Readers often email us asking us for advice about new businesses they are thinking about starting and we often find that many of them don’t have a framework for thinking about a more fundamental question: why should or shouldn’t you start a business?

Below, you’ll find how successful entrepreneurs from across the city thought about this very question when they were considering whether to start their businesses.

Cathia Menendez collazo | Esthetician/Brow and Lash Artist Specialist

My family and feeling fulfilled in my career. I always give a 100% in everything the I do and I wanted to do something that made me feel happy and proud of myself. Read more>>

Kerry Shatzer | Word Search & Puzzle Designer and Author

I’ve always loved puzzles, especially word searches. It wasn’t until the Covid pandemic where I found myself unemployed that I finally had time to self-publish my own puzzle book on Amazon called DIVERSIONS. Always before my job and personal things kept me too busy to create an entire book. Read more>>

Deborah Olushina | Owner & CEO

From the age of 21, I knew that I wanted to be a business owner. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get there, but I knew I would get there. I really had to decide what my niche was and what I enjoyed doing. I thought about this for maybe two months before taking any steps, finally realizing that I love pampering myself and setting aside days to relax and focus on self care, mental health, etc. Read more>>

Brittany Lashay | Esthetician/Body Contouring Specialist

Starting my own business was personal for me. I’ve always been the type of person to start a task but never finish so I told myself if I start my business I have to be all in, I have to make it to the finish line no matter what it takes and no matter what sacrifices come along the way. Read more>> 

Krystal Springman | Dallas newborn & wedding photographer

Being a military family, I wanted to be able to capture photos of my kids for my family back home. When we left CA to our new duty station I was 4 months pregnant with twins and my son was just barely 2 years old. Read more>>

Sylvie Enoh | Physician Assistant, Owner of Vitadrip & Wellness Spa

Most of my work experience has been in healthcare as a physician assistant in the emergency department for about 11years. I am a wife and a mom with a career, so It is sometimes very hard to have that family life and work balance. Read more>>

Kassy Rivera | Take home decor to the next level

I was so excited! I knew it was the best thing I could do for our family. I knew that I would have to work harder than ever before to make it work, but the reward would be everything every year. I push myself a little bit harder to be the best that I can be and for my customers. Read more>>

Kiel Thorlton | Filmmaker

With our feature film A Place Called Home, I started writing it while I was in film school and working full-time. I’ve always wanted to make movies and I wanted to be sure that I was giving myself the best opportunity I could to attempt that dream. Once I graduated I was on draft 4 with a really clear vision of the project and what I wanted out of it. Read more>>

Dr. Bree Nichols | Operatic Soprano & Founder of Opera Arlington
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I founded Opera Arlington because I am passionate about bringing communities together through music and creating opportunities for artists. This journey began when I was 23 years old and founded Stafford Opera Troupe in my home town in Virginia. Coming from a town with no opera at all, I ran into some surprises transitioning from high school choirs to a collegiate vocal program. Read more>>

Will Frederick | Perspire Sauna Studio – Fort Worth owner

My father was an entrepreneur and the thought of owning my own business has always been in my blood. Health and wellness is a huge passion of mine and I discovered Perspire Sauna Studio in Austin, TX one weekend. After doing a 40 minute session, I felt incredible. I knew right away I wanted to bring this amazing experience to Fort Worth. Read more>>

Abi Gallagher | Owner & Artist

The thought process behind starting my own business was finally putting pen to paper for what had been on my heart for years to do! I love the heart and meaning behind tattoos but do not know if I can ever commit (and I know there are so many others like me!). Read more>>

Megan Shull | Owner and Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist

I have always enjoyed creating and leadership. There is no better way to do that than by owning your own business. In High School and college, I dreamed of opening a private practice serving those that needed support in finding their voice. I spent the first part of my career as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist working in a variety of settings. Read more>>

Ric Mulligan | JMK Creative Group CEO

JMK Creative Group was a dream long in the making. My Business Partner Greg T. Johnson and I love storytelling. We felt that JMK was the perfect place for us to do what we love! We take our love of storytelling and we bring that to our clients everyday! Read more>>

david cramton | Blessed Bru Eatery and CoffeeHouse

Starting out in a five by nine foot trailer with 200 dollars in our pocket, our business began using coffee as a gateway into the mission field ministry. Little did we know God had a different plan. After turning away from the pursuit to travel we instead put down roots in our own backyard. Since then, Blessed Bru has done trade shows, weddings, retirement parties, and graduation celebrations in Wise County and surrounding areas Read more>>