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.

Simon Okelo | Father | Media Creator | Musician | Entrepreneur

The Madaraka Festival was started because of the desire to use the power of music to bring change to communities in Africa where youth lacked music instruments, video and music production gears, and also to give youth a creative outlet and a platform created by African people for people of African descent. Read more>>

Becca Cardon | Childbirth Doula

Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to be a mother. I graduated college in 2019 and then started a family with my husband. As a new mother, I realized how much sacrifice went into caring for another little human 24/7. I then had my second son in 2021 and felt that I was drowning in motherhood. Read more>>

Savannah Regensburger | Medical Nutritionist (Brain-Gut Health), Researcher + Scientist, Yoga Instructor, Athlete

In my 27 years of life, I have witnessed and felt the deep connection between the brain and the gut. We all have a story…here’s mine. Fitness, health, and wellness all started at a young age for me. I started playing sports when I was only a few years old, but I fell in love with softball which I played all throughout high school. Read more>>

Chris Hampton | Broker/Owner at Magnet Realty

My thought process was to start investing in myself so that I could take control of my destiny, grow and challenge myself personally. One significant driving force was for my family and to provide more opportunities for them. I also aimed to build something more than just another real estate office. Read more>>

D’Authentic Purpose | Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

I just wanted to help make a difference and impact the world. With so much going on, I wanted to be the reason that someone doesn’t give up. To show that there is hope for the future. God blessed me with the idea to start Unite The Community Project Incorporated (UTCP) in 2021 and I haven’t looked back. Read more>>

Jeff Fritz | Chef

I’ve always been passionate about working with my hands. In a round about way this led me to food and fire. From the first day I attended culinary school I knew that this was my true calling. The overall idea of this calling has morphed over time as I learned more about different foods. techniques, and cultures. But, this calling blossomed in me and defined who I am as a person outside of being a Husband and father. Read more>>

Dr.Elena Walker | Travel Agent & Empowerment Speaker

I have been doing what I love for years. Since I travel often, usually people ask me about suggestions and advice on travel. I have been traveling for 15 years and my business should have started years ago. I finally allowed time for my passion to pursue my purpose. In regards to my public speaking career, my focus is on empowerment. Some of my topics include: personal development, self-care, single life and verbal/emotional abuse. Read more>>

Patrice DaCosta | License Mortgage Loan Originator

I was actually born in the mortgage industry if you will. My mom did mortgage financing and had a couple of brokerage offices. She used to hate the support she had doing her client’s deals and begged me to come and work for her. I learned how to do the toughest deals first. Eventually a lender recruited me from her. Fast forward to now., I was working in operations and my sister got her mortgage license and kept telling me to get mine. Read more>>

Jacqueline Grayczyk | MBA, Collin College Financial Aid & Veterans Services Manager, Small Business Owner, Hat Designer, and Entrepreneur

Pam and both shared a passion for going out and dancing at various dance halls and rodeos in the area. During our outings, we came up with a brilliant idea to add some sparkle and pizzazz to women’s hats. We experimented with creating our own designs and gathered inspiration, realizing that this was something that our hometown of Wylie was missing. Read more>>

Chanita Mills | Home Bakery

I want the freedom to do what I love and to be able to have time to spend with the people I love, my children. I like the idea of setting my own schedule. Read more>>

Yelitza Mora | Business Investor & Mentor

The idea to start my own construction company emerged from my experiences investing in real estate. I noticed a recurring theme, which I perceived as a gap in the market – a significant lack of responsibility from contractors and construction services. It struck me that there was an opportunity to provide a service that truly prioritized client needs, attention to detail, and timely delivery. Therefore, I decided to take the initiative and fill this void in the industry by establishing my own company that would prioritize these crucial aspects. Read more>>

Melanie Chaponan | Photographer

Ever since I can remember I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, couple that with my passion for photography, it seemed as a no brainer to start my own business. Although starting your own business does come with its own set of challenges, it’s very fulfilling to pursue my passion, under my own terms. I am fortunate that my business is currently thriving, which motivates me to continue working even harder to expand my business. Read more>>

Allison Collinsworth | Owner & Master Instructor – The Bar Method White Rock Lake

I was a commercial producer for years before I stopped and became a Bar Method instructor . After teaching for 5 years I was craving more of a challenge. I missed the days of dealing with budgets, managing people, problem solving and creating something. After some in depth conversations with friends and family I felt the timing was right. Also, I lived on the East side of 75 in Lake Highlands and at the time there was only one boutique fitness studio in the area. Read more>>

