Readers often email us asking us for advice about new businesses they are thinking about starting and we often find that many of them don’t have a framework for thinking about a more fundamental question: why should or shouldn’t you start a business?

Below, you’ll find how successful entrepreneurs from across the city thought about this very question when they were considering whether to start their businesses.

Jojo Trumbly | CEO The NET Level Up Networking

The reason that I started my own business is because I wanted to afford people what had been given to me. I started networking with another network in 2018, the same year that my husband started Affordable Air Repair, and because of networking it gave him the ability to go full time with his business and support our family. In 2020…we all know what happened…the network I was apart of dissolved and at the time I was the president of one of the chapters. I reached out to all of my fellow members and kept our group going. From there, I started my own network with the support of those same visionary founders called The NET Level Up Networking. I really wanted to give everyone the opportunity to have success in their own family and local owned businesses the way that I have. Read more>>

Michael Vasu | State General Agent, Globe Life American Income Division

I really never thought I would start my own business. I was just trying to do my very best in whatever role I was in, and trusted that in that process, I would grow into the best version of myself. I didn’t have the goal of being an owner in my company. It was part of my vision in the long-term. I figured when the right opportunity arose I would pursue it. I said no more times than I said yes. When the opportunity was presented for me to relocate from Ohio to Texas, and after some consideration, I decided to pursue it. Why? I had spent so much of my career coaching people and attempting to help them grow into their ideal version by telling them to “be uncomfortable,” and I realized that what would stop me from pursuing owning my own organization would simply be my own with where I was. As a matter of personal integrity, this was my “tipping point” so to speak. Read more>>

Christal Crockett | Christian Publisher and Web Designer

Since I was young, I knew I would author a book. As a student, I enjoyed presenting my imaginative stories to the class. I would even find myself writing fiction short stories. As I grew older, I started creating poems I had never shared. My love for books and writing grew stronger as I matured. In 2019, I made a journal for women to journal their prayers and color beautiful illustrations. After three years of people asking how I did, I finally decided to coach people and offer a full-service Publishing boutique for Christian creators and authors. Read more>>

Fatemah Mirza | CEO CareerTuners

Embarking on the exciting venture of founding CareerTuners in the city of Irvine, California, was driven by a fervent desire to be a catalyst in individuals’ career journeys. Recognizing a distinct gap in the local market, I envisioned a company that goes beyond mere resume writing, offering a symphony of services designed to elevate professionals in today’s fiercely competitive job landscape. CareerTuners isn’t just about crafting compelling resumes; it’s a one-stop hub for transforming LinkedIn profiles into magnetic showcases, penning personal statements that resonate, and providing insightful coaching in the arts of interviews and salary negotiations. Read more>>

Jen Kolb | Interior Designer

I’ve had a lifelong passion for interior design, but I never considered making a career out of it. I’d worked in the non-profit sector for over a decade but decided to take a break during the Covid-19 pandemic because I wanted to spend more time with my kids and be present for them as they navigated the changes the pandemic caused in our lives. In the meantime, a couple friends asked if I’d help them with some design projects, and I had a real lightbulb moment when I realized being self-employed allowed me the flexibility I’d been looking for. Read more>>

Larry Smith III | Author

To one day build my own empire so I can become financially empowered to take care of my family. Read more>>

Katie Sol | Founder & CEO Mystical Living

Impact, legacy, purpose are all words that came to my mind when I was in the inquiry of starting my own business. After 2 decades of grinding & hustling as a Fortune 100 executive I knew the ‘traditional path’ very well. Word hard, get a job, an MBA, get married, buy a house, have the kids … except all those things didn’t leave me feeling fulfilled. The left me feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, burnt out and uninspired. So I consciously decided to trade in a life seeking external validation (promotions, accolades) for a life of internally nourishing myself. I designed my mystical life full of adventure, play, pleasure, flow and my life radically transformed. My personal transformation lead me to the business I lead today full of impact, legacy & purpose. Today I am a wayshower for others to create their ‘too good to be true’ lifestyle. Read more>>

Alfred Castillo | Actor, Model, Writer, Producer, Director, Engineer, Real Estate Entrepreneur, Husband, Father, Community Leader

I am engineer by trade (BSCE 1998 and MCE 2002, University of Houston…Go Coogs!) but was always an actor at heart. 15 years into my successful career in the Petrochemical Industry, I decided to pursue acting. I took acting classes with Sara Gaston and landed my first commercial. I continued taking classes and ultimately landed an acting/modeling contract with the Neal Hamil Agency and started booking commercial and print jobs left and right in both English and Spanish for major clients such as Walmart, HEB, Dell, Conns, Reliant Energy, Gillman Auto, Typhoon Texas and Main Event, just to name a few. I had a desire to do feature films, but as a Christian actor, I found it increasingly difficult to find work in the Houston area without compromising my faith. I felt God was calling me to rise and up and create faith based, family friendly content. I responded to the call and began writing my first screenplay entitled, “La Cadena.” Upon completion of the script, I created my own Production Company, “ROCA PRODUCTION FILMS,” which sole purpose is “To exalt the name of Jesus Christ and expand His kingdom through film.” I collaborated with several industry professionals to guide me through the film making process. I ultimately cast, produced and directed the film, funded by my acting earnings. The film was picked up by Burning Bulb Publishing and is now airing on several streaming platforms including Amazon Prime, Tubi and Crackle just to name a few. I continue to act and have written a few more screen plays that I plan to produce and direct in the near future, growing my film production business by offering more family friendly titles. Read more>>

LaToya Holloway | Owner of Luxxe Looks by LaToya & Founder of Victorious Youth Queens Mentoring Org.

In all honesty, the decision to start my own business and be a fulltime entrepreneur is what I would call a move of faith. I’ve started several businesses a years ago such as Toya’s Hair Collection- a virgin hair extension company and partnered with my husband to launch Victorious Youth Kings and Queens- a youth mentoring organization, but my contributions to both were given on a part-time basis being that I had a corporate job that consumed most of my time in addition to being a mother of two. In 2020, I entered a new season in my life where my comfort zone was no longer comfortable. Instead, it was a space filled with torment, misery, stress, frustration and confusion and for 3 years, I felt like I was wrestling with God’s call to new beginnings. I was so afraid to make the move, but after several medical leaves, anxiety attacks and doctor’s visits, I was fed up and decided to answer the call on 11/16/2023 by resigning from an 11-year career from one of the top oil and gas companies to begin a new journey as a full-time salon owner of Luxxe Looks Hair Studio. It was an extremely difficult decision to make, but I must say that after I took the leap of faith, God has been showing up and showing out ever since and has consistently showed me that I made the right move. Now I can testify that obedience is much better than sacrifice! Read more>>