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.

Roque Estipona

In my early days as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I worked my way up from a staff role to a managerial position. It was during this journey that I realized the immense opportunity in starting my own home health agency. Fueled by ambition, I took the leap into entrepreneurship, but not without facing significant challenges. Finding the right staff and building a supportive network proved difficult, especially amidst stiff competition in the area. Reflecting back, I wish I had started this journey earlier, but every step taught me something valuable. Read more>>

Britton Bahador

Opening my own professional practice felt like the only path for me once I decided to pursue a career in the medical field. I’ve always been influenced by my father, who owns a private practice in oral surgery, and inspired by the hardworking, successful business owners I’ve been fortunate to surround myself with. I believe it is important to listen to those who display hardwork, are grounded in ethics and morals, and you can witness first hand the fruits of their labor. Their example kept me motivated, encouraged, and focused on being a decision-maker with direct control over my outcomes. Read more>>

Nikki Shockley

Last year, I made the bold decision to establish my own private practice, focusing on providing virtual care with the added benefit of an annual home visit. I recognized that virtual visits allow me to extend my reach and truly meet patients where they are, offering convenience and accessibility that traditional models often lack. Read more>>

Zo Onyeise

When I decided to start Zo Legal Group, I was driven by a passion to serve underserved communities, particularly Black and Brown families, with estate planning and personal injury services. I wanted to create a space where legal guidance was accessible, clear, and deeply personal—far beyond the traditional transactional approach often seen in the legal field. Read more>>

Lauren Gastorf

Owning my own business wasn’t a goal when I first decided to become a counselor. However, while employed in a variety of settings, I realized the benefits of greater flexibility in my schedule and more clinical autonomy. Enter private practice.

I looked into group practices initially. The idea of immediate community with other clinicians and administrative support was appealing to me. I didn’t fall in love with any of the practices I checked out, though. Financially and creatively it made more sense to go out on my own. Read more>>