We speak with so many brilliant folks across dozens of industries and when those folks happen to be working for someone else, sometimes we can’t help but wonder why they aren’t working for themselves. How do folks decide between joining a firm or starting their own? We posed the question to the community and have shared some of their responses below.

Lerae Funderburg

I graduated law school from Howard University School of Law in the top 15% of my class. Having an interest in entertainment law, I decided to begin my legal career in Los Angeles, California. First passing the California bar, then moving to California a year later when I attended Chapman University School of Law. There, I earned my LL.M in Entertainment and Media Law and Transactions at Chapman Law. I received extensive drafting and negotiating training from top-notch industry professionals, particularly in the areas of music and film. Read more>>

Mr. Laz P

Starting out my latest venture in my professional life, I helped start a brand. So I would say it’s a little bit of both, I joined a company as well as I started one! I made this choice mainly because it was the opportunity I was creating and/or hoping for prior to that moment. It was definitely the right move at that time… looking back at those days, I was working a 9-to-5 job, as well as side-hustling on a similar project as the one I am on today, which allowed me to be here today. It took 5 years of side-hustling plus a 9-to-5 job before this opportunity presented itself. Read more>>

Nyla Robinson

Becoming a business owner was something I have always dreamed of. Of course, I did not know it would be notary loan signing, but I knew that whatever I did, I needed to have my name attached to it. Thus, how “Notarize With Nyla LLC” was born. I am currently a mobile notary loan signing agent but am very eager to have my own location for my business. God willing, it will come VERY soon. I am glad I chose to be in this profession because it is unique, the notary community is very welcoming, and it is a lucrative business to be in. Read more>>

Darcy Oppolo

I’ve been in Real Estate now for 7 years. When I first started I joined a firm that had very little brokerage fees that I had to pay and that was why it was attractive to me. I wasn’t making any money yet so the less I had to pay out the better. What a mistake! Having just started I knew very little about how to run my business and this low-fee brokerage did nothing to help me. Having taken all the courses and passing the class test and state test means nothing when you actually try to make it as a realtor. Read more>>

Olivia Gunn

When I first started out, I offered many of the services provided by Olivia Gunn PR & Communications as favors for friends and associates, simply because I enjoyed doing so. I love the field of communications. My undergraduate degree is in communications and I worked in broadcast, so it was common for friends to come to me for press releases, press kits, and help with communications, and I would help at no charge. So, it’s safe to say communications is my passion. Read more>>