We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Ariel Burley | Photographer

When I first started photography, it was to take fun pictures of my own family, it was definitely just a hobby but then I took it further… I loved watching families behind the camera. I loved watching interactions and seeing the love for eachother in their eyes. Eventually I loved being a part of those memories so much, I decided that I wanted to do that full time. Read more>>

Rahmatu Kassimu | Public Health Consultant, Academic Writing Coach, Public Speaker

Health disparities affect African American/Black people disproportionately in our country. Much of the disparity is due to a lack of access and information—particularly a lack of knowledge of how to advocate for oneself effectively. I do the work I do to reduce these health disparities and increase the quality of life in POC, particularly African American/Black people. Read more>>

Gunnar Axne | Artist Manager & PR

I began CITOC Management back in 2021 during my freshman year of college. I just started studying artist & event management in the music business at Columbia College Chicago. I was friends with a few rappers and always enjoyed music and being around them in the studio. One day I realized maybe I couldn’t make my own music, but I could help others reach their own goals within their music careers. Read more>>

Shauna Jaune | Founder & CEO

HER Modeling Agency was created to build an environment for women to flourish and grow into in the best version of themselves. We are an agency for women, led by women that emphasizes that you don’t have to change yourself to be successful in the industry. HER modeling Agency wants to show the world that modeling is more than just being beautiful. We stand on the foundation that you must be brilliant to be successful. Read more>>

Darlene Johnson | Fraud Investigator & Small Business Owner

The thought process behind starting Nobody’s Secret was based off of my personal experiences. After I had my daughter in October 2021, seeing my body go through changes was really rough. There were times I didn’t feel sexy and was very insecure. I knew this feeling could be felt worldwide with other moms or women in general. In today’s society, you’re expected to snap back into shape right after childbirth. Read more>>

Candice Michelle | Photo Booth & Party Rentals CEO

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit! Everyone that knows me calls me a Jackie of all trades. I have always liked to master different things. I love the hustle and the idea of creating something for my family to benefit from. I’ve started a few ventures. The photo booth business came up when I talked to my mom about it. One of our very last printed pictures together was at a photobooth! Read more>>

 

Ashley Mendiola-Smith | Owner/ Licensed Esthetician/ Certified Cosmetic Injector

I wanted to start a business that would not only be an amazing place for people to come and get pampered in a one stop shop environment, but a stable and comfortable place that professionals in my industry could work and thrive. I pride myself on the fact that I have built something that not only makes me a proud business owner, that also corners a market that meets several beauty needs. Read more>>

Gabriella Stella

What makes you happy? Why? Music gives me true happiness that I can’t get from anything else. It allows me to truly express my feelings. Music is a universal language and truly just based on emotions. It’s a great way to decipher how a person is and what they are all about. Read more>>

Ashley Sellers- Jones | 24/7 Childcare & T- Shirts

Being able to stay home with my children, and giving them everything I didn’t have growing up. I started my daycare to be able to stay home & make enough income to provide for my kids, then I started my t shirt business for fun & extra money. Read more>>

Chris Ford | Entrepreneur & Educator

Entrepreneurship has been in my blood from birth, both my mother and father are active business owners in their own respected industries. I remember as a child my mother connecting me with a resource to start my very first business selling aqua fish in small aquariums for local vending events in Dallas. Although throughout school I had dreams of being a professional football player, Read more>>

Bridgette Brouillette | Bespoke Experimental Baker

My initial thought process was one really fueled by this desire to create flavors and things I had never tried before. I was heavily interested in how I can subvert the typical dessert and make it something unexpected, both visually and in flavor. I had to believe I wasn’t the only person interested in a more complex dessert, something that goes beyond cute and sugary. Read more>>

Kimberly Luttery | Writer, BIPOC Author & Publisher

My love for fiction began at an early age with writing short stories and poetry. I spent much of my career working with non-profit organizations that focus on family and children, but always maintained my passion for creative writing. After writing a poem about the relationship between my mother and niece, Read more>>

Bethany Franklin | Recruiter & Career Services Consultant

As a recruiter, I’ve sat on both sides of the table when it comes to the job search. I have come across great talent from all industries and backgrounds, but for a variety of reasons, they do not make the final cut in the hiring process. Having the knowledge of and insight into what employers are looking for in a potential candidate, I can serve as a trusted advisor for job seekers. Read more>>

Jason Doherty | Founder of The MVMT Lab

I found a boutique gym in Philadelphia in a really hard time in my life. I was out of shape and very unhappy. The gym I found was built on teaching me about my health and movement. It’s the first time I was taught and shown what I was capable of physcial and became very empowering. I used it to build back my health and in doing so met a community of people that were all into doing the same thing. It was a transformative experience and I wanted to build a business that could do the same for others. Read more>>

Carly Rudd | Rancher, Rodeo athlete, TV personalit

I grew up raised with that mindset. Coming from a 7 generation Ranching family, My family have all been involved in running their own business’s. Running a working ranch is a crazy business that depends on a lot of different factors and a person has to be a proactive hard worker in order to keep up. This way of thinking has been instilled in me my entire life and has led me to applying that mindset towards everything I do. Read more>>

Tiffany Matschek | Founder of Tiffs Kitchen | Private Chef and Cooking Class

As long as I can remember I have wanted to start my own business, I created Tiffs Kitchen in the summer of 2021 following the birth of my daughter Grace. Before opening Tiffs Kitchen I had worked for 11 years in the restaurant industry and while I loved the people I met along the way and valued how much I’ve learned over the years, Read more>>

Diana | Drip Queen

As a Latina who came from a big family I always saw my parents work hard to take care of me and my siblings, I wanted to do the same for my children, I wanted to be able to provide for them and to be able to pass on what I created (my business) I have always been a go getter I don’t stop so I find any way to keep myself busy and having my own thing to me just felt right, Read more>>

Sheila Kelsey | Head Barista and Co-Owner

I’ve had a strong desire to build something for several years. I’ve been an employee and I know what that feels like. I felt the lack of drive and motivation. Being an employee allowed me to hide and stay comfortable. I’ve also been an entrepreneur by way of direct sales and network marketing. Those roles not only pushed me way outside my comfort zone, they showed me what’s possible and and what I’m capable of. Read more>>

Barbara Y | Business Owner

My thought process for starting my own business was to make a legacy for my kids and grandkids since I have been in the jewelry business for over 41 years and my children was familiar also with the jewelry business so after retiring and my husband, which is now deceased was a former Dallas fire fighter and one of my sons became a jeweler as well and my other was also familiar with everything in this world of retail and computer designs and more after my husband’s death, we decided to open up our own family Fine Jewerly and repair shop Read more>>