Step one is deciding to start

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.

JD Ribali | Biz Kidz USA – Entrepreneurship

Helping young entrepreneurs start their businesses is a multifaceted process that requires mentorship, resources, and a supportive ecosystem to maximize their chances of success. It’s important to tailor the guidance to their specific needs and circumstances. Read more>>

Clevimar Chacon | Esthetician

I started my own business during the pandemic, I was unemployed, under a lot of pressure because I didn’t know what to do in that time for live, but then I stopped and thought like, wait I can do lashes, I can be a lash tech, I can study esthetics and facial specialist because I really like that, I can live from that, I can make money from that and stop working on things that I don’t even like, so basically the pandemic made me do it, made thought that the beauty world can really be for me Read more>>

Chef Christian Velez | Arc Educates, Culinary Arts Lab Instructor

What was my thought process behind leaving commercial kitchens to work in education.
I have been working in kitchens and bakeries for almost 18 years and have had amazing opportunities to work with very talented Chefs who had mentored me and helped me develop my skills. I had come to a chapter in my career where I felt it was time for me to share the gift that was given to me with others, by starting my career in education. I was already Volunteering at Arc Broward, a nonprofit that aligns with my values of community and giving back. When a position opened for a kitchen instructor, I knew it was where I wanted to pursue my goal of educating others in the Culinary Arts. Read more>>

Sam Lewend | Construction company owner

The thought process I had behind starting my own business was that I watched my parents run a successful business for 26 years. My mom and dad owned and operated a scrap metal recycling business which rolled right into construction for me. I was at the yard helping my father fix equipment or my mom in the office with paperwork. I always had a passion for heavy equipment and running the guys. Read more>>

Yves Nazien | Rapper , Entertainer , Actor ,Brand Ambassador

To have something i can leave behind for My kids also not to work for anyone Read more>>

Davia Dwyer | Perioperative Registered Nurse and C.E.O of DEE’S NATURAL BEAUTY BAR

I was not interested to start a business, my aim was to take care of my illness. However I started buying from a local store for my personal use. Then I decided to buy a few items and sell them. The results were great. A friend of mine noticed I had the items and decided help me sell them. All was sold out really fast. I decided to get another batch, same happen. The results from using these products are great. I decided invest on my business, create a name, a friend of mine got it registered and from there I decided to invest more. Read more>>

Bryan Perez | Dog Breeder

When I started to want my own business, I knew forsure I wanted to do something that gave me meaning in this world. I had many ideas that I could’ve gone with for instance, real estate, but I knew that the capital behind that industry was major and I needed to make sure my credit was well on its feet before then. So during that time of 2016, I went out and got myself my FIRST french bulldog as a pet. Did not have no intentions of breeding a dog AT ALL. But I wanted a second one after 2 months past because I wanted my dog to have a friend so I was in a hunt to find a dog and decided to get a female dog for him so that I can eventually mate both dogs to have puppies. I wasn’t knowledgeable in the breed or breeding in general so I made sure to ask ALL necessary questions that might help me guide me through this path. A lot of things I wish I learned and knew about in order to be successful early in this industry, but what help me throughout this time was not knowing anything and went through a lot of obstacles like any other business, it’s a beautiful thing I do and fun but it is a lot of hard work behind breeding these beautiful fur babies. But it took a lot to get to where I am now and now I see myself helping others with problems that I once encountered so that they aren’t making the same mistake I once made. I’m talking about from the upkeeping of the dogs AND the diet , the well being of their health. It’s a lot to know and obviously genetically knowing what dogs to put to mate is very important. It’s easy to grab two dogs and breed them together but all you will be doing is delaying your path to success. It takes years to create a well functional dog with beautiful exotic traits. Not every dog is a breeding dog. Read more>>

Bob O’Lary | Life-long professional photographer

I was tired of working a state job to support my desire to be a commercial photographer, so I quit it, and turned my part time photography job into my only source of work and ENJOYMENT. Read more>>

juliana touma | architect

My thought process behind starting atelier akari architecture was to introduce sustainable building principals to the middle-class residential client. Read more>>

Ashley Brown | Event Planner

The World had shut down (covid) and I was at home with my ambitions, dreams and a 6 month old daughter looking up to me. I always knew I would be an entrepreneur and the event industry has always set my soul on fire. In 2020, a lot of couples were reaching out to me for help in pivoting their wedding plans because of covid. The Event Collective was literally born out of necessity. Read more>>

Laura Patrick | Fine Artist

Being a full time artist, owning my own business was always the goal. As a multi-generational Floridian, born and raised in Tallahassee, we grew up exploring Florida’s coasts. I always had a knack for painting and drawing and was encouraged from an very early age to create. I treasured creative exploration capturing moments and finding beauty in nature. Read more>>

