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.

Cassandra Koenig

The journey of establishing Aloha Divorce was both exciting and challenging, especially as a recent law school graduate stepping into the complexities of California family law on my own. Choosing a solo path offered unparalleled flexibility and direct client interaction, which I’ve found incredibly fulfilling. Starting a firm in such a specialized area—primarily prenuptial agreements—was both a personal and professional decision. Prenups are an area of family law that requires both technical expertise and a delicate touch, as these agreements often involve sensitive, emotional discussions. Initial Steps The initial steps involved extensive preparation, from building my legal foundation to understanding the regulatory requirements for a solo practice. After passing the California Bar—where the pass rate was notably low at just 26%—I dove into the practicalities of setting up my own business. My steps included: Read more>>

Tomar Mills

After being a RN for 9 years, I decided to go back to school to receive my Masters degree in nursing (MSN) and a certification as an Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. My goal after graduation was to open a clinic that targeted adults and the elderly population for a low cost. I started researching and found that it was very expensive renting a brick and mortal and acquiring all the equipment and supplies necessary to open. So I prayed, started networking and found out I could open a mobile IV hydration company with minimum overhead. The main steps were establishing my DBA, LLC, hiring a medical director, which is required in the state of Texas, taking start up courses and establishing accounts with suppliers. Read more>>

Alli Rann-mendoza

Starting Out & First Steps My journey to starting Animated Aesthetics Studio began with a clear vision: to create a welcoming, unique space centered on client-centered skincare. I first focused on building my certifications in acne treatment, creating a distinctive brand identity, and finding a suitable studio location. Setting up an efficient booking system, establishing a financial plan, and pricing services competitively were also key early steps. Challenges & Lessons Learned Some challenges I faced included: Building support and confidence: Starting out solo, I leaned on the support of my husband, which was crucial. I’d advise finding mentors or a community early on. Balancing business logistics: Managing inventory, marketing, and client relationships was overwhelming at times. Learning to delegate and streamline made all the difference. Read more>>

Masha Shapiro

I started my individual private practice in 2016 in an in-person/office setting. This task required me to familiarize myself with potential office space locations, EHR systems, and administrative and billing tasks. Additionally, I became paneled with several insurance companies at the time, which led me to further understand the intricacies required in establishing a business for the first time. After COVID, I went fully remote and expanded my practice into a group practice, where we now employ 10 clinicians in total. Read more>>

Altamisha Matthew BSN, RN

Leaving cooperate nursing was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. After Covid I saw the disparities of the world and I knew healthcare would never be the same. My calling to nursing was to heal and advocate for those that did not have a voice and I felt I could no longer do that in corporate nursing. The nursing field faces many challenges, and I personally felt my knowledge would better serve others in the private sector. A corporate nurse is limited in the care preventative care the can deliver to patients. I took a leap of faith and answered the call from my creator to start Altamash Health & Wellness. With my own practice I provide care that is individualized for my client and improves patient outcomes. I and my team are dedicated to bridging the gap between the patient and the hospital. I faced challenges in learning Business. I was trained to be a soldier in the Army and taught to be a Registered Nurse. In the beginning of starting my own business, I was self-taught and my own team initially. Creating a business and a logo was the simplest part of my journey. Read more>>

Carmen T. Mendoza

I am the Founder and race Director for the Juneteenth Freedom Run race in Fresno, CA. I began coaching a beginner group of runners to complete their first 5K at my race in 2021. When they and others joined me again the next year, I realized there was something special there. In addition to running together, this group developed friendships and offered each other support as athletes, a name some of the trainees did not use for themselves. In 2022, I had the opportunity to become a certified Run Coach through Game Changers, a program that aims to bring in women of color as Certified Run Coaches in an effort to diversify the coaching industry. I distinctly remember writing in my Game Changers application that I did not want to coach for a fee. As long as runners registered for my Juneteenth Freedom Run race, I was happy to coach free of charge because not everyone can afford a run coach. Many people in my community are battling chronic disease and, I felt that one way I could merge the epidemiologist and coach in me would be to help my community to improve their health, one mile at a time. With that thought in mind, I launched Run 4 Health Coaching. For anyone who is looking to launch a run coaching (or any kind of business), my advice would be to do something that you are truly passionate about and how you can connect your target client to thrive in your community. Read more>>

Juliana Posato

While I was working for another practice, I realized the ways in which I wanted to be an authentic therapist did not mesh well with the goals of the practice. I knew that if I had spent so many painstaking years building on my education and receiving my license as a therapist, I wanted to be as authentic in my work as possible. Therefore, something had to change. The first step I took was to reach out to my peers, other therapists I had close relationships with who also had their own practices. It was very important to me to make sure I utilized all of the resources I had in front of me. I met with a colleague I went to graduate school with, and she offered me the name and phone number of the company she was leasing her office from, and I decided to give it a try. I met with her on a Thursday, met the owner of the leasing company by the following Monday, and secured an office right after the meeting. This was a huge relief off of my shoulders, although the other weight was having to tell the practice I would be leaving. Read more>>