Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Ebony Karim | Serial Entreprenuer, STEM Educator and Beauty Founder

Starting my own business was a way to break free from feeling marginalized in traditional workspaces, allowing me to create a space where I have full autonomy over my work and decisions. This pursuit of autonomy aligns with the broader struggle for empowerment within a society that may not always value or recognize the contributions of Black women. Read more>>

Omeika Westry | Financial Strategists and Money Management Mentor

My thought process behind my business is to educate individuals, particularly women, on how to leverage their faith to increase their finances. Listening to stories from my friends and family about how much uneventful lifestyle changes negatively impact their lives has definitely been the driving force behind the idea for my business. Read more>>

Mari Chris Brown | Small Business Owner

We had never thought about starting our own business before, when Covid first started it was just looking for something to do. I was given the recipe by an old friend, I added some different spices to make it my own, giving them a little extra flare and started making them for family and friends. Read more>>

Renèe Hughes | Certified Aromatherapist & Holistic Messaging Expert

It really was initially about time freedom. My husband and I were in love with each other and with this life we dreamed up where we would focus much of our time on each other and our volunteer work. Read more>> 

Mach 357 | Owner/Host of The Evening Experience Radio Show LLC!

I wanted to experience the people who influenced the world and culture, and by creating my own show I could find out how they did it, while celebrating them on my platform. Read more>>

Dr. Gracie Davenport | Pelvic health physical therapist

I was a staff physical therapist for right under 5 years. While working in different high volume settings has given me the experience and exposure I needed, career burn-out was at its peak. I love my role as a pelvic floor PT.  Read more>>

Chef Rob | Private Chef

My thought process was creating generational stability! And creating a foundation for my children to grow and nourish and set themselves and their children up for success. Read more>>

Tatiana Bynum | Lash Technician

My business all started when I started to get my own individual lashes done. Previously in 2018-2019, I use to sell clothes one point at a time, random accessories like keychains and lip gloss, wigs as well. Read more>> 

Naisha Miller (Brice) | Body Contouring Educator

Helping Women especially African-American women get affordable weight loss, body contouring, training and hair products.. My slogan is I change images and change lives. Our services enhance images through weight loss and aesthetic procedures. Read more>>

Robert Lopez | Owner of Complete Weddings + Events providing Photography, Videography, DJ, Photobooth & Coordination

Well, I’ve always done photography part time while having a corporate America job. I wanted to pursue doing it full-time. When Covid hit, I was laid off in July 2019 and decided I was going to pursue it full-time and I felt it that was God’s hand, kind of showing me out of my comfort zone and out the door to pursue this full-time. Read more>> 

Sehar Shafqat | Wedding and Portrait Photographer

I was a new mom and was always taking pictures of my little ones. I decided to take the leap and start my own photography business after I had my second baby. Read more>>

Mux Blank | Producer and Curator at JOKERJOKERtv

JOKERJOKERtv isn’t really a business as much as a collective of artists based out of Athens GA who all volunteer their time and work together to produce a livestreamed tv show that features independent and underground artists from around the world. Read more>> 

Germyah Heart | Innovator, Visionary, & Mentor

Being an innovator and visionary, I aimed for something groundbreaking. I desired a brand that would influence and positively impact the lives of black and brown children striving for a better future. This remains my ultimate goal. Many individuals seek my guidance for professional advice, motivation, career growth, and crucial decision-making. Read more>>

Elle Cole | Author, Podcast producer, Award-winning Sickle Cell Advocate

In 2009, life had transformed me into a young wife and mother, blessed with twins. With the arrival of my children, I faced the dual challenge of steep daycare costs and concerns for one of my twins, who was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, making the idea of daycare even more daunting. Read more>>

Tamek Carey | Comedian and Business Owner

In 2020, my youngest son graduated from high school, leaving me pondering, “What now?” The pandemic forced me to slow down, granting me ample time. Despite being a Branch Manager at a financial institution and working during the shutdown, I found myself with extra time at home. Read more>>

T.F Bully | I am a music artist and T.F stands for think first and Bully stands for before useless luxuries love yourself

I wanted to create a brand that first meant a lot to me then second it could resonate globally for the people. Read more>>

Anthony Kinsey | Freelance Web Designer & Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my business was very simple. First i thought about what my niche would be and who my target audience would be. I wanted to target local small business and e-commerce businesses. Next, i wanted to understand what their pain points are. Read more>> 

Maleeha Rahim | Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor

After graduating college, I was contemplating on what I should do as a career for a very long time. I was thinking, “what is a need in our community that I can help with and gain fulfillment, while also having fun and doing something unique that not many people are doing”? Read more>>

Won You | Designer, Mentor, Entrepreneur

Ever since I discovered my passion for design, I found myself looking for opportunities to apply my craft – whether that was through freelance projects, volunteering, or even a short-lived attempt at doing a web design business while I was still in college.  Read more>>

Vashanti Taylor | Comedian| Author |Speaker |Life Coach

I have been an entrepreneur since 16. So its always been in me to do. Started my business in my 20’s doing crochet braids on the side. In 2010 I took a leap of faith and left corporate to pursue my passion of being full time entrepreneur. Read more>>

Bianca Jean-Pierre | Founder of SHEER

I was born and raised in East Flatbush, Brooklyn to Haitian and Ethiopian immigrant parents. I’ve worked in editorial fashion, digital marketing, and tech over the past decade and I remember earlier in my career going from Fashion Week back to East Flatbush – in between two worlds at odds with each other. Read more>>

Ralph Royale Holland | Entertainment | Corporate Executive & Philanthropist

It’s SIMPLE… Continue to build and/or support someone else’s dream/vision OR find what you are passionate about, strategically plan, then execute relentlessly. Let’s focus on the record label & publishing company – Geismarland Music. Read more>> 

E’mani Maverick | Creator. Divine feminine. Spiritual gangster

After years of solitude during my middle school and high school years I began to develop skills that would later be the start of my business . I have always enjoyed dancing and have been dancing since the early years of my life. Read more>>

Ron Brown | multidisciplinary Artist/renaissance Blackman

Being a creative it can be hard to navigate the logistics of Bookkeeping and Finances in The Art world. My process is to be creative for myself and in return pull in a n audience that Loves the culture of hip-hop and Comics and Abstract Afrocentric dreamscapes. Create a world that the audience feels engaged to tap into their own imagination. Read more>>

Ivan McCartney | Camera Operator & Salesmen

Starting my own business was a thought that grew from having no choice but to try it. I was a young man with a ton of ideas, no money, lots of know how, and a get it done attitude. Match that with a want to work ethic & pushed blind ambition you got yourself a business person. Read more>>