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.

Dr. Jennifer Keaten

Since I started in the field of veterinary medicine in my early 20s, I have wanted to own my own veterinary practice. The kind of practice I wanted to own has changed with time, but many of the goals have stayed the same. I wanted to own and run a practice that provide the best care possible to my patients in an environment that people could enjoy working in and be proud of the work they do. Before I could do any of this, I had to attend veterinary school. I went to Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine with the goal to be a mixed animal veterinarian. Upon graduating I took a job as a mixed animal veterinarian in Concord, NH to gain some experience. I immediately started looking into the process of funding to open a practice. Read more>>

Stephanie

A few years ago, I made the decision to leave my job, knowing deep down it was time for a major shift. I wanted to be at the forefront of psychedelic medicine and research — not just as a participant in the conversation, but as someone helping to shape it. With a background that spanned clinical work, research, business development, and strategy, I found myself qualified for many different roles. But ironically, that made it harder to find the right one. The psychedelic field was still nascent, especially in biotech, where hiring was focused on hyper-specific roles. Read more>>

Ellen Prestage

I teach Pilates in Nashville and my friend Hannah teaches yoga. We’d talked for awhile about going into business together. Finally, we decided to go for it! We started with discussions around what we wanted our business to look and feel like and created mood boards to reflect our vision. This helped us get on the same page about the big picture before getting into the details. Read more>>

Limor Ness

The seed for The Jewish Sanctuary Kfar Saba Urban Farm was planted long before I knew it would become a formal nonprofit. I always felt a deep calling to rescue animals — it’s something that’s been with me since I was very young. I wasn’t thinking in terms of launching an organization; I was following an inner knowing — that creating a healing sanctuary for animals and people was part of my purpose. What I envisioned was a space where wellness, connection, and transformation could unfold naturally, where people and animals could come to feel safe, seen, and whole again. Read more>>

Michelle Francis

The story of Pinnacle Clinical Solutions began with a deeply personal realization. Growing up in Jamaica, I witnessed the devastating impact of untreated mental health issues in a culture where therapy was often stigmatized or inaccessible. Later, as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in the U.S., I saw similar gaps in care, this time due to systemic barriers, lack of culturally competent providers, and an overwhelming need for services that made people feel seen. I knew I wanted to create a practice that not only delivered quality care, but also truly reflected who I am and what I believe in—compassion, connection, and helping clients through their unique experiences. Read more>>

Brittany & Aubrey Gasparo & McMillan

Tennessee Placenta Services was born out of a simple but urgent need: families were asking for safe, respectful, and informed placenta encapsulation—and struggling to find it. Both of us were already birth professionals offering placenta services individually, but we quickly realized how fragmented and inconsistent access to placenta care was, even in larger cities. That’s when we came together with a shared vision: to create a centralized, trustworthy, and heart-centered agency that could serve not just our local area, but families across the country. Read more>>

Melanie

In the early days of opening my own physical therapy practice, I faced a unique set of challenges and opportunities. I decided to launch my practice during the COVID-19 pandemic after my previous job, which focused on women’s health, closed. I was also planning to have a baby, and I wanted more flexibility and a different work environment—especially since that job only offered a few weeks of maternity leave. Read more>>

Dr Bobbi Peterson

I graduated from Howard University School of Dentistry and went right into a General Practice Residency in Brooklyn NY. During that residency I found my love for clinical Orthodontics. Applied and attended the 3 year Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Program at Maimonides Jewish Medical Center. I worked for an Orthodontist on the Upper West Side as I built my practice. As my practice grew I took one day (out of my 6 day week) away from the Topal orthodontics and added it to Aces Braces (my office) until I was full time! Opening my first practice was not as challenging as maintaining it! The practice was open but …where were the patients? I connected with dentists in the area, I connected with insurance companies, Read more>>

Dr. Chanté Meadows

The decision to start my own practice was both exciting and daunting. After years of working in various clinical and leadership roles, I recognized the need for a practice that not only provided therapeutic support but also emphasized culturally responsive care and trauma-informed services. The initial steps involved extensive research on business structure, securing the necessary licenses, and developing a comprehensive business plan that aligned with my mission to bridge gaps in mental health care. Read more>>

Marchele Lee, LPC-S

Sometimes you take the scenic route to get to what really fits for you. After being laid off, I sat with myself to decide what I wanted to do career wise. I thought about what comes to me naturally and I asked others what I am good at. The answer: being a confidante and a voice of reason for others. I researched paths that would allow me to use this skill set and found that being a psychotherapist would embody all the things that I gravitate towards in my relationships: being there for others, listening, offering advice and holding space for people to just be themselves. Read more>>

Kori Borneman

We’ll never forget the moment the idea of Opal was born—though back then, it didn’t have a name, a logo, or even a business plan. Just two best friends, a couple of dogs, some morning coffee, and a conversation that would change everything. Read more>>