Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Kam & Teri De Leon | Owners/Founders of DELEON PROVISIONS

When we first conceptualized DELEON PROVISIONS we knew we wanted to be a resource for busy families. We know how hard to balance everything on your plate and still get quality, delicious food on the table every night.
In 2019 started offering weeknight deliveries of family meals which we continued to do through the fall of 2021. At that point we pivoted our business to accommodate the party and social needs of our clients. Read more>>

Cindy McGhee, CPA | Founder & Managing Director of NextGen

Launching NextGen was arguably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I was comfortably working as a consultant for a large firm, and the work came easy to me. Choosing to launch a startup meant giving up what was easing to do the work I felt called to do. When struggling with that choice I came to realize that pursuing purpose was way more important that choosing my comfort. Read more>>

Shaina Kay | Interior Architect & Designer

My thought process for starting my own business was thinking how can I be the most efficient with time? I felt bogged down working in the corporate world while having to consider titles, corporate politics, discrimination, office functions, and extra meetings, I was over chasing promotions and recognition of my skills and dedication from others. The purpose of my work became more important than the payment; That’s when I left the corporate world and started my own design studio. Read more>>

Fabiola Retana | Licensed Massage Therapist

I was drained from working long hours for someone else and feeling unappreciated. My thought process was simple, I wanted to do what I loved, helping others by way of therapeutic massage. I wanted to be able to do it on my own schedule, so that I could also dedicate time to my son. And I wanted to be able to be support my family without the fear of living paycheck to paycheck. Read more>>

Nathalie Sessions | Registered Dietitian and Nutritious Life Master Certified Nutrition & Wellness Coach

After enjoying an extraordinary career that began in the media industry, I followed my passion for health and wellness and eventually became credentialed as a Registered Dietitian. When I first went back to school, I started to envision my own business around helping people “fill their cart smart.” I knew at the time that I would pursue entrepreneurship at a later date–to pursue more freedom and creative control–after gaining experience and insight as a practicing wellness dietitian. Read more>>

Jenna Zapata | Creative Director

When I first truly committed to the idea of opening an art gallery, I wanted to ensure there was a place where all felt welcome and supported in their creativity. I sold my first photograph in a gallery in 7th grade and it changed my mindset and perspective on how I viewed myself as an artist regardless of my age. I reached out to other peers and found that there were a lot of fears and misconceptions about galleries and how they worked. I wanted to not only have an art gallery but I wanted to also educate and make artists feel more comfortable. Read more>>

Gabrielle Manson | Balloon Decorater

My thought process behind starting my business was actually pretty simple, I would offer my services to my friends when they would have big events like birthdays and baby showers. Everyone would comment how fast and how great the finished product looked, also people would suggest I should start my own business. Maybe a year went by and I was thinking of ways to launch my business once I got enough photos in my portfolio, and my Full Job was starting to slow down so I figured this was my sign to launch my business page and website on Instagram. Read more>>

Alex Snyder | Stiltwalker, Fire Performer, and Business Owner

I starting practicing flow arts back in 2019 and quickly fell in love. I would practice for hours a day and was dedicated to honing in my skill. Later I was introduced to the “DFW Flowmie” community and made a ton of new friends. During the pandemic many friends were out of jobs so we met up regularly to practice together and came up with the idea of starting a fire troupe. So as a community we raised money to start an LLC and get things started. Read more>>

MinhTality | Rapper

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always to be an entertainer. Throughout my life, I’ve tried various types of creative outlets such as rapping, modeling, dancing, videography, photography, etc. I would try one, do it for a couple of months or years, then move on to the next creative hobby, Throughout the years and multiple trials of everything, the only one that really stuck with me was rapping. Read more>>

Michelle Addington | Small Business Owner & Entrepreneur

I have been out of workforce for a long time to be home with my children and now that they are in school I wanted to do something with my time. I knew I wanted to start my own business so I could continue to have flexibility and I needed a creative outlet. Getting to curate my own chains, links and charms has fulfilled my creative side. And being able to meet so many new people while adding a simple and classic piece to their everyday look brings me so much joy. Read more>>

Amber Ghaznavi | Makeup Artist & Entrepreneur

I wanted to do something which makes people happy as well make me happy by serving them. I am a certified makeup and henna artist from one of the best Makeup artist Saba Ansari ( Sabs from DHA Karachi) also I own a business called Chamak USA which is a collection of Beautiful Scarfs.
Both are my passion When I got a chance I launched my website ( www.chamakusa.com) 5 years ago and I was already serving as a Makeup and Henna artist in Dfw it’s been almost 9 years. The idea behind my both brands is to make people beautiful either through my makeup skills or providing them best quality scarfs. Read more>>

