Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Brandon Stephens | Junk Removal Business owner

I come from a family of entrepreneurs so its always been my dream to follow in their footsteps in work for myself and support my family. Read more>>

Nicole Brena | Personal Wellness Copywriter

Starting my own business was always in the back of my mind, but I never imagined it would be possible. I didn’t even know what I wanted to do. Then one day, I saw an ad on Instagram for Copywriting. It immediately clicked and the rest is history. Read more>>

Christianna Gozzi | Registered Dietitian and Culinary Educator

First and foremost, I wanted to be in charge of time. I’ve enjoyed the jobs I’ve had but found myself craving to be in control of my own schedule. Secondly, I was ready for a creative challenge. Read more>>

Shaniece Wauchope-Graham | Author, Speaker, Purity and Wellness Coach, Publishing Consultant

Starting my own business wasn’t just a decision but a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. In 2016, I received a profound message from God encapsulated in the acronym VALUED: Victorious, Anointed and Appointed, Loved, Unique, Enough, and Destined for Greatness. Read more>>

Monique Joe | Entrepreneur

Symonious Fusion was birthed during quarantine August 2021. A period of time that was very stressful for adults and children alike. Lives were turned upside down and people had to adjust to situations they have never been faced with. Read more>>

Baigali Bayarkhuu | Esthetician, PMU Artist & Cerologist

Starting my own business was a mix of fear and excitement. While the prospect was daunting, the idea of pursuing my passion to help people through skincare was incredibly motivating. I also recognized the importance of skincare in building confidence and status, especially in certain careers. Read more>>

CATALINA MORALES | architect/entrepenur

We realized the need for bilingual services to help homeowners, real state agents, retailers, landlords, property management groups, tenant coordinators, and contractors in the retail, residential, office, restaurant, mixed-use development industries. Read more>>

Mike Searles | Entrepreneur/Travel Advisor-Concierge

After 23.5 years in corporate, I realized I just could not do it anymore and be happy. I wanted to be happy and to have a stress-free life overall. Read more>>

Emily Austin | Social Media Manager + Mom

Ah, the inception of my own business! Well, picture this: a burst of inspiration, a sprinkle of passion, and a dash of ‘Why not?’ attitude! It all began with a craving for creativity and a thirst for freedom. I wanted to break free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind and chart my own path in the entrepreneurial world, whilst being able to stay home with my two boys. Read more>>

Edward Clyde | Founder and Creative Director

Well, it helps to understand the events leading up to starting my first business. My first job out of school was for an environment engineering firm, a job I loved very much. Shortly after starting, the owner ended up having family issues in California, and spent less and less time in the business, and as a result, gave me more and more business responsibilities. Read more>>

Joe Lech | Wallpaper Installation Specialist

The cliche is “I didn’t want to have a boss”. The realization is that all your clients are your boss. And your ability to self-motivate is your boss. The difference with these bosses is the creative autonomy you get in how you structure the business, your day, and your life. Read more>>

Melissa Morris | Owner & Founder of Moms Do It Best Commercial Cleaning Company

The thought process behind my business was pretty straightforward and simple. As a single mom transitioning from working in Corporate America, I desired to build a business that supports other minority women.  Read more>>

Teiyana Woods | Beauty Supply Owner

My thought process behind starting My Heavens Paradise LLC Beauty Supply Store was deeply rooted in a desire to empower black and brown entrepreneurs. I saw a gap in the market where many talented individuals, particularly from these communities, were creating remarkable beauty products in their own spaces but often lacked the resources and support to bring them to a wider audience. Read more>>

Southside Steve Rickman | Morning Show Radio Host, Endorser, Small Business Owner, Podcast Host, and Bourbon Whisky Owner

I have always wanted no ceiling on my income and knowing that upset me. I’ve worked jobs to pay the bills, but I have an entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve started a family business and a bar chasing independent wealth. Read more>>

DeAndre West CEO | Lawn Care Business Owner

Legacy and Family. I wanted to pass something down to my kids and be an example of being a God-led business. Read more>>

Laquan Taylor | Owner

I knew that I wanted to share the type of therapy that I received, with individuals who may not have access to the type of therapy that changed my life. Read more>>

Morgan Nixon | Content Creator & Learning Experience Designer

I’m Morgan Nixon, and I am the founder and CEO of Actualized AF, a digital content platform and community, talking all things designing a life you love! I share strategies on goal-setting and productivity to help my audience actualize in any aspect of their lives including lifestyle, travel, home, beauty, wellness and more. Read more>>

Lina Ghoneim | Mom & Content Creator

I wanted my kids to always come first, and I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving them in someone else’s care at such an early age so that I can go to work. I highly respect the moms who are able to do that, but I realized that a 9-5 career was just not right for me anymore.  Read more>>

Nevaeh Brown | Student Entrepreneur & Graphic Designer

As a child, I’ve always been interested in anything revolving around the arts. My childhood rooms were filled with an endless amount of drawings and canvases and my mind was always fixated on art and dance. Fast Forward 18 years later, I was in my freshman year of high school, looking for ways to enhance and benefit from my skills. Read more>>

