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.

Madison Bradshaw

Ive told this story a few times about how I dont feel like I really made the decision but that it just kind of happened. And I still feel that way, I didnt really wake up one day and say “you know what, im going to be a photographer”. Ive been playing with various cameras for a long time and since I was old enough that my parents trusted me I was using a DSLR. But even though it just kind if happened, I am beginning to realize just how much of it was my own determination. Read more>>

Kate Moore

I started my first business in 2014 – I was 24 years old. An opportunity arose for me and I ran with it. There’s something so liberating about being in your early 20s and believing in yourself, and believing in opportunity. This first business was a gym. It’s called getFIT615 and it’s in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee on Music Row. My dream of moving to Nashville and having an office on Music Row was unfolding right in front of me. Read more>>

Demetria Hill

While in my early twenties I had a rebellious spirit, if I didn’t think something was right I was very outspoken, brutally honest and with very little tack. I would sometimes quit a job and not have another- If I felt the leadership was wrong in their approach or displaying undermining work ethics, I would leave. From those experiences, I begin to think/know that I would have difficulty in the workplace. I came to the conclusion in my early 30’s that I needed to work for myself. Read more>>

Brittany Noelle

I started off working for gyms. It was great for having a consistent pool of people who may be interested in personal training but terrible because the gym took a large portion of my earnings. There was also no paid vacations and crazy work hours. It was basically like running my own business but giving 60% of my income to paying rent to the gym. I decided that private coaching was a better option. Read more>>

Amira Martin

In 2011, I took a bold step and started my own private practice. Having been both a therapy client and a therapist myself, I knew firsthand the challenges Black and Brown individuals faced in finding a therapist who truly understood them and could approach their healing journey from a place of connection rather than racism and fear. It had been a passion of mine for years, and I was ready to take the risk and make it happen. Read more>>

DeAndre Steward

I first decided to start take my fitness journey more seriously back in 2019. I’ve always been into health and wellness and staying in shape but taking that next step to make it a career and a business was something I just felt was right for me. The main step I had to take was reach out for help & guidance and I contacted my friend/trainer Bryce Calloway who took me through the right steps to get certified. Read more>>

Dannica Brennan

After completing dental school and her educational training in the U.S. Air Force, I separated from Active Duty and wasted no time before redirecting all my energy into building a truly unique private dental practice, Flossologie. Through both proverbial and literal blood sweat and tears, I was able to design the practice of my dreams from the ground up! Read more>>

Lisa Moskovitz

Starting your own practice can be very scary. You’re taking a major leap of faith. There’s a lot of unknown and very little guarantees, but with high risk comes high reward. For me, I realized that opening my own practice was my best option because I was honestly never a great employee. I had big dreams, liked moving at my own pace and always had a certain way I liked to do things. I also move a mile a minute and have been told “you need to slow down – you move way too fast” more times than I can count. Read more>>