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.

Lisel Lewis

This is my best advice for a new graduate who is building their reputation/book of business, regardless of profession: Live and hang out in the area where you work. Go to the gym, get your nails done, eat at resturaunts within a few miles of your business. Meet people who actually live close enough to attend your office. When I lived in San Diego with my parents, I had to commute to work. The clients I would meet could have lived in any part of the city, and if it meant hitting traffic, they probably wouldn’t come to my business. Read more>>

Dr. Kennard Herring

When I graduated from optometry school I knew that I wanted to start my own practice and now that I have obtained my degree it was time to get to work on pursuing opening my private practice. I knew that going into this venture uneducated about business would put me at a disadvantage. I knew how to practice optometry but I knew nothing about starting and operating a business. I took it upon myself to read anything I could get my hands on about business in optometry and business overall. After reading several books and articles I developed a notebook with key items from my studies. Read more>>

Lajaa Wilkes

Becoming an entrepreneur as we all know can be extremely difficult, but well worth it! You have to put in 100% but while doing that you can all around be yourself and really enjoy what you do! I opened up a suite for body sculpting that I’m so proud of. I can’t wait for my practice to get more known and grow so I can continue to help people be their best self and enhance their beauty! My advice for anyone starting their own business/ practice – STAY CONSISTENT! Read more>>

Tarik Daniels

I started WhatsintheMIrror in 2016 as a response to a need in my community and in my family. My brother was dealing with mental health issues and I also felt like my community did not have resources or access to cultural responsive mental health options. I wanted to do my part to change that. Read more>>

Angie Lederman

I have been an audiologist for almost 30 years, working in a variety of settings including ENT, VA hospital, private practice. I was unhappy working places that did not put patient satisfaction first and decided I could do it better myself. So I took a chance and opened my practice inside of an ENT office. My thoughts were it was a stepping stone and I would open my own office once business started to grow. I was able to do that much quicker than I expected. My husband quit a good job and we took a chance on starting our own business in January 2020. Read more>>

Pranita Dharmadhikari

Starting my firm was one of the best decisions I ever made. During the uncertain pandemic, I felt starting my own firm was the best choice for me. Getting started in the right direction to acquire more clients was challenging, but it worked well. Over the past few years, I developed three (AAA) principles for my firm. First A is authenticity which is the core of any successful business being authentic to your clients and employees. Read more>>

Mike Hewlett

As a band, we have just been grinding it out for the last few years playing in Memphis and surrounding areas and trying to make music that we feel is good and needs to be made and say things that need to be said regarding what is going on in the world right now. For us, it doesn’t really make sense to make music that doesn’t reflect the times that art was created in. So we try and hold ourselves to a certain standard when we write and record these songs and play them for people, Read more>>

Daniel Scheid

First, I would like to disclose that I am currently working on two different ventures; one is highly mission-driven and relies on grants and “non-consumer” funding sources, while the other is much more geared toward revenue generation. For the rest of this interview, I will be using the two somewhat interchangeably because the lessons I learned from one experience directly translate to the other. Iron Core Adapted strength and conditioning is the first, and Stage Fit is the second. Read more>>

Britt Frank

Going into graduate school I knew I wanted to go into private practice. This posed many challenges, as they do not teach (nor do they encourage) students to go the private practice route. There are no business classes, marketing classes, or mentorship to help you navigate the business owner path. The first step I took was to find someone doing what I wanted to do, and then hiring them to tell me everything they knew. Read more>>

Courtney Roberts

I was in my second semester of clinical to become a Family Nurse Practitioner and I decided that I wanted to go into business for myself doing IV hydration and wellness services, but I still had 2.5 semesters before I would finish my degree. I began to take IV hydration, botox, and dermal filler classes. At this time I was still working as an registered nurse at the time completeing COVID contracts and saving money. I wanted to wait until I was completely finished my degree, but in August 2021 I found an amazing location in Towson,Md and I knew it was meant to be. Read more>>

Danielle Munroe

I worked for a mental health counseling center that I loved. I loved my job so much that I worked long days and weekends and didn’t mind it one bit because not only was I helping people, but I also enjoyed what I did for a living and when you enjoy what you do, it is not “work.” I eventually hired my now business partner. We worked very well together and eventually knew each other’s thoughts. Read more>>

Natalia Zavislak

Not long ago, I created the school Distant Language. In an article published in Voyage San Antonio, I explained the bumps on the road I suffered, especially due to launching during the pandemic. My advice is not to give up, focus on your progress, and continue your journey. Mine isn’t finished yet. My next project is The Mind, Body, and Spirit, a holistic school focused on teaching natural healing and therapies, plus providing these services to patients. Read more>>

Michelle Vassallo

I spent many years working for a well known firm in Georgetown on high end homes and over time worked my way up the ranks. After many years I realized I had gained as much from the firm as there was to offer, I had to decide whether their transition plan was right for me or if it it made sense for me to go out on my own. I had several conversations with well respected colleagues in the field (contractors and architects) and with clients. All of them consistently told me they thought I had what it would take to start my own firm and that this option seemed to be a better trajectory for me. Read more>>