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.

Barry & Chanell Graves | Owner

The Custom Stitch Houston LLC was created so my husband and business partner, Barry Graves, could regain his confidence, create his own opportunities, and make a decent living after suffering a life changing accident. On October 29, 2016, Barry, was walking and was hit by a car in Beaumont, TX while celebrating his college homecoming. Read more>>

Kelley Truell – Rios | Photographer

To be completely honest, I started photography as a hobby and wasn’t really sure what direction it would take off at the time. I did that for about 10 years, but then I met my husband in 2012 and he couldn’t understand why I wasn’t charging for it. lol, so he encouraged me to try it as a business and within just a few months I was shooting small family sessions, senior sessions, etc. Read more>>

Lindsey Smith | Author and Co-Founder of Get It Done Productions, One Idea Press, and One Idea Books & Gifts

My family owned a mom-and-pop flooring business my entire life, so I think being around them really inspired me to think about entrepreneurship. As a kid growing up, I would take sales appointments with my dad, started several small businesses inside the shop, and was always looking for projects to take on. Read more>>

Charles Warren | Chiropractor

Baseball had been my entire life since I was a young boy. I began playing at the age of 3 and the game got into my blood. During my baseball tenure, I won a state championship in high school and went on to play at the collegiate level at Rice University. Unfortunately a shoulder injury almost potentially ended my favorite past time in college. Read more>>

Marissa Mix | Wedding & Family Photographer or just Wedding Photographer.

I decided to start my own photography business because I wanted to be my own boss! For example today I am working at a cute local coffee shop in my city. I love being able to make my own hours, and work when and where I want too! I am also young and do not have any children right now, so I figured that now is the time to take a risk in my life and launch my own business! Read more>>

Ambreen Uddin | Interior Designer & Travel Enthusiast

With a background in Audit and Risk Management, I found myself being constantly consulted on interior design by family, friends, and colleagues. In 2022, Ambreen Uddin Interiors was officially launched as an interior design firm. Read more>>

Trainer Moses | Fat Loss Expert

I had a client early on before I officially started my business who was a 16 year old high school kid. His father brought him to me because he was getting picked on at school for being overweight and the girls would laugh at him when he would attempt talking with them. So I began training him and we worked together for about 6 months. Read more>>

Florencia De La Torre | Jewelry Store Owner

I really enjoyed working in the jewelry industry and connecting with clients when I worked for other jewelry stores. I didn’t really see myself loving another industry this much, so I decided to slowly start building my own business and putting all the ideas I had into play. Read more>>

Nour Alashqar | Baker

I wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to stay home with my 3 young children, and also to have flexibility in setting my own work hours! I also made killer cake pops and my friends encouraged me to start selling them 😉 Read more>>

Dana Harris | Board Certified Behavior Analyst & Licensed Behavior Analyst

I am the proud owner of 2 centers that provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for individuals with Autism. 21 years ago, I took an elective course called Behavior Modification in undergrad. Our professor, who owned an ABA center, brought a client and therapist into the classroom to provide a model for us as to what an ABA session looks like. I was immediately intrigued. Read more>>