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.

Dom Flagg | Owner of I Am Root LLC

I’ve always been an entrepreneur and owning my own business was always a dream of mine. I never knew exactly what I wanted the business to be, but I always enjoyed the art of business transactions. ‘I Am Root’ came about as a message that challenged me to take accountability for my actions and to lead a life filled with compassion and confidence. Later, it turned into a clothing brand that pushed positive and thought provoking messages and then on to a platform for Emerging Creative Artists to acquire motivation, resources, and opportunities. Read more>>

Nycki Schroeder | Owner of Fempire Marketing; Social Media Marketing Agency

This is a great question…. Honestly, I’m going to pretty blunt with my answer. I didn’t feel secure in any 9-5 job that I was in. I am a young mom and every time one of my kids was sick (which is often when day care is involved) I feared I would be let go at my job. Not to mention the cost of day care, keeping up a professional appearance; new clothes, hair done, nails done, down to the cleanliness of my shoes ha! It really ads up. And even in an hourly + commission job at the end of the month I always broke even…. I worked 50 hours a week to break even! Read more>>

Joey Morgan | Digital Composite Imagery & Patina Metal Artist

The thought process behind starting my own business was actually quite simple. For years I created artwork as a hobby and about eight years ago I decided that it was time to take it to the next level and begin marketing myself and my work as a professional artist. Read more>>

Tad Sallee | Wedding Filmmaker & Photographer

Starting TS Cinema, my wedding, film, and photography business was an easy transition. After graduating with a Film and Television degree, I struggled to find out exactly where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. Being that there are so many options in the industry, I dabbled with the idea of moving to Los Angeles and starting a career. Most likely working as a Production Assistant and then slowly moving up the ladder. Read more>>

Brandy Blackford | Owner and Lead Planner

When I started my business it was a serious of fortunate events, lol! My husband and I were married on a Friday. On Monday, the two venue coordinators called me and told me that they had never had a weddings as well planned, as full of coordinated details as ours. They told me that they hoped I was ready because they were going to start referring me. It’s a different thing when someone with nothing to gain tells you you have a talent versus your family and friends. After that, all the pieces fell into place. Read more>>