The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

ELSA VICTORIOS | Fine Art Artist & Master Art Director .Fort Lauderdale

As a professional artist I wanted to open my business on an educational and cultural level. It was a challenge for me, I would educate people how important art is in our lives. Art expands our minds by being more creative, both children and adults need it even as therapy, it frees us from stress and worries.
I took art classes since I was a child! I studied fine arts at several art schools, as well as at the Fine Arts Faculty of the National University of Colombia.
I opened my studio VICTORIOS ART GALLERY AND STUDIO in January 2013. In Fort Lauderdale . It was hard to start, but by working hard, with love and passion, I have achieved success.. Read more>>

Kerri-Ann Coombs Hodge | R.N., O.D. ( Optometrist)

My motivation stems from a personal experience with my father’s vision issues. This emotional connection was a powerful driving force, providing a deep sense of purpose and commitment to my business. Recognizing a need for optometric services and eyewear. Understanding the demand for these services has directed me into a successful business of eyecare and eyewear. Read more>>

Sophia Lawrence | Early Intervention Specialist/Spa Owner

I wanted to begin to make a learning impact on children who were diagnosed with autism at an early age. With early intervention children will require less services once they get to the preschool stage. Read more>>

Tonya Nowden | Licensed Esthetician/ Skincare Instructor

I didn’t really have a thought in mind i.just I knewthat I want to be my own boss and start my business at 10:30 lol.. I was forced into starting my own mlbusiness, when I finish school I try to get a job the major Spa but, no one would here me because I had no experience. So I went to local small Spa and they refuse me because I did not have any clients. I got discouraged then a light pop in my mind that I can start my own business traveling to people and provide Facials.. After i decide I want to educate the community how to take care of their skin. So I started creating my own skincare class where it lead me into speaking at events regarding skincare. Then I decided I wanted my own Spa. Read more>>

Jaqueline Montero | Travel Content Creator and Blogger

For years, I have always wanted to create a blog or platform where I can share my travel adventures and deals that I find. I have always shared my travels on my personal page and many people have always told me to do this so after contemplating it for over a decade, I decided that now was the time. I want to share with others to visit places that perhaps are talked poorly about in the media, to use your PTO wisely and have more paid time off in the process, and how to use credit cards to your advantage to pay for your travels and reward yourself for simply paying your expenses. My goals is to get more people traveling, seeing the world and ending stereotypes to places that deserve to be explored. Read more>>

Naeve Duarte | Athlete & Transformation Coach

As someone who grew up in an underprivileged community where addictions and violence were prevalent, I learned early on the importance of education and creating opportunities for myself and others. Raised by my immigrant mother (who came from nicaragua) with little to no help from anyone, she instilled in me the drive and determination to succeed despite the odds stacked against us. As I got older, I realized that the traditional path to success wasn’t going to work for me. I knew I had to create my own opportunities and pave my own way. That’s when I started thinking about starting my own business. I wanted to create something that not only provided for myself and my family but also gave back to the community. Read more>>

Lee Dahlberg | Serial entrepreneur and jewelry designer

In 2005 I had lunch with my modeling agent who wanted me to meet her very successful boyfriend on the suspicion that we’d get along. He, Inturn, had invited his business partner who was even more wealthy & powerful. As expected I got on with the boyfriend, Paul, extremely well and the same could be said for the partner as well. The two were in the process of building a luxury high rise in the exclusive area of Golden Beach at the time and our conversation centered on this due to their apparent excitement for the project. Without thinking I began to spew out marketing ideas that came to me about how they could creatively sell their luxury condos. The ideas even surprised myself on how sublimely simple, yet elegant they flowed from my head. Read more>>