Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Paola Diaz | Fashion Model & Designer

Ever since I was young, I’ve always wanted to have my own clothing brand. I’ve been modeling since 2012 and realized the impact that fast fashion brands have on our environment as well as the working conditions involved in producing fast fashion. I decided to start my brand in order to create designs made out of recycled plastics and reduce environmental impact. My brand allows me to express my creative vision and I felt it perfectly aligned with my modeling career due to all the connections I have made throughout the years. Read more>>

Mark Allvey | Co-founder

When we launched Untold Story three years ago we did so because we could see the significant shift that was taking place from the consumption of luxury goods to the consumption of luxury experiences. We didn’t feel this was being addressed fully in the luxury travel space so the business was set up to create life-enhancing, some-times life changing, vacations where we could create a much deeper connection for our clients with the places they travel to Read more>>

Amy Villadiego | Owner of White Lion Promotions

I felt the Miami Jiujitsu Community needed a professional promotion where the athlete were going to get paid and be able to be competing more locally. Most athletes travel to compete but we don’t really have a local high end professional grappling event. I knew it would be successful as I am jiujitsu competitor myself and know what the competitor looks for. Read more>>

Sharra Spann | Hair Stylist & Salon Owner of “A Little Off The Top Hair Studio”

I have to be honest with you, add opening up a salon to the list of dreams I didn’t even know I had. People ask me all the time “Did you always want your own salon?”. The answer is always “Nottttt Realllly” lol. I’ve always been aware of the hard work and sacrifice that goes into owning a small business, Specifically a salon. To be on the other side of things when I’m so used to handling the business that’s ONLY behind my chair? Life works in weird ways doesn’t it? Read more>>

Daniela Cardenas | Founder & CEO of Tiny Stage Entertainment Co.

When I first got into the creative scene, I never imagined that I would be able to monetize something that I am passionate about. In truth, the founding of Tiny Stage Entertainment was never really about that. Firstly it was about giving our community an entity. Secondly, It was about creating the proper container to funnel & scale our operations. Not to mention, it opened up the ability to partner with sponsors & seek funding through grants. Read more>>

Daniel Diaz Leyva | Managing Partner, Diaz Leyva Group

While working at a large AM LAW 50 law firm, where I was transacting on behalf of major institutional clients of the firm and high-net-worth individuals, investors, family offices, banks and builders, I identified what the big firms were capably handling on behalf of their clients; where cost is not an issue and where big firms were cost prohibitive to clients seeking attorneys with the same complex and sophisticated capabilities. Having identified this discrepancy in servicing capabilities, I elected to open my own office to offer the same complex and sophisticated capabilities of a large law firm at a more cost-effective rate with more personalized attention. Read more>>

Lamar Riddick | Rap Artist & Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my own business was creating a brand and movement that would evoke change and create conversation that would lead to God and the change of culture. In 2016 Police brutality was peaking. I wrote a song titled ‘Revive’ that was a plea to the culture to find reconciliation during that dark time. Read more>>

Phylisha Hummer | Clay Earring Creator

In 2019, a small clay business opened up in my town and I wanted to support them, and so I bought a few pairs. I was mind-blown by how confident and pretty I felt with something so small. It was a pair of stud earrings that were black and white striped, and something so small made me feel so beautiful. I knew right away that I wanted to make other people feel that way too. Shortly after, I decided that I wanted to try making them too. So my husband and I went to the local craft store and bought a few blocks of clay. Read more>>

Kiya Knight | Exercise Scientist + Fitness Choreographer

Women’s fitness needs are different: In 2010 I was teaching a Zumba fitness class on a remote beach in Costa Rica. I noticed the women’s lack of hip and shoulder mobility making them feel awkward and out of rhythm with their own bodies. So we used driftwood sticks off the beach to close the kinetic chain of movement in the upper body + activate more deep core muscles. Read more>>

Paige Steward | Social Media Manager

After graduating college in 2018, I wanted to do something in my field, obviously, but I knew right away that I wanted to steer my own path. I played around with the idea of starting my own business for over 2 years before I finally made the leap and i’m so glad I did. Read more>>

Jessica Nava | Baker and entrepreneur

I personally never thought this would turn into a business. Since young, I always loved baking and one day I decided to take a cookie decorating class and that lead to a hobby I really enjoyed. When family and friend started to see my work, they encouraged me to make a business out of it. I believe I’ve prospered in my business because I love what I am doing. Read more>>

Dr. Lorneka Joseph | Pharmacist | Coach | Speaker

I started my business Brightly Awake because I recognized that there are dreams and desires God placed on the inside of me that would be confined as a corporate employee. My business was also birthed out of a need to create safe spaces for women (and men) to heal through accountability. In high school and around family members, I noticed a pattern that people would come to me seeking wisdom on a plethora of issues. The issues ranged from relationships to faith to purpose and more. Read more>>

Ingrid Scheer | Founder/Owner of ScheeringDlite

I’ve always wanted to start my own business in the culinary field. The art of cooking always caught my eye and inspired me. Being able to create a gourmet dish from staples in your pantry is motivational; it goes to show that you can make something out of anything, it all just depends on how you want to make it. I’d always love making food for friends and family gatherings, and of course, I would always get recommendations to start my own business. If I can make my friends and family happy with my cooking, I’d like to extend that happiness to others and give satisfactory service. Read more>>

Mr. Magic City | We offer the best ice serve with some of the most unique flavors and toppings to serve you the best snowballs.

