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.

Paige Kirkland

I started my photography business about sixteen years ago, it did not really take on a business feel until I really graduated from college. I got introduced to photography in high school and fell in love. It really helped me find myself and my voice. At that point I knew this was what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I started taking pictures for friends and family right out of high school and went to college for photography, I graduated with my Bachelors in Fine Arts with my concept in photography.  Read More>> 

Yelitza Vega- Perez

My first thought was, was I even ready? I’ve seen and heard horror stories. I’ve had friends fail and give up and I really didn’t know if I could handle that but I have such a huge support system that I knew even if it failed I could keep trying so I went for it! I’m fortunate enough to have people by my side that help drown out all the noise and allow me to focus. Read More>>

JeanNate Kilson

I started Stepping Stones Online Education to be of service to homeschooling parents in my community who struggled in their homeschooling journey. Read More>> 

Travis Burkybile

I had worked from an early age in several small businesses. Post college I worked in my first large company environment and it didn’t take long to know I didn’t care for it at all. When I first moved to Dallas in 2014 with my wife I had an opportunity to start from scratch and decided I wanted to be in control of my time and decisions in my career path. Read More>> 

Amy Wang-Hiller

Well, how often do you see disabled musicians and non-disabled musicians on a classical music concert stage? Everyone I talked with was either ‘no’ or ‘never’. As a disabled musician, I grind my way on a stage against all non-wheelchair users. But last year, I lost it. As a patient, considered to be another “complex” patient, I felt fully understood in my own condition, but I experienced a 3-year diagnostic delay, feeling unheard. I had adapted so hard to my violin craft, and had a specialist who was able to help me play despite my quadriplegic diagnosis. I felt so alone as I fought to find the root cause of my battle. Read More>>  

Karianna Ali

I’m a single mother to a special needs kid. I needed something that allowed me to work from home while taking care of her. I spent a lot of time sketching and creating designs during late nights and depression spirals so I thought why not try these designs on things like mugs and tshirts. I’ve worked in marketing and design for decades so why shouldn’t I use my skills to push myself. Sadly I wasn’t supported as much as I supported others but I kept pushing and kept creating. Read More>> 

Steven Turek

Oh man were do I begin, ever since I was little I’ve always been fascinated with cameras both stills and video.
I have very fond memories of owning a disposable camera taking photos of life and everything around me and you only have 30 opportunities’ to forever freeze those memories and cannot review them until they have been developed.
On the video side of the spectrum I was very fortunate to start my journey with digital video cameras making goofy home videos with my older brother trying new camera tricks and documenting my life growing up. Read More>>

Tony Merola

The biggest thought process was knowing that if I set up my own Academy, I could make my own decisions and to facilitate running a soccer Academy as a development platform first then grow it as a business second. For over ten years here in North Texas I have worked for Club’s that operate as a business first instead of really focusing on player and coach development. Read More>> 

Treneice Bailey

I was hit by a car years ago. I went back to my job but struggled due to my injuries. I decided working for myself would be best. I needed the flexibility to build my own schedule. Read More>> 

Nicole McNamara

Honestly it happened pretty organically! I never really saw myself as an “entrepreneur” type. When I first started out, I never expected it to be more than making a few cake pops here and there for friends and family. I always loved to bake growing up, and we had a small get-together for my sister’s baby shower in November of 2020 so I was in charge of desserts. That was my first time ever making anything custom to a specific theme, and I loved it! I started up an Instagram page shortly after, then as word spread and people outside of my close friends and family began reaching out for custom orders, I realized there was an opportunity to turn something I loved into more than just a hobby. Read More>>