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.

Chandan Gokhale

Gigaplex Academy was a gift to me! From my Dad. On his eightieth Birthday. (I know, it should have been the other way around!). He had turned a freelance entrepreneur after retiring from full time ‘job’ at age fifty eight; and he continued his new gig well into his mid eighties. It is my Dad’s journey as a freelancer that inspired me to look for entrepreneurial talents in people all around me and help them discover how they could engage in purposeful work that could keep them going just like my Dad.  Read more>>

Lia Lobello Reynolds

In the spring of 2021, I found myself at a crossroads. I was working 70-hour weeks at my corporate job with two kids under the age of four and zero work-life balance. I was struggling to find even a minute for myself, my husband or anything resembling self-care – and I knew I had to make a big change. I had long wanted to work for myself and the time felt right to potentially take this leap. Read more>>

Paul Shapiro

I was at a pivot point in my career and life; some may call it an early mid-life crisis. My dad had died a few years before, I had a 2 year-old daughter, we were thinking of relocating back to NJ and I was unhappy with my job and career. After taking a “Career Transition” class at Santa Monica College, I decided the problem wasn’t my choice of career but I did need to change my job. So, I quit my Controller position at a small consulting company. Read more>>

Courtney Kahla

Before becoming a business owner, I frequently visited wellness centers in the DFW area. Each time, I left with the same question: “Do they know and love Jesus?” This question inspired me to create a holistic wellness center that is Christ-centered. I wanted to ensure that no one leaves wondering about our faith and the God we serve. While searching for the perfect location for Our Well House, I explored numerous real estate options. Although each could have worked, none gave me the overwhelming sense of peace that I often feel from the Lord—until I discovered 6711 Elm Street in downtown Frisco. Read more>>

Josie Santiago

Work-life stress motivated me to start my own business. I was in a job that valued relentless work over employee well-being, and I did what any ‘good’ employee would do—I conformed. In a culture where everyone was overworked and under-resourced, I too worked incessantly. My job took priority, my well-being came last, and, soon enough, my health began to decline. Within two years, I was burnt out and needed to focus on my own well-being. As I began to recover and prioritize my health, I discovered that focusing on my well-being made me even more impactful and transformative ( something I cognitively knew but didn’t know how to embody in our work culture). Read more>>

Matt Nighswonger

I wanted to give families an opportunity to be a part of a positive football community that is focused on teaching kids the game of football. And to make the experience affordable. There are many factors that pull us out of our local community today. I think families are excited to be a part of their local community and give their children that experience. The participation started slow, but has picked up quickly. I know families have been very happy about the affordability of our new team camp. I hope that it will continue to grow. I think the most important aspect for me is staying true to what is important to me. Read more>>

Tina Moussally

Utah passed the most progressive legislation allowing PA’s independent full practice authority for providers with more than 10,000 hours in their fields in 2021, and was finalized in 12/21. I chose to move here from Hawaii hoping to find an established practice to join but quickly realized that I was considered an outsider and despite over 16years of experience in dermatology and substantial need in the community, I did not receive and offer. I was forced to open my practice with very little experience in practice management or what that entailed. Read more>>