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.

“MAC-B”

What causes people to live a stagnated life? What causes people to give up on their dreams? What is the reason for the people dragging others into misery that they themselves disdain. These where questions that have been in my mind since I was a youth. Being born and raised in Durhma, NC, and seeing how many members of my community conducted themselves brought about these questions and caused me to search for a solution for each one.  Read More>>

KMo

In 2018, the vision for Black Girls of Texas came from a simple yet powerful realization: Black women and girls across the state needed a space that felt like us. A space where we could be seen, heard, and connected—not just online, but in real life too.

At the time, it was clear that while Texas is full of incredible Black women, we often existed in silos—spread out, unheard, or underrepresented in our communities, workplaces, and social spaces. There wasn’t a centralized platform that celebrated our stories, uplifted our voices, or created opportunities for us to build together. Read More>>

Lozen Ime

You get tired of working for someone else. Working to grow the dreams of other people while yours get put on the sidelines. I wanted to do something where I was not only pursuing my own dreams but helping other people at the same time. It’s always been my passion to simply live the life I want, to be free to do things my way. For a long time my life was all about other people. Read More>>

Christa

Daily was birthed out of a need that I saw in my neighborhood of East Dallas. So many of the residents here live an active and on the go lifestyle with not many healthy options to grab on a busy day. Each day that I would wrap up a run or a workout at the local gym, I would always want a fresh juice to replenish my body but there were no options nearby. I knew I wanted to fill this need but how? With the goal of a brick and mortar in mind, we decided to start small by offering delivery and partnering with local businesses to do pop ups. We exist to nourishing our community and we like to have fun while doing it! Read More>>

Funmi Oloyede

Becoming a content creator was driven by my passion for makeup and the challenges I faced in finding foundation shades that matched my very deep complexion. I realized that the foundation is the cornerstone of every makeup routine, yet it was incredibly difficult to find suitable options for my skin tone. This inspired me to create content that could help others in similar situations. Read More>>

Salma Ahmed

Hello! My name is Salma Ahmed and I’m a home baker in Plano, TX. My business name is Mini Delights by Salma. Starting my business wasn’t part of some grand plan—it grew out of love, curiosity, and a lot of late nights in the kitchen. After having my first daughter in 2013, I became really interested in what we were eating as a family—what ingredients were in our food and how to make cleaner choices. Read More>>

Monét Ako-Brew

Body By Monét actually originated as part of a college assignment, where I was tasked with creating a business within the health and wellness industry. I chose to develop a concept for a fitness facility and named it ‘Body By Monét.’ What started as a class project quickly evolved into something much more meaningful.

While my long-term vision is to eventually open a gym under a different name, I launched Body By Monét as a personal training business shortly after graduation. I began working with clients and quickly realized the strong demand for knowledgeable, intentional trainers and coaches—something I strive to embody every day. Read More>>

Danielle Foster

The truth is, the idea for byGemGirl didn’t come from some grand business plan initially. It really blossomed organically out of my personal life and professional background. Growing up immersed in the pawn industry gave me a unique lens on the world of jewelry – I learned about value, craftsmanship, and the stories behind these precious objects from a very young age. Then, becoming a GIA Graduate Gemologist solidified my technical knowledge and passion for gemstones. Read More>>

Anna

Starting my own business was a natural step for me – it came from a deep desire to create something meaningful, personal, and impactful. I’ve always been passionate about beauty, creativity, and creating environments where people feel confident and cared for. Over time, I realized that working for someone else often came with limitations on how I could express that vision. Read More>>

Anissya Munoz

My thought process behind starting this postpartum services business came from witnessing how isolating and overwhelming the postpartum period can be—both in my own life and for women around me. I realized that while there’s plenty of focus on pregnancy, there’s not nearly enough support once the baby arrives. I wanted to create something that didn’t just offer help, but offered care, community, and education to women—no matter their background, situation, or story. This business is about making sure no woman feels alone in one of the most transformative times of her life. Read More>>

Ben Guilherme

I’ve always been self-employed, so starting my own business wasn’t a big surprise to anyone who knew me. I’ve spent most of my career in industries where I was essentially my own boss, so continuing down that path felt like a natural progression.

Interestingly enough, I got into grooming in a roundabout way—one of my friends approached me about buying their grooming shop. At the time, I didn’t know much about the industry, but I was eager to learn. I dove in headfirst, determined to understand the ins and outs of grooming so I could confidently run my own salon without feeling like I was constantly playing catch-up. Read More>>

Arpitha Neravetla

I grew up in Hyderabad, a vibrant South Indian city renowned for its rich and flavorful cuisine.The heart of Indian cooking lies in its spices — fresh, aromatic, and perfectly balanced.

When life brought me to the United States, I found myself longing for the bold, familiar spices of my childhood. The store shelves were lined with mass-produced spices, their flavors dulled by long journeys and distant expiration dates. The authentic blends I craved were nowhere to be found. Read More>>

Devontae Zachery

My thought process behind starting my business was creating an entrepreneurial haven where entrepreneurs can create the business they desire and flourish with a concrete foundation. And have a Network of likeminded individuals catapulting each other’s business to the next level Read More>>

Faith Womack

I saw there was a need in the market and realized I could be the one to fill the need! For me, it was all done through prayer or I would have been too scared. But, at the time there weren’t women online talking about Biblical studies from an academic standpoint, only an emotional-driven one. I stepped in and it challenged and grew me more than I’d ever expect. Read More>>

May Liu

“What was my thought process behind starting the Superstar Art Foundation?”

It began with a simple, yet powerful realization: the world is full of extraordinary talent—but not everyone with a voice gets a platform. I saw artists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds or emerging nations, creating profound, meaningful work—but struggling to be seen, heard, or supported. That broke my heart, and lit a fire. Read More>>

Cheryl Edinbyrd

In many ways, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit—it was just something in me, even if I didn’t fully recognize it at the time. Like many people, life circumstances led me down a more traditional path, working in corporate America to make a living. But over time, I realized that while I was earning a paycheck, I wasn’t growing. In fact, I felt stuck—held in a space that didn’t allow me to evolve or fully step into my purpose. Read More>>

Marie Puebla

Honestly, it started with a feeling more than a plan. I was in a season of transition—juggling motherhood, marathon training, school, and trying to find a career path that actually aligned with the life I wanted. I kept thinking, there has to be a way to share this journey and build something meaningful from it.

So I leaned into storytelling. I started sharing the real, unfiltered parts of my life—early morning runs, mom guilt, trying to rebuild after setbacks, all of it. My thought process wasn’t “I’m starting a business,” it was “I’m starting a movement for busy women who want more—more health, more purpose, more freedom.” Read More>>