What inspired you to start your business?
Gail Fletcher
I saw how powerful a great dining experience can be, and I wanted to create a place where people in our Rockwall community could gather, feel welcome, and make memories around the table. As a woman in the hospitality industry, I also wanted to prove that leadership, creativity, and resilience belong just as much to women in this space. I was inspired by the idea of building something of my own—that reflected my standards, my passion for hospitality, and the kind of environment I wanted both guests and staff to experience. Opening Sear Steakhouse and Lounge wasn’t just about serving great food—it was about creating opportunity, building a team, and showing other women that it’s possible to lead, build, and succeed.
How do you balance running a business with your personal life?
Joslin Sansom
Balancing running a business with personal life takes discipline and the right mindset. I’m naturally someone who’s always on the go and doesn’t like to sit still, so owning a small business fits my personality well. Prioritizing tasks is essential, and I work with a strong sense of urgency so things don’t pile up and become overwhelming. One of the biggest factors in maintaining balance is having an incredible team that supports the business. Understanding the strengths and talents of your team and trusting them to take ownership is critical. Just because you can do everything doesn’t mean you should. When others are involved, it creates shared ownership and ultimately makes the business stronger while allowing you to maintain a healthier balance.
How do you define success?
Stephanie Lynn Godoy
I’m not sure success is something you ever fully “arrive” at. Every time I have what should feel like a big win, my mind is already moving to the next step or the next goal. I tend to think years ahead instead of just celebrating the moment in front of me. Over time, my definition of success has shifted away from personal milestones and more toward legacy. I want to leave a mark on an industry that, in many ways, is broken and desperately needs more transparency, education, and honesty for the people it serves. If I can help change how people experience tax and accounting—making it more understandable, more trustworthy, and more human—then I would consider that real success.
What advice would you give to women wanting to start their own business or just starting their own business?
Jessica Witty
My biggest piece of advice is: don’t be afraid to pivot. So many business owners get stuck waiting for the perfect plan or the perfect moment, and it never comes. Not every decision needs months of worry and second-guessing. Sometimes you just need to take action. Make the best decision you can with what you know right now and trust yourself to course-correct if you need to. Some of our best business decisions started as something else entirely. The willingness to say, “This isn’t working, let’s change it,” isn’t failure. It’s leadership. It’s how you grow. Done is better than perfect. Take the leap, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to adjust along the way.
What inspired you to start your own business? How do you balance running a business with your personal life and responsibilities?
Cherie Jones
I started my business because I saw how confusing health insurance can be for people. In a small town, it’s important to have someone local you can trust to walk you through your options and be there when questions come up. Living and working in the same community actually helps me balance both. I stay connected with clients while still making time for family and personal responsibilities. Because I structure my schedule around being available, my clients know they can reach me when they need help.
How do you define success? Any advice for other female entrepreneurs just starting out?
Velma McMillan
My definition of success has definitely evolved. Early on, success meant growth, expanding locations, and reaching business milestones. While those are still important, success today means creating opportunities for others, building a strong team culture, and making a positive impact in our communities. I believe in leading by example and working side by side with my team—not in front of them and not behind them, but together, hand in hand. Believe in your vision and don’t let fear stop you from taking the first step. Building a business takes resilience, discipline, and patience. Surround yourself with people who support your goals, keep learning, and stay committed even when challenges arise.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur ?
Dr. Monica Fisher DDS
Two years ago, Dr. Monica Fisher achieved a life-long dream of joining her family’s dental practice where her dad, Dr. Michael Fisher, and his business partner, Dr. Marisa Zitterich, have been serving the Rockwall community for decades. Her history with the practice as both a daughter of an owner, and a future owner herself, allows her to understand balance of business ownership in more ways than one. “It is humbling and incredibly rewarding to be able to care for patients that truly are family. I have the honor to care for patients who were at the hospital when I was born, walked with my parents as they began the practice many years ago, were dear friends from childhood, and so much more.”
What inspired you to start your own business? Any advice for future female business owners?
Jamie Dawson
I started my business because, as a single mom, it was important for me to build a legacy for my daughters centered around professional development and individual growth. I not only wanted to model resiliency in the face of adversity but serve as a testimony that self-worth is not obtained from the outside, but from what you build within through hard work, extreme focus, and perseverance. Never allow outside influences to dictate your personal timeline. Build at your own pace. Set individual goals and identify your own, personal pillars of success. Remember, this is your journey, and your investment. Learn from your mistakes and use every set back as a set up for learning and opportunity.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
Julie Tanner
I hope people remember Tanners Garage Door as a company that truly cared about the people it served. We want people to know that when they called us, we showed up on time and did the job right. But more than that, we want our business to be known for giving back. Because Levi is a Marine Corps veteran, supporting other veterans is something that means a lot to our family. We try to use our business as a way to serve the community beyond just garage doors. At the end of the day, if people say the Tanners worked hard, took care of their neighbors, and never forgot the folks who served this country, that’s a legacy we’d be proud of.
What is your definition of success? Any advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Emily Mitchell
Early on, success can feel very milestone and money driven. Today, success means earning the trust of homeowners and delivering work we’re genuinely proud of. When a homeowner tells us they feel confident recommending us to friends or neighbors, that means a lot. Success is also about building a business that operates with integrity and consistency. Trust your instincts and don’t wait until everything feels perfectly figured out, because that time will never come. Owning a business is a constant learning process, and growth happens by taking the next step even when the path isn’t completely clear. Surround yourself with supportive people, and stay focused on the value you want to provide to others.
How do you define success?
Dr. Eva Mackey MD
Success is defined differently now than it was in the beginning. Early on, it was about getting enough business to pay the bills. Now I am more focused on creating a legacy beyond the business. I want the business to be more than just me and I want it to run independently of me. I want something that will be here and continue to serve the community long after I am gone. For other women who are thinking of being business owners, I would say that it is hard work and it is a labor of love. But if you have a clear vision and passion, it is extremely rewarding. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.
What inspired you to start your business, and how do you maintain work/life balance?
Dr. Marisa Zitterich DDS
Being part of a family-owned practice allows me to provide more personalized care and maintain the autonomy to always put patients first. Starting your own business creates an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within your community. It allows you to provide jobs, essential services, and a sense of purpose to your hometown. Balance is essential when managing both a business and personal life. Success is never achieved alone—the support of a strong team and family is critical. Recognizing the strengths of those around you is key to carrying out the mission, vision, and core values of a practice. When a team shares the same goals and works together, anything is possible!