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.

Monroe McKinney

My thought process behind starting my own business was that I wanted to branch out in the world on my own while doing the thing that I truly love. Read More>>

Tina Dorenbecker

I grew up in New York surrounded by incredible food and a strong sense of community at the table. Fast forward, I’ve now been gluten-free for nearly 15 years, and while the lifestyle has changed my health for the better, it hasn’t always been easy to find safe, delicious options when dining out.  Read More>>

Raul Ruiz

As an agent, I was constantly hearing feedback from clients—things like wishing certain rooms were bigger, wanting a larger pantry with space for an extra refrigerator, or feeling inconvenienced by narrow hallways. Over the years, I realized these weren’t one-off comments, but consistent patterns. Read More>>

Kasey Scharnett King

As a mother and wife, my thought process behind started my business was rooted in family. 9-5 careers don’t normally fit with “mom life.” I want to attend every play, every game, every choir event and volunteer or be at school parties when I want. I enjoy sitting down for dinner every evening and being home when my kids arrive or be the one to pick them up.. Read More>>

Michael Hilton

I love energy drinks, but it’s impossible to find one that doesn’t contain a lot of synthetic garbage. So using my experience in neuroscience, sports performance, and health and wellness, I designed an evidence-based, clean energy drink to help you do what you love, better. Read More>>

Bobbi Hentz

During COVID, I found myself with a lot more time at home. Cooking for my family has always been something I love, so I thought—why not turn my passion into a business and get paid to do what I enjoy? Then I started selling dinners out my home & catering events & the rest is history  Read More>>

Ruth Mitchell-Golladay

I love, love, love animals. As a young child I thought I wanted to be a vet. However, when I was about 7 years old, my pet cat had to be euthanized. That event was the first turning point for me in what was to become my professional life as I recognized I could never be the one to do the euthanizing. Read More>>

Rachel Horton

My thought process behind starting Furry Friends came from my deep love for animals and my desire to create something better for them. I noticed that traditional boarding is not always the best option because many pets struggle with anxiety, health conditions, or stress when they are away from home. Read More>>

Rahul Patil

The thought process was a gradual realization that the traditional 9-to-5 culture, while stable, was fundamentally at odds with my drive for autonomy and real-world impact. As a software engineer, I was building code, but I felt a much stronger pull to build connections. The decision to launch ‘American Bhau’ Read More>>

Prasuna Mihira Madasu

The idea for Vintaa didn’t begin as a business—it started as a personal mission.

Growing up in a multigenerational household, I often saw how language and cultural gaps created emotional distance between elderly immigrants and the world around them. My own grandparents, who once led rich and active lives in India, suddenly felt isolated here—not just because of geography, but because of unfamiliarity with the language, technology, and lifestyle. Read More>>

Lauren Horn

Being a public school teacher comes with a natural drive for a side hustle, and I come from a entrepreneurial family so I feel like I was always looking for creative ways to make money. Read More>>

Terrence Ou

My entrepreneurial journey began with Great Wall Adventure Club in 2012, born from a deep passion for connecting cultures and creating meaningful travel experiences. The genesis for Japan Adventure Club in 2024 came from a strategic observation: Japan and China are separated by just two hours of flight time, yet most travelers were forced to choose between destinations or work with multiple agencies for a comprehensive East Asian experience. Read More>>

Brooke Beland

I’ve always loved the energy that comes with people gathering — the laughter, the connections, and those little moments that turn into lifelong memories. For me, a good drink has never just been about alcohol; it’s about the experience. Read More>>

Austin Bewley

Sycamore Grove is actually our second business venture. My primary business, Dovetail Design Studio, is an architectural design firm in Fort Worth that focuses on historically inspired buildings, using traditional construction techniques in a playful and novel way.  My background is a fusion of modern Bauhaus ideals taught through architecture school, mixed with the rich traditions of wooden boat building and yacht interiors, and classical architecture. Read More>>

CB Bosah

My background is in Information Technology, but over time I realized that my job no longer gave me a sense of security or fulfillment. I did not want to wait until circumstances forced me to make a change. I knew I needed a backup plan that I could build and control myself. That is when I decided to get my Texas Real Estate License. It gave me a pathway to create opportunities on my own terms and eventually gave me the confidence to step fully into entrepreneurship. Read More>>

Harnek And Sohan Sabharwal And Kathari

The idea for SpeakSmart came from a very real struggle both of us experienced: the fear of speaking in front of others. As part of the speech and debate team, we saw how powerful confident communication could be, but also how intimidating it felt for so many people. We noticed classmates with brilliant ideas not being able to express them because they were nervous and stuttered, and we faced moments of doubt ourselves before major competitions. Read More>>