We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Jessica Vicars | Founder, Confetti Jar

As a busy mom of 3 kids under age 6, I know birthday party planning can be time consuming and stressful for parents. Parents spend weeks and months searching for birthday party ideas, then jumping around to different websites, asking in social media groups, making phone calls, and more to book and order everything for kids’ birthday parties. Read more>>

Shameka Burrell | Financial Advocate and Advocate of the behalf of Families!

When I started my business, it was driven by a personal passion for helping people and companies get a better grasp of their finances. Having witnessed many struggle to understand and manage their financial affairs effectively, I felt compelled to act.  Read more>>

Shayna Levine | Real Estate Transaction Coordinator

Since I was a little girl I had a desire to help others in some capacity. There was a deep-rooted desire to make a difference and leave my mark. I wanted to do this in little ways that were meaningful for the person or people I was called to help. As I got older and acquired more life experiences this call got even stronger. Read more>>

ELAINE STERLING | School Owner, Visionary, Author, The Elaine Sterling Institute

I was 40 years old, and I knew it was “now or never.” I have a passion for the beauty and wellness industry that I wanted to incorporate into an institute offering world class education. I saw an opportunity, a gap in the beauty school market for what I could offer to undergraduate education. Read more>>

James Elder Jr | Entrepreneur

The thought process behind starting Delivery Kings Logistics is to put the control back into the hands of the restaurant owners. When customers order food through these 3rd party companies there are hidden fees for the customer and the resturant. Read more>>

Stephanie Scher | Interior Designer

Starting my own business really felt like a natural step for me. After years of working in different aspects of design and creative fields, I just knew it was time to bring everything I’d learned together under one roof. From my early days in restoration art to visual merchandising in New York, each role I took on not only sharpened my skills but also deepened my love for interior design as a powerful way to transform spaces. Read more>>

Larry Lambert II | Musician/Producer/Artist

My thought process behind starting Uncle Bubz Beats was to set up the best representation for myself and future. Read more>>

Mary Claire Freese | Embroidery Artist

My embroidery business began in the way a lot of businesses do: to solve a problem. More specifically, a blank wall in my apartment. I knew I wanted to fill it with some sort of art, but couldn’t find the right piece in stores. So, I bought a few starter embroidery materials and created my own embroidered hoop. I was hooked immediately. Read more>>

March Glenn | Business Owner

After working 25 years in the industry, I saw that there was a need in the market for more customized landscape and horticultural services. Read more>>

Johnnie Porter | PGMBC Senior Pastor

I have been an entrepreneur since I was 15 years old. The spirit of entrepreneurship runs deep in my family on my mother’s side. My grandfather and many of his children were entrepreneurs. Today, I am very passionate about entrepreneurship because it allows me to access a certain financial freedom I could never acquire working a regular 9-5. However, for many years I have done both simultaneously. Read more>> 

Micah Finney | Owner of Lady Freepour Mobile Bartending Service & Stay at home mom

There are 3 mains reasons that motivated the thought process behind starting my own business. 1. Freedom – I have always admired the freedom behind being an entrepreneur, and having your own business. Freedom to create experiences for different clients through bartending. Read more>>

Cowin Mills | Founder of LifeThrill & Mills Restaurant Consulting

The thought has always been in my mind that I would own my own business. My dad was a successful businessman and seeing him accomplish his success left a lot of influence for me to do the same. Read more>>

Pat Evans | CEO Spirit Brand Owner

My thought process on starting my own spirit brand business is so that I can become a recognized leader in the spirit industry while adding diversity and inclusion to the store shelves. I saw that minority-owned spirit brands were underrepresented and undervalued on the store shelves. Read more>>

Ashanti Brittany Ervin Loadholt | Ashanti Ervin |Co-owner Brittany Loadholt | Co-owner

We always would plan outings with ourselves or with our group of friends. One of our favorite things to do is to go places that have deals such as happy hour or daily specials. With today’s economy and the cost of living being so high it’s great to have a night out without breaking the bank. Read more>> 

Mary Davis | Owner and Creator

I started Milk and Honey after having my daughter, Miller. I had a few outfits gifted to us, and thought, “I can do this!” I purchased a machine off of Facebook Marketplace, picked it up, and started learning. As I taught myself, my business grew, and I quickly outgrew my small machine. Read more>>

Reagan Zottnick | Charcuterie Creator

I have a toddler and, as he continues to grow, I want a flexibility that allows me to be present for him. