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.

Jill Lipski Cain

There are three reasons why I started my own firm.

One, I felt a gnawing tension between where I was and where I needed to be. Despite the hallmarks of financial security: good salary, insurance, retirement plan, etc. I was uncomfortable, stifled, and unsatisfied. After 20 years of working for employers, especially in the last two years of it, I felt like I was meant for something bigger and more profound – something that I could birth from my own vision and see to it the way I prefer to work. Read more>>

Ana Teresa Rodriguez

When I decided to start my own group, I wasn’t driven only by ambition — I was driven by purpose. After years in real estate, I realized I wanted to create something that reflected my values: family, service, and legacy. That’s how ATR Luxury Homes Group came to life. Read more>>

Jenny Heinzen

While I didn’t *start* Vineyard Professional Real Estate from scratch—it was founded in 2001—I *reinvigorated* and *elevated* it into the powerhouse it is today. Taking over leadership of VPRE was a strategic and intentional move that aligned with my long-term vision: to offer elite-level brokerage services tailored exclusively to the wine industry. I had spent years working with leading firms in Napa and on the Central Coast, building a \$250M+ track record in winery and vineyard transactions. But I wanted more control over how I served clients—more precision, more customization, more connection. Read more>>

Felicia Slaton-Young

Well, I started the Greater Englewood Chamber out of a desire to find more investment clients. See, I’m a financial advisor by trade and I was building my book of business. I had two clients who were millionaires and also Englewood residents. I’d built a solid rapport with them and wanted to see if I could identify more clients like them. So, I began looking to join the local chamber as a way to meet residents and business owners. Participating in a local chamber is a great way to build my network and grow my book of business. In my search for the local chamber of commerce, I learned that Englewood didn’t have a chamber but they did have a local community development corporation (CDC). Read more>>

Jen Breslin

I was working for a great Med Spa in Austin as their lead esthetician/educator/laser specialist until we went into lockdown in 2020, and unfortunately I lost my job amongst many others. I had been having thoughts of doubt for quite a bit of time, one being the amount of money my clients were paying to target the same issues after years of treatments. I asked myself, “Why aren’t they seeing permanent change? Why are they coming back for the same issues years later?” Something wasn’t right, and morally it didn’t sit well with me. When lockdown hit I chose to revisit my doubts in my career and dive into the Holistic world of esthetics. I grew up in a very holistic household and even started my career at Aveda, so why not go back to my roots? I came across the brand Osmosis, and thats where everything took off. I was able to understand the root cause of my skin issues (eczema, melasma, dry/irriated skin) and actually get rid of it permanently. Read more>>

Natalie Scarpa

Starting my own practice was many years in the making – it took quite a while to build up the courage to take the leap. The idea first sparked when I was working as a nonprofit research and development consultant. I loved the work I was doing, but I started to feel like the organization wasn’t the right fit for me anymore. I also felt a deep pull to return to direct service, so I began dreaming about starting my own gig but it was a hard job to walk away from and I was scared to take the leap. Read more>>

Melissa Ramsey

I’ve struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. As a nurse practitioner, I knew the science—I knew what I should be doing—but that didn’t make it any easier. I tried everything: every diet, every trend, every new method. Nothing seemed to work long-term, and the emotional toll was just as heavy as the physical one. Read more>>

Che Campbell

I worked full time at an attorney’s office while attending school for aesthetics, building my skills and passion for skincare. During that time, I started taking clients on the side from my two bedroom loft. By the time I graduated from Von Lee, I was already working as an esthetician with a steadily growing clientele. As my business expanded, I no longer felt comfortable inviting strangers into my home, which led me to open my first salon suite at JC Salon Suites. Read more>>

Jordan Felise

I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to be an Esthetician, but I was definitely career driven from a young age and knew from years of waitressing that I wanted to work with people in some way. I loved my regulars and greeting them by name. It truly made my day to make them feel important & special by not only remembering what they liked to drink or eat but by bringing up something they had told me the last time they had been in or checking in on how a family member was doing. Maybe it’s the small town, more simple life I had growing up, but I crave genuine, in-person interactions and I believe that plays a small, or maybe large part in what makes me stand out as an Esthetician & business owner, especially in the world we live in now.  Read more>>

Dwayne Speaks

The desire to open my own mental health practice has always been rooted in purpose. I realized early on—back in 2002, while working as a mentor in an after-school program—that my career would be grounded in human services and community care. That calling was further confirmed in 2009 when I completed my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Marketing. From there, the path unfolded with both passion and complexity. Read more>>

Lisamarie Boncek

Starting “Perfect Health and Balance” was born from my journey as a Reverend with a Master in Divinity and a Bachelor in Science in Anatomy and Physiology. I blended medical massage therapy, Ayurveda, meditation, energy healing and spiritual wellness into a holistic practice. The early challenges—licensing, finding the right space, financial investment, gaining clients—tested my entrepreneurialism. But faith, determination and discipline guided me. I’d prioritize better marketing early on. For those starting out: honor your passion, listen to your inner voice, root your practice in purpose, and let your unique gifts become your signature offering. Read more>>