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.

Nicole, Ashlyn, & Allysa Shelton

Our inspiration for starting Glam Life Beauty Bar truly began at home. Our mom has been in the beauty industry for as long as we can remember, so my sister and I grew up watching her build, create, and serve women through beauty. At the same time, our dad was also a business owner alongside her, though in a different industry. Seeing both of our parents run businesses showed us firsthand what entrepreneurship requires: discipline, faith, resilience, and independence. Read More>>

 Kenny Jean

Ten years ago, I was drowning in the “right” way to do things, and I knew something had to break. I’d always been obsessed with photography and film, that vintage, cinematic aesthetic that feels like you’re watching a movie, not scrolling through someone’s wedding album. But I also had this itch I couldn’t scratch: I needed to move, to chase something, to not be stuck shooting the same staged bullshit in the same ballrooms every weekend. Read More>>

 Steven Simon

I started my caricature business by volunteering at church festivals in my hometown, where I wanted to serve my community and put my artistic talents to good use. Having drawn caricatures since childhood, I decided to develop the skill further by taking a course at School of Visual Arts and studying instructional books. What began as a simple way to give back naturally grew into a business after I created a logo, handed out business cards, and began receiving steady requests for events. Read More>>

Courtney Milligan

I initially was following a more traditional path of working for an established company. However, after realizing that I didn’t want to work for a company that put profits over people I decided to create other options for myself. I sought business mentorship at Solace Counseling and Coaching. This experience provided the framework to venture into running my own private practice, Peaceful Life Counseling. Read More>>

Mila McManus MD

I’ve always been more of a leader than a follower. I like to take charge of situations and projects. To a fault, I’m a perfectionist, so it seems natural to want to take charge of everything I do. Read More>>

Norma Loredo

My decision to start my own business came from a deep passion for food and the desire to build something meaningful on my own terms. Mexican cuisine carries culture, memories, and a sense of home, and I wanted to create a place where people could experience that authenticity in a simple and welcoming way.
Just as important to me was the team. Read More>>

Lyndsey Goodnight

My thought process behind creating my business actually came from my best friends wedding. She and her husband had hired a day of coordinator. That day, there were a lot of mishaps including the coordinator showing up 30 minutes prior to the ceremony, while she was contracted to be there the entire day. That day, I spent it away from my best friend and tried to make sure her wedding was in order. Read More>>

Kimmi Doan-Subida

FKTG was born from a deep love of creating meaningful, personalized items and bringing unique touches to life’s special moments. Read More>>

Robert Quarantello

I believe you are born an entrepreneur with the mindset it takes to start your own business. Over the last decade….I have started (or attempted to start) 13 different companies. Only 3 of them became successful..and they were the last 3 I tried. Read More>>

 Brittany LaRotta

Okay Brittany… we just got ghosted from a job, nobody is hiring or responding. We have a mortgage, bills, and 4 little girls to provide for…Read More>>