Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Martha Rojas

The idea of starting Party Balloons To Go came from my deep love for creativity and the joy of making people smile through beautiful celebrations. I wanted to build something that combined art, emotion, and connection — something that could transform simple moments into unforgettable memories. Read More>>

LaToya Campbell-Davis

I knew I had to start my own business because I’ve always had the desire to be self-sufficient. This was apparent even at a young age, when I attempted entrepreneurial ventures. I reasoned as a youth that self-sufficiency is important and can yield a peaceful form of fulfillment, empowerment, and freedom. Read More>>

Ryan Coleman-Ferebee

When I first considered starting my own business, the realization that struck me was this: I had been giving away valuable marketing advice for free for years. Friends, colleagues, nonprofit leaders, and small business owners would come to me for guidance on everything from messaging and branding to websites and strategy. Read More>>

Ashvin Senthil Kumaran

I started Vector One Racing with the vision of giving students an opportunity that I felt was missing: a chance to gain real-world experience in a professional motorsports environment while still in school. Many students learn concepts in classrooms but don’t get the chance to apply them in high-pressure, real-life situations that prepare them for their future careers. Read More>>

Candis Ferguson

My thought process started not with a new idea, but with realizing I had run out of excuses for an old one. I always wanted to launch my own tax preparation service, but the fear of taking the time to build the business held me back for years—even after I secured my EFIN (Electronic Filing Identification Number) from the IRS. Read More>>

Andrea/Candace King/Melton

Candace Melton and Andrea King have been best friends for 43 years, growing up side by side and sharing a lifetime of adventures. We had done everything together except start a business. While vacationing in Cabo in 2024, we came across King of Pops in the airport. Read More>>

Mohsen Rezaeian Hagh

When I decided to start my business, it wasn’t about ambition or chasing success — it was about love, care, and purpose. At that time, my main reason was to help Sura and her children. I wanted to create something that could give them strength, stability, and hope for the future. Read More>>

Otis Petteway

The thought process behind starting Victory Community Church was to create a Christ-centered community that did more than just hold Sunday services. We wanted to truly impact our community by demonstrating the love of Jesus to those we are called to serve, uplifting those who have faced hardships, and offering an example of Christ’s purpose. Read More>>

Jennifer Watts

I embarked on the journey of Noche Tejana with a singular objective in mind – to uplift and support Tejano, Conjunto, and Latina female artists. Through this platform, I aim to provide a spotlight for these incredible talents, showcasing their music and celebrating their vibrant cultural contributions. Read More>>

Andrea Ancer Leal

Starting Lucent Psych wasn’t about building a business — it was about answering a need I saw every day in my work with patients. Too many people were waiting months for help, feeling lost in a healthcare system that treated their symptoms but not their story. I wanted to create a space where psychiatry felt personal again — where science, empathy, and accessibility could coexist. Read More>>

Dr. Sana Mukhi

I spent a lot of time working as a busy primary care physician in a conventional medical setting. Over time, I started noticing a pattern that didn’t sit right with me — my patients’ medication lists kept growing, their specialist visits multiplied, but their overall health and quality of life weren’t really improving. Chronic conditions were still progressing despite all the interventions.  Read More>>

Aaliyah Williams

Starting my own business came from a place deeper than ambition …it was born from experience, healing, and purpose. I wanted to create something that not only reflected my passion, but also served as a reminder that even our challenges can lead to something beautiful. Every detail, every idea, came from the thought of helping others feel seen, confident, and cared for! Read More>>

Calvin Campbell

Starting a business was always something I wanted to do. I’ve worked in this industry for years and genuinely love it — the creativity, the craftsmanship, and the people it connects you with. Read More>>

Melissa Bryan

I started Hope and Homeownership after being a mortgage loan officer for over 10 years and noticing that the dream of homeownership was beginning to get lost in the headlines. Read More>>

Melissa Bryan

For me, the choice to start a business has always been a mixture of curiosity, necessity, and opportunity. I started my first business when I was an MBA student because I needed to have control over my schedule. At the time, I was extremely interested in fitness and nutrition, having undergone my own fitness transformation while I was an undergraduate student. Read More>>

Rick Leviton

There was not a true thought process behind this start up. I was working in another field, another company I started. I saw the need for a home service business in this field, child proofing homes. I worked on a plan on and off for two years. I knew I can start a safety business and be rewarded by making babies safe. Read More>>

Muhammad Zubair

I started my own kitchen and bath design studio because I wanted creative freedom and control over every detail of the design process. After years of working with different companies, I realized that clients appreciate personal attention and honest communication. I wanted to build something where design isn’t just about looks but about how people actually live and use their space. Read More>>

Nelson Dieguez-Suarez

Starting my own architecture company was both a personal and professional journey. Coming from Cuba, I arrived with a different language, culture, and design perspective, but also with a strong desire to build something of my own. Early on, I realized that design is not just about structures, it’s about identity and adaptation. Read More>>

Jessica Candler

The idea for my business really came from wanting to create something bigger than myself. I’ve always been passionate about beauty, but more importantly, about helping women feel confident and seen. When I realized how much a simple lash set could transform how someone feels about themselves, that’s when I knew I wanted to turn that passion into something lasting. Read More>>

Helen Morris

Firstly, I almost siked myself out of starting my business because it’s so many other Photography Companies especially in the City of Houston, however I prayed about it and while I had been doing photography as a hobby in church with my grandmother for years, the hobby turned into a full passion. I thought to myself, why not turn that passion into my profession. Read More>>

Rachel Sheffield

The original plan behind starting my business was to work in the graphic design industry for two years. I wanted to learn all the ropes — how to reach clients, market myself, handle projects efficiently, and understand how the business operation worked — especially since I didn’t have hands-on experience in this field. Read More>>

Winnie Nyatome

My thought process behind starting my business was that I needed to be able to rest whenever I wanted. I was tired of getting up extremely early just to go and work for someone else. Eventually, I trusted myself and took that step and I am so grateful I did. Read More>>