Finding the key partners to work with can make or break your venture. After thousands of conversations with aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s one of the most common obstacles and risks holding folks back from pursuing their idea. So – we asked some of the smartest, most resourceful entrepreneurs in the community to share their lessons and insights to help inspire and educate the next great set of entrepreneurs.

Rachel Yancey

So as some people may or may not know I have been trying to start my own stylist exclusive hair extension line for quite some time. While I spoke about my ideas I realized I was allowing others to take this and run with it, and that’s okay! But I didn’t want to just buy some random hair and that was the end. I took my time with finding honest vendors selling reliable and consistent products. Read more>>

Will Lee

Finding the key vendors for the bars came long before the bars opened. I think that networking, in what ever industry you are in, is crucial for growth and sustainability. For me that networking began in the form of cocktail competitions and one-off events. By going into those events with the mindset of networking and building a long term relationship, it broadened the goal of just winning the competition or having a successful event. All of the key vendors that I currently work with, Read more>>

Suhay Gonzalez

From the moment I had the idea to create Seis Cosmetics, I knew quality was a non-negotiable. My mother was my main inspiration but her battle with brain tumor cancer made me conscious about the ingredients and process. Finding a manufacturer required a lot of research, interviews, face to face visits and thorough discussions. Based in Florida it is a requirement to meet Federal Drug Administration (FDA) standards but that was not enough for me personally; I strived to also meet European Union (EU) compliance since they ban over 1200 ingredients in my company’s category. It’s important for me to offer vegan, plant based and items free of gluten and parabens, to include a product made with organic ingredients. Read more>>