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.

Robert Boyd Jr

I found myself at a crossroads in my manufacturing career. I was working 12-14 hour days, seven days a week, and even on vacation, I was tied to my phone, taking customer calls. This demanding schedule put me on a path where I was prioritizing my job over my family, a reality that I knew I had to change. Read More>>

Susie Ems

The thought process behind starting my business came from wanting to create an environment where clients could feel genuinely cared for, not just serviced. I’ve always believed nail care should be both beautiful and healthy, so I built Nails by Susie LLC around education, cleanliness, and luxury self-care. Read More>>

Sydni Hollenbeck

I lost my work from home job in September of 2023, I had done photography as a hobby in the past, and knew I had the skills to make it a business, so I did. It is something I am able to do while my husband watches the kids when he gets home from work, and I mostly work evenings. Read More>>

Monica Flitton

My thought process really came down to knowing what I do best and wanting to build a business that actually supports my values and the way I like to work. I have a clear design voice and a strategic approach, and I realized the only way to really lean into that was to do it on my own terms. Read More>>

James Evangelista

I was already working as a commercial photographer for a few other studios and I’m not going to get all technical and bore you with the rule of thirds, lighting diagrams, or give you a list of equipment, but at every shoot I would prioritize the importance of preproduction and proper planning before starting a photo shoot. Read More>>

Marilyn Poscic

After losing my brother to aids in 1995 I began to wonder what happens after w ‘die’? Are we truly dead or is there another life after death. A few years later I began to see and hear messages from Angels and deceased love ones, not only for myself but for others as well. Read More>>

Dr. Frank Bevacqua

I think there were two main factors that went into me deciding to start my own business. I wanted to do right by me, and I wanted to do right by the client. When you work for someone else, that person or company dictates a lot of things, including how much money you make and how the client or customer is served. Read More>>

SYDNEY GOLDSTEIN

I wanted to start my business because I wanted a salon where everyone was welcome and I knew that i would have services that were done by some of the best in the industry. I wanted my name on these looks and styles people would be coming out of the salon with. Read More>>

Aurelia Perez

Community need, in a sense. Arizona Lowrider culture didn’t have a very big platform form women, even though there are many women who are involved and own beautiful rides. Read More>>

E. Marie Hall

Looking back, I can see the signs were always there. Years ago, people would often say, “You’re such a great listener.” Staff from other departments would wander into my office, not for work-related reasons, but because they felt lighter when they walked out. I didn’t know anything about coaching, speaking or starting my own business at the time. Read More>>

William Campbell

After retirement, I wanted to keep something in my life that gave me purpose and kept me relevant. I also saw Dark Knight as a way to expand my connection from public Law Enforcement to the private security world and the Nuclear Security world. Read More>>

Tammika Carter

I started my own business because I wanted two things: time freedom and the ability to make a real impact on people’s lives. After years of working on someone else’s schedule, I realized I needed more control over my time so I could be present for my family, show up for myself, and create a career that actually fit my lifestyle—not the other way around. Read More>>