Kaylee VerVynck | Fashion Photographer

When I got married we moved to Texas three days after we had our wedding in South Dakota; however, I struggled to get a job because I was pregnant. I had always loved photography so I had that as a hobby but I ended up getting a part time job with a real estate agent doing some graphic design work and some little projects for her and I decided to just try starting my own photography business in order to bring in more income for our family. Read more>>

April Carpenter | Licensed Professional Counselor & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

When I decided to start my own business it was one of those dreams that I didn’t really know I had. Truth be told, I had always believed that I wouldn’t own a practice. I had a lot of doubts about whether or not I had what it took to be my own boss, to step out in faith and just hope that my business would bring in enough income to pay the bills. I had so many opportunities to learn along the way and I had a job where my bosses at the time were willing to answer my questions about self-employment and they were transparent about the ins and outs of private practice. Read more>>

Tiara Jahnay | Dancer, Dance Instructor Choreographer, and Entrepreneur

I’ve always new from a very young age that I would be a business owner because I watched my dad all my life be an entrepreneur. I have been dancing all my life and wanted to start back dancing for myself. When covid happened and losing my job due to covid I realized I need a new being fresh start for myself. Not just relying on work from a dance studio world but trying to create my own path. That is when Tiara Jahnay brand was created. Here’s the story you can find on website: Read more>>

Jennifer Meyer | Owner & Nurse Injector

Prior to opening my own aesthetics practice, I was working as a nurse injector and felt I wasn’t in control of my patients consultation or treatment plan. In regards to injectables, I was restricted to specific treatment areas, techniques, and products. I wasn’t able to grow into the nurse injector that I knew I could be. That is when a light bulb clicked and decided that I could create an aesthetics practice that is patient centered and I could give my patients the best outcomes by utilizing the many tools this industry has to offer. Read more>>

Victoria Guerra | Balloon Artist

I’ve always wanted to start my own business and be my own boss. I have done so much in so little time trying to figure out what I absolutely love doing. From making custom tshirts to custom epoxy creations to not liking it at all. My first job ever was party city and I learned to deal with balloons. My co-worker at the time needed a balloon arch made for her baby shower and asked me to help. Read more>>

Laurent Pinabel | Visual Artist / Illustrator

Everything was very intuitive and spontaneous. I never made a career plan. I had been employed for 7 years in different companies, as a graphic designer and art director (in Paris, then in Montreal). I felt the urge to start my own business and I was waiting to find the right partners. Finally, when my first child was born, I took a few weeks off. When I returned to work, the idea was clear. Read more>>

Aji Sanneh | Soccer Mompreneur & Global Health Economist

The COVID pandemic shifted the way most of us think about work, life and the fragility of life. Amadou and I met, got married and had a baby while the world shut down. We also lived in two different continents; him and Plano and me in Geneva, Switzerland. We not only wanted to bring our family together and under the same roof, we wanted to build a business together. With our son, Sidi, enrolled in swim classes, we wanted him exposed to soccer, a sport that we both played and was one of the many things we bonded over. Read more>>

Gautham Dharmaseelan | Photographer

Choose the precise area of photography in which you want to excel. This could be any kind of photography that interests you, including commercial, portrait, or wedding photography. Your goals, target market, pricing, marketing plans, and financial projections can all be defined with the use of a business plan. Read more>>

Trence Miller | Mortgage Consultant

I enjoy being a resource where I see fit. After 2 years working in the mortgage industry, having experience working directly for different lenders, I considered branching out and becoming an independent Consultant working in partnership with different lenders where I have been doing so for a year now. Read more>>

Tonique Brown | Creative Designer

My thought process behind starting my own business is being independent. I’ve always been very independent and wanting to work for myself. I feel like if I get up and go to work for someone else everyday and making them more money and only seeing a small percentage of that for myself. I might as well work hard and make a better way for myself. I’m burning myself out just to make somebody else rich where as I can do what I love and keep all my own money. Read more>>

Klasshey Roundtree | Travel Company Owner

Starting my own business was driven by my passion for creating unforgettable travel experiences and empowering women to explore the world. I wanted to provide a platform where like-minded individuals could come together, connect, and embark on incredible adventures in beautiful destinations. Seeing the joy and transformation that travel brings to people’s lives, I knew I had to create a space where they could escape the everyday and embrace new cultures, make lifelong friendships, and create memories to last a lifetime. Read more>>

Misty Cozart-Evans, PT | Owner of Arise Physical Therapy and Wellness PLLC

The heart behind Arise Physical Therapy and Wellness PLLC is to provide senior citizens with an option to continue with private pay wellness visits with a PT once skilled services are completed. This would allow patients to continue to have the accountability, guidance, and assistance needed to continue safely with an on going fitness program. Many people struggle to continue with their home exercise program for a variety of reasons: lack of caregiver support, lack of motivation, lack of confidence, safety concerns. Read more>>

