Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Bridget Dew | Balloon Instructor and Designer

I wanted to have an established business by retirement. I watch my dad stay very active because he started a business that he cared about. I wanted that for myself. I also believe that as a mother you need something just for you. I have my business and allow my children to recipricate cheering me on. Read more>>

Saniya Jivani | Makeup Artist

A dream! yes a dream that I saw as a little girl. Every girl enjoys shopping especially name brand items, and I always wanted to grow up into something where people wear my name brand. Starting my business was driven by a desire for anatomy, creativity, a passion to do something of my own. I wanted a freedom to pursue my own ideas, and create something beautiful, and meaningful. I want to make something that creates positive impact in the world in my own unique way. I was willing to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and adapt along the way. Ultimately, it’s a driven by a combination of passion, determination, and a clear sense of purpose. Read more>>

Vy Truong and Han Dang | Vy Truong and Han Dang | Interior Designers

We acknowledge that we’re still learning the ins and outs of business, with each day presenting new lessons. Owning a business isn’t a walk in the park; it’s more like a daily rollercoaster ride. Nevertheless, we’re committed to embracing the journey alongside our Very Handsome Studio team. With a focus on delivering top-notch services and products, our business is constantly evolving to better serve our customers. We’ve come to understand that there’s always more to learn, and our mindset has shifted significantly with the growth of the company. Everyday, we’re faced with numerous decisions regarding growth, but we’ve found that staying true to our goals and vision ultimately leads to success. Read more>>

Ruth Galdamez | Certified in Narrative Focused Trauma Care; StoryWork

My business is for the sole purpose of helping women be curious about their family of origin trauma. Read more>>

Kia Frazier | Chef & Food Influencer

When I started KiaInDaKitchen, I really just wanted to put my energy into something good. This idea came to me during summer 2020 while we were on lockdown for Covid-19. At that time, I felt like all I did was work and sit at home watching food videos on social media. I knew I liked to cook and take pictures of my food so I told myself that I would start my instagram food page. I came up with the name one day, created the page, but I didn’t tell anyone for a while. Then I told myself that no matter what happened, as long as I started the page, I couldn’t be defeated! I assured myself that followers and likes didn’t matter as long as I was trying. Read more>>

Trang Nguyen | Founder The Story wedding & event

I’ve had the privilege of working in both the event and media fields for many years, experiencing a certain level of success before moving to the United States in search of new challenges and adventures. Read more>>

Outjeweled Owners | Mari & Johnathon

Our thought process behind starting Outjeweled was, “How do we impact while giving people what they would just be coming in for permanent jewelry.” In everything that we do, we set a high standard for it. Creating memorable memories attached to value. We have made so many great connections due to just being authentic and always going the extra mile. Read more>>

Janine Cascio | CEO of Simplending Financial & Mindset Teacher

Starting my own business was a bold move, one rooted in a deep belief in myself and my abilities. I saw it as a bet on my own potential, fueled by self-confidence and an entrepreneurial spirit. I knew I had the capacity to create something truly unique and impactful. Read more>>

Jamie Thomas | Co-founder and CEO of Cognito Forms

I am passionate about solving complicated problems and building things, which drove my aspiration to build custom software solutions. It’s essential for businesses to have the tools they need to solve challenges easily, quickly, and effectively. Read more>>

Hunter Helmstaedter | Traveling tintype photographer

My current occupation “wetplate photographer” aka “tintype photographer” is a direct reaction from being laid off in 2020. I had a great job and like so many people the rug was ripped out from under me. Wetplates were at that time more of a passion project reserved for weekends and days off. I didn’t look at it as a business. Today they are my career and sole source of income. I noticed folks enjoy watching the process. Modern digital has us saturated in artificial photographs. With the wet plate collodion process you experience a memorable and historic way of making pictures that, at least for now, can’t be replicated by a computer. My business is a result of adapting to a digital market by going back to analog roots of portraiture. Not just film but actually making photographs on glass and metal plates with homemade chemistry just as they did in the 19th century Victorian era. Many of the early wet platers in the 1850s and 1860s travelled the country making portraits by hand. Some had creative ways of moving their business around such as covered horse drawn wagons, houseboats turned floating gallery/studios, and even a traveling circus tent complete with darkroom and shooting space. Over 170 years later I am attempting to make a living in the same spirit of the early itinerant tintypists. Read more>>

Ashlee Jeter | Engineer & Entrepreneur

The thought process behind my business was to create products for sensitive skin. I personally have an autoimmune disease and it became important to me at that time to be more mindful of what I put into and on my body. I figured if I could make products that help me, then I could help others too. Read more>>

Tiffany Navarro | Hair and Extension Specialist

It was always the dream! Starting off a little late in the game, going to hair school at 26. I felt the need to really push myself to learn as much as I could and really focus on who I was behind the chair so I could grow my clientele. After about 8 years behind the chair it was finally time for me to be my own boss. Opening my own suite has been the best decision I ever made. The love and support from my clients made it all possible. Read more>>

Jesse David | President & Lead Planner/Photographer

It all started with a red 35mm film camera my father gifted me. Years of seeing him behind the camera and falling in love with the art of photography then inspired me to pursue my career in 2009. Read more>>