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.

Ryan Razooky

I had started training 8 years ago but only recently got my own gym 3 years ago. The most challenging thing at first was understanding how to help every customer without over extending ourselves. Over some time we were able to master that balance. Read more>>

Elizabeth Brooks

I truly never thought Virtually Brooks would ever turn into an Agency. I was content with working as a solo Virtual Assistant but life is full of many blessings in disguise. I was introduced to the world of VA work by a mentor at the time. Read more>>

Charles Read

The wife (Ruth) and I started the firm over 30 years ago now. I was a veteran that found business to not value military experience, then as now. I went to North Texas and earned my credentials. Read more>>

Macie Smith

Well, I never thought I would actually be my own boss and run my own company, but God and my husband knew. You see, other people had more confidence in me than I had in myself; but that has definitely changed. I’ve learned during the past few years to bet on me, not some of the time, but all of the time; and when it wasn’t considered appropriate or popular. Read more>>

Samantha Hua

Happy Food started in May 2009. I knew funding was ending for my regular job, and I simply never had the passion to work in child abuse/domestic violence. That was a temporary career shift. I was more fascinated by health and nutrition; that occupied more of my day-to-day life. Happy Food started with 2 red chairs at a beautiful park overlooking San Diego bay. Read more>>

Kurnita Wallace

I decided to open my own salon and spa because in my hometown there wasn’t a spa that catered to people of color. To get a spa treatment you had to go to the suburbs. I am from a small town in Ohio that is predominately black. I wanted a place where you could get “affordable Luxury” spa treatments. So I opened it in our downtown area. I wanted it to be centrally located and accessible for all sides of town. Read more>>

Jenna Dye

I grew up with a family owned small business and because of that I never had the desire to have my own business. I saw the stress running a small business and decided that I would happier working for someone. When I first started practicing here in Phoenix, I worked in a large group practice with multiple doctors, acupuncturists, and chiropractors. Read more>>

Sierra Ostler

I am Sierra Ostler the creator behind Soc Skin. I founded Soc Skin in 2020 with the goal of creating a skincare studio that revolved around educating my clients while helping them reach their skin goals, in a relaxing, safe space where everyone feels welcome. Read more>>

David Getoff

While I was running my home repairs business in the 80’s and early 90’s, I was also teaching a course I had developed called Everyday Home Repairs for Women Only. Read more>>

Tina von Sachs

My biggest advice is to be authentically you and seek connection. Everything is about connecting with others. When I started my own business (Holistic Wellness and Transformation/Recovery coach for Women), during Covid, my biggest obstacle was being brave enough to share my own story of struggle and then transformation. Read more>>

Kelly Anderson

Looking back, starting a small business when I had absolutely no background in business management was a bold move! I knew I was great at being a psychologist and could provide amazing psychotherapy resources to clients. Read more>>

Cleo Marchese

When I first decided to be a private practice lactation consultant, the main thing I needed to decide was how I needed to get started. The type of paperwork I would need for new patients. How I would handle filing, paper files or online charting service. How would I advertise. Read more>>