Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

OMAR DAWKINS | BUSINESS OWNER PHOTOGRAPHER & ENTREPRENEUR

The thought process behind my business was figuring out a way for people to give me money, as in what could i offer them. That was a question that popped into my head when I was in 9th grade at Central High School in 2006. Read more>>

Yuliya Stepanov | Founder & Inspirational Leader

The AUM studio started with an inner impulse I felt, a calling as some might call it. I felt guided into this experience. All the knowledge and skills I gained have prepared me for this. I felt called to create AUM Studio as I realized people need a safe space to awaken, learn more about who they are, create, move, think without limits, ultimately becoming better and happier versions of themselves. Read more>>

Ashley Fields | Accountant

As a single mother, I needed more flexibility in my schedule. Accounting has always come easy to me since I took my first course in high school. I decided to quit corporate America back in 2014 and haven’t looked back ever since. Read more>>

Tameka Stigers | Wife, Mom, Visionary

I had just graduated with my masters degree in public health in 2008. I just knew I was a great candidate for any job that I applied for. After the third “thanks, but no thanks,” I told myself that would be the last time. Read more>>

Amber Settles | Owner of Impress Luxury Hair & Certified Tax Preparer

Becoming an entrepreneur was something that has been inside of me for a longtime. Growing up I was always different from people in my age group. I was placed in advanced classes in elementary school because of my standardized test scores. From that moment own I just knew I would be different. Read more>>

Chastity Polonikas Hollie Johns | Virtue Local Art Market

Virtue is owned and run by two husband and wife couples; one out of each couple is an artist. For years on end the two that were not artists watched their loved ones struggle to succeed in making a career out of their passion, Unfortunately, most local galleries charge both consignment fees as well as booth rental or hanging fees. Read more>>

Shane Michael Hatton | Author on Leadership, Culture and Communication

I’ve learned that the key to multiplying impact is leadership. When I get the opportunity to work with a leader and help them improve and develop, the impact of that change is felt by everyone that leader touches both personally and professionally. When I started my business I quickly realised I could multiply the impact I make on the planet by helping improve the lives of leaders all over the world. Read more>>

April Williams | Founder and Owner of Kammy Kids

I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I grew up with a front row seat watching my mom and learning from her how to run a successful business. A couple of endeavors later after living life, prioritizing, and discovering what truly makes me happy, I decided that I wanted to create a brand that reflected what I love most Read more>>

Holly Strawn | Flower farmer

When I first started thinking about selling flowers, instead of just growing them for myself, I thought a lot about how happy flowers make me feel. The past few years have been tough for a lot of people and I started thinking about spreading the joy of flowers throughout the community. Read more>>

Siqi Zhang | Independent Filmmaker; Film Producer; Film Director

I think the most important point for a filmmaker is how to use movies as a medium to tell a good story. Especially when I first expressed my opinions in the form of a short film, I found that the content and themes conveyed in short films are easier for audiences to accept, and they are more likely to resonate with and provoke people’s thoughts. Making more people hear your views and voice is also what I think is the charm of movies. Read more>>

Jason and Leslie Cohen | Owner/Franchisee

We had previously owned a different franchise, European Wax Center, that we sold in October of 2021. We had very much enjoyed building a business from one location to three, providing our team opportunities, and providing our customers a service they loved. Read more>>

Zarinah Branch | Business Owner & Influencer

The idea for Everything Kashmere began to take shape when I was 20 years old. Being my own boss and having a passion for fashion had always been on my mind, so opening a clothing store seemed like the perfect way to combine both. Currently, Everything Kashmere operates solely as an online business. Read more>>

Jackie Boeheim | Children’s Author

I graduated with a degree in Jounralism from Valdosta State University. That took me on a journey through Advertising and Marketing for 10 years. The hustle and grind of advertising was incredibly enjoyable but exhausting. Read more>>

Sheriff Muse-Ariyoh | Custom Clothier

Unique Threads is a custom clothing company specializing in bespoke suits for men, women, and children. From suits to tuxedos, blazers, waistcoats, trousers, shirts, coats, and more, we offer a wide variety of high-quality, custom-made garments. We are based in Atlanta, Georgia, but we cater to clients worldwide. Read more>>

Shakia Evans | Small Business Owner

Funny enough, the thought was never to start my own business. Prior to creating Black Collar Clothing Brand, I was and currently work as a hairstylist. My work as a stylist begin after a break up. I was halfway through a graduate program when I split with my ex and I needed extra money to cover the bills. Read more>>

CAMERYN DAVIS | Aspiring Fashion Model

Well, i actually consider me modeling as a business since I’m doing everything my self. I’ve been wanting to start this since being in middle school, constantly looking up GQ magazines while in class and knowing one day I’ll be on one. I was ambitious, I knew either acting or modeling was for me. I just couldn’t let this dream go, so here I am. Read more>>

Labrena Coleman | Social Worker/ Life Coach

I was a high school teacher for three years and I saw a need for help amongst the adolescence. Which led me to start a nonprofit organization called Her Movement which is a youth mentoring program. Read more>>

Sonya Macari | Actor – Founder of Creative Acting Studios

When the pandemic hit actors in general couldn’t physically attend a professional acting class or meet casting directors in person. And of course there are many acting classes available throughout Europe providing excellent general training, advanced practical stage and screen courses and workshops. Read more>>

Robby Millar | Trucking and Logistics Consultant

My thoughts were to explore something out of the norm. Trucking was something that minorities never really knew how to capitalize from. When we thought of trucking, the only ideas that came to mind were to obtain a CDL license and drive. There’s so many ways to earn an income from trucking outside of driving. My cousin Alix and I have been teaching thousands of people the different ways of earning passive and non passive income in the trucking industry. Read more>>