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.

Shetah Reeves-Jackman | CEO/Design Executioner

The thought process behind me starting my business was that as a child growing up we did not celebrate our birthdays in our home. I don’t know if it was this we didn’t have the funds or that moments like that really didn’t matter. I only remember celebrating my birthday only once in all my life. Read more>>

Joshua ajoshd” Alvarez | Musician & Entrepreneur”

I’ve always found the most joy in using my imagination and being creative. I love improvising, planning, directing, and everything else involved in the overall production of an idea, whatever medium that may be. I wanted to input new creativity into the spaces of fashion, music, videos, and entertainment in general, Read more>>

Michelle Tran | Marketing Manager

Overseas in Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and more… The claw machine scene is very much alive, just as lively as those bustling cities! Imagine multiple floors filled solely with claw machines all stocked with various plushies/prizes for guests to win. Not only that, these stores actually teach their guests the art of how to win! Read more>>

Taylor Sampey | Project Executive, CEO

The more knowledgeable you become in your field, the more flaws you will find within it. If you truly take pride in your work, it’s impossible to recognize these flaws as acceptable. For me, it was this very marriage, between insight & obstacle, that created opportunity. Read more>>

Hannah Mitrea | Co-Founder of Be Eminent Marketing & Host of the Success is Routine Podcast

We started Be Eminent to create a culture everyone was excited to wake up and work at! We say Be Eminent is all about culture and quality, but culture is first because, without a great culture, there would be no quality work. Read more>>

Mary Sanchez | Tax & Consulting Agent

I was a little nervous at the very beginning just because I thought about finances, but I feel I have always been ready even as a child. I knew I wanted to be my own business owner and own multiple businesses not just one. Read more>>

Marcie Knight | Entrepreneur & Mother

When I had initially starting making jewelry, I was just looking for a hobby to have aside from my job working in Speech Therapy. I took classes in Arlington at the Gem and Mineral club and really enjoyed it. As I started making more and more jewelry, I started to sign up for local craft shows around DFW. Read more>>

Shannon Grant | Photographer / Creative

My thought process behind starting my own business was combining my passion, along with serving others! I knew I loved photography, I love watching insecurities melt away during my photo sessions, and I love helping others. Brand imagery and storytelling in my book is just as important as the business plan. I’m a mother, a wife, and a friend, Read more>>

Tyler & Deeva Barthelemy | Photographers

Tyler: In 2005, every pictured memory I ever had was washed away when Hurricane Katrina hit. I didn’t realize how significant those photographs were to my legacy until I no longer had access to them. And now as a father, I knew I wanted to leave behind memories that my children and even my grandchildren would be able to cherish long after I am gone. Read more>>

Hannah Peterson | Lifestyle Photographer

Well, it was kind of an accident really! I’ve always been a very nostalgic person, especially when it comes to photographs, so that led to buying my first DSLR at 19 years old. At the time, I knew absolutely nothing about how to actually work a camera, so I watched countless videos on manual DSLR settings, in which these creators shunned automatic mode. Read more>>

Ci’Andria Jefferson | GOD + NOTHING = EVERYTHING™ Founder, Owner & CEO

I founded GOD + NOTHING = EVERYTHING™ (GNE) in 2020 with the belief that God has enabled us all to have some sort of platform in our lives, a “pulpit” if you will, where we have the power to influence those around us through our words, actions and/or just our presence. This very thought led me to launch in January of 2021 by way of testimony on apparel. Read more>>

Seth Lejeune | Realtor

My wife was diagnosed with cancer 4 months after I lost my sister to the same disease. At the time, I worked for my family and realized that I had to create my own success. Real estate was something I could, something I could scale and somewhat adjust my schedule around my wife’s care and the kids. I loved the idea of being able to build my own thing. Read more>>

Michelle Bond | Production Designer/ Art Director

Time and choice are the primary reasons I chose to be a freelancer. My time is extremely important to me. It’s the one thing we can never get more of. I very much appreciate & enjoy the choices it affords me. That is, I can choose to take on a project or I can choose to pass. I’m in the position to make the choice. The choice that is right for me and for my family. Read more>>