Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Carley Smith | Nutritional Therapist, Certified GAPS Practitioner

I became interested in health and nutrition after being diagnosed with Lyme disease and using food as medicine emphasizing gut health to help heal. I was so empowered in the progress in my healing just based on diet and lifestyle changes emphasizing gut health that I started Fairy Gutmother®, so I could help spread awareness around nutrition and help others. I am passionate about promoting the gut health lifestyle as it is more than a diet, rather, a combination of food and environment that play a role in the health of the microbiome. Read more>>

Diana Campo | Business owner (@dcshoptore)

I had always had in mind to create a business that I love, taking advantage of the fact that I like fashion, besides I was involved in the miami and fortlauderdale fashion week shows in 2017/2018/2019, I decided to create an online store where I could work with fashion and help my clients to find the best look with handmade accessories of the best Colombian quality and Colombian textile. At the beginning I was scared because it was something new for me, I stopped working on fashion blogging and needed to start by zero but, when I started creating content about it, it felt I was back in business again. Read more>>

 Bibi Lalbihari | Photographer

My thought process behind starting my own business was, I wanted to provide beautiful photos but yet keep it affordable to capture the timeless moments in people’s lives. It was important for me to do this as a woman of color and having someone to come to and be relatable as well. I wanted to make women feel beautiful and empowered and stand confident in front of the camera because pregnancy is beautiful on it’s own. Bringing out the Goddess in each of us was something I knew I wanted to do, so I worked super hard to accomplish this. Read more>>

D’aundra Woodside | Fitness Enthusiast/ Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting LolaBFit was very influential from my peers the people I hung around the lost definitely inspired me to create LolaBFit Appareal because I’m very active and into fitness it felt right to create my very own fitness line. It’s been challenging but very rewarding at the same time. I love wearing my brand and showcasing my work. I’m currently working on two lines one is The Staple Sets and the other one is The Basics Line I’m super excited and I can’t wait to launch these two lines which will be my signature lines along with my LBF WAIST TRAINERS. Read more>>

Zuzel Barrera | Passport Queen, Visa Expert. Loan Signing Agent.

Starting my own business was never really in the books for me, or so I thought. During all my years I was happy being an employee until I Worked for a company called Passports and Visas. I truly loved working there, I was in this company for 7 years and things suddenly went downhill. I blinked and the company was gone. At this point I did what any normal human does. Panic, and look for another job. My mom was the light at the end of the tunnel. She expressed how I should not loose such connections, that the hardest thing was the network of a business and I already had this. Did I listen? of course not! I found a job, and worked there and kept insisting to my mother , that in january I would start. Read more>>

Indhira Piquion | Event Planner & Owner of Caring Rose: Caring for you & your event, LLC

I was hesitant for more than 5 years about starting my business because I was busy focusing on finishing college. I knew I wanted to start a business that focus on the things I enjoyed doing and that my parents will enjoy being part of now and can manage when they decide to retire. I initially wanted to start a business that delivers anonymous flowers, specifically roses with a caring message, to people admitted in the hospital. I came up with the name “Caring Rose” for the business. I was stuck in figuring out the business plan and getting access to flowers and hospitals. Read more>>

Victor Robenson | Business Guru

I wanted to own my time, what I did with my time, and since I know the level of dedication I put into things, I wanted to implement that into myself. I wanted to be my own boss and control my own environment. Read more>>