara Social in 2023. Since then, it’s been an exhilarating journey of empowering businesses with cutting-edge marketing strategies, helping them to thrive and resonate with their audiences just as I did with my brand. Takara Social isn’t just a business; it’s a testament to the power of effective digital marketing and a passion for elevating brands to their fullest potential. Read more>>

David Mills | Business owner, entrepreneur, philanthropist, community leader

My thought process was to carry out Kailee’s legacy in her absence. To build a community of people who were going through similar tragedies and provide support to grieving families. Kailee was always so caring and kind hearted, and would always seek out people who were sad to try and cheer them up and make them feel good about themselves. Read more>>

Veronica Day | Podcast creator and host

I lost my husband unexpectedly in 2018. One day I was a happily married Texan loving my jobs in non-profit and theater; the next I was a young (ish) widow alone in a new house that was full of unpacked moving boxes. “Sadness” and “spiraling” were just two of the words that described me during that time. Read more>>

Mark Lukenbill | Sports Tech Entrepreneur

I have worked for startups in the past and love the creativity, agile nature of entrepreneurship. I saw a real need in the gap between the type of players that are emerging in sports like Golf, Pickleball, Tennis etc, and where the education side of the industry was. There was a real opportunity to introduce technology to solve some major issues and frankly I was struggling with corporate culture and wanted to leave my mark on the world.. or at least try. I didnt want to look back in 20 years with regret. Read more>>

Dewayne Rochell | Entrepreneur

The inception of Rare Rock Auto , my private car rental business, originates from a blend of personal interests and a keen understanding of consumer needs. My passion for all things car-related, ranging from exhilarating weekend drives through the hills to attending car shows and exploring custom wheels and wraps, serves as the driving force behind this venture. As a resident of Little Rock, Arkansas, I observed a rising demand for convenient and flexible transportation options. This insight, coupled with my enthusiasm for the car culture, inspired me to create a business that prioritizes reliability and customer satisfaction. Rare Rock Auto aims to bridge the transportation gap by offering a fleet of meticulously maintained vehicles that cater to diverse needs, all while delivering exceptional customer service. This endeavor perfectly aligns with my commitment to providing valuable services to my city and contributing to the dynamic automotive landscape. Read more>>

Lauren Eades | Purple Leopard Designs

Well, in most cases when people want to start their business it’s because they want to do something for the greater good or be their own boss. Mine was to basically break even. I am a major crafter and always have been. I get it from my mom. For instance, my husband just shakes his head at us because we are the ones that see an old piece of wood pile and collect wood to just have it sit for a long time taking up room because we have too many ideas of what craft to do with it. My family bought me a Cricut for Christmas one year and of course I Make everything. I was spending tons of money, so I decided that maybe I could start my own business to at least break even and be doing something I love. I am also a very anxious and stressed out person. Crafting is my outlet, so I thought what better way for my outlet than start a business and do something I love. Read more>>

Antwanise Jackson | Business Consultant, Founder/CEO EmpowerNet

I grew up around business owners and entrepreneurs. Eventhough my mom had a day job she still had her side hustle. My grandparents were self-made and so many other family members. I come from a line of hustlers. Being around that always trained me to have something of my own and my mother always told me growing up that a job is not enough. You need multiple sources of income to sustain a comfortable life. I guess you could say I was born for this because I’ve had “businesses” since I was 7. From selling rocks to kids on the playground, making lanyard bracelets to burning CDs (R.IP. Limewire,) I even had a business creating Dr. notes and fake practice records for kids in school I have always had a go-getter mindset and incredibly driven. Read more>>

Airiel French | Stay Peachy Sweets

Stay Peachy Sweets was started shortly after my son’s first birthday. I wanted his birthday to be so special and something he looked forward to every year. I decided to try making his cake and cookies myself for his party and quickly fell down the cookie making rabbit hole. Now I not only make cookies for his birthday every year, but cookies for people all over DFW for all kinds of occasions. Read more>>

Kennedy Raye Black | Entreprenur

For me, the idea of having my own business was an inevitability. I come from parents who are entrepreneurs in mindset and bloodline. I always admired the work ethic that they modeled for me and the ability they had to dream. Read more>>

Kodi Jane Wright | Wife, Mother & Owner of The Salty Bronc Boutique

When I started stamping jewelry, I had no idea it was going to soar like it has. I found that it gave me a creative outlet that also allowed me to spend more time with my husband in his metal fabrication shop. When it quickly took off & I was frantically trying to stay organized with the orders were flooding in I knew I had to change & change fast. I was able to get a website published & social media accounts made. But the growth didn’t stop there, I was able to set up a booth in Canton at The First Monday Trades Day & with more growth, it landed me in the store front I am in today. I never had a full thought about starting my own business, it just seemed to happen in front of my eyes & I wouldn’t change it for the world. Read more>>

Aster Graves | Oddity artist and alternative model

Driven by my fervor for unconventional and thought-provoking artistic expressions, I ventured into Oddity art. This decision was rooted in a passion for pushing boundaries – creepy dolls are not something the majority of the public understands or necessarily even likes. Oddities are an expression of the darker side of life, an examination of things that aren’t always viewed as beautiful. I really enjoy providing something to the niche market of weirdos who appreciate the macabre and different side of life. Using materials that would otherwise contribute to the landfill is really important to me as well. I take old dolls, bones, frames and boxes and turn them into incredible new works of art that someone will proudly display in their home. It is a fulfilling experience. Read more>>

Joel Zeff | National Keynote Speaker, Work Culture Expert, Author, Emcee, Humorist and Loud Guy with a Microphone

In September of this year, I will celebrate 30 years on my own. I really didn’t have a plan or thought process when I started my business. My only thought was “I don’t want to work at the advertising agency that was currently employing me”. It was that simple. There had to be something better. Read more>>

Les Lewis | Lash Artist

I learned a new skill that I wanted to share with women who reminded me of myself. Being a single mother let alone a teen mother, you don’t make a lot of time to care for yourself. With the services I provide as a Lash Artist, I show women how to put self-care first. Once I enrolled in school to be a licensed lash artist I knew that was just the beginning & 4 years later I’m still standing learning more & more each day about the beauty industry. Read more>>

Ali Mohammed | AI Entrepreneur

It was November 30, 2022, three days after the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. After exploring the AI chatbot for just a few minutes, I realized I had to act quickly. Read more>>