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.

Shemekia Lawrence | Franchise Owner, Bumble Bee Blinds of Frisco

Entrepreneurship has been an ambition of mine for as long as I can remember. The desire to attain work-life balance increased over the years as I spent countless hours working in Corporate Finance. Starting my own business was the only way to control my time and enable me to spend the time with my family I desired. Read more>>

Andrew Tran | Sports & Family Chiropractor

After seven years of practicing chiropractic care, I’ve decided to start my own business to better align with my vision of holistic health. My journey in this field has equipped me with the expertise and confidence to create a space that promotes overall well-being. Read more>>

Cheryl Miller Houser | Director, Producer & Public Speaker

I launched my own company, Creative Breed, with two guiding principles: to tell beautifully crafted stories that drive connection, understanding and positive action and to work with companies and people who align with my values. Read more>>

Tania Molina | Photographer

TLB Snapshots actually started with a little push from one of my biggest cheer leaders, my husband Rene it was back in 2015. I remember it like it was yesterday he came home and said, “My coworker is selling a Nikon D90 with a lens for $600 do you want it?” I said, “For what?” He goes off to say, “What about if you start offering $50 hour sessions?!” Read more>>

Karla Pineda | Executive Director, OCD & Anxiety Specialist

I officially opened Layers Counseling Specialists in September 2023. At the time, I was only able to dedicate weekends to the practice, and I was fully virtual. In December 2023 I took a leap of faith and left my full time job to focus on Layers full-time. In January 2024 I opened my office in Plano, Texas. Read more>>

Nhi Kieu | Certified Master Lash + Brow Artist

Starting my beauty business was driven by a desire for independence, efficiency, and self-accountability. I wanted to control my professional destiny, streamline operations without needing approval from higher-ups, and hold myself accountable for success. Read more>>

Shaunté Johnson | Visionary

Starting my own business was fueled by my desire to be more available for my son as a single parent, free from the constraints of a corporate job. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst, pushing me to heed God’s calling and conquer my fears. Read more>>

Tiffany Chen | Optometrist and Co-Owner of Modern Vue Eyecare

We started talking about having a practice of our own to give us a bit more flexibility in our schedule, a better work/life balance, and more freedom to practice optometry how we wanted to. We strived to prioritize quality care and quality products. Read more>>

Stacy Lan | Photographer

The thought process behind starting my own business as a photographer was based on personal inspiration that grew into something bigger than I could imagine. My journey began with my dad, a passionate hobbyist who loved taking photos for me and my friends. After he passed away, I looked at his collection of camera equipment and thought, “Why not give photography a shot?” Read more>>

Annette Rendon | Licensed Massage Therapist

My thought process behind starting my own business was pretty simple: just go for it. Take the risks and have no regrets. It’s something I’ve wanted ever since I started earning money. After a few years of going back and forth on whether or not I should start, I just decided to go for it. Read more>>

Char McGaughy | Artist , Designer & owner of Gold Dust Tattoos

When I started Gold Dust in 2013, there wasn’t really any studios doing what I was doing. I wanted to create a relaxed environment that was more centered around art and the individual client rather than the traditional “street shop” vibe that was kind of the norm. I really just wanted a space of my own that I curate and be comfortable in. Read more>>

Cass Henderson | Photographer & Event Producer

When I first moved away for college, photography was an easy way for me to connect to my new community and make friends. I started getting asked to take people’s engagement photos, graduation photos – to share in those life moments with them. Read more>>

Peace Obisesan | Founder, TunTun’s Place

The inspiration behind starting TunTun’s Place came from a deeply personal and heartfelt place. My mother played a pivotal role in shaping the values of family, love, and community that I hold dear today. Growing up, she always found creative ways to bring our family together, making every moment special and memorable. Read more>>

Megan A. Blake | Romance Author & Flight Attendant

It was late 2022, and we’d just lost my mom to Scleroderma- a rare, insidious autoimmune disease. Consumed by grief, I made a selfish mistake that caused my fiance to end our engagement just two months after my mom’s passing. You’ll have to read Entangled Books I and II to learn the juicy, riveting details of what really happened, but I was in pain.  Read more>>

Melody Brunsting | Award-winning public relations and marketing specialist

I started my business in a small community of about 5,000 people. My main purpose was creative freedom and assisting non-profits in the local area. Read more>>

Tracy Sievers | Curriculum Writer & Educational Resource Creator

Never in a million years did I think I’d own my own business… I had been a teacher for over 20 years and figured I’d do it until I retired. Although teaching was a challenging job, I always found so much love in the walls of my classroom. Through the years, it got tougher and after COVID, it became so much more than teaching kids. Read more>>

Hillary Amakwe | Beauty School Owne

When starting momentum beauty academy, I wanted to be a stepping stone for students to reach their highest potential. When you learn something the right way it lowers the chances of error or burn out in the industry. I truly think it’s apart of my purpose in life to educate people. I want to leave earth better than when I came haha! Read more>>

Eduardo Sobrino | Makeup Artist

I wanted to start my business because I feel that I am a very creative being, and I wanted my own exam to exploit that creativity. Read more>>

Long Nguyen

The thought process behind starting our own business was rooted in a desire to revolutionize the nail industry. We recognized the challenges faced by nail techs, salon owners, and customers alike – from exorbitant prices to a lack of innovative products.  Read more>>

Allison Moorman | Certified Nutrition Coach & Recipe Developer

I had 2 major life shifts that led me to starting my own business. The first came after years of working in marketing and sales. I loved campaign and event planning, talking to customers, hosting educational events, and seeing my creativity come to life for brands. Read more>>