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.

Nahuytl V. Sanchez | Communications Specialist & Entrepreneur & Master of Ceremonies

I was inspired to open a Selfie Museum, by having a desire for a venture for myself and my own freedom to let out my creativity. Our venue is an immersive experience with beautiful décor made for the public to let their photos shine. I wanted something creative and colorful for the community to enjoy, with reasonable pricing they can afford. I also wanted to add a little of my own personality into it, so I added a western hat boutique offering handmade jewelry and personalized country shirts. Read more>>

Lacy Yamaoka | Founder & Facialist, Elo Skin

Firstly, leaving a legacy behind for my five-year-old daughter Eloise was the driving force behind my business beginnings. Elo Skin, aptly named after Eloise, was a creative endeavor from the heart but also about establishing roots and donning a new hat from a career perspective. We had been living a vagabond life working in the hotel world prior from Hawaii to the Caribbean, and being a creative chameleon, I wanted to start a special niche business. I struggled with finding the “it” facial experience unless I was in Europe or Asia, so why not bring more luxury and European style into the wellness world here in North Dallas! Read more>>

Priscilla Aguilar | Permanent Makeup Artist

Since the very beginning I discovered that the 9 to 5 corporate job wasn’t for me. I wanted to own my own business, to create flexibility with my time and financial freedom for my family and I.I want to establish generational wealth for my children and future grandchildren and to also show my kids that you can be successful without working for someone else. I was given the opportunity to enter this industry 4 years ago with another permanent makeup company that helped me grow within the beauty industry and understand what it takes to be an entrepreneur. In 2021 I decided that it was time to venture out on my own and to start my own permanent makeup business. Read more>>

Gayathri, Sanjana Vanka, Kavula | Project Pink Co-Founder, Project Pink Co-Founder

Our inspiration for Project Pink was sparked close to home. We came across an alarming statistic while conducting research for a project: 27 million American women struggle with mental health issues. Worse, Dallas was ranked the worst city in the United States for mental health. After volunteering at a local women’s shelter, we realized that these numbers had implications that ran far deeper than we could imagine. We mobilized our passion for healthcare and advocacy to spark Project Pink, a 501(c) organization dedicated to stigmatizing and addressing Women’s Mental Health. Read more>>

Moeza Kamran | Owner of Kashmiri Chai House

Hi my name is Moeza and I’m the owner of KashmiriChaiHouse. In my journey with Kashmiri Chai House, my vision has always been about more than just a business. It’s a heartfelt mission to connect people with the rich tapestry of South Asian flavors while infusing modern creativity into each dish. Nothing brings me more joy than witnessing people come together over our chai, savory appetizers, and delectable desserts. This endeavor is about sharing the authenticity of South Asian fusion with the world, regardless of ethnicity or background. Seeing people bond over a cup of chai or savoring our dishes fills my heart with happiness. Read more>>

Audrey Silvestre | Pastry Chef

Growing up, I’d spend time in the kitchen with my parents learning how to bake and always enjoyed the decorating part the most. It then became a small dream of mine to one day open up my own bake shop/cafe. It was never really my main goal and something I just considered to do once I was retired. But come the pandemic, boredom peaked and I spent a good amount of that time in the kitchen experimenting for myself. After trial and error, and couple critiques from family and friends, I created a unique recipe that everyone loved. Read more>>

Noah Shark” Robertson | Musician

I have a lot of motivations for delving into the entrepreneurial side of the entertainment business. First of all, I’ve had many experiences with businesses and owners that I thought were doing it wrong. Whether it was their interactions with their customers or their staff or their failure to capitalize on opportunities, it occurred to me that I could do it and do it right. Also, as a creative-minded individual, it’s fun for me to learn and employ different processes and build things from the ground up. I enjoy the journey. It also creates an opportunity for me to help others, which is one of my main motivations behind a lot of what I do. Read more>>

Tracie Tucker | Brand Management and Consulting Services

I have always struggled being in a regular work environment even as a teen. I enjoy the freedom of creating, critical thinking and sharing and applying ideas to grow. Grow rather myself or others. Read more>>

Ashli Young | Co-Owner of Friend to Friend Organizing, L.L.P.

My decision to start my own organizing business with my friend was the result of a thought process that evolved over time, shaped by various experiences and a deepening passion for the work. After trying out many different kinds of jobs, I found myself in a somewhat unexpected position: I began working as an organizer for a small local business. It wasn’t a career I had initially planned for, but I quickly discovered that I not only enjoyed the work but also had a natural talent for it. The process of decluttering spaces, creating efficient systems, and helping clients regain control of their lives resonated with me on a personal level. Read more>>

Jordan, Lindsey and Theresa Kuhn | RV Resort Owners

We actually have a General Contracting business that we have grown over the last 6 years. However, when Covid hit… it affected us quite a bit. Especially since our main source of projects is Retail & Office Spaces. Work essentially came to a halt. So… we did what many people did. We grabbed our camper and hit the road! During this trip, we down to south Texas around Kerrville, over to Marfa and then down to Big Bend. One thing that we kept talking about is the peace we felt under the stars. Read more>>

Kellie Brown Jessica Washington | Kellie Brown | (Co-Founder & Wellness Enthusiast) Jessica Washington | (Co-Founder & Skincare Expert)

You know, the idea of Love Apothecary really took root during the pandemic. I mean, those were some tough years for all of us, right? We were stuck at home, learning new ways to adapt and cope with the craziness going on in the world. And that’s when it hit us – self-care was more important than ever. We were all craving a bit of relaxation, a moment of tranquility in the chaos. So, even though Jess and I had been tinkering in our “kitchen lab” for years, it was during those pandemic days that we thought, “Hey, let’s take this to the next level.” Read more>>

Christina Cheng-Patel | Mother, Collaborator, Nonprofit Founder and Researcher

I have volunteered just about my entire teen and adult life. When I had my boys, I wanted to share the opportunity to serve others with them but I found that oftentimes, those opportunities were not a good fit for us. The boys were too young to volunteer or the times available didn’t fit my work schedule or their school schedule or for one reason or another, it just didn’t work out. Then it occurred to me that we didn’t need some predetermined template to help and we didn’t need arbitrary conditions to serve. There is no set age limits or times or monetary requirements. Read more>>

Calundra Thompson | Social Media Marketing Manager

As a very cautious and seemingly responsible person, before anything I wanted to make sure that I had the capacity to begin and maintain a business. I recently got married one year ago and I knew that being a wife would be a major adjustment to the lifestyle I knew. But, to my benefit, I married a man who has a full time job as well as two business of his own. His example truly inspired me. I thought, ‘If he’s able to work his 9 to 5 AND be a successful business owner, then surely I can too.’ Read more>>

Juliet Ramon | Content Creator for YouTube + Instagram

In 2020 started my YouTube channel, Mama Tried because I wanted to create the content that I was looking for as a first time mom. I started with a video sharing my story of infertility with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and how I finally got pregnant with my daughter after being told I couldn’t have kids of my own. From there, I started sharing everything I was figuring out on my own, and how to do it. What to pack in a diaper bag, DIY sensory activities, how to make your own baby food, healthy meal ideas for toddlers, how to travel with babies and toddlers, how to live a healthy lifestyle as a busy mom, and so much more! Basically, if I’m going through it.. I’m making a video about it. Read more>>