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.

Simone Morris | Entrepreneur

I wanted to make a difference. I knew that taking the reins would allow me to embrace being a multifaceted human being. I was able to try on by talents like project management, coaching, and diversity, equity and inclusion. I also had a passion for bringing authentic inclusion to life and so I leaped forward. Read more>>

Marina & Sabrina | Party On Wheels Events

The decision to start our own business stemmed from a combination of dissatisfaction with our previous jobs and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. As lifelong friends, we shared a common bond in our dissatisfaction with the conventional career paths we were on. However, amidst this dissatisfaction, we discovered immense joy and fulfillment in orchestrating celebrations and events for our friends and family. These experiences ignited a spark within us, prompting us to explore the possibility of turning our shared passion into a viable business venture. After thoughtful deliberation and careful consideration of the potential risks and rewards, we made the decision to channel our event planning skills into building the business we have today. It was a leap of faith fueled by our shared vision and unwavering determination to pursue a career that aligned with our passions and brought us true fulfillment. Read more>>

Angelika Kaprelian | Founder of Desserts all have been waiting for

Love Love Sweets didn’t start as just an idea I had for a business, no, it started as my indulgent without guilt. I could not find desserts that were delicious, nutritious, light in calories and with clean ingredients. So, I started to experiment and make different types of unprocessed and plant-based desserts. Read more>>

Shylo | Energy Healer & Holistic Esthetician

After many years of offering healing services as a side gig, I officially started Path of Alignment in September 2022. I knew that if this was what I wanted to do I needed to make it official. Filing for my LLC was the first step in letting the Universe know, “I am ready!” At the end of 2020 I lived in New Jersey, and I was 5 years into working for a corporate spa. I would work full time at the spa and then take energy healing clients on the side at my home studio. I was so passionate about helping others heal and I considered going off on my own during that time, but something kept telling me “Not here.” August 2021, I moved across the country to Arizona and less than 2 years later I left my corporate spa job and officially went off on my own! Read more>>

Nirupama Mallavarupu | Technologist, Founder, MobileArq

As a Mother of young boys, several years ago, I wanted to stay in touch with school activities and meet the parents in my children’s school. At that time, there was no centralized platform to manage all the school activities or reach a parent/teacher in the school. This is why I came up with MobileArq, a mobile school directory to easily get in touch with any parent/teacher/staff in the school.
I wanted to solve a problem for parents like me. In the process, I realized the best
way to do it was partner with the parent organizations in schools. That’s how
MobileArq got started. Read more>>

Karem Ruiz Ayub | owner of a candle business and Industrial engineer with a specialization in business development

Primarily, my goal was to concentrate on crafting candles that are not only aesthetically pleasing and fragrant but also dependable. I aimed to ensure that these candles not only enhance your home decor and emit delightful scents but also provide peace of mind by being free from any ingredients that could potentially impact your health, both in the short and long run Read more>>

Valerie Brion | Licensed Esthetician

I wanted to take a risk on myself, as a Esthetician I’ve always wanted to go Solo and start my own business. Read more>>

Alex Buck | Sports Content Creator & Freelancer

The freedom to be creative was crucial for me. I’d had good jobs in my 20s but never anything that really made me feel alive, or like I was doing something I was destined to do. Read more>>