Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Kira Shannon

My thought process behind starting my own business began when I started investigating how to build wealth online. I was always interested in finance and wealth management, and spent hours every day in college learning as much as I could – from podcasts, Youtube, books, anything I could get my hands on. I realized that the best way to build capital to invest was from being paid for my results and not my time – so before I started my business, I found odd jobs that were commission or tip based. Then naturally I fell into doing social media for fun, built some incredible connections, and ultimately started my business once I observed how the successful people in my space were operating. Read More>>

Alexi Elias

I have always been an entrpreneur. My entire family is very entrepreneurial so I was exposed to that mindset at a young age. I’ve always been good at art and have spent the last 15 years expanding my skillset. My personal art is a great outlet for me, but I wanted to make more money from my art, therefore I started researching what people were looking for that tied in with my skills and my wedding commissions began. This transpired recently into a live event illustration business where I live sketch guests at events like weddings, non-profits, galas, and more. Overall, I wanted to make more money from my passions and build something that could last that I enjoyed. Read More>>

Trey Temple

There were layers to my thought process when starting my business. At the time, my brother and I were doing music, and as things became expensive, we looked for ways to generate additional income. I initially started a clothing brand, and through that, I developed an interest in photography because I wanted to create my own visuals for the brand. From that point, I taught myself how to use the camera and became fascinated with capturing lifestyle images. Over time, I refined my skills and tailored my style and business to focus on lifestyle photography. Read More>>

Yarilyn Sanchez

Since my early teenage years, I always knew I never wanted to have a boss and work for someone else’s business. I remember wanting to start my own business and build something that was mine. Wanting time freedom & a flexible schedule was of huge importance to me Read More>>

Nicolas Huljichz

My journey into entrepreneurship was driven by a deep desire to help people transform their lives through ancient, time-tested sciences. Having dedicated years to studying and practicing Vedic Astrology, Traditional Yoga, Ayurveda, and Reiki, I realized that these disciplines offer profound tools for self-discovery, healing, and personal growth.

I wanted to create a space where people could reconnect with wisdom that has stood the test of time—offering them not just knowledge but practical applications to improve their well-being. My approach is rooted in authenticity, bridging the spiritual and the practical to make these teachings accessible to modern seekers. Read More>>

Pablo Taborda

The thought process of starting my own business stems from my personal side. I was dating my girlfriend, now wife, and I knew I saw a future with her. I was a college student and working at Starbucks at the time so I wanted to make sure I could start saving for the future. It became a side gig, but the more I worked, the more traction I was getting. A lot of it was just friends who either wanted to support me or just looking to save a buck with my “friends and family discount”. I appreciated all the work and visibility, and all the highs and lows. It’s gotten me to where I am now. Read More>>

Elaine

I knew I needed an extra source of income for my family—something I would enjoy, I could call it my own, that could generate a passive income, and that wouldn’t take hours away from my children. Deciding to start my own chocolate-covered treat business from home alongside my family, where we could all chip in and spend time together, just made sense. Read More>>

Beth Albert

The process to start our own volleyball academy was simple. After Covid I used the opportunity to create my own vision for a complete academy to teach and mentor young athletes to enjoy the love of the sport.
Being able to teach and mentor these young athletes while showing local girls the fast growing sport is not just limited to our area but is a national sport they can all aspire to compete in.
Being able to control the culture and give opportunities to families who could not otherwise afford the chance to be included was a great way to give back as well. Read More>>

Brittany Aquart

I started Lemon City Collective in order to fill the gap in the existing system that leaves families without the support they need. We envision a world where all families have a “village,” and all children can access the best developmental support. We are building an inclusive future where everyone belongs, through providing excellent rehabilitative care, inclusion-centered activities for children with disabilities, and neurodiversity-affirming practices in Miami and beyond. Read More>>

Merewana B

The promotion of the idea that learning languages is a factor and skill that greatly benefits all facets of life. This was something to promote, rather than let slide by as our education system allows for. Read More>>

Dalila Alvarez

Photography was never something I initially planned on pursuing. It actually started on a trip to Iceland when my family gifted me a basic camera. I didn’t expect it, but I instantly fell in love with capturing the moments. After the trip, my cousin, a dance coach, needed a photographer for a workshop. Although I had zero experience with photographing dance, I offered to give it a try “at my own risk.” That leap of faith turned out to be the catalyst. Read More>>

Cril Lahrssen

I started my business during the pandemic, at a time when loungewear became essential to everyone’s daily life. I noticed there was a gap in the market for elegant, good quality loungewear that was still affordable, so I set out to design a lounge set that felt elevated but could still be worn comfortably at home or on the go. Read More>>

Raul Del Palacio

So I have always been a big investor in stocks and crypto but I never really invested in myself. I had all these ideas but never really committed to anything. When I found out I was going to be a father I realized it was going to be now or never. I needed to pull the trigger. I had connections, I had a brand, and I had ideas. I bought a camera and committed to videography because I knew the opportunities were going to get slimmer and the last thing I wanted to live with was not being able to tell my son that I pursued my dreams, when that’s what I want him to do. Read More>>

Anna Scharre

Honestly, NIÁLEE started as just an outlet—something personal. I wasn’t thinking about it as a “business” at first; it was more about creating a world I wanted to exist in, a space where sound and visuals felt like home to me. Music has always been this physical, almost visual experience for me—like movement, color, and texture all blending together—so I wanted to shape that into something tangible. Read More>>