Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Heidi Levan | Co-Founder & CEO, NuWell Network, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

NuWell Network is a culmination of working in the healthcare industry for over a decade combined with witnessing chronic burn out among healthcare workers. I formed NuWell Network with simplistic goals; to build a more resilient healthcare community and to place healthcare workers in full-time permanent placements they love to work in. The issue of burn out permeated the healthcare industry long before the pandemic. After witnessing burn out for years and also noticing chronic staffing issues, I decided to co-found NuWell Network with the goal of changing the healthcare culture and shift the revolving job door mentality to one of permanence and teamwork. Read more>>

Michael Kervin | Live Music Promoter & Supporter

After I graduated from the University of Texas in 1999 I started working as a tour manager for a band in the jam scene down in Austin called LARRY. I spent most of my twenties on the road with them and wow were those some amazing years! Once that ended I decided to continue and support the jam scene I loved so much by starting my own company called Time2fly Music. I have such passion to help book/promote bands, festivals, and venues that are dear to my heart. I’ve been fortunate to have my own business but to use it to help others as much as possible has been my biggest drive. We all want to make money to support life but its also been such a blessing for me to be able to have so many years around such beautiful people. Read more>>

Rachel Anderson | Artist

Starting my own business was a natural progression of my passion for art and creativity. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills, explored various mediums, and developed a unique style that resonates with my audience. The desire to share my art with a broader community and turn my passion into a profession drove me to take the leap. I wanted to create a space where I could express my artistic vision, connect with fellow art enthusiasts, and offer one-of-a-kind pieces that bring joy and inspiration. It’s been a fulfilling journey, and I look forward to the continued evolution of my art and business. Read more>>

Rachel Martinez | Bridal Designer & Seamstress

The thought behind starting my own business came from offering a service to brides as a one stop shop for alterations and customization on veils.
This startup came to me in my prior days at working in a Bridal shop where I would see first hand brides and bridesmaids not coming in on time for alterations for their big day. Either not coming in on time to book an appointment or simply a small take in from the shoulder or waistband being simply too expensive and not have an alternative. My mission is to alleviate the stress of worrying about the little details before the big day, not only for brides but also for bridesmaids, mother of the bride or groom, and anyone celebrating a special event. This is where I decided to name my business “One yes Away”. Read more>>

Rebeca Avila | Independent Business Owner

After graduating college in 2019, I started my professional career with my first full-time role, specializing in recruiting and sales for a medical staffing company based in Austin, Texas. However, as the pandemic hit its peak towards the end of March, the company had to make difficult decisions, resulting in the layoff of employees with less than six months of tenure. To make ends meet, I worked as an independent delivery driver through various platforms. When things began stabilizing in 2021, I relocated to southern California and secured a 9-5 office position at a business immigration law firm. Unfortunately, my position was eliminated, which resulted in my return to Texas. Read more>>

Jordan & Valentina Servin | Catering service

For us, it was to be our own boss. Have control of our schedule and let our creative show with our products. We have always had a entrepreneurial mindset. Always looking to offer the next big thing, amazing service and a unique experience. Read more>>

Janae Matute | Artist

As a young child, I always knew I was talented. I used to place crayons or pencils between my toes and drew scribbles on paper. Somedays, I would play in the sand, creating my own little art work, for fun of course. My family and I loved doing arts and crafts together. The first day when I knew I wanted to be an artist was when I created my first piece with the verse “Philippians 4:13, which is not for sale and is beautifully displayed in our family home. On this day, I decided that I wanted to mess around with some paint on a piece of board. I was so shocked at how my toes naturally flowed and ended up creating my first masterpiece. Read more>>

Krystal Turner | Senior Admin Assistant & Baker

The thought process is my passion for baking and traveling. It led me to explore delicious pastries abroad but also inspired me to share these culinary delights with my community in Dallas. By introducing my spin on these international flavors, I’m offering tasty treats but creating a bridge between places, connecting my city with the places I’ve been. Through my baked creations, I want to encourage a sense of adventure and promoting the idea that travel can be experienced through the palate, sparking curiosity and a desire to explore different cultures. My journey is not just about baking; it’s a delightful invitation to travel, taste, and connect with the world. Read more>>

Jatavia Thornton | Early Childhood Educator

Preschoolbookcorner started out as a class assignment for my graduate program. I was enrolled in a Language and Literacy course at Tarleton State University. I was pursuing my Master’s in Teaching and Curriculum with a concentration in Child and Family Studies. We were asked to create a resource for parents to help increase language and literacy in children, so I created a website for parents. I included teacher reviews of favorite books from their classroom library, I included parent review of books, credible articles for parents, defined common terms in child care such as developmentally appropriate practices, and a list of books categorized by age group. Read more>>

Meg Tamre | Coffee Entrepreneur

After a tough year personally, my husband and I learned how important it is to take charge of our lives and happiness. We wanted to turn our interests into a business that would allow us to explore other cultures, help others, grow a community, and teach our young daughter about the importance of hard work. My husband, like coffee, was born in Ethiopia. Coffee has always been an important staple in our household and family gatherings. Combining his culture, and my experience in the hospitality industry we decided starting a coffee business would be an exciting adventure we could share as a family. Read more>>