Anthony Martin | Bespoke Designer / Michelin chef

I was a Michelin rated chef prior to starting Saint Anthony. I wanted to be able to create artistic pieces that would last longer than tasting menu dishes. Sewing precision and knife cuts are actually very similar as far as execution and I was able to find many other similarities that have proven to be very beneficial. Tailoring was a late night hobby after I would leave the restaurant that eventually grew into my brand. Read more>>

Chris Brown | Personal Trainer/Coach

I had spent a total of 14yrs working for someone else. Working a traditional 9 to 5, while there’s nothing wrong with that, just wasn’t what I wanted anymore. I wanted the freedom of controlling my own schedule and freeing up time. I have two kids and I love being able to pick my daughter from school or being able to go to my son’s practices and games without having to worry about asking for time off. Read more>>

Omega Stallworth | Life Coach & Trainer

I knew from a young age that changing the lives of those around me was something that was important to me. I believe starting my own business gave me the best chance to do that. Read more>>

Kesha Newman | Ceo & influencer

I consider myself a natural born leader. I love being in a position that allows me to connect and help others. I knew Starting a virtual podcast platform would allow me to do that, and also help push other leaders to their highest potential by marketing and branding themselves via podcasting, which is the new wave. I love what I do. Read more>>

Ben Sudderth III | Business Owner & Podcast Coach

My thought process was to built on my current podcast station and take it to the next level. I wanted to have a business that provided listeners and viewers with quality content from A to Z. My wife Erica was my biggest inspiration in starting BS3 Radio which evolved to BS3 Network. I had the desire to start my own business for years, but just didn’t take the next step until the pandemic. 2020 and my wife helped to push the business idea to fruition. Read more>>

Bobby Voss | Videographer

In the early 2000’s, I started us using an old video camera that I shoot video with of friends and family.. it was in horrible quality but it did its job. It wasn’t until 2018 that I had an interest in filming and attempting to create a business. I filmed a few wedding for free and/or very cheap and the response was great! I purchased a few courses to gain inspiration on story telling and joined Facebook groups to collaborate and connect with others in the industry. I never anticipated that this would evolve and I’m not only involved in videography, but aerial and real estate photography as well here in East Texas. Read more>>

Leisa Robotham-Reid | Dentist and Owner of Lakewood Dental Studio

I knew I always wanted to become a business owner from I was a young girl, I was always coming up with new ideas for businesses or inventions that I wanted to create. One of the reasons I chose to go into dentistry is because of the entrepreneurial nature of the profession- many Dentists usually go on to open or buy their own dental practice. Once I graduated dental school my mind immediately began to think about when I could have my own practice. Read more>>

Leslie Nepveux | Architect

After having her second child, Leslie quit her job to take extra maternity time off. The planned 6 months turned into a year and helped solidify the desire for a more autonomous work environment. She had worked in several firms across 3 states and had over 12 years of experience in residential and commercial architecture at this point. A home remodel and addition project came about through friends and then projects just kept coming in. Enough work was coming in that she decided to make it a real business and hasn’t looked back. Read more>>

Corey Lemle | COO & Creative Director

I’ve been in the industry for over 10 years and I noticed an area of opportunity and a level of service offering that seemed to missing in our industry. I wanted to create a company that offered more than just a few simple services. I wanted to create something that would allow our customers to fully encompass all of their branding needs from logo design, custom apparel, promotional goods and anything they would need from a branding perspective. Read more>>

Jonas Mocha | Designer, Artist

It all starts with an idea and a concept, Ask yourself “what am I good at”? “Would i get bored of this” “What’s my end goal” Once you have answered all these questions it will be easier to come up With a clear blue print Read more>>

Sheryce Jacobs | Owner of ItsRyce Accessories

I’ve always known that I wanted to do something different as far as my working career. During the pandemic, the opportunity to explore an entrepreneurial avenue presented itself. I started with buying purses just for myself. When I realized it could be the path of financial freedom that I’ve been looking for, I began researching the process of owning my own business. Read more>>

David Bennett | Founder & Enginneer

Always wanted to see my culture win, too unite and share knowledge with like minded individuals for a living is a bleesing. i wanted to be part of something bigger than me. Challenging myself by offer a service was my best outlet. The only way your taking serious is if you own the building. Read more>>