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.

Kenzie Barrett | Owner @TheBroncyDonkey

I hadn’t originally intended to start my own business. During 2020, when COVID had most business shut-down, my husband and I really started getting into golf. We also spend a lot of time in the rodeo world, competing in team roping and barrel racing. Read more>>

Amanda Waters | Owner / Master Aesthetician

My beautiful clients who believe in my craft really pushed me to start my own business. They believed I could really help provide real education to everyone. The beauty market has become all about money. I understand it’s a booming business. However, there are few and far between who are really in it to help their patients, clients, and customers achieve their skincare goals in an honest way. Read more>>

Amy Michelle

Let me start by saying that there was never any thought about it. I am so very different, so very unexpected, so very… well, outside of the box. Plain and simple, I do not fit in a box, in a circle, or even, in a triangle. I barely fit inside this human body I have been gifted. When I was a little girl who was asked the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, Read more>>

Caroline Eldridge & Lauren Wetzel | Potters

We worked with our uncle for summers during high school and college. We realized pretty early that we had a lot of fun doing it. We decided that we wanted to open a studio, so It was a natural progression. We love having the option to work on different fish each day . It gives us the freedom to choose what creative outlet we’d like to fill, whether it be working with clay and creating pieces, painting or mold making. Read more>>

Steven & Carmen Lopez | Co-Founders & Underwater Photographers for Explorers Photography

[Explorers Photography] We co-founded Explorers Photography (EP) with a shared vision—a platform to channel our deep passion for scuba diving, underwater photography, and underwater archaeology. With over 15 years of experience working in underwater environments, both in academic/professional and recreational domains, we have cultivated our skills and established a strong presence within the maritime sphere. Read more>>

Stephen & Melissa Snyder | Wedding Photographers & Videographers

In 2018, we were ready for a change in our lives. Stephen was successful in the restaurant industry, working for a franchise’s corporate office. Melissa had been a stay-at-home mom caring for our 3 children, and simultaneously running an Etsy shop that really took off. We spent time when we could by going places as a family, but we wanted to spend more time together, rather than apart. Read more>>

Eden Benibo | Founder/Editorial Director

With 30 amazing founding team members who double as creatives, we basically started Hello ICON Magazine to build a space we once searched for. Where Art can be a binding tool, beyond all racial, gender, ideological, age and religious differences. Basically redefining Art, uplifting young creatives and telling the stories that needs to be told. Read more>>

Kelly Bellows | Owner of SaddleCast, LLC

The creation of SaddleCast started with an idea to solve a problem I was having with my young horse and his sore back issues. At the time that my young horse was able to be ridden, I was starting to train in Competitive Endurance, but I couldn’t start training until I figured out the Saddle issues I was having. Saddlecast become not just a labor of love for me personally but also a solution for fellow equestrians in various disciplines having the same issues. Read more>>

Keven Dubreil | Co-Owner, Lead Marketing Manager and Event Organizer

We have a passion for CrossFit, and just about anyone and everyone can do it, no matter the limitations. So when the opportunity arose we jumped on it. In 30 days we went from nothing to having the property, and in a 1 day turn around we outfitted the gym from Keys in hand to Opening day! Read more>>

Chris Thompson | Boot Wrangler/Purse Maker

I remember sitting at the guidance counselor desk in high school and she had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I always wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals and then I realized how much school was involved! And how many animals I would have to put down and how that would affect my heart over time and I didn’t like that. So I asked her what kind of programs our vocational school had. Read more>>