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.

Josh Wolfer | Location Sound Mixer, Musician, and over-all decent human being.

Like many people I’m sure, I was told at a young age that you should figure out what you love to do – and then you should figure out a way to get paid to do it. So I didn’t really think “Hey I want to own my own business!”, but rather, “How can I get paid to do what I really love”. And that’s always been the core foundation of my thought process. Read more>>

Morgan Waldrep | Marketing Agent & Store Owner

With a background as a boutique owner, as well as other small businesses over the years being self-employed was nothing new for me. After successfully tackling infertility and expanding our family I knew I wanted to get back into entrepreneurship and the retail world but in a different sense. Maintaining some flexibility in my schedule for my family and being present for my kids and their needs was and is very important for me. I have a passion for small businesses and for helping those who own and operate them. Read more>>

Emily Phillips | Floral Designer for Weddings and Events

It was not so much a thought process that led to the start of Emily Kaye Floral Atelier, a couture floral design studio for weddings and destination events, as much as it was a journey of experiences that culminated in its creation. Although I’ve never shied away from moving an idea into reality, I am not sure I ever thought to myself “I want to own my own business.” My initial confusion, and perhaps ignorance, at how I should apply my love for beauty and my drive to create in a sometimes bland and often career obsessed society led me on a meandering walk where hesitant steps suddenly turned into purposeful strides. Read more>>

Erin MeHarg | Creative

I love to be creative and make things. In the past, people would often say “You should sell that!”, so I decided to do just that. I believe I get my entrepreneurial spirit form my parents, that had their now business years ago. I like the idea of being in charge of my own creativity. At times my daughter makes items and we will sell our goods at different markets. I love that I can share that with her. Read more>>

Jheneal McDuffie | Owner and Chief of The Resume Chic & C0.

I started my business [The Resume Chic & Co.] because I saw a need to help new graduates launch their careers in a crowded job search marketplace. The Problem: When I graduated, I was blessed to have already worked at a Fortune 500. However, some of my peers and those who graduated after me struggled to leverage their degrees. Read more>>

Olivia Tidwell | Online Professional Counselor

In spring of 2020 I had my first child, and I left working as a counselor at a university to be a stay at home mom. In fall of 2021 I had my second child, and as time went on, my passion to return to work and help women and couples through counseling was calling my name! In spring of 2022 I starting thinking “why not” about the thought of starting my own business. I wanted to still be home as much as I could with my kids during their young years, and my husband and I wanted the freedom to travel and do things as a family, so I realized starting my own online/ virtual counseling private practice would give me the flexibility to do things and make decisions that were best for my family. Read more>>

Jules Kim | Jewelry Designer

I started my own jewelry business with the hopes of creating a legacy and building stability for myself as an independent artist. In the early 2000s in Manhattan, there was a bubbling over of street culture that impacted fashion and ultimately, jewelry. I felt the need to assert this style into popular culture. Read more>>

Kimberly Darwin-Scott | Licensed Laser Professional, Injector & Phlebotomist

My thought process was that I wanted to be able to provide services to women and men in the southern dallas community. I researched the industry to ensure I understood the regulatory guidelines. I obtained education in all of the areas that interested me and started the creating the vision behind the brand of MedSkinMe. The actual thought became a realization because I wanted to educate minorities on anti aging products and wellness treatments. We all know all skin does crack at some point however everyone wants to know how to preserve it. Read more>>

Jolynn Tizeno | Host Travel Agency Owner & Travel Concierge

As a kid we always traveled as a family. I had a passion for travel and became the family travel planner. I decided to live out my dream and become a Travel Agency Owner in 2018. I love planning and curating individual and group trips for my clients. We Make Vacation Dreams Come True! I also love mentoring and sharing knowledge with other agents. Read more>>

Chelsea White | Brazilian Waxing Specialist

My thoughts weren’t exactly on starting my own business back in 2020 but to find someone who could give me the best waxing experience with quality products. This was also, when the pandemic was at it’s all time high, however I found my now business partner Tabitha Hall, who has forever changed my life for the better. After meeting Tabitha I was furloughed from my current job and she encouraged me to go back to school and come work with her in the field of esthetics. Read more>>