Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Sheridan Samano

After nearly 20 years in the travel industry, I’ve seen firsthand the disconnect between decision-makers in tourism and the empowerment of women—particularly in wildlife-based travel. Women make up the majority of travelers and tourism’s workforce, yet leadership positions and guiding roles remain overwhelmingly male-dominated. For just one example: 60% of birders are women, yet 90% of bird guides are men. The launch of Her Wild Life Expeditions is in response to this disparity as well as the increasing demand of women travelers seeking authentic group experiences. Read More>> 

Pulse Ctrl

As music lovers – especially within the world of house – we noticed a gap between the underground and queer music communities. Too often, events and spaces seemed to lean entirely in one direction or the other, leaving little room for a truly blended experience. As DJs, we found ourselves questioning where we fit in – creatively, culturally, and sonically. Read More>> 

Anthony Castillo

In the beginning, it was purely an opportunity to pounce on. I’ve had many J.O.B.’s in the past. Close to 20 (counting internships). And I wanted to try my hand at owning my own career. Read More>> 

Terry Lambert

I decided to start my own business because my job at the Internal Revenue Service became increasingly in peril as civil servant protections were being removed or eroded. There were countless news stories surfacing that those in my position, as a senior revenue agent, would be seeing reductions in force of anywhere from 20% to 50%. As a tax examiner for several years I realized that small business owners were receiving awful advice from their tax preparers, whether they were CPAs or EAs, and I saw a clear avenue to be able to help these small business owners meet their tax filing obligations while also saving them money by ensuring they received the full deductions and credits they are entitled to. Read More>> 

Jordan Reyes

Starting my own photography business was never just about becoming self-employed—it was about creating something meaningful out of the challenges I had faced. My journey into photography began during a very difficult time in my life. During that time, I learned to value people and moments far more than possessions. Read More>> 

Julia McWilliams

Ever since I was young I always had the dream of working for myself because I could never pinpoint exactly what it was that I wanted to do. I always thought that if I had something of my own, I could shape it into whatever I wanted. So for years, this was always the vision I had in my mind, which lacked any specific details or plan of action, it was just a desire that I kept.  Read More>>

Jourdan B. Shelton

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and after gaining hands-on experience in both the New York and Los Angeles markets, I saw a clear opportunity to do things differently. I wanted to move away from the traditional retail model and build a business focused on personalized service, education, and long-term relationships. I knew that by taking a concierge approach, I could eliminate the pressure and formality of a typical jewelry store and instead create a more meaningful, tailored experience for clients.  Read More>> 

Morgan Murray

I started CleanCircle because I saw a huge gap in recovery support. Too many people leave treatment or try to get sober without the community, tools, or ongoing guidance they need to stay on track. I wanted to build something that is accessible anywhere and anytime, a platform that makes recovery support as easy to access as social media but with a real focus on connection, accountability, and outcomes. CleanCircle is my way of using technology to give people the same kind of support network that helped me, without barriers like location, cost, or stigma. Read More>>