Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Alberto Tonelli

I would say my thought process in starting my own business had to everything to do with passion. My father was a restaurant owner with locations around the world. What fascinated me most growing up around them was being able to watch my father transform evenings and create memories for people all while loving his profession. Read More>>

Kiley And Shelby Morency

The most important factor behind the success of Wandering Words Bookstore is the deep connection it fosters with the book-loving community. By curating a selection that resonates with readers, creating a welcoming and engaging pop-up experience, and actively participating in local markets and events, the bookstore has built a loyal customer base. Additionally, our social media showcases the brand’s personality and the connection with readers has been crucial in driving both online and in-person sales. The combination of passion, adaptability, and strong customer relationships has been key to its rapid growth. Read More>>

John Dyda

From the beginning, my goal has always been about more than just business—I wanted to create something that truly helps and inspires others. I’ve seen firsthand how the right mindset and opportunities can change a person’s trajectory, and I felt a strong pull to be a part of that transformation.

Starting my own business gave me the platform to do just that. I wanted to encourage people to think bigger, to push past their perceived limitations, and to realize that a better life—whether personally, professionally, or financially—is within reach. It’s not just about building a company; it’s about building people. If I can motivate even one person to take action toward their goals, then I know I’m on the right path. Read More>>

Dee Henry

I was laid off from Zillow on a taco Tuesday at 2:30 in the afternoon without warning.

I wanted to continue doing what I love – sales, content and business strategy but on my own terms, or rather at my own house, a loft.
Creating The Sales Loft allowed me to invite the world in to my home, where I could teach you to sell anything as YOURself. Inside of my loft, I want you to get cozy and make money Read More>>

Silvio Padilla

My background is in psychology. I studied at the University of Florida and have spent years working in non-profits and mental health programs, always drawn to the deeper connections we form with others. But photography became an unexpected yet powerful extension of that work. It wasn’t just about creating images, it was about helping people see in themselves what I saw, their strength, their story, their impact. Read More>>

Jared Black

Starting my own business wasn’t part of some master plan—it was more like a mix of necessity, frustration, and a gut feeling that I could do things better than what was being offered in the market at that time. I was actually working in a completely different industry, but I had a knack for sales and operations. I liked working with business owners and successful leaders, and I saw an opportunity to provide them with incredible value in a way that wasn’t being offered in the market. Read More>>

Will Worthington

Well, I always knew that I wanted have my own business from a very young age. then I joined the military in 2003 and from there my urge to wanting to have my own business increased because I was so controlled in the military, and one of the biggest things in the military taught me was I never wanted to be controlled by anyone again. I wanted to have the freedom of writing my own paychecks and writing my own work schedule. Read More>>

Vanesa Soria

I wanted to develop my own brand and techniques to a clientele that’s eager to learn and receive the benefits of a proper and efficient skin care routines and treatments Read More>>

Ashlie Collado

My thought was to become the first in my family to become an entrepreneur, owning my own business. Read More>>

Jesse Barney

J&J AfterSchool LLC is an organization that was founded due to chance, passion, and seizing opportunity. Julia and I began working for The Home Team, a nonprofit organization that provides aftercare services in South Miami, in the Fall of 2022. We began as mentors, but we couldn’t help but see that there was more that we could be doing. The Home Team has long provided a STEM program and a Dance program at the Gibson-Bethel Community Center. As mentors, we would observe these programs, and began to recognize we could develop programs that would serve a greater benefit to the community. We approached our boss with the idea of becoming the independent contractors who would provide these programs, and from there, J&J was born.  Read More>>