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.

Dor Arazi | Fashion photographer

As a young kid, I never found myself fitting in any kind of structure.
I always wanted to do things my own way. When I grew older, I felt that having my own business would allow me the freedom to make my own decisions. Read more>>

Shantae Mcdonald | Cosmetologist & CEO

The thought process behind starting my own business, The Beautae Bar, was deeply rooted in my passion for empowering others through beauty and self-expression. I’ve always believed that confidence starts with how we see ourselves, and hair plays a significant role in that. After years of working in the beauty industry, I wanted to create a space that felt more personal and tailored—a single-chair salon suite where clients receive undivided attention and a highly customized experience. Read more>>

Niurka Gomez | Medilight Center President

Our thought process behind starting Medilight Center stemmed from a deep passion for helping individuals feel confident and empowered through aesthetic care. Both Nathaly Gerbino and I, Niurka Gómez, wanted to create a space that went beyond traditional beauty services—a place where people could experience transformative results backed by science and delivered with compassion. We envisioned Medilight as a center that blends cutting-edge technology with a personalized, human touch. Read more>>

Taylor | Host

I moved to Miami in 2019 to start graduate school at the University of Miami. To be honest, I wasn’t ready. As a native of Maryland, I had never been so far from home. I felt so alone when I finished school, and my mental health suffered. For two years, I was fighting with anxiety, depression, and thoughts of taking my own life before finally realizing that I owed myself more. I deserved friends and happiness and joy. The more people I met, the more I realized how common my situation is, and that became the motivation behind my podcast. Read more>>

Diva Name

When I decided to become a business owner and dive into the entrepreneurial world, I approached the process in a very methodical and visual way. Being a visual person, I dedicated an entire wall in my home to create a conceptual map. This served as a space to organize my thoughts and ideas systematically. Over the course of about eight months, I spent hours each day refining this plan, both in the mornings and at night. I would focus on one idea at a time, working on it until I felt satisfied before moving on to the next. Read more>>

Luis Andrade

Initially, my only reason to start a business was to give people around me, that I care for an honest way to make money; something they could be proud of. Unfortunately, it’s hard for some people to invest their time into something that isn’t giving them a return right away, so I ended up taking on all roles and learned a lot. Things I expected others to do, I became a perfectionist at. I did it my way and now I’m too invested to let things be done any other way. Read more>>

ALPHA H. FLEURIMOND

Before I opened my office, I considered six steps, and the following helped me decide. 1. Opportunity
• Problem Solving: Recognizing a gap in the market or a problem that your product or service can address.
• Passion: Building something around an area of personal interest or expertise.
2. Setting Goals
• Financial Independence: The desire to create a sustainable income stream.
• Flexibility: Gaining control over your time and work-life balance.
• Impact: Creating something that positively affects your community or industry.
3. Assessing Skills and Resources
• Strengths: Evaluating how your skills and experiences align with the business idea. Read more>>