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.

Aaron Guerrero

I had been working as a Paramedic for about 12 years at this time. I worked in pediatrics through covid and I completely burnt myself out. I had experience on the ambulance, helicopter and ER when I decided to get out of traditional Paramedic work. Every first responder I know has more than one job. I was scrolling one day looking at PRN positions when I came across a 1099 job with an IV company called Lone Star IV Medics and that is when my life changed. Read More>>

Abinwi Mbonchom

To leave something(Empire) behind for my kids so they don’t have to go through what I went through. Read More>>

 NANCY HOUSTON

My husband, John, and I started Blossom Event Center to provide a space for families to celebrate their loved ones. In 2023, my son graduated from a local high school and we did not have very many options for his celebration in close proximity to Haslet. We had the brilliant idea of creating a space for community and celebration. Blossom was name after my husband’s grandmother. She raised 12 children, and a host of grand children and great grandchildren. She would feed and take in anyone who needed help. We thought it would be fitting to name it after her. Read More>>

Dr. Sidonie Niba

The African Think Tank was born from a deeply personal place—a longing for connection, identity, and purpose. When I first arrived in the U.S. as a young immigrant, I carried big dreams but often felt invisible. So many of us know that feeling too well—the silence, the disconnection, the ache for something familiar. Despite being highly educated and well accomplished, the pain and loneliness persisted. Rather than let that pain define me, I turned it into purpose. Read More>>

IFEOLUWA

“I started my hair brand because I saw a consistent gap in the market for high-quality, long-lasting, and truly authentic hair. I was tired of seeing people, including myself, invest in wigs that didn’t live up to expectations—whether it was shedding, tangling, or just not lasting. I wanted to provide a solution. My goal was to create a brand that prioritizes quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction while helping people feel confident, beautiful, and empowered through their hair. I also wanted to build a legacy, something I could grow over time and eventually scale into a household name in the beauty space.” Read More>>

Trevor Francis

I’ve always been passionate about fixing broken systems, or things that were overlooked because they were too difficult to fix. Early in my career, I spent time in Central America and Africa, where telecom networks, though government-operated and inefficient, often moved faster due to fewer layers of red tape compared to the U.S. Those experiences opened my eyes: even the supposedly advanced telecom infrastructure in the U.S. was built on a patchwork of outdated systems. That realization sparked the idea for 46 Labs. Read More>>

Ebere Oyekwe

I’ve always been social media savvy, but starting a business wasn’t the original plan. I naturally shared things that interested me, whether it was lifestyle, travel, or everyday insights. One day, a friend suggested I talk about my work in tech, so I created a simple video explaining what I did. To my surprise, it resonated with a lot of people who didn’t have access to that kind of knowledge, especially around data and AI. Read More>>

Meenakshi Singh

You know that saying, “Be the change you want to see”? That’s exactly how my journey started—as a mom just trying to find the right after-school program for my 8-year-old daughter.

I was looking for a place that offered more than just homework help. I wanted something that combined strong STEM enrichment, a warm and structured environment for her to finish assignments, and opportunities to build real social skills. When I couldn’t find anything that checked all those boxes in Frisco, I thought—why not create it myself? Read More>>

 Omotola And Ade Maradesa

The thought process behind starting our business came during a time of stillness. I was on medical leave, unsure of what was next, and looking for something meaningful. As I spent time with my now-husband—who’s also my business partner—he noticed how naturally event planning came to me. I had always helped friends with showers and birthdays, and he encouraged me to take it seriously. After praying about it and reflecting, I realized this could be purpose, not just a passion. Read More>>

D’ion Adeniyi

Honestly, I just got to a point where I realized how unstable things can be—jobs, systems, the world in general. And I kept thinking, how do I build something solid for myself and for my son? Something that doesn’t rely on someone else’s yes.

