Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Frankesha Watkins

Honestly, I got tired of seeing our community have to deal with bad service, lack of knowledge, or stores that didn’t feel like they were for us. I started BPolished Beauty Supply because I wanted to create a space that felt like home—where you could walk in, feel seen, get what you need, and not be overcharged or overlooked. I knew people like me wanted to support Black-owned businesses, shop local, and still get the good products. Read More>>

Parker Rider

When I graduated college and started my first corporate job as a data analyst in 2017, I felt satisfied for a couple years. I worked so hard to get through college that I was determined to continue using my degree. I thought it was the safe thing to do and would ultimately lead to much bigger and better things. But it wasn’t long until I started to grow tired of a boss I didn’t like, old school office practices I didn’t care for, and seeing the greed and callousness of big business. I was starting to think a lot about how my dad had his own business and all the freedom he had to spend time with my brother and me. Read More>>

Ashley Heflin

As someone deeply involved with horses and animal care, I recognized a recurring issue in traditional stall flooring: hard surfaces can cause discomfort, fatigue, and even joint problems for animals, especially those with arthritis or other health concerns. I saw the need for a solution that would not only provide comfort but also promote better overall health for animals by reducing stress on their joints and minimizing fatigue and need for a portable solution. Read More>>

Bianca Jones

Starting my own notary business was rooted in a desire for both freedom and service. I wanted to create a career that aligned with my values—reliability, professionalism, and community. I saw a gap in how notarial services were delivered—often rushed, transactional, and impersonal. I believed there was room for a more thoughtful, client-centered approach where trust and clarity are at the core of every interaction. Read More>>

Lindsey Smith

As a lifelong lifter and new mom, I saw how rare it was for women—especially mothers—to have a supportive space to regain strength. I created a gym where women can learn to lift, connect with community, and count on childcare that lets them show up for themselves. Read More>>

Victoria

Starting my own bakery was driven by a deep passion for baking and a desire to share the joy of freshly made, high-quality baked goods with others. I’ve always loved experimenting with flavors and creating something that brings people together. Over time, I noticed a gap in the market for the type of bakery that emphasizes both quality and a personal touch. I wanted to create a space where people could enjoy not just delicious products, but also a warm, welcoming environment. That passion and vision fueled my decision to take the leap and start my own business, with the goal of offering something unique and meaningful to my community. Read More>>

Scott

I grew up in the restaurant business with my parents always being entrepreneurs. From a young age, I saw them start and run their own businesses, which had a huge impact on me.
Watching their dedication, hard work, and ability to create something from the ground up inspired me to do the same. That environment taught me the value of taking initiative, being self-reliant, and building something you’re passionate about. I also have a hard time being told what to do, so being my own boss is very important for my life. Read More>>

Ray Quezada

To have more free time to raise my son Read More>>

Noelle Pratt

To me, fitness is an outlet. When the struggles of life weigh me down, I know I can go workout by myself or with friends and get the serotonin boost I need.

After I graduated college and retired from athletics, fitness was a great way for me to stay in shape and meet friends. It was very empowering.

I have been very blessed to have a great community, and have a positive mindset towards fitness and exercise. I understand that not everyone has had that experience, and I wanted to change that. Read More>>

Lynda Caldwell

The idea of starting my own business came to me because, honestly, I never liked the thought of working for someone else. I’ve always been the type of person who wanted to be my own boss—making my own decisions, setting my own hours, and living by my own rules. And honestly, I absolutely love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world! Read More>>

CALADIUM

We all have deep passions for music and frankly cannot see life without creating it. Read More>>

Kristina Bauer

Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in the United states, with 477k newly infected patients a year. My dogs are tested annually as part of their standard of care at their well check, but medical care providers for us humans, oftentimes deny testing, even with the 5 hallmark symptoms. So, I started Texas Lyme Alliance because no one was talking about Congenital Lyme, and kids are being infected from mother to fetus without care providers testing or knowing how to treat it. The need for awareness for this issue is critical to stop transmission that oftentimes goes misdiagnosed for generations. Read More>>

