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.

Kyglam Beauty | Makeup and Hair Artist Duo

We take mental health very important as it affects all of us. After going through a lot of emotional changes something that always stayed in our minds was “What is something you’d do for free? Do that.” To be able to create art while making women feel beautiful has been the greatest feeling. It’s a win win situation. Read more>>

 Shayne Green | Engineer/Producer at Forever Music Productions

Not much thought process, it’s just me not getting the required results or attention in the specific field im in that inspired me to start. Blind and inexperienced. I had a drive and the determination to get to where I should be. Read more>>

Kendyl Wright | Founder & Head of Experiences at LOUDER Experiences

I moved to Dallas in 2017 from New York. In my career, I had the opportunity to work with global brands and agencies in the experiential marketing space before it was even a mainstream word. After relocating and working for a smaller experiential agency here in Dallas, I noticed that there was a need for a firm who created meaningful experiences rooted in a marketing objective. Many of the firms in Dallas were primarily focused on event and wedding planning. I opened LOUDER Experiences in 2019 with the mission to build experiential marketing campaigns that made an impact and moved the needle. Read more>>

Nicole Gillihan | Local and Destination Wedding Photographer

At the beginning of my career, I never intended on starting my own business. I was a second shooter/contracted photographer for weddings, and I was comfortable in that role! As my skills sharpened and I made more contacts throughout the industry, I realized that I truly could take on my own weddings. I flourished as a lead photographer, and I quickly realized how wonderful potentially owning a business could be. I was extremely interested in making my own schedule, deciding my own prices, and serving which clients that I felt aligned with my values- which in turn has given me a strong sense of purpose both as a creative and as a human being. Read more>>

Adrick Phan | young Entrepreneur

I had just graduated highschool without a solid idea of what my future looked like. I knew that traditional higher levels of education wasn’t for me but having also just quit my job as a janitor I needed to figure out what to do next. I had seen freeze dried candy online but couldn’t find a good way to get some without having it shipped and it being summer in Texas any candy I ordered would be melted by the time it got to my doorstep. So I thought, why not make it myself? I brought it up to my mom and decided to use my graduation money on a freeze drier. We thought if all else fails at least we can just use it to stock up for the apocalypse. After that we just reached out to everyone we knew for opportunities to do pop ups and that’s what led me to where I am now. Read more>>

Tiashia Underwood | Owner and Founder of Blends Daiquiri Express

The majority of my life, owning my own business has always been in the plan. I had a strategic plan that involved continuing education, expanding my work experience, and learning the economy and market trends along the way. I’m a firm believer that working your way up, through, and to a particular level will elevate me and ensure I’m ready to leap into anything, especially business ownership. Once I was at the level of assurance and breakthrough, I began planning and researching business ownership and progressed from there. With business ownership and the planning that goes along with it, in the forefront of my mind, my strategy was to learn/obtain the necessary knowledge, grow, and execute to expand, take advantage of my leadership abilities, gain financial freedom, create a legacy for my child and grandchildren, provide service to others, and to independently and creatively craft my vision. Read more>>

Simone Mathis | Creative Director & Fashion Designer

My thought process behind starting Adam Simon Clothing was to create a brand for women to feel comfortable in getting one of a kind pieces that are hand crafted and made by artisans. I wanted to create clothing that women can look and feel good in. Read more>>

Missy Starr Reuland | Artist

I have always been a very independent person. I’ve never been the 9-5 type. I wanted to get my personal vision out to the world, no strings attached and no one looking over my shoulder. Read more>>

Daniel Gresham | President, Fortify Management Group

78% of professional athletes go broke or face financial hardship after retirement, and this didn’t make sense to me. Every professional player had an agent, financial advisor and marketing representative, but still 78% would go broke, so I want to solve this problem. Read more>>

Ken Bloodsaw | Branding Architect

My thought process behind starting Finesse Media Group in 2011 in Chicago, IL, was rooted in my passion for empowering others and my desire to make a meaningful impact in marketing, branding, and media. I wanted to create a platform where individuals could harness their talents and achieve their goals, while also contributing positively to their communities. Read more>>

Tor Crittenden | Attorney & Photographer

I’ve always said that I “accidentally started a business” because I kind of fell into the business side of photography after loving the creative side for so long. Suddenly people were asking me for photoshoots and when strangers started asking, I realized that I needed to get some systems in place! Read more>>