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.

Preetha Rajarajan

“One health brand for the entire family needs” Read More>>

Clayton Ramsay

My Jamaican roots and American upbringing taught me the power of hustle and pride in every job—no matter how small. I started selling candy as a kid, worked over 20 different jobs, and even as a at entry level, I moved with the mindset of a CEO. Read More>>

Jemiah Jamison

I started my business because I’ve always been passionate about fashion and dreamed of having my own brand. But beyond just creating clothing, I wanted to build something with meaning—something that encourages people to be themselves unapologetically. Read More>>

Alejandra Dorado

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is the graphic design business I built together with my dad. It’s been a journey of about five years, and what started as a shared passion slowly turned into a real company — one that reflects our growth, creativity, and dedication. Read More>>

Alfredo Okivares

It was in the beginning of the 2019 pandemic so go out and practice or even find models it was very difficult, but i did it, i study theory all day between work and practice and the end of the day Read More>>

Stan Zemskoff

Financial freedom Read More>>

Igor Konyukhov

Ikon Films began as a natural extension of my artistic curiosity—a way to channel my creative instincts into projects for others. I wanted to take the same care and attention I put into my personal work and apply it to helping clients bring their visions to life. Read More>>

Isa

Since the beginning of my journey with yoga, the mat has always been my therapy. It was the one place I could breathe, release, and feel like myself again. I knew early on that I wanted to create a space that could offer that same kind of healing to others. Read More>>

Dr. Patrick Lolo

Starting my own business was driven by a deep commitment to giving back to my community. Before opening my own practice, I worked in a hospital setting where I cared for patients who were already well-represented in the healthcare system. Read More>>

Simon Howard (SiHow The Doctor)

Starting my own indie record label, 1331 Recordz, with my Cofounder, Dardan Bela was really the result of a deep passion for music and a desire to create something meaningful and sustainable for artists. Read More>>

Sandy Joachim

I wanted to create items that are not only cute but incorporate my faith into my business. Read More>>

Steven Jackson

For me, it all began with curiosity. After over a year of sobriety, I started exploring non-alcoholic wines. I had always leaned on NA beer when out with friends or at dinner, but wine was a new frontier. What struck me was that so much of what we enjoy about wine isn’t just the taste—it’s the story, the brand, the feeling, the ritual. Read More>>

Kim Clouden

Honestly- I was craving freedom. I wanted to raise my daughter with presence, serve women with purpose, and stop waiting for permission. So I built the very thing I was missing: a fitness space rooted in joy, confidence, and real life. Read More>>

Joy Mahoney

My experience with beauty providers in the past hasn’t always been pleasant, warm, or inviting. I wanted to create an environment and experience I had always hoped I was going to receive when making an appointment somewhere. Read More>>

De’Andre Tucker

When my business partner, Walter Washington, and I started Creative Mindz, our original intention wasn’t to build a business at all. It actually began as a way to support my career as a music artist. Read More>>

Madelaine

I have always been very driven by my soul callings and starting my own business was definitely a call. My soul enjoys freedom, and though running my own business has over taken my time as a one woman show, I still get to take actions needed without having to answer to someone or asking for permission other than myself. Read More>>

Ana Kiri

Starting my own business with Shuffle Dance Fit was both a creative leap and a personal journey. I’ve always valued freedom, independence, and the ability to create on my own terms. I remember hearing once, “Either you build your own dream, or you help someone else build theirs,” and that really stuck with me. Read More>>

Megan Ramos

For me, starting my own business was sort of a no-brainer because I grew up in a household with two entrepreneurs, so that mindset was always around me. My career originally took me into the legal field, and I worked as a paralegal for over 20 years. Read More>>

Jessica Obregon

Starting my own business was really about taking my power back. After so many years of freelancing in the entertainment industry—where work was unpredictable and I constantly felt like I had to prove myself—I reached a point where I craved more stability, freedom, and purpose. I knew I had valuable experience, not just as a performer and choreographer, but also in connecting with people and creating meaningful, memorable experiences. Read More>>

