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.

Dillin Roberts | Home Inspector

Starting a home inspection company for me was honestly something that I feel was destined. When COVID hit, I lost my job in the healthcare/IT industry. In that role, my team and I were constantly traveling, around 85% of the time. However, when travel came to a halt due to the pandemic, my team was let go. It was a stressful time for my then-fiancée and me. We were young, just engaged, and planning our wedding and buying a house. I didn’t like the feeling of our lives being put on hold due to something beyond our control. After discussing my feelings with an aunt, she suggested looking into the home inspection industry. I loved the idea because I saw an opportunity to assist people in situations similar to ours. The home buying process is a significant moment for many individuals, and the idea of playing a key role in that process and helping people was incredibly appealing to us. Additionally, the notion of building something that I could pass down to my future family held great importance to me. Read more>>

Stephanie Franklin | Stephanie Franklin-Franklin Vines Founder, CEO & Winemaker

I remember sitting in WSET 3 class in 2019, as we were discussing how the climate affects grape growing regions. In that moment was when I realized I wanted to plant a vineyard and become a winemaker. I knew my business name would be Franklin Vines. I envisioned it, I felt it. I didn’t know how I was going to fund this HUGE dream, but I felt strongly that I would accomplish this goal. I was fueled by my dream. I knew education, hands on experience and immersing myself in the wine industry was a must being that my background was not in Viticulture and Enology and here we are today. Read more>>

Nicole Ellis | Designer and tailor

Initially, I never intended to start a business. It just happened. I purchased my sewing machine in 2020 and began teaching myself how to sew. At first I was only interested in up cycling clothes, so I would thrift or take old clothes from my closet and turn it into something new. It was only in 2022 when I started taking sewing serious and began to make garments from scratch. I decided to conduct photo shoots with my friends and photographers to showcase my pieces. Since my first photo shoot in August of 2022, I received great feedback from my peers and social media. It was clear to me by then that sewing and tailoring was my passion and I wanted to continuously perfect my craft. Read more>>

Yesenia Stark | Co-Owner of Teresita’s Tamales

Coming from an immigrant family, the thought of starting my own business never really crossed my mind. As my sister and I grew up, we learned how to make the tamales. Every Christmas it is a tradition to make tamales for the entire family. Over the years, on many occasions, the family would discuss how it is hard to just find quality tamales. As a result of these discussions, realized there was niche in the food industry and decided we would help fill the need. We built it ourselves from the bottom up with not business experience and no financial support. We began by selling tamales in bulk orders and over time saved up enough money to buy our food trailer and the rest is history. Read more>>

Keisha Johnson | Event Planner & Holiday Decorator

I have always found joy in crafting and taking the plunge to start my own business marked a major milestone for me. The idea of blending my passion with the opportunity to generate extra income was truly exciting. Read more>>

Kenzie Reeder | Creator/Designer

I started my first small business back at the end of 2021. I had spent close to half of that year in the Pediatric ICU with my 1 year old son. While spending time there I fell in love with hand embroidery. I had started it just to keep busy but quickly interest peaked on my personal facebook and instagram from people wanting to buy the pieces I made.

Adama Chisley | Registered Nurse

My husband’s and my occupational background is healthcare. Both of us have to wear scrubs to work. He worked in the pharmacy while I work at the hospital. The scrubs given to us by past employers have always been too big, too long, baggy, and bulky. In 2021, we had enough and wanted to create our own brand of scrubs that were the total opposite of those we’ve worn in the past. We wanted our scrubs to be comfortable, true to size, durable, wrinkle-resistant, antimicrobial, and of course stylish for both men and women. Read more>>

Andon Hood | Co-Founder of Herd

The idea for Herd came to me while I was sitting in a class during my sophomore year in 2021, right after the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted the education system and forced schools to adopt remote learning. I noticed how inefficient and frustrating the communication between students, teachers, administrators, and parents was. There were so many different platforms, apps, emails, texts, and calls that it was hard to keep track of everything and stay on the same page. I also realized how important communication was for the success and well-being of everyone involved in the school community. Read more>>

Lynet McDonald | IT Consultant and Artist

I decided to start my own business because I had difficulty getting a full-time job at companies after an 11-year gap in employment. I have a Management Information Systems degree (Business and IT) and had a successful career working as a senior programmer and IT project manager at various companies. I left my IT career at the insistence of my then husband who wanted me to stay home full-time to take care of our new daughter. At first, I refused because I loved my career, I was on the rise, and I was also earning a lot more money than him. That made him very insecure and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, in the end, I gave in and that turned out to be a huge mistake. This is a mistake a lot of women make and that can come back to haunt them, especially if they get a divorce as I did. My advice to all young women is to never leave their career, not even to raise children. They need to keep their career at least part-time because you never know what could happen. Being completely financially dependent on someone else is a huge risk. Women need to be able to take care of themselves and their children financially if needed. Read more>>

Indya Guidry | Licensed Cosmetologist/Beautician

My thought process behind starting my business stemmed mainly from wanting to create a safe & welcoming space in the beauty industry. I began to take my business serious shortly after the impact of COVID-19 and seeing the need for devoted professionals. Overtime I have fallen in love with the creativity I am able to express through my work and having the power to change a persons mood or to simply make their day better by enhancing the beauty they already uphold. Read more>>

Sasha Chada | CEO and Founder

I saw tutoring firms fail to help students with the intricacies of the top-tier admissions process. I thought I could do a better job on my own, and formed Ivy Scholars to meet each student where they were, and to modify my approach and curriculum based on each student’s needs. I didn’t anticipate all the challenges I would face, but I’ve never regretted my decision. Read more>>

Adrian Brown | Pit master and personal chef

Didn’t want to work hard for nobody but myself Read more>>

Gracia Talbott | Certified Bilingual Life Coach

I never thought I would be a business owner but then covid hit. I started to ask myself how can I grow and help others grow. This is when I found coaching and decided to become certified and learn the methods to best help others. Soon after, I applied for my Llc and here I am. Read more>>

Diana Zapata | Business Woman and Business Advisor

My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by a passion for animals and a desire to provide exceptional grooming services in a stress-free environment. I wanted to create a space where pets, including those with special needs, could receive the best care possible. Additionally, I saw an opportunity to empower women in the industry and create a business that truly cares for both pets and their owners. Pets & Pets is a culmination of these values and aspirations. Read more>>