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.

Heather Cain | Licensed Professional Counselor

Honestly, I didn’t have a conscious thought process but it was more unconscious. I always said I would work for someone for the rest of my life so I could have job security. I went into the Mental Health field because I wanted to help my community but one of the professors in my Master’s program said I could never have my own private practice because I did not have a doctorate…but God had other plans. Read more>>

Estephanie Lizardi Brown | Hair Color Specialist

There came a point when working for someone else began to feel draining. I realized I was investing my time and energy in building someone else’s dream, rather than my own. As my values and vision started to diverge from the traditional industry path, I knew the only way to stay passionate about my work was to step out of my comfort zone and create something that truly reflected who I am. The constant thought of ‘when I’m on my own’ became the signal I needed to pursue my own business and turn my aspirations into reality. Read more>>

Rachel Walker | Artisit behind Happy By Rachel

Happy By Rachel was specifically birthed out of the hardship of losing our previous business. We had a home decor+art business from 2016-2022 in which we lost our facebook page….we lost 400K followers over night! We used it for everything so losing it was detrimental to our business. Through that process of losing our business, it created in me a desire to get back to the basics and do what had always been a passion for me, creating art and designing products. I wanted to simplify my life and shred the things that didn’t bring me joy. I could have easily called our new business Rachel Walker Designs or something generic, but I really wanted to manifest and claim over my life a happiness….so I called it Happy By Rachel. After experiencing such a hard season, I wanted to be intentional about focusing on the things that brought LIFE to me. Our goal is to make art based products that make people happy! Read more>>

Takisha “kemi” Miller | Personal Development & Transformation Life Coach

Starting my own business stemmed from a desire to create something that aligned with my purpose and passion for helping women grow. For years, I found myself in spaces where I was either not being heard, undervalued, or limited in how I could support others. I realized that I wanted to provide women, especially African American women, with a space where they could experience true transformation—spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Read more>>

Regeine Waller | Entrepreneur & Aroma Enthusiast

Starting my own business, Pure Reverie, was really about creating something I personally believe in. It’s not just about an aroma it’s the satisfaction someone can get from just a whiff of you smelling good is a huge part of confidence. When you walk by, people should be like, “Damn, she smells amazing.” It’s not just about a fragrance; it’s the feeling that follows—the boldness, the power, and the presence. I wanted to build a brand where other women could feel that same energy, exuding confidence and knowing they leave an unforgettable impression. Pure Reverie is about embracing that redolent essence in your everyday routine. Read more>>

Lakeisha Dixon Jones | Master Life & Professional Coach & Baker

Nearly 12 years ago, I embarked on this journey because I felt a strong calling from God. I knew He was leading me to something greater. I had tried college three times, but it just didn’t feel like the right path for me. I also realized that earning $10 an hour wasn’t enough to support the life I envisioned. Deep down, I knew I was meant for greatness, even though I wasn’t sure how to get there. Read more>>

Ngina Thomas | Luxury Salon & Spa Owner | Speaker | Author

While I knew I was called to leadership and entrepreneurship, I did not do anything deliberate to make it happen. I often say “My life is a reflection of moving when I hear God speak. In syncopation with His perfect will always yields the best results. Read more>>

Terra Mahone | Bartender/Mixologist

My thought process behind starting my own business was to step out on faith and just do it! Literally, that’s what I told myself. I have been working for others since a teenager, so I’m no stranger to hard work. However, I had to ask myself why work hard to build someone else’s dream when you can do the same for yours? Read more>>

Donna Stephens | Dance Studio Director and Girls’ Empowerment Educator

I’ve always desired to have a place for young girls to be inspired, build self confidence and learn skills that will empower them in life. Being a mother of four, with three daughters, I understand how important it is to encourage our young girls and instill into them positivity that will illuminate through them as they grow. I teach my own children that you are never too young to inspire and no dream is ever too big to chase. My oldest daughter has a passion for dance and her dream is to own a dance studio. Read more>>

Gabriel Avrett | Musician & Dirtbike racer

If I’m gonna work hard, I might as well work hard at something that I created. I’ve worked jobs, conveniently helping other people with their dreams and it’s not that I’m unwilling to help other people, but I have dreams that I want to conquer as well to start my business was like the first step Into chasing my own dreams Read more>>

Eric Richards | Doctor, Chief Mission Strategist, Wellness Enthusiast, Quality of Life Coach

My first business was selling candy in high school (a far cry from the health and wellness passion that brought me to where I am today)… but then it was detailing cars for successful members of my hometown, followed by t-shirt printing in college, a sales career in financial instruments, followed by chiropractic. I built up 7 offices of mixed success, and 4 crossfit gyms of the same. I rarely pulled a W2 from anyone but myself in my life, so being in control of my destiny was part of my DNA. Read more>>

Barbara Dixon

I’ve never considered starting my own business because I raised to have a career working for someone else in order to provide for my family. However after creating obituaries for many years for close friends and family I realized that many wouldn’t have recent, professional of their loved ones and/or photos with them. I began to take photos at every friend, church and family gathering to capture those moments with those people. I still didn’t think that a photography business was realistic business for me to start at the age of 40 along with being self taught. Read more>>

Giovanna Herrand | Photographer & Event Stylist

Being my own boss has always been my goal. I do not believe Ive envisioned anything else since I became a young adult. In my last semester of my bachelors degree I was asked what was I going to go after I graduated and I said, start my own business. Sure that exact business idea I wanted to start years ago has changed 100 times but the idea of being my own boss has never changed. Ive always been passionate about doing what makes me happy more than making tons of money. I want to do what I enjoy & in doing that make others happy. Read more>>