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.

Meghan McFerran | Dance Fitness Instructor & Entrepreneur

I have always loved dance & public speaking / inspiring others to move in celebration of themselves and their bodies. Growing up, it was my dream to be a professional dancer. After experiencing issues with comparison and body image and constant hustle to stand out at an audition and get “the part” that hundreds of people audition for- I decided I wanted to start my own business where there are no auditions, everyone can stand in their own spotlight, dance in a free & open space without pressure, and support one another through community. Read more>>

Brandon London | Former NFL player turned TV/Digital Host

I started my own Business LLC because like Jay-Z said, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business man!” My thought process was, since I’m 1099 with a lot of the gigs I’m getting, I should start getting paid as a business to protect my assets and start building business credit. My next move is actually starting a business in terms of selling products to consumers and things but right now I’m into the moving business and real estate. Read more>>

Aleah Coy | CEO of Black Travel Worldwide

It started out as a blog just to showcase travel, but several factors brought me to the idea of starting my own business. 1. The people we reached when we shared our travels inspired us to keep going. 2. My personal life heavily influenced my decision to start my own business, because I realized daily that I was unhappy working for someone else and not having the financial and time freedom to travel the world and do what I really love 3. It was a safe space not just for me, but for black travelers everywhere. Read more>>

Reina Barreto | Business Owner

I think that starting my own business was a natural progression after leaving a full-time career as a college professor and moving back to Florida. After fifteen years of teaching in Arkansas and Washington State, I was ready to move back home and start a new adventure and a new career. Even though teaching was a creative endeavor and it was incredibly satisfying to help students, at the end of the day I was feeling a need to step out of my comfort zone and follow my dreams. Read more>>

Adriana and Amanda | Miami Friendors – Vendor Markets With a Vibe

Miami Friendors runs vendor markets at different venues in Miami in support of small business owners. With a history in vending ourselves, we loved meeting other small businesses, collaborating with people in the community, and creating relationships with potential future customers. Read more>>

Guerdy Laplante | Hairstylist

My thought process behind starting my own business was knowing what I was getting myself into as an entrepreneur. Having talent is one thing but the business side of it can be difficult at time, I’m not perfect I’m still learning as I go. The financial part of business is very important having both parents in business was an advantage to me. I started at a young age doing my own hair and dolls hair I never thought I would have my own business at the age of 14 years old. Read more>>

Barby Bruening | Family and Wedding Photographer

I always knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom and photography seemed to be something that allowed me to do that. I started by doing a few clients every couple months never expecting my small business to take off like it did. Read more>>

Mayra Alvarez | Cake Artist

The thought process behind starting Dessertsbymay came to me in a peculiar way. My husbands grandmother used to make rum cakes for the elderly center she would visit weekly. When she passed in 2019, I found her recipe for her rum cakes folded and stashed away in a note pad. As we began to clear her house, I found all her rum cake pans and I had a strange sense of curiosity of making the rum cake recipe I found. Read more>>

Leniese Liddell | College Grad, Entrepreneur, Content

Becoming an entrepreneur wasn’t in my though process until 2019. I started off with selling shoes and lashes just so I can pay off my College tuition. Once everyone started noticing me I ended up falling in love with it and wanted to expand more. I did a lot of research and everyday was trial and error from finding the perfect items to put into my business. Read more>>

Erin Donnelley | Marketing Consultant | TopCourt & Break the Love

My dad’s initials, “TBD,” are the inspiration and initial thought process behind my brand. He helped instill a strong work ethic from the time I was young, taking gratification in doing a job the best to my ability. I am very lucky that both my parents encouraged me to pursue my passions in life and helped me realize it’s okay to have more than one. Read more>>

DeChelle Tisdale | International Realtor and Professional Association

My thought process in becoming a realtor was to educate, motivate and provide financial freedom to families and help make their lives better. Many times, people are afraid to take a risk, whether it is to purchase a home or invest in property due to lack of knowledge. The reason there is a lack of knowledge is because there is a glitch in the way information is being conveyed. Fortunately, I became a realtor and Professional Association because I wanted to impact the cultural and help create generational wealth and teach folks how to build their real estate portfolio. Read more>>

Kelly Hennessy | Entrepreneur

I grew up in New Jersey and we had a summer home. Every summer I was a life guard because I loved the sun and being outside. I always loved the water and nature. My sister and I then bought cabanas, umbrellas and chairs. We then decided to start renting them out because girls in the Palm Beach area love the Palm Beach aesthetic of the pink accents such as the Colony Hotel. Girls love taking photos and being creative so we then decided to expand and got a tea party and many other add ons. It’s always a hit for bachelorette parties and events/parties! Read more>>

Patty Gilligan | Baker

Necessity and love! I am originally from NJ where there are so many small bakeries that offer delicious homemade treats. When I moved to Florida I couldn’t find a great sweet anywhere – everything was commercial and had a chemical flavor. So I said to myself – if you want a good sweet you’re going to have to make it yourself! I started with family recipes and would give treats to neighbors and friends. Read more>>

Trixie Belo-Osagie | CEO of Shave with V

Throughout my professional career, I have held positions of Influence and power. With that being said, I have always had the motivation to assist others in making their work atmosphere comfortable, unified, professional, and diverse. That is the best way I felt I can make a difference and give back to the community as a whole. Read more>>

Hilal Borque | Real estate broker & Insurance Umpire

I had to think of what do I like enjoying first that can be helpful to others. Currently I’m licensed claims adjuster in ten states and two providence’s in canada and am coowner at independent adjusting company Agile Claims inc. I owned properties so decided to get my real estate license then my broker license and brought it largest real estate company with over 350 offices to Usa and then I got seperated from them and continued under my own company Borque Group Realty llc. Read more>>