Lesly Rosalia

I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be an entrepreneur—I just knew I never wanted to work under someone else’s rules forever. I was passionate about beauty, art, and storytelling, and lashes became the medium that brought all three together for me. I started Black Market Lash because I saw a gap in the industry: so many artists with talent but no guidance. I didn’t want to just do lashes—I wanted to build something. Something that made people feel powerful. Read More>>

Kween Jai

My thought process behind starting my modeling career as a business was rooted in wanting to take control of my own image and brand as a short model. I’ve always loved expressing myself through fashion and photography, but I didn’t want to rely solely on agencies or others to define my path. I saw modeling as more than just posing—it’s a business, and I wanted to treat it that way. By building my own brand, networking, and creating content, I could open more doors, collaborate on my terms, and turn my passion into a long-term career Read More>>

Roxie Reese

I opened DFW Lash University to create a more flexible and supportive path for people to achieve their goals — especially those who’ve felt like traditional schooling just doesn’t fit their lives. As a mom, entrepreneur, and beauty professional, I understood firsthand how hard it can be to juggle family, work, and personal dreams. That’s why I was determined to design a program that removes those barriers. Read More>>

Lee Greer

Body by Lee wasn’t something I initially set out to create… it was something I realized I was called to do. It all started while I was working as an insurance adjuster. One of my coworkers, who sat in the cubicle next to mine, shared that his dream was to become a police officer. The only thing holding him back was his weight, and he felt like he was too old to make the change. The moment I heard that, something clicked. I became determined to show him what was possible. Read More>>

Josiah Rogers

I was a pastor in Denton for many years leading a church of mainly college students. When Covid hit and students were out of the city for almost 2 years we decided to close down the church. At that point I was looking for something else and learned about One Day Doors and Closets and how they build new doors. I had previously installed several doors over the years in my own renovation work and seeing a new technology come into the door industry felt exciting to me and seemed like something I could be a part of. Read More>>

Mallory Shelton

Since I was young I have always wanted to own my own business. My parents had a stationery store shortly after they got married and I loved the idea of this. As my husband and I began our wedding planning and events, I purchased a “nicer” camera to take pictures at each event with family and friends. Over the next year I began researching how to use my camera, and took a few courses and workshops in the area. I have always had a heart to work with kids and photographing newborns and families was a way for me to work with kids without being a teacher.  Read More>>

William Jenkins

I was in the process of getting out of the military and always had an itch for business. I thought about how i could continue to help the world as a civilian while pursuing a new life as an entrepreneur. I was getting back home from my last deployment, sending secret equipment on civilian ships back to the US. The thought passed my mine (Maritime services). I researched and found a viable need for Maritime services and security in the world. Read More>>

Color

Our main goal from the beginning has been to create music that connects — both emotionally and rhythmically. We wanted to build something meaningful with fellow musicians, where people could truly relate to the lyrics and feel moved by the message, while also enjoying the groove and energy of the music. That balance between complexity and accessibility is very important to us. Read More>>

Francesca Maietta

it was really in response to requests from my audience. Fitness has been a passion of mine forever, but it’s really only been a side gig because i still have a full time corporate job.
The best way for me to give my people what they want, was to make it my full time job. I was getting a really good response on YouTube, my audience is very global so starting a business and a community where we can all focus on fitness together was the natural next step for me. As we grow, I am slowly but surely making my company full time, leaving corporate & working on this all day everyday! Read More>>

Alyx Smith

My thought process was to first and foremost honor my late beloved Grandmother Kathryn Davis Hoane. She passed at the top of the year 2023 and that was very hard on me. Shortly after, I made a decision that I would turn my pain into power which led me to open my shop and name it after to her. Read More>>

