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.

Jack Burkitt | Marketing Strategist

I was just tired of feeling stuck in place at my 9-5. One day in August of 2020 i realized I didn’t want to be stuck working for “the man” for the rest of my life so I made a 5 year plan that would set me up to where I Could walk away from all that in 5 years. Read more>>

Noelly & Chris | Creatives & Podcasters

Chris: I had the idea for Thirty Flirty and Trying back in 2021. I was in my late 20’s and had this moment of realization that my 30’s were going to be everything that society had told me my 20’s would be. I spent those years learning hard life lessons and I couldn’t wait to get to my 30’s to implement everything I learned and live my best life. Read more>>

Christian And Daniela Sifuentes | Entrepreneurs

My wife and I both own the Nail Salon bar, Christian is an Executive Chef here in the DFW area with a huge background in the Culinary industry from running hotels, restaurant groups, Corporate Dining and even owned a restaurant Pre-Covid. Daniela has been in the Nail industry for some time now with a background in Criminal Justice in her home country, Venezuela. Daniela also runs another business in Digital Marketing. Read more>>

Jenn Estrada | Tarot Reader, Fiber Artist, Swamp Witch

Two Fox Tarot was born after my old life fell apart.
In the span of 6 months, from August 2019 to March of 2020, I got very sick, had to have surgery, lost my job, sold my home, moved my family in with my parents, separated from my husband whom I had been with for 24 years, and then…Covid struck. Read more>>

Ivy Nichols | Entrepreneur & Small Business Owner

I have always loved making creative things and doing art projects. When I was a child and overwhelmed or frustrated, sometimes my mom would sit me down in front of the art cabinet, and I would just make random things and it would bring me peace and joy. In high school, I spent much of my free time making elaborate projects, some of which took 40 or more hours to create – everything from making a quiver, recovering my sword sheath, hand-sewing costumes without patterns, and making elaborate Narnian-inspired crowns, and other jewelry. Read more>>

Corrie Courville | Owner Beauty Balance Esthetics / Licensed Esthetician Cosmetic Tattoo Specialist

Taking the plunge of starting one’s own business comes after careful deliberation of risk versus reward. While paying your dues and learning the industry ins and outs it’s easy to accumulate a list of ways to improve aspects from client experience to staff management and beyond. My clientele following and list of improvements got so long knew I was ready to level up the experience for everyone involved. Read more>>

Kara Grindstaff | Salon Owner/Hair Stylist

After being in the salon industry for nearly 20 years I wanted to create a space that was a positive, collaborative environment. I saw a need for a salon that was built with the stylists in mind. As an owner that still works behind the chair, I know the challenges they face and hope to help guide them and build them up. Read more>>

Shannon Little

The thought process of starting my own business was I wanted to be available to my daughters, 4 and 9-months at the time. I was working in corporate America for several years in sales/marketing, and married at the time. My company was going through a merge and I was told I could re-interview for my position or take a severance. I decided to take this severance and begin this Journey. Growing up my mom‘s three sisters were Hairstylist, so I was around the business my entire childhood. I signed up with Paul Mitchell in Carrollton and it took me a year to get through the program. After I finished the program, I went to a salon and begged the owner to let me start an apprenticeship in his salon, I was 37 at the time so it was interesting starting over; starting over meaning shampooing hair sweeping, and folding towels. Read more>>

Taylor Williams

I wanted to start my own business so I could give back to my community and be able to provide for the kids. I saw it as an opportunity to make a bigger impact. Read more>>

The Gut Goddess Gabrielle Grandell, BSc,FMCHC,CLT

My thought process behind starting my own business emerged from a belief in a holistic approach to healing—one that merges science and spirituality in a way that mainstream methods often don’t address. I saw a gap in the digestive wellness space that required more than standard protocols; it needed deep, integrative support for both the body and spirit. This vision pushed me to create a space where clients could receive care that nurtures all aspects of their well-being, leading to transformations that honor each person’s unique journey toward health. Read more>>

Journey Esposito

When I was just 5 years old I begged my parents for a camera. I still remember that blue film camera in my hands. I had this desire to capture the world around me. As I grew older I kept adding new mediums to my toolbox: A video camera in third grade, paper and paint, a digital camera in middle school which I upgrading to this day. In high school I took a creative writing class that changed my life. All of sudden painting and my cameras where not the only way for me to tell stories, but my words could as well. I was living in Nicaragua at the time and all I wanted to do was write down everyone’s stories. I wanted people’s gold to be shared. Read more>>

Alecia McCoy

For 11 years, I worked in pharmaceutical sales, a role I truly enjoyed. Following the birth of my first child, I craved more flexibility in my life. Starting my own business, Sort the Fort, was a natural extension of my lifelong passion for organization. As a child, I was always drawn to the power of order – my dolls had to be perfectly arranged and I took pride in keeping my drawers, closet, and bathroom creatively organized. Unlike most teenagers, I found joy in tidying. Read more>>

Rollin Riche$

Starting AIP Studios wasn’t just a business move; it was a mission to create a safe, transformative space where artists could grow. From day one, the vision was to be more than just another studio rental; I wanted a place where artists of all kinds could walk in and feel supported, inspired, and understood. Read more>>

Nia Dillon

From a young age, I felt a strong pull toward a vision that was bigger than myself. I believe I was given this direction early on, and as I gained experience working in the marketing field—especially closely with a CEO of a boutique sized agency—I had the chance to see firsthand what it took to build something lasting and impactful. When it was finally time to start my own agency, my thought process was simple yet powerful: keep moving forward, one step at a time, never settling, and always aiming higher. Read more>>

Jen Stevens

Starting Fonde Interiors was deeply connected to my journey into motherhood. After having my first child, I experienced a perspective shift that I think many parents understand – I wanted to show my daughter through example that dreams are worth pursuing, even when they feel daunting. Read more>>