Nathalie And Sandra Kournif And Bouvier

We decided to open our own beauty institute out of a passion for wellness, aesthetics, and the desire to offer each client a personalized experience.
We wanted to work according to our values and provide high-quality services in a welcoming environment where listening, satisfaction, and results are at the heart of our approach. Read More>>

Melissa Ann Knoop

Moments by Melissa Ann started on a bit of a whim. In 2022, I was sitting at home feeling bored and decided to buy a real camera—a Nikon D3500—from a friend. Once I had it, I began asking friends if I could take their photos or shoot small events we were attending, just for practice. Read More>>

Caroline Don

I had worked for several entertainment companies starting in college, and throughout those years of building my skills as a performer, I always thought about things I would do differently if I had my own business. In 2022, Read More>>

Ryan Rutherford

The idea to start Vice City Striking came from a combination of passion and purpose. Guerby and I always loved combat sports — especially Muay Thai and boxing — and over the years, I saw firsthand how much they can transform people, physically and mentally. Read More>>

Julie Frances

I started Easy Peasy because I wanted to create the kind of tattoo studio I couldn’t find in Miami, one that reflected my own design style, supported alternative tattooing, and felt truly welcoming. So many shops take a big cut from artists, control their schedules, or filter communication through a front desk. Read More>>

Jovany Coppet

It really started with noticing how many property owners in Miami had great real estate but weren’t maximizing its income potential. They either didn’t have time, didn’t understand the short-term rental market, or were frustrated with unreliable managers. With my background in finance and operations, I knew I could offer a better solution—one that combined strong hospitality with smart pricing and cost control. Read More>>

Tomás Calderón

I have been around entrepreneurs my whole life my grandfathers, uncles, parents and cousins, I know it’s a roller-coaster and it always had challenges but its worthy. At Christmas of 2019 I order online a poster of the Formula 1 World Champions, I was very excitement because F1 is my passion since I was 6 years old. Read More>>

Camila Cruz

Estou na área que tanto amo, culinária, sou filha de ex empregada doméstica, minha mãe literalmente amava cozinhar , principalmente comidas italianas , massas, então eu cresci acompanhando ela preparando comidas caseiras para às festas de família , e umas das coisas que ela amava preparar e comida italiana, e lembrar dela cozinha me fez tirar a ideia de construir um empreendimento que fosse do ramo italiano, com muito amor!! Eu participo de cada preparo, e montagem, dos detalhes benditas !!! Read More>>

Shawnette ‘Lisa’ Patterson-Lewi

Starting Scarlett Rose Health & Wellness was truly a culmination of both personal and professional experiences. After being in healthcare for over two decades, I had the privilege of caring for transplant patients, working with diverse communities, and seeing firsthand the power of holistic care. But I also recognized a gap: many people struggle to find accessible, compassionate care that truly prioritizes their overall well-being. Read More>>

Jean Titus Aka Titus Unlimited

I’ve always been an athletic and active person but I never knew the things I know now about food and nutrition and how it affects our health and wellness. Food and lifestyle habits literally are what makes us or breaks us. Read More>>

Zola Hinds

Well in starting my own business as an author, I was inspired to write the Island Energy children’s book about the different superhero energies that power the Caribbean, when I began my PhD in nuclear engineering and became curious about the potential of nuclear energy in the Caribbean as a solution to combat climate change and rising energy prices. Read More>>

Krystal Powell

Starting my own business was deeply rooted in a desire to create something meaningful that reflected my culture, passion, and purpose. I’ve always believed that food is more than just a meal, It’s an experience, a connection to heritage, and a way to bring people together. Read More>>

Farah Saleh

As a third-generation entrepreneur, I grew up in a household where entrepreneurship was the norm. It was never a question of if, but how I’d take that path. Read More>>