The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Bella Rose | CEO/ Founder of Bella Rose Passion

Honestly my thought process behind starting my own business was I just wanted to make my own money, but it was a exciting, expensive journey before I even knew how to profit professionally. Read more>>

Faith Evans | YouTuber & Influencer

My thought process behind starting my own business was I just wanted independence. I didn’t want to have to wake up every morning and work for someone else, work at job that stressed me out, work at a job that wasn’t good for my mental health. So after thorough research, I decided that I wanted to work for myself. Read more>>

Tajonyx | LGBTQ recording Artist

In 2008 I was met with the opportunity to submit a demo to Arista Records. I was a young college kid with big dreams of making it as a singer, so I took some of my student loan money and recorded a demo in Atlanta. That’s when I fell in love with the craft of creating a song from top to bottom. I never heard back from Arista, but I knew that if I kept going, I could make a name for myself in music. Read more>>

Brandi Holness | Content Strategist,Writer and Marketer

There are three reasons why I decided to start my own business. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved the art of writing and the value of sharing your story. My last corporate role allowed me to use my content development talent, skills, and abilities to create marketing content for every stage of the funnel, from creating awareness with content such as blogs to creating bottom-of-funnel content such as infographics and e-books. While I enjoyed doing this, I worked on a small team that didn’t have the resources to churn out a massive amount of content with little resources and time. We often outsourced the work to content agencies to help save time and achieve the desired results. Instead of having time to move on to other projects, we usually spent extra time re-creating and re-writing the content the agencies we outsourced to produced. Read more>>

Karen Conyers | Mental Health Coach and Worship Dancer

I began counseling after the passing of my 8 year old daughter, McKaylan, in 2017. At that time, I was already a member of a grief group on FB. My counselor, Sarah, told me that she saw a ministry in me to help mothers who have lost their children. At first I brushed it off in my mind. On June 8, 2020, in the height of the pandemic, I sat at my kitchen table and decided to start my grief group. But first I needed a name. I remembered that in my intake session, Sarah told me that child loss is a journey. Hence the name This Is Our Journey. At first I was going to make it a group for Christian mothers but then I said to myself that there are mothers out there who needed the support and are not Christian. I then decided to reach out in different FB groups that I was a part of informing them about my group and inviting them to join. Read more>>

Jepen Parsons | Rapper/entrepreneur performer : JetSpeed Baby

My thought process behind becoming a rapper and taking it more serious was my life I was headed down a deep dark road I got tired of going to jail after goin twice in a 33 day span and after continuing down that path I got shot 7 times at 18 which could’ve cost me my life and much more being thankful to be alive and feeling I had a purpose made me want to take it ten times more seriously so I changed the whole way I looked at the rap business for the betterment of my career and my life Read more>>

Nadira Pankey | Award winning Screenwriter and Filmmaker

Well, back in 2014, I founded Beastmode Entertainment, my production company. The goal was simple: bring creative minds together to make movies. I wanted to create a supportive space where people could learn, improve their craft, and embrace their mistakes. Every two weeks, we gathered to film short movies or scenes. Then, in our next meeting, we’d review everything – from the script and acting to makeup, set design, and post-production. It became a platform for creatives to practice and enhance their skills. As part of this journey, Nadira Pankey Studios International was born, a sub-company of Beastmode Entertainment. It’s all about fostering growth, embracing diversity, and promoting inclusivity. Read more>>

Savy The Creator | Model Coach & Life Coach

The Mindset behind starting my own business. was building something from a place that will give back to people to change their life. Read more>>

Sumer Edwards-Williams | Author, Educator, International Speaker, Christian Life Trauma Coach

To be honest, business wasn’t really on my radar. It just happened. I really wanted to be a nurse or teacher. However, I realized there was more in me and I had the ability to monetize ideas. I had to use this skillet when I lost everything and had to start over from scratch with my husband and children. It made me to realize that I had what it take to run and effective coaching and training business. Read more>>

Chelsea Lloyd | From Master’s Degree to Licensed Massage Therapist & Business Owner.

I began my professional career by graduating with an undergrad in Psychology from Villa Julie in ’05. I worked in the non-profit space where I held titles “Executive Director” and “Assistant Director” for 8 yrs. I completed my Masters in Public Administration in ’13. I have always been a dreamer and extremely ambitious; I am the person who has been asking myself “what’s next”, “why not”, and “what’s the worst that can happen” my entire life. So, when the non-profit I was working for purchased a new software (CRM), I loved it so much that I went to work for them. I always had a passion for technology, problem solving, people, and anatomy thus I pivoted professionally and transitioned into project management within the healthcare software space in 2012; I remained in software until 2022. Read more>>

Essence English | Founder of Brands Endeavor

In Decemeber of 2021, just months after graduating from college (August 21), I found myself abruptly let go from my first job due to non-compliance with the Covid vaccine mandate. It was a sudden and unexpected turn of events that left me uncertain about my future and where my next paycheck would come from. In the midst of this challenging period, I turned to introspection and prayer, reflecting on the conversation I’d had with God earlier. I realized that I hadn’t been fully tapping into my creative abilities. Determined to forge a path forward, I knew I wanted to channel my energy into something both meaningful and creative. Read more>>

