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.

Anna Morgan

I grew up in Moscow, Russia, in an environment where people didn’t believe they had the choice to pursue the path they wanted. I was raised to believe that stability was the key to a good life. During my school years, I enjoyed studying foreign languages and visual arts, but despite my interest in design, I was convinced that if I got a “serious” degree, it would result in a good job at a reliable company. That’s how I ended up with a diploma that reads, “Engineer of Mining and Underground Construction.” But by the end of school, I knew I was never going to work in this field. I didn’t like a single thing about it! Read more>>

Owen Campbell

Well, I always knew that I wanted to be a business leader, but I did not have the guts to start out on my own initially. some of my major mentors were also business owners, and I could see how this would be a unique challenge for me as I began practicing. I started by running clinics for other people and having success doing that. I was comfortable in a management position however, the draw of being my own boss was too much to pass up. So in 2003, I opened Simplify Motion Physical Therapy as a mobile physical therapy practice. Read more>>

Diana Smith

The early days of starting my practice were fueled by equal parts passion, grit, and caffeine. I knew I wanted to create something radically different—a space where families, especially moms and their littles, could receive nervous system-based chiropractic care that was grounded in love, education, and results. So in February of 2020 (yep, right before COVID), I opened the doors to Cumming Family Chiropractic. Read more>>

Natalie Samson

I remember sitting in the hospital at my desk after meeting with a patient who I knew would pass away soon from early onset cancer, feeling both unfulfilled and frustrated. I was having conversations about cancer and Alzheimer’s risk, life-altering diagnoses, but I wasn’t addressing the bigger picture. No one was talking about modifiable risk factors in the healthcare system or how patients could take control beyond screenings, surgeries, and pharmaceuticals. It felt like such a massive gap in care. Read more>>

Malini

I was about five or six years into my corporate finance career when something in me started to feel hollow. I had achieved what many would call success, stability, a clear ladder to climb, and a steady paycheck, but I was constantly surrounded by stress. Everything was always urgent. No one seemed truly fulfilled. Then, I took my first international trip to Belize and Mexico. That trip shifted everything. I saw people living with less pressure and more presence. I realized I didn’t want to be confined to an office or defined by deadlines anymore. Read more>>

Marc Taczanowski

My wife and I were set to open our practice on October 4th, 2004. In the prior weeks we were advised to “pretend like we were running for mayor in the town.” With this in mind we went door to door (business to business) and introduced ourselves to the community. We also asked if they had any advice to a couple of new chiropractors that are just starting out. Most if not all were extremely friendly and welcoming. One gentleman in particular was helpful. His advice which came through a question was “Why should I come to you? What makes you different?” My wife and I turned to each other, shrugged and said in unison, “nothing.” Read more>>

Alicia Cuglietta

I began my yoga teaching journey in 2002. I received my first certification at a training at an ashram in Austin, Texas. I taught the mainstream style of Vinyasa Flow for many years at various studios, gyms, and other venues. After opening my own studio in 2008, the stress and financial burden, combined with teaching the same classes over and over, left me feeling burned out. Rote classes did not feed my creative tendencies, and trying to pay the bills with yoga proved to be difficult if not impossible. When the crash hit and many students apologetically left the studio to take yoga within their gym memberships, I sold the studio to a dedicated student. Read more>>

Andrew Reyes

My journey started as an Olympic-level athlete and NCAA Champion in track and field. Competing at the highest level taught me discipline, the importance of recovery, and the deep connection between movement and longevity. That experience, combined with my background in kinesiology and therapeutic exercise, inspired me to build something that could help people—not just athletes—move better, live pain-free, and feel stronger in their everyday lives. Read more>>

Brandi Hornick

I opened Rise Up Patient Advocacy in 2019 because there is a need for patients and their families to have a voice in our ever changing healthcare system. My family was one of those families who faced the challenges of the healthcare system. My oldest daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at 2 years old and I had to be her voice when I was excused as an over protective parent, paranoid, and told over and over again by several doctors and hospitals that she was fine. She wasn’t and my motherly instinct knew she wasn’t so I fought for her and because I did, someone listened and she was diagnosed with a germ cell yolk sac tumor in her sacrococcygeal area metastasizing up her spine. Read more>>

Anthony Garcia

What set me on my path to opening an office was my dedication to my work, taking courses, and becoming a ClearCorrect provider. ClearCorrect is a clear aligner company for which I was recognized by and selected to become a Key Opinion Leader on their behalf. I was sponsored by Straumann, the parent company for ClearCorrect, to attend a speaker development series offered by DevRight (a well known company in the dental speaker circuit). Achieving early success with clear aligners and general dentistry is what provided me with the confidence as a provider along with realization that all doctors are only as good as their team and tools at their disposal regardless of clinical skill. Read more>>

Amanda Schwartz

After I graduated from Massage School, I went under the mentorship of an amazing massage therapist. He taught me many of the techniques I know, as well as mentored me through how to run a successful Massage business and client relationships. However, I knew I had always wanted to work for myself, and start my own endeavor. So I amicably branched off from him, found a space to rent, and started my business. The first steps were knowing I had the client volume to survive on my own without working for somebody else to provide the clients for you. There were times where it was scary because you’re never guaranteed a full schedule working for yourself. It’s up to you to market and work to get the customers. Read more>>

Shayna Taylor

After graduating from massage school, I went to work at a local franchise to get experience. Well, and that is honestly what school preps you for. Is to work at franchises. After about 18 months, I got burned out from working long days and not many breaks. I took some time away from massage and worked a variety of other jobs. After a few years, I decided to get back to massage therapy, but work for myself. That has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had no education or knowledge on how to run a business. I didn’t know who to talk to, what forms I need to fill out… anything. It took a lot of trial, error and successes to get off the ground. Read more>>

Stacy Hemingway

In 2014, I joined a nine-week program called “Design Your Life” with my friend and mentor, Elena Brower. It was an incredible journey where I explored 12 areas of my life and reflected on where I stood with my dreams. I delved deep into my work dream, imagining the perfect work role in my world. My big dream was to bring yoga into schools, as a mandatory class for all students across the country, and even the world! My kids were my biggest students and teachers as I started my yoga journey with my firstborn inside my belly. I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me. Read more>>

Carlos Sosa

SURFCORE Fitness started from a simple frustration: most gyms felt cold, impersonal, and disconnected. I wanted to create something different — a place with real community, real accountability, and workouts that actually work. A space powered by aloha, where people feel seen and supported. Read more>>