Ferman Jackson Jr | Podcast & Social Media

To be honest with you I just walked into it without any thought to be introduce to being on talk radio. Read more>>

Toriano Martin | Certified Public Accountant

My thought process behind starting T Lauryn Martin was to be an affordable resource to individuals and small businesses to help them reach their personal and business goals. Read more>>

GB Michaels | Womens Health & Fitness Coach

I not only have a passion for health & fitness, but the power and confidence it gave me to achieve other amazing things in my life & I want to inspire other women to do the same. Read more>>

Nice Major | Artist/Entrepreneur

I’m a 3rd generational entrepreneur so it’s been in me since the beginning Read more>>

Jason Dyer | AKA: The Jelly Man

Just to create an Organic Jalapeno Jelly that anyone could eat and not worry about allergies like me. Read more>>

Gabriela Chavez | CEO Learn Lash Repeat

My thought process behind starting my school business began in 2015. I noticed that lash extensions were becoming extremely popular, extremely fast. I also noticed how people that were being serviced, were being serviced incorrectly. Which, made me realize that the artist were either not trained correctly or that the artist was not experienced at all. With those thoughts, I realized that I cared enough to want to open a school so that artists’ could be properly trained, and obtain their license as well. Read more>>

Grace Lordson Desmond | Makeup Artist

Independence and financial freedom. Growing up, I was financially free. My family where entrepreneurs and never worked for anyone. They were independent and never had to clock in and out against their wishes. They had that family bond with all of their kids.. I knew starting a business, will truly make me happy. Read more>>

Richard Victory Oduvwu | Entrepreneur; Digital Marketer& Artist

As an entrepreneur Different people have different interests in life.
There are some people who like to manage things and they are excellent in that. While there are another set of people who like the whole idea of creating something from scratch and watch it grow and provide value to people. I took out the second set of people Implementing my ideas, Creating my business from scratch to provide quality values to people around the world. Read more>>

Robbin Kelton | Salon Growth Coach of Savvy Salon Systems

I’ve been in the beauty industry for over 25 years as a licensed hairstylist and lash artist. I always thought about what would I do next in my career. Hair and beauty is my passion! Coaching salon/spa professionals was an easy decision and transition to make. I decided in 2022 to create my own coaching program as Savvy Salon Systems. Read more>>

Kemisha Levy | Founder of Little Bee Box

My inspiration to start my own business arose from a life-changing event, the birth of my son. However, my decision was accelerated by the unfortunate circumstances of losing my job during the COVID-19 pandemic. This turn of events prompted me to take control of my professional life and pursue my entrepreneurial aspirations, with the goal of providing for my family and creating a more secure future. Read more>>

Dr. Ola Oladunni | APRN, DNP, Nurse Practitioner Injector

After taking care of multiple friends who underwent medical procedures, I realized the need for support and education for those without a medical background. With my nursing expertise, I provided my friends with the necessary care and education to ensure their safety and maintain their health. Read more>>

Tanaya Francois Wright | Entrepreneur & Small Business Owner

I had no choice… I had to find some type of work to survive and take control over my finances. Read more>>

Jessica Teal | Hairstylist

I was ready to be in control of life, my schedule, and my income. I wanted to become limitless. Read more>>

Arena Adanandus | Lash tech

Ever since I was a young girl, I have possessed an unwavering desire to become an entrepreneur. The prospect of dedicating my time and efforts towards building my own business, with aspirations as grand as those held by industry giants like Apple, Coca Cola, and Ford, has always resonated deeply with me. However, my journey towards achieving this dream took an unexpected turn when I became a parent at the age of 18. Read more>>

Dana Miller | Meal Prep Kitchen preare 17 New Entrees Each Month

I was actually a customer first. I could see the potential of this concept and felt I could grow this business without a doubt. I believe my strong sales experiences and my relationships with the guest have been a real plus for our success. Read more>>

Christina Caster | Creator of Gus Plus Us

I grew up doing musical theater and acting was always something I did for fun throughout my childhood. I continued down that path while at the same time my husband was producing films. My dream was to be working on creative projects with him. Read more>>

Jesse Reed | Partner

My business partner, Hamish Smyth, and I were both working at Pentagram for Michael Bierut and had started a publishing imprint (Standards Manual) in 2014. In 2016 we both had the feeling that we were ready to move on from Pentagram, so we decided to focus on the publishing imprint full time as well as start our own design practice. We felt that that the momentum and timing was right both in our professional and personal lives. Order was born in 2017 and and focused on developing brand identities and design systems for a range of clients and industries. Read more>>