Growing up, I didn’t see anyone in my family own a business. Entrepreneurship didn’t feel like an option—it wasn’t something we talked about. But once I moved to Texas and started connecting with founders and CEOs, I realized: wait, this is possible. They weren’t smarter than me, they just had access. Read More>>

Laura Botelho

I have owned my own interior design and home staging business for the past 7 years and have enjoyed the balance and freedom it gives me to make my own schedule and be present for my kids and husband. This year we decided to add another business to our portfolio that has synergies with what I already do in my design business, and purchased a commercial general contracting business called Iron Lock Construction Services. Until this year, my focus has been mainly on the residential side of design and construction, and now with this acquisition I can expand my work into the commercial side. Read More>>

Kimyette Jenkins

Kim Michelle Styling was created in 2016 to bridge the gap between customers and the lack of composing styles and designs they truly desired. To Inspire and create a passion in those who long to have an appeasing wardrobe. To help those overcome their fashion fears and don’ts. To bring out the inner them to create an outstanding glow, from their overall interior decor as well as wardrobe that they never envisioned themselves. Read More>>

Dr. Emily Thoes

I never imagined I’d become a small business owner. For the first eight years of my career as a physical therapist, I worked in traditional outpatient clinics, following the rules dictated by insurance. Over time, three things became undeniably clear:

1. Active patients weren’t being fully supported. Most clinics lack the equipment needed—typically maxing out at 20 lb dumbbells—making it difficult to truly prepare athletes to return to sport or high-level activity. Read More>>

Juliana

I loved the idea of working for myself. Opposed to working for someone else, running your own business, in theory, is limitless. You can grow and change and create to your heart’s content. However, I quickly learned that it is not that simple. While you absolutely will grow and change, a small business will inevitably have limits, but it is up to you to decide if you are going to let those limits define your path. Read More>>

Jose & Mauricio Munoz

Starting my photography business was a blend of passion and purpose. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through visuals, and photography became my way of capturing the genuine emotion and beauty in everyday moments. Over time, I realized that creating lasting memories for others brought me deep fulfillment. I also saw a gap in the market for photography that felt personal, authentic, and artistically driven. That’s what inspired me to turn my creative passion into a business—one where I could offer clients not just photos, but meaningful experiences and timeless keepsakes. Read More>>

Marva

The thought process behind starting my own business was deeply rooted in my passion for planning. Beyond my roles as a bank manager, teacher, instructional coach, and principal spanning the course of forty years, it was second nature for me to integrate fun celebrations into my work–planning everything from corporate award receptions to school-wide academic events.

Then it happened! During the summer of 2021, I experienced pure joy while planning the wedding of my daughter and son-in-love, Kelly and Eric. The privilege of managing and coordinating three other weddings that year ignited a desire for more, propelling me to transform my passion into a purposeful business. Read More>>

Lindsey D

Honestly, it all started with wanting to recreate a feeling. My great-grandmother lived on Sere Street in New Orleans, and some of my favorite memories happened in her kitchen. Things were so much simpler back then. We didn’t need much—just a hot cup of coffee, some toast (or Tastee’s Donuts if we were lucky), and time with each other. My cousins and I would sit around her table, laughing, telling stories, just soaking up the moment. That was her way of connecting with us, and it stuck with me. Read More>>

Erin Desabelle

I started my business because I was tired of seeing the same beige, builder-grade spaces everywhere—and I knew I couldn’t be the only one craving more personality, color, and creativity in a home. What began as weekend DIYs and thrift flips turned into a full-blown passion for transforming spaces on a budget, in a way that actually feels like home. I wanted to show other women—especially those juggling real life, families, and limited time—that they could do it too. Read More>>

 Pepper Yandell

I came from a background of waiting tables in Tulsa, Oklahoma before I moved to Dallas, Texas to pursue a full-time career of automotive photography. The thought process to make that switch was a brief process, as shooting high-end and fast cars full time versus the service industry was a clear no-brainer for myself. Of course, there are several challenges that come with starting your own business, and especially in the creative space; but those challenges are well worth pursuing your passion and having fun while doing it. Read More>>