The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Daniela Hernandez

Honestly , I realized there wasn’t many studio or creative spaces in mesquite! Everything is in Dallas or fortworth. And I wanted to give creatives an option for something more local. Read More>>

Erica Norwood

This might sound like a cliche artist answer, but I’d call it less of a thought process and more of simply following my intuition. I’ve always loved to create, and so in the beginning, there was no thought of money. Even my first official art teaching job, at Studio Art House in Southlake, 14 years ago, was suggested to me by someone else. It felt like the right direction, so I went for it. While teaching there, I was introduced to so many new art mediums, that I was bursting with inspiration every single day. Read More>>

Diego Serrano

My journey into filmmaking has been shaped by a mix of passion, perseverance, and a desire to build something of my own. I started as a production assistant in Peru, learning the ropes from the ground up. While I dedicated myself to mastering the technical aspects of filmmaking, it was the creative process—the act of bringing a vision to life—that truly fueled me. Over the years, I honed my skills, gained invaluable experience, and eventually transitioned into directing. Read More>>

Franklin Davis

Starting my own business is a bold and exciting journey that requires a positive mindset by embracing the opportunity for growth as well as freedom and control. I wanted to turn my passion into impact. The idea of building something from the ground up, fueled by my own vision and values, was incredibly motivating. I saw an opportunity to not just fill a gap in the market but to create experiences that resonate with people.  Read More>>

Abraham Salum

I wanted to have my own place, where people could come on a regular basis and hav e good meal, nor frills, just great food and service. A place they would feel at home and served by people they know well and trust. Read More>>

Abby Pfaff

I started my business my junior year of high school simply because I love photographing people. It has been quite the journey as I continued my business through college, through the pandemic, to now. My mission is to empower people to feel confident and excited in front of the camera. Many people shy away from professional photography or rely solely on their cell phones to document their lives. Read More>>

Lauren O’connor

My journey with Amplified Minds is deeply personal. I’ve lost numerous friends to suicide and substance use, and that kind of loss changes you. It pushes you to take action, to create real support systems that can save lives. When I joined Amplified Minds (formally Foundation 45) in 2016, I saw an opportunity to help build something truly impactful—an organization that provides free, high-quality mental health care to those who need it most. Read More>>