Kayla Sutter

While working for other agencies, I saw first hand what clients were looking for and knew that I could provide those services at a high quality for a fair price. Small to medium sized businesses oftentimes don’t have the budget to hire huge agencies, and need a marketer that is personally invested in their success.
Before going fully independent, I had been doing freelance work on the side. When the agency I was contracted with shut their doors during the pandemic, I knew it was finally time to fully invest in myself and dive in to the Social Sutter full time. Read More>>

 Daniel Balmaceda

I was in the culinary business for over 20 years working for hotels, catering companies, cafeteria’s services etc in 2019 me and my wife decided to use all that experience and open or own catering. Read More>>

Kiante Blakley

My dedication to helping individuals advance personally and professionally took root in 2020, after completing my Masters of Healthcare Administration. During a challenging job market due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I utilized my connections to help peers secure job opportunities, offering guidance on acquiring certifications, joining professional organizations, refining resumes, and interview preparation. My commitment to service and my passion for fostering growth in others are poised to leave a lasting impact and create a legacy for MedDivine Health, LLC in the field of healthcare staffing and professional development. Read More>>

Susannah Robertson

Starting a business is a huge commitment and sacrifice.My thought process was the salon I was working for went out of business and the opportunity presented it self to go out in my own so my thought was this could actually be a amazing opportunity for my family and my career. Read More>>

Giovana Rautio

Honestly, the idea behind starting Browzilian Studio came from wanting to create something more personal and private, not just another beauty spot.
I’m a big believer in creating a space that’s not only relaxing, but also kid-friendly and welcoming. Whether you’re a busy mom, a first-timer, or someone who just wants to feel pampered without the pressure, I wanted you to feel right at home here. Read More>>

Brenda Cornelius

I had always been in the creative world with teaching dance, choreographing, creating. I Put all that on hold to start a family. I was living the life, talented husband, baby girl and me focusing on happy family.
Then tragedy struck and my husband died suddenly from anaphylaxis. I was left with a 3 year old to raise and a beautiful 5 acre yard and house to look after! I took some time to heal and regroup then wanted and needed to get involved in something again. Read More>>

 Eugene Han

Orthodontics is a deeply rewarding field. We’re fortunate to spend extended time with our patients—often over the course of a year or more. While watching their smiles transform is incredible, what’s even more meaningful is the opportunity to build lasting relationships and witness their personal growth along the way.

That sense of connection and purpose was a big part of what inspired us to start Beyond Braces. Read More>>

Trey Daniel

When I started Release Worship LLC, I had a strong desire for the independent underdogs. The ones who were extraordinarily different but went under the radar. Those who were gifted but didn’t have the connections to be exposed to the world. The truth of the matter was that those persons that I identified were me. For years and since I was a youth, people had told me how amazing I was; how I should be traveling the world singing using my gift. Read More>>

Jace Hudson

As a custom painter by trade, a very niche line of work. There aren’t many paths other than running your own business. The decision wasn’t ever really thought out; it came more out of necessity. In 2015, after going back and forth from being self-employed to working for one of my mentors, dating back to 2004, I decided to start what I have today, The Fast Life Garage. What was different about this go-at-it was social media. Instagram allowed me to showcase my work outside of my local market and curate a better clientele for my style of work. By 2018, nearly all the work I produced was for out-of-state customers. Read More>>

Abbe Fenimore

It was one of those ‘if not now, when?’ moments. I’ve always been obsessed with creating beautiful, fabulous spaces that feel personal, vibrant, and a little unexpected. After years of working in the design world, I realized I wanted to build something that was 100% me—bold colors, pattern on pattern, and yes, a little sparkle never hurt anybody. Read More>>

Haylie Scherr

Heirloom Event Company began in one of the loneliest seasons of my life. After moving to Los Angeles without knowing anyone, I realized just how isolating it could feel to start over in a new city. I didn’t want anyone else to feel that way—so I started hosting monthly events as a way to bring people together. Read More>>