Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Vandhana Ramamoorthy

It started with a deep love for gardening and a strong desire to make a real impact. I’ve always believed that growing your own food can be life-changing. It connects you with nature, improves your health, and builds resilience. Growing food isn’t just practical. It’s powerful.
As a mom and a lifelong gardener, I wanted to help families grow their own fresh, organic food — even if they were busy, overwhelmed, or had never planted a seed before. Starting my own business gave me the freedom to combine my science background, my love for teaching, and my passion for sustainable gardening into something truly meaningful. Read More>>

Destany Ramirez

Honestly, starting my own business was always the end goal. Ever since I became a hairstylist, I knew I eventually wanted to go out on my own—I just had to wait for the right time. After having my daughter in 2022, that vision started to feel more urgent and felt closer than ever. When she turned about 8 months old, I felt ready to take that leap into business ownership. Read More>>

Kensey Cleveland

After having my daughter and staying home with her I wanted to do something that kept be busy but was still manageable with having a little one learning to crawl and get into everything! Read More>>