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.

Lindsay Anastasio | Life Coach

I have been working and paying hard since 4th grade! I have always been a dreamer and have a strong work ethic. I was ready to put my blood, sweat, and tears into everything I did to make my dreams come true. Even though I wanted to be an artist and actress as a young child, I joined the US Army shortly after High School to find empowerment and leadership. Read more>>

Glahnnia Rates | Epidemiologist, Speaker & Community Health Advocate

The Black Community Health & Wellness Association of Nevada (BCHWANV) was born of first-hand experience that there is a pressing need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to address the health challenges faced by black and minority communities in Nevada. The thought-process behind starting this association stemmed from the recognition of two critical factors: the shortcomings of the healthcare system in Nevada and the limited number of supportive holistic programs and resources. Read more>>

Hannah Hollander | Founder & Executive Director

To be honest, I actually had very little thought process behind starting my “business”, because it was largely built upon a personal post of mine that went viral on February 10th, 2019. It was my 24th birthday, and also the day I shared my story on Facebook – in hopes of educating my small hometown about the realities of domestic violence. Read more>>

Mansi Bhatia | Writer, Musician & Creative Director

At the core of our business is the mission to provide a platform that promotes unique thinking from diverse voices. We believe there’s a black sheep across races, orientation, gender, ethnicity, culture, national origin, age, or experience. If I had to describe what Blahcksheep Creative Lab is, I would probably say that it is an atelier for all kinds of outcasts. For us, this is community of misfits and rebels, who are proud to stand out in a crowd with our awkward sheepish identities. Read more>>

Terrance Pratt | Creative Director and Entrepreneur

It was important for me to create a business that celebrated Black culture. You’ll find creatively that everything from story narrative to lighting Black people’s skin for video, that our culture isn’t always understood and appreciated. I was confident that I could build a team of creatives who could offer companies an authentic solution to that issue. Read more>>

Jerami Brown | Hairstylist and Colorist

For 15 years I had been a hairstylist in some of the most sought-after salons in both New York City and Los Angeles. In these environments I was afforded all of the creature comforts that a stylist could ask for. Top notch management, front desk reception, personal assistants, marketing and social media teams. All that i had to do was show and be an artist, and i loved it. Read more>>

Evelyn Aquije | Personal Stylist

I have always been passionate about fashion and styling. After attending FIDM I was able to gain plenty of experience in retail merchandising and wardrobe styling. My passion for personal styling started in 2019 and I instantly knew that I wanted to start my own business. In 2020 during the pandemic I decided to further my education and received a certification so I can better serve my clients. Read more>>

Petrea Burchard | author and audiobook narrator

None. Nada. Zero thought process. It was an accident. I didn’t want to be an entrepreneur. I was working as an actor and a voice actor, and I auditioned for work that my agent found for me. Sometimes I got the work and sometimes I didn’t, but it wasn’t entirely up to me to find it. Then about six years ago, my biggest voice-over client decided to “go another way.” I had too many eggs in that basket and I wasn’t prepared. It was a blow. Read more>>

Marlu Soria | Mindset Coach & Conscious Beauty Expert

The thought process behind starting my own business evolved as I took action, however, it all started with a commitment to “empower beauty on the inside and out.” And, standing there, what are the actions I need to take to fulfill on that commitment? I saw firsthand the impact the perception of our own beauty can have on our health and well being and started to recognize how powerful our own mindset is in that experience. And I was compelled to connect the mindset and how we perceive as beautiful or not and the actions it then compels us to take, or not. Read more>>

Dan Glashausser | Sound Engineer, Mixer, & Music Producer

After spending a decade with my brother Tom creating and refining Glashaus Studio and working with a diverse set of artists in our private space, we realized that we had created something really special. We tailored this studio to be a perfect blend of comfort, inspiration, and functionality, with top-of-the-line gear but also the kind of warmth and natural light that you don’t always get in recording studios. Read more>>

janey lopaty | Fashion Public Relations

I really wanted to be able to help larger well know brands be seen in a new light or by a new audience they may not have reached. It was also very important for me to help new creative amazing designers be seen by the first time and start to get the accolades they deserve. I love when someone is able to see their line for the first time on a celebrity that they love . I also wanted to be able to help brands in a bigger way including styling shoots for them, consulting or Design Inspiration Read more>>

Jamie King Colton | Award Winning Rockstar/Actor

As a young boy growing up in Buffalo,New York I knew what I wanted to do around the age of 7 years old.Playing music was my vision for life but with a certain twist.I felt like I never wanted to be the best on any one instrument because someone always comes along and knocks you off the peak of your mountain top.My dream was to play as many instruments as possible and to be proficient as possible on each one. Read more>>