BNYCE (Gregory Bernard) | Music Artist , songwriter, owner, developer ,designer of the BNYCE apparel clothing brand

I wanted to honestly build a brand that would be recognized in partnership with my music since it’s what inspired the brand itself. I also wanted to build a legacy that could be passed on to my children after I’m gone. Read more>>

Black Teens for Advancement

Since its inception in 1989 Black Teens for Advancement (BTA) has always been a student self-directed organization. The purpose of BTA was to stop black-on-black rivalries within the schools, in-between the schools, and within the communities of the schools – initially within the Atlanta Public School system, but also Fulton and DeKalb County Schools. Young black males became increasingly aware of other problems in their communities such as gang affiliation, juvenile delinquency, sexual promiscuity, and the illicit usage of drugs. Since black males were labeled an “endangered species”, BTA being self-aware and determined to defy the daily so-called self-fulfilling prophesies being pronounced on every news channel and outlet, BTA decided to concentrate their efforts on this group to circumvent the school-to-prison / school-to-graveyard pipeline. Read more>>

Taeler Buchanan | Published Writer, Mother, CEO/Founder of Cre8tive Collective

When I realized I wanted to pursue writing as my passion, I knew I wanted to find the right people who could inspire, motivate and encourage me. The creative path can be a lonely one and it can be easy to quit when you don’t feel supported. I wanted to create a space for artists to thrive. Read more>>

Paul Perkins | Founder, CEO & Futurist

In my journey to building ORION, I was consumed by creating a company defined by the problems we solve and not just by the products and services we develop and provide to consumers. Read more>>

Mazi Oyo | Video Director & Cinematographer

Both of my parents are entrepreneurs, so thats all I saw growing up. I never saw my father or mother punch a clock, they were always doing their own thing, from restaurants to cafes, to jewelry stores print shops, etc. That’s what was instilled in me since a kid, be my own boss. Read more>>

Monique Kelly | Visionary Founder of Moni Management LLC and your dedicated ‘Business Bestie.’

My business isn’t just a reflection of who I am; it’s a testament to God’s promise that “your gifts will make room for you.” For years, I engaged in business activities—coaching, consulting, and implementing strategies—without officially having a business of my own. It was a natural extension of who I am and what I love to do. As I continued to help others pivot and start their businesses, I found myself with multiple clients, realizing the need to formalize my own business affairs. In that moment, Moni Management LLC was born, embodying not only my passion but also the manifestation of the gifts I’ve been blessed with. It’s a journey that beautifully aligns with the belief that our innate talents create opportunities and carve out a path uniquely suited for us. Read more>>

LaKitria Stewart | Owner of The Key Ingredient Bakery

Before starting my business, I worked in Corporate America for years moving my way up ranks. As I was promoted, I found myself having to keep my phone close to respond to calls and messages. One day it me when I was baking, why not do my baking full-time? I always had plans to eventually have a Bakery. I decided that if I was willing to work hard to make someone else’s dream come true, just think of what I could do for myself. So, I went for it with the support of my family. Read more>>

Vanessa Meyer | Graphic/Web Design, All Around Artist, & Fitness Trainer

I was tired of being limited to jobs because of another person. When it comes to running your own business you’re the boss and you make the decisions. So that means you won’t have limitations unless you do that to yourself. That means you’re self sabotaging yourself. I just knew I wouldn’t let myself fail even if I have to start from the ground up a few times. I’ll invest in me and my ideas or passion any day! Read more>>

Chizqi’Yah Yisra’El | Herbalist

I wanted to start my own herbal business because of my own personal health journey and to provide the knowledge and benefits of using herbs in peoples everyday lives as supposed to modern day medicine. A little over 10 years ago I sustained a back (spinal) injury in which I was in constant chronic pain and could barely walk. I received injections which only last a short length of time. It wasn’t until the Most High allowed me to cross paths with a couple of people that helped me to get back to my roots of herbalism. I was always into nutrition and health being a former athlete and grew up around family members that would use herbs for various health reasons. Read more>>

Dr. Carrie “Tut” Hamilton | Owner|Content Creator|sTrUT Coach

I started modeling at age 13 and over my teenage years to young adulthood, I saw that there was a shift in how people viewed fashion. I wanted to do something different and offer modeling and fashion as a creative artform and not just presentation of clothing. I went to several people of whom I modeled for and expressed my thoughts and my young self (age 17 at the time) was told that what I had in mind wasn’t a fit for their vision. So instead of getting frustrated, I created my own platform and devised a formula that I still currently use. My company, Another Tut Production, was birthed out of my love of fashion, theatre, entertainment, and over-the -top productions. I could never just do something plain. I always made a production out of a simple event. Read more>>