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.

Kelsey Chmiel

The first Premier Health location was opened up in 1983 in Roseville, MN. Since that time, five more clinics have been opened within the Twin Cities. Every location is independently owned and operated, however by uniting with similar patient care philosophies, Premier Health can expand their service to a larger community base, Read More>>

Marisa Hentis

I have always had a love for dance and the arts. It was something that I was constantly drawn back to throughout my education and schooling. I was a stereotypical dancer in high school that a part of the school dance team, studio work and competition sector of dance. I never thought I could make a career out of dancing and it was always something that I “did on the side.” I even attempted to quit dance multiple times to pursue other endeavors but found myself back in the studio and in classes. Read More>>

LORETTA AXTELL

Vai Hydration Lounge began with a clear goal: to create a space where wellness practices feel approachable, energizing, and genuinely connected to the community. I wanted to give people access to tools that support real improvements in energy, recovery, focus, and overall well-being—things that help them feel good and function at their best in daily life. Read More>>

Laura Monk

I spoke Soulfish Events into existence back in 2019 during a transformative yoga retreat in Costa Rica. That moment was the spark; a deep calling to create soulful gatherings that blend movement, music, and meaningful community. Since then, I’ve had to evolve in so many ways, growing from a simple vision into a full-fledged practice that hosts retreats, events, and experiences rooted in flow and connection. Read More>>

Candace Anthony

I am a licensed clinician who initially decided to start my business as a way to increase my income. Up until I went into practice full-time, all of my experience has been in the nonprofit space. This is a space that is notorious for underpaying its staff, coupled with the fact that mental health clinicians are one of the lowest-paid professions. Read More>>

 Jenna Pelaez

Mindful Reading Center was born from a shared passion—and a little bit of boldness.

As longtime educators we (Jenna Pelaez and Alyssa Lora-Locascio) had spent years working with students (including Alyssa’s own son) who struggled with reading, writing, and confidence. We saw firsthand the life-changing power of structured literacy instruction, but we also noticed a gap: students needed more than just the right method—they needed the right environment. Read More>>

Kendi Lester

My sisters and I always wanted to buy a spray tan machine and learn to give each other high-quality spray tans at home so the idea was already in the back of my mind. I saw a video about someone who started their own spray tan business out of their home and that was the beginning. I spent the next 2 weeks researching everything I could think of from business logistics to different spray tan solution companies and everything in between. Read More>>

Dr. Lendra James

The journey to launching my own practice was both personal and purposeful. After over two decades in nursing leadership, I found myself experiencing burnout—exhausted not just physically, but spiritually. The deeper I climbed the professional ladder, the more I became aware of the political undercurrents in healthcare. Despite contributing valuable expertise and driving outcomes, I realized I was building someone else’s dream—often at the cost of my own well-being. Read More>>

Samantha Murphy

After working as an employee massage therapist for over a decade, performing up to eight massages a day, five days a week; I reached a breaking point. When COVID hit, like many others, I was forced to slow down and reevaluate what truly mattered in my life. I was physically exhausted, emotionally drained, and on the verge of walking away from a career I had once loved. But massage has always been more than just bodywork to me. It’s mind, body, and soul work. Read More>>