What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Lex Reed

My loc journey began in 2022, and like many Black women, I’ve always loved expressing myself through different hairstyles. One of my biggest loc goals was to experiment with bold, sporadic colors. However, working in education meant I had to find alternative ways to express myself through my hair. Read More>>

Fabian James

My Thought Process Was To Provide A Multitude Of Platforms For Artist Or Creatives To Have A Voice They Normally Wouldn’t Have In This Space. I’ve Met A Lot Of Talented People That Had All The Tools To Allow Their Gift A Chance To Shine For The World To See But They Just Didn’t Have Someone That Came Along And Said You Know What I Think Your Talented I Believe In You. Most Have A Mindset Of What Can I Gain/Make Off Of You Listen We All Seek Compensation For Our Work But If Money Is The Only Reason For You Doing This I Hate To Break This To You But Your In The Wrong Business In My Opinion. Read More>>

Tuyet Nguyen

Honestly, I never planned to get into the nail industry. My family has owned nail salons in different locations, so I’ve seen firsthand the hard work, complexity, and challenges that come with managing staff and dealing with customers all day. It wasn’t something I initially wanted to take on. Read More>>

Melissa Dos Prazeres Allard

I started my business because I saw a major gap in the women’s workwear and suiting market during my corporate career. As a young professional in a forward-facing role, I needed to dress well, but my options were either luxury suits I couldn’t afford, uninspiring and monotonous workwear, or fast fashion that lacked quality and polish. Read More>>

Shavee Ho

Starting my own business was never just about making money—it was about creating impact. I wanted to build something that empowered women, gave them confidence, and provided practical solutions for their success. My journey began as a licensed cosmetologist and evolved into image consulting, marketing strategy, and entrepreneurship. I saw gaps in the industry where women lacked resources, support, and access to business acceleration. That’s why I launched Alpha Woman Association, a business accelerator nonprofit, and S.H.E. Beauty Defined, a beauty brand for women on the go. My thought process was simple: How can I help women show up as their best selves, both in business and in life? Read More>>

Sariya Harris

Evonne’s Art House was inspired by the lack of community and support for local creatives both in my upbringing and during my time in higher education. This disparity left many artists feeling underserved, which motivated me to develop a vision for an organization that would meet their needs—not just in Texas, but globally. This vision ultimately led to the creation of Evonne’s Art House. Read More>>

Undone WRSHP

Honestly, at first we had no intention of being a business. We were asked to play worship for a women’s conference that was coming up in early 2020, so we put a plan together for music and started rehearsing. Once the pandemic happened, all of the events were postponed or cancelled. We weren’t sure what would happen next, so we continued meeting up every Saturday for a year to fellowship and make music with no plan in sight. During that time, we started writing our own music, hosting live online worship events and recording. Read More>>

Karina Puche

Starting my own business was a combination of passion, necessity, and vision. As a graphic designer, I’ve always had a creative mindset, and baking became another way to express that artistry. When I emigrated to the U.S., I faced many challenges, but I also saw an opportunity to build something of my own—something that combined my skills with my love for high-quality desserts. Over time, as I became a mother, my motivation grew even stronger.  Read More>>

Ms Troy Coleman

Honestly, I didn’t set out to become a business owner — I set out to solve a problem. I saw far too many children being left behind because traditional literacy instruction wasn’t meeting their needs. I knew from experience that play-based learning, social-emotional development, and the science of reading could unlock everything for them — but it wasn’t being done consistently or intentionally in most learning spaces. Read More>>

Adan Trujillo

The love for music, I never saw it as a business. It was a hobby at first. Read More>>

Kristin Pomroy

My thought process comes from a deeper desire to step away from corporate leadership roles where I did not feel fully valued. Instead, I chose to create a career where I can help support my family, be recognized for my work, and make a direct impact on my community. Read More>>

Dezarre Caldwell

Originally, I started doing bouquets as a hobby: creating bouquets for my family and friends on special occasions. I taught myself how to work with flowers and studied the resources put out by other florists that I admire. I wanted to personalize my bouquets and create experiences and lasting memories. I’ve always had a love for receiving flowers and the way they make memorable moments, evoke emotions, and bring beauty to any space. After creating different types of bouquets , and doing some research, I realized the demand for unique, personalized bouquets was there. Read More>>