When I decided to start magic city I wanted to introduce a product that my community was not familiar with.I was inspired by New Orleans culture and wanted to bring that back home. As a graduate from an HBCU, I always knew that I wanted to be my own boss and provide for my family and friends. Launching Magic City Snowball food truck is only the beginning. Read more>>

Nate Johnson | Creative

Well to be truthful I don’t really consider my brand a “business”, to me it’s rather like my own personal art project. Honestly my thought process was really simple I just wanted a way for me to be able to make a piece of denim that is unique and one of one. Calling it NUMBERS OF 999, allows me to do just that, with each numbering up to 999, making each piece unique as an individual. Read more>>

Ana Isabel Feliciano | Event Planner and Love of all things love””

After planning my own wedding, I realized what a detailed and stressful process it could be. Planning your wedding should be a fun and exciting experience – it’s something a lot people have dreamt of since they were little. I love to help people so It was then that it came to me that I could help people plan their weddings and help make the process a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. Read more>>

Jane Xiang | Jewelry Designer

I love making jewelry. It all started with a metals & jewelry class in Middle school. I also knew there was so much waste in the commercial fashion industry, and I wanted to play a part in eliminating some of that waste. So, I started making jewelry using the materials that were getting tossed – mostly leather swatches. I remember the corporate office used to have giant garbage bins full of leather, and they were just overflowing with swatches and leather skins. But those small cuttings are perfect for jewelry pieces. I collect leftover pieces to turn them into earrings, bracelets, keychains, etc. Read more>>

Erin Alexander | Founder of Product Powerhouse

When I started my own business, it was really just a “let’s see what is possible” moment. A friend of mine has offered me a really great position in her company but it was a little bit of a pay decrease and I had been talking about starting to freelance for a bit. So I really thought, well maybe I can freelance enough to make up the different in the pay. At the time my family wasn’t really relying on my income much. Read more>>

Kendra Zoe Parker | Fitness Advocate, IFBB Bikini Pro & Breast Cancer Survivor

There I was, a young, skinny and happy go lucky twenty-something year old, able to eat whatever I wanted without gaining an ounce. There was not a thought in my mind that that would change. But, of course, it did all change. I carried and gave birth to a beautiful, bouncing ten-pound baby boy. So there I was, in my thirties, the years rolling by, my body changing for the worse, and me growing increasingly unhappy with my reflection. Read more>>

Emma Watson | Owner of South Coast Villas Ja

Greetings! My name is Emma Watson, owner of South Coast Villas Ja, a luxury villa rental agency based in Jamaica. Born to a Jamaican father and an Irish-American mother. I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts where I lived for 10 years before making the move to Jamaica. The transition was challenging but played an intricate part in who I am today. I completed high school at an all-girls boarding school before returning to Boston to earn a degree in Communication with a concentration in PR. Read more>>

Erica Leonard | Master Trainer in Classical Pilates and Resistance Training (Lagree Method) and Block Therapy Meditation, Fitness Model and Mother of 2 beautiful girls

At the untouchable young age of 14 I was diagnosed and treated with what they thought was Colon Cancer. A few years after my diagnosis, I was hit by a drunk driver in South Florida, and then again 2 years later in Los Angeles, shortly after my career began as an actress. I had no idea at the time, almost 10 years later this once thought of to be “dreadful” path would lead me to a beautiful rewarding life as a fitness studio owner. I took the more holistic approach on the road to recovery. I didn’t believe in extensive surgeries or taking pharmaceutical meds to live live, when it seemed that was my only option. Read more>>

Lindsay Carretero | Voice and Speech Coach

I started my own business out of necessity and I’m so glad I did! With the career path I chose, there was no clear route for me in terms of joining a pre-established company. (Not in South Florida anyway…) I have a Master of Fine Arts in Voice Studies from London University’s Central School for Speech and Drama. I coach people who use their speaking voice – and that could be anyone! From actors, to lawyers, to teachers or the head of your local book club, I coach anyone who wants to use their voice for communication. Read more>>

Bill Hansen | Founder and CEO of Bill Hansen Hospitality Group

I’ve always possessed the heart of an entrepreneur from my childhood years when I sold Christmas wreaths and mailing labels door-to-door in my hometown of Holland, NY. After graduating from Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration and then becoming a Naval Officer I knew I was destined to own my own business because I was never a good employee. After my time as a naval officer, I moved to Miami and worked as a food manager for a major corporation. One of my bosses introduced me to the first club I managed. Read more>>

Annie Makhanlall | Co-Owner & Director Of Operations

I started my business because I saw a lack of support, resources, and places that moms could go to without feeling judged and welcomed. It was very segregated, and there was a lot of mom shaming going on. It bothered me and I would never open up to share what I was going through. I also noticed moms would judge others based on their cultural backgrounds and personal opinions. I did not see inclusion and diversity in many mom groups and organizations. I knew that there were hundreds of moms suffering in silence without feeling supported. I was one of them. Read more>>

Maureen Dibble | Owner/Artist Face Art By Daisy

I’ve always loved creating art since I was a small child. Give me a new box of crayons with bright, pointy new tips when I was a little kid and I was in heaven. Over the years I’ve enjoyed drawing, painting, ceramics, candle making, and more. I took every art class available to me in high school and college. I loved it all. Then after college life got in the way of creating art. I was busy with marriage, work, raising two beautiful daughters and taking care of my mom. No time for art but I didn’t mind. My family has always been my priority. Read more>>