Ashley Carmen | LMFT & Founder of Psychedelic Guide Network

I need to ensure that our society does not enter into another era of Pharmaceutical Take-Over resulting in addiction, harm and a disconnected society. Read more>>

Vivian Chintua | Visual Artist

My decision to embark on an art business journey, stems from a profound passion for art and a belief that art embodies the essence of life itself. the unbreakable bond that my sisters and I share. Growing up as one of four girls in a close-knit family, I experienced firsthand the power and resilience of sisterly love. Despite facing numerous challenges as girls in a world that often celebrates masculinity, we always had each other’s backs. . I was actuated to gear up avenues where I could express my emotions. Then i decided to cultivate in my talent. Behind my art work is a deep expression of emotions, feelings and experiences while growing up. As years goes on, I further channelled down my art work to a platform where one can showcase their artistic creations, engage with art enthusiasts, and bring a piece of the creative process into the lives of others. As one would say, starting up any business especially (an art business) would require a strategic approach that will combine both the artistic vision with entrepreneurial skills. The artistic style, medium, and themes, are among the unique selling points in creating a consistent brand identity that will resonates with my ideal audience. Read more>>

Florencia Davalos | Fashion Designer

My journey began through my thesis, involving extensive study on color psychology and research into the essence of my brand. And I did it! I established my brand thanks to my Thesis project at the IED University in Madrid. Recognized as one of the top projects at the university, I graduated and was selected for the South Cadiz Fashion Week on its external runway. It was there that I sensed something exciting was brewing, prompting me to decide that my brand needed to tell a story, already embodying a universe and essence. I had several interviews that gave me the wings to launch and position my brand in Ecuador. Read more>>

Sonia Illescas | Spiritual Intuitive Life Coach

I wanted to make a difference in the world in helping heal and empower others to fulfill their soul’s calling. Read more>>

Gregg Emery | Artist

Being an artist always made sense and felt right, however, the journey to build the business side of my life as an artist has been full of equal parts learning, paying careful attention and building relationships with people with which to share and build together. I have been very lucky to meet some of my ‘art heroes’ along the way, including Cai Guo Qiang, Swoon, Liza Lou and many others, as well as forge strong friendships with artists I admire and have grown with through the years. It is also important to learn from people and experiences outside of the typical art world. Partnering with interior designers, writers, music producers even having my work on a prominent TV show was all about relationships. Not a relationship in which either or both of us are looking for something specific from one another but authentic partnerships where we both promote, encourage and inspire each other in our unique creative journey. Read more>>

DAVID LANE | Real Estate Investment Consultant

Come from a family of entrepreneurs and working for someone was not something I wanted. However, I decided to start working in the corporate sector of a bank to get experience on someone else’s dime. Always thought that to make money you have to be close to where the money is. First I needed to figure out what I was good at and then find a way to monetize that. I quickly realized that I have the ability to open doors and get to people who make the final decisions. Then I spent time figuring out how to match that to the business opportunities that I liked and had access to. It took several years to finally sharpen my skills and my direction. I had to do a lot of reading, and attend conferences, anything that would sharpen my skills. I also failed many times. Failing is important because it teaches you to do research, change direction, and sharpen your skills. It makes you better. I finally settled in the Real Estate sector. First with traditional brokerage and subsequently the investment and private equity space. Read more>>

Renata Jordan | Entrepreneur: PMU studio owner/ Couture Brand Designer and Owner

I had to make a decision between letting someone bully me around and limit me by suppressing my ability to use my ideas and skill sets, and choosing to give myself the flexibility to fire aimlessly at all the ideas i had in my mind. I knew there was chance for loss, but I knew I could only lose 1 thing; the chance to succeed, or lose money. And I’d rather take the risk and lose money in the process than lose a chance due to take off because I chose to be a coward- I cannot have any record of being a coward, so chose risk. Read more>>

Oleksandra Sasha” Palmer | Sr. Loan Officer NMLS 1561169″

This is not really my own business, I technically work for the mortgage bank but my position is “like my own business”

“Embarking on a career in the mortgage industry felt like starting my own business within the framework of a reputable financial institution. My transition was underpinned by a strong desire to channel my entrepreneurial drive into a field where I could help individuals realize their dreams of homeownership. Read more>>

Lio Colon | Business owner

I had worked in other industries for different corporations and while I enjoyed being in the work force I did not have a passion for what I was doing. They say do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. Now I do what I love. I have to move and hustle but it is for me and the people around me. I was scared and apprehensive because I thought I needed to choose the perfect time. Turns out the perfect time never really came so i built up the courage, leaped and never looked back. Read more>>

Jessica Carter | Handmade shop owner