Charlene Collier | Your FAVORITE Atlanta REALTOR®

I always knew that I wanted to transition out of Corporate America and make Real Estate the career that I ride off into the sunset with. I’ve always loved all things real estate and would be the one to make an illegal U-turn in traffic when I saw an open house sign lol. Read more>>

Sheinia Morgan | business

many times from formulating hand sanitizer to getting into the beauty industry ; attending many business seminars , going back to creating an online course to expand my product line and spa services , going into primary schools educating teens about getting into the beauty industry as adolescence embracing them to take a leap of faith. Read more>>

Eduardo Barreat | Sauce Maker

I have always been a business owner and for as long as I can remember I have always wanted to manufacture my own product from beginning to end. Read more>>

Michael Taylor | Artist

My original thoughts of starting my own business were excitement and endless possibilities directly followed by self doubt and uncertainty. I wanted my art to be seen and I knew I had to move forward with my own business, my own brand, even if I failed dramatically. Read more>>

Belinda Humphrey | Sustainable fashion consultant

Starting my business was a something that naturally fell into place. I was designing for a national retailer and running my womenswear label on the side when 2020 hit. Everything was uncertain, the retailer made sweeping redundancies in merchandise due to not needing product and it was also the catalyst to close my label. Read more>>

Jasmine Smith | PhotograpHER

I am a product of a family of entrepreneurs. I knew at a very young age that owning my own business was something I would pursue after formal education. My parents instilled in me that completing school and having a foundation in my core subjects would give me the building blocks for starting a business. Read more>>

Tacia Taylor | CEO

My thought process for starting my own business was simple to meet the need for access to authentic New Orleans cusines outside of New Orleans. Read more>>

Terry L. Cyrus | Founder & CEO

I wanted to create a company that allowed me to utilize my experience and expertise to develop creative solutions in the entertainment industry.. Read more>>

Dana Lawson | Certified Health Coach, Menopause Educator

Entrepreneurship had an intriguing appeal after I finished school to become a certified childbirth instructor in the late 90s. I started my own business and, in time, I niched down to focus on women with high-risk pregnancies who were on bedrest and unable to attend traditional classes, I found deep satisfaction supporting these mothers-to-be. Read more>>

Will Haraway | Co-Founder, Chief Content Officer – LeadCoverage

Our friendship took an exciting turn towards starting a business together, showing how important it is to network and work with others. At first, I was working alone, moving from one company to another and making friends along the way. Read more>>

KYUNG KIM | CEO OF REDEFINE NUTRITION INC

I’ve always had a passion for working out and playing sports growing up. Soon after graduating from UGA I opened a retail store with a close friend of mine that sold dietary supplements. That’s when I realized that I wanted to create a brand based on quality at an affordable price. Read more>>

Jessica Fay | Certified Photo Manager

In 2015 when I began my business, my thought process was that I wanted to create a sustainable, profitable business that would allow me to utilize my combination of creative skills, communication skills, and empathetic nature in a unique and growing industry. Read more>>

David Anthony | Image Consultant Personal Shopper and Wardrobe Stylist

My thought process began when i kept being approached by individuals to help elevate their personal and professional styles. si after much prayer and asking god for guidence and wisdom seeking i was led to offer my services to friends and other clients who by word of mouth helped me understand that this was a calling on my life to enhance the Minds eye on Fashion. Read more>>

Chakieya Dottery | Graphic Designer

I started my own business because of my passion for graphic design. I would design for fun in high school and then as a young adult, I started designing for birthday parties. Not only did I enjoy it, but I saw the monetary benefits and it sparked me to want to pursue this further. Read more>>

Caroline Donica | CEO of Open Seat Productions

Open Seat Productions was founded to empower artists through collaboration, craft, and community. Instead of waiting around for work, I wanted to create opportunity for both myself and others. My goal was to give artists a chance to take ownership of their work in a safe space. Read more>>

Ny’Asia Keys | Crochet Artist and Business Owner

I became interested in the realm of crochet and fiber arts about two years ago. I was determined to master the craft; I bought a starter kit at Walmart and watched Youtube tutorials until I got the basics down. Once I learned the basics, I started to create garments that I felt embodied my personal style and aesthetic. Read more>>

Chrystal Williams | Chrystal Williams, AGNP-C Bendu Johnson, BSN, RN

We have been working throughout the hospital for over 10 years. When Covid hit it was mentally and physically draining. When patients were being discharged we were not able to probably educate them because of time restraints and staff shortages. With this being said we were not able to educate patients like we would have wanted to. Read more>>

JALINIA LOGAN | Therapistpreneur, CEO & Founder of Growth & Guidance Counselor, MSW, LCSW-CCATP, LPN

I started this business to bring more awareness about mental health and provide additional support for people towards improving their overall health. I wanted to encourage more people to address concerns related to mental illness and combat the disparities that many people often encounter in society.  Read more>>

Tristen Richardson | Hair Stylist & Braider

I was a broke college student. I already knew how to hustle so I used the gift God gave me to bring in profit. At the time I just knew, “I need to make this money by tomorrow.” Being a Hair Stylist brought quick money… I learned that on my journey. Read more>>

Tonya Jeffries | Digital Marketer & Content Influencer

Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve encountered numerous obstacles and opportunities that have shaped my perspective and approach. One memorable experience was during my third venture, where we faced intense competition and struggled to differentiate our product in a crowded market.  Read more>>