Establishing your own firm or practice is an incredibly daunting task. From myriad of legal and regulatory hurdles to the financial and career related risks, professionals who choose to start their own firm have to overcome so much and so we wanted to reach out to those who’ve done it successfully for advice, insight and stories.

Nefertiti Holas

In 2014, I launched my business after deciding to leave my last 9-to-5 job due to an unhealthy work environment created by my supervisor. Over the years, I had gained diverse experience across several industries, including daycare, auditing, campus police, restaurant management, retail, banking, payroll, and accounting. This range of roles provided me with a broad skill set, which shaped me into a resourceful and intuitive entrepreneur with strong management and leadership abilities. Determined to start my own venture, I crafted a business plan and presented it to my mother and stepfather, seeking their support. Without hesitation, they invested in my vision—my mother contributed $500, and my stepfather provided a new laptop. I converted my laundry room into my first official office space, and with that, ChaNJe Money Matters Co. was born (originally named ChaNJe Credit Repair LLC). My first year in business brought in $4,500. Although I recorded a loss, I was incredibly proud of generating revenue on my own. Since then, ChaNJe Money Matters Co. has continued to double its revenue year after year. Read more>>

Bea Cornelius

I have always enjoyed physical fitness. It has been a positive outlet for stress relief and is my self-care. I remember being at my local rec center exercising and being stopped/asked on numerous occasions by different people if I was a personal trainer or if I taught classes. I had recently taken a step back from my career as a software engineer due to prioritizing my younger son’s developmental delays. Exercise was my therapy- it allowed me to refill my own cup so that I could be ready to pour into my family members’ cups. After getting my son settled into his learning and support service pathways, I began studying for my group fitness certification. I taught my very first class on his birthday. After several months, I began studying for my personal fitness trainer certification. A year after teaching my first class, my accountant called and asked what I was doing- meaning he wanted to know about the additional income I was generating. The following tax season, my accountant called and told me I needed to form an LLC.  Read more>>

Sasha Sumling

When I decided to start my own practice, I was a stay-at-home mom of three, with my youngest heading off to kindergarten. It felt like the perfect time to do something for myself. While I loved being home with my kids, I wanted more than the daily routine of laundry, dishes, and soap operas. I craved something that was mine, something I could build and grow. At the same time, I didn’t want to return to the rigid 9-to-5 business management job I had before. I needed something flexible that allowed me to be present for my kids while also pursuing my passion. One day, while out running, I was wearing the wrong athletic shoes and ended up with a severe shin splint injury. I had to attend physical therapy for six weeks to recover, and during that time, I fell in love with the environment of healing and the dynamic between therapists and clients. I saw how they helped people both physically and mentally, and it sparked an ‘aha’ moment for me. I realized that I wanted to do something similar, help others heal and feel whole again. Read more>>

Ashlyn Freitas

The idea for our Medspa, TIEV, was born during a pivotal moment in my life. I was on bedrest, pregnant, and reflecting on my career as an executive. Despite climbing the corporate ladder, securing private equity deals, and helping to build companies from the ground up, I found myself dissatisfied. I had spent years working 80+ hour weeks, pouring my energy into a system where, at the end of the day, I felt I had nothing lasting to show for it. Then, weeks after announcing my pregnancy, I was unexpectedly let go from my executive position. This left me with a profound realization: with a baby on the way, I had to make a choice—sink or swim. That was the turning point. I wanted something more, something I could truly build and nurture, not just for me, but for my family as well. It was in that moment, while navigating this uncertainty, that the concept of TIEV was born—a vision to create a Medspa that would reflect our values, expertise, and our desire to empower others. It wasn’t just about starting a business; it was about creating a legacy and taking control of our future. Read more>>

Jacqueline Hinton

Starting my own Pilates studio, Good Body Pilates, was a journey that required equal parts passion, perseverance, and planning. I had been teaching at the studio for over a decade before purchasing it in January 2023, so I knew the inner workings well. But transitioning from instructor to owner brought a whole new set of responsibilities and challenges. The first big step was making the decision to take over the business. That required a mental shift- recognizing that I wasn’t just stepping into a role, but taking full ownership of the studio’s future. From there, I had to dive into the operational aspects: securing financing, updating contracts, negotiating leases, and ensuring I had a clear vision for the studio. Hiring and retaining the right team was another key focus, as I wanted to maintain the high standards the clients were accustomed to while bringing in new energy. Read more>>