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.

Tejahne Malone | The inspiration (I’m not 100% stuck to anything. I’m just grateful for the opportunity)

My business idea actually came to me through a meditation. I started practicing meditation after I went through a phase of completely losing myself, doing anything to try to be remembered for this version of who I felt I was supposed to be. I let go and rediscovered a new world, new meaning, new purpose through discovering who I was based off of who my African ancestors were. Read more>>

Elizabeth Shick | Medical and Whimsical Illustrator

While eating lunch one day on Marietta Square, I noticed an art gallery emptying their stock during COVID. I told my husband that I should buy the space since I, myself, am an artist. Because it was already an established art gallery, here was no construction work to be done. All I had to do was find artists that wanted to rent out space inside and sell their artwork. Read more>>

Shaleah Williams | Podcaster & Content Creator

Deciding to start a podcast specifically for Black, introverted women or mothers was based off my own personal experiences. I felt alone in some of my experiences and wondered if other Black women were experiencing similar issues or thoughts. I wondered if there were moms who felt guilty for feeling overwhelmed at the thought of possible pop up visits after having a child. Read more>>

Saniya Render | Photographer & MUA

When i was younger i loved taking pictures of everybody around me. I would always like dress my cousins up and tell them poses to do so i could take their pictures. It’s always been something i’ve loved to do. I just love capturing people’s beauty on camera and seeing them happy when i bring their vision to life. Read more>>

Jada Buford-Singleton | CEO of Naturally Bodied Body Care

I created Naturally Bodied Body Care out of my own personal frustrations with eczema. I’ve had eczema my entire life, which primarily shows up on my hands but will also flare up on other parts from time to time. Over the years I’ve had many struggles with finding skincare products that didn’t irritate my skin and break me out. Read more>>

Mboh Elango | Physician, Entrepreneur

After 15yrs of working in the ER. I realized that emergency medicine was essentially disease management. By the time patients arrived to the ED they had already fallen off the wellness wagon. MEDICI was designed to offer a holistic and integrative approach to health and wellness. Read more>>

Ben Magee | Director, New Champion Management

I wanted to provide some structure and care to the world class artists I saw around me every day. Ireland, and Belfast in particular, is teeming with untapped artistic potential and I always wanted to work with it. Read more>>

Ashley Osborne Raysor | Luxury Realestate

estate properties in Georgia, catering to an exclusive clientele who value luxury living. Hosted by Ashley Osborne Raysor, GA Luxury Listings offers a comprehensive platform for buyers and sellers of all types of luxury real estate, including land, commercial, residential, multifamily, as well as high-end assets such as cars, boats, and yachts. Read more>>

Manny Rozay | Chef & Recording Artist

There were so many things that went into the thought process behind starting my own business. Creating a successful stream of income on my own has been something that i’ve always found interest in and wanted to do since the first time I ever had a job at 14 years old Read more>>

Brian Fagbemi | Business Analyst & Content Creator

Financial freedom has always been important to me. One can never go wrong being your own boss. It will definitely test you and certainly test whether it’s for you. When you have the drive, determination and desire nobody can stop! Read more>>

Tyann Daoutis | Digital Marketing Consultant

The thought process behind starting my own business was to build a life of freedom and flexibility for me and my growing family. Having a healthy work-life balance is critical for me to feel successful in all areas of my life and working towards that is essential. Read more>>

Corey Hall | CEO Of Gamer vs Gamer / Video Game Birthday Party Experience

After being diagnosed with stage 4 lymphatic cancer and giving a grim prognosis for success, I decided that I wanted to use any remaining time that I had left, leaving a legacy beyond my immediate family. Read more>>

Bala Pham | Fine art wedding Photographer

My journey into photography and starting my business really began as a hobby. I was primarily self-taught, and my first paid part-time job was spent on buying a camera. From there, I would take pictures of anything and everything, from flowers and trees in parks to people on the street. Through photography, I started to see beauty in things that I hadn’t noticed before. Read more>>

Kendrick Little | Photographer. & International Travel Event Curation

I was always a creative at heart. Jack of many trades so to speak andI always had passion for something greater than what I would call the regular 9-5 lifestyle. Where my career began as a photographer, I was thrust into a very crowded creative space. Read more>>

Whitney Coleman | Clinical Social Worker

I’ve known for years working for others was not for me. I do not do well with being told what to do without having next steps laid out and need an understanding of why I am doing things. I’ve also had several bad experiences which have turned me off from working for others. Read more>>

Giana Shorthouse | Interior Designer & Stylist

I started my business back in 2016 when I was working full time as a Marketing Director for an Interior Design company, but my journey into working for myself began prior to that in 2014. Read more>>

Tamekia Smith | Competitive Cheerleading Gym Owner

I decided to start my own competitive cheerleading organization as a platform to reach and teach our youth. This has become a ministry through cheerleading. Read more>>

Gloria Holt | Independent Artist, Entrepreneur,&Event Hostess

I was scared , nervous, and excited at the same time. But I always had it in my mind, that I was going to establish, build and leave an legacy and inheritance for my children. Read more>>

Chinah Jackson | She-Eo

The initial idea started as young as me being a child traveling the world with my mother who owned and ran several boutiques . I can vividly remember us living in Houston & we we’re always meeting vendors , in and out of different stores looking at high end fashion items . Read more>>