Starting a business can be terrifying. Weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and other considerations can be so overwhelming that often promising entrepreneurs stop before they even start. We asked some phenomenal entrepreneurs about their thought process behind starting their own businesses. Our hope is that by making the thought-process less intimidating we can help more folks think through whether they should take an entrepreneurial leap.

Rachel Ugalde | Event Administration

Before starting my own business, my background was predominantly within the coworking/private office industry. I had the pleasure of working with a team of highly motivated individuals that together, helped shaped what is now one of the most prestigious private office companies in Texas, while continuing to expand into other states. Within this particular industry you are surrounded by all types of entrepreneurs so motivation, networking, and a passion for success really resonated throughout my everyday work life. The pathway to starting my own company became more clear as I began to launch our meeting and events department. I saw a sort of division between the corporate meeting industry, and the events and entertainment industry. My vision to create an event center that could cater to both needs began to form and, after finding some amazing partners, eventually evolved into launching Richardson Event Center. Read more>>

Deterrius (Diamond) Washington | Owner & Founder of Dassit Dressing

The thought process behind starting my own business is one of faith. At the age of 19, I was living on my own and the holidays were approaching. Dressing has always been one of my favorite dishes growing up, but now that I was grown, I had to learn to make it on my own. I constantly made dressing year-round due to balancing my busy work schedule and school. Whenever I would make dressing, I would post photos on Facebook and friends would always ask that I saved them some. Fast-forward to the year 2020, I decided to make a pan for a team potluck we had at work. As everyone was eating, one lady in particular asked “Who made this dressing?” I informed her that I had and she immediately responded, “No…. your mom or auntie had to have made this.” I smiled and informed her that my family is from Arkansas and that I had been making dressing for years. Read more>>

Breanna Alao | Lash Artist/ Esthetician

I knew I could do something for me and represent my values and inspiration. I thought lashes was just a high school interest. Now it’s something that has brought me into esthics and Luxe Artistry will be unstoppable! I want to make woman feel amazing and have that luxury experience that makes them want to take time for themselves. Read more>>

Amanda Snow | Social Media Manager

Back in January 2023, I founded Amanda’s Marketing Services driven by a desire for the freedom to manage my own schedule and a deep wish to contribute more to our small town community. Little did I know that starting AMS would lead me to where I am today. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited for the path ahead. Read more>>

Tyler Glenn | Chef and Food Service Professional

My first initial thought was if I can earn a little extra money, I can buy better medicine for my type 1 diabetes and get better care, and get rest and be able to afford a healthy diet, working 2 jobs and 60 hours a week was taking a tole on my body and I needed to really think about the future, and that we only get one body. Read more>>

milo tarighi | Doctor of Physical Therapy

It started with an idea to create a Physical Therapy App that would allow me, as a physical therapist, to reach and help more patients than I ever could as a traditional clinician. From the patient perspective, I met a patient that had a similar idea to improve the quality of their own experience with physical therapy. We began discussing this idea over a coffee, then began meeting regularly for over a year to brainstorm, develop, and plan the launch of this idea – ReBalance. Then Covid struck. Like the rest of the world, our meetings turned into remote meetings riddled with uncertainty. The app idea morphed into an idea to create a brick and mortar clinic and see if our idea of what the physical therapy experience SHOULD be would be adopted organically, one patient at a time. Fast forward to today, we our well on our way in disrupting the traditional health care model and challenging the industry to elevate the quality of care that our family, friends and neighbors deserve. Read more>>

Paul D. Miller | Artist, Writer, Composer and DJ

I grew up in Washington DC and both my parents were involved with academia. My dad was Dean of Howard University and my Mom was a historian of design and we had our own family business. I guess I always was independent. I’ve never worked for anyone else. I majored in Philosophy and French Literature at Bowdoin College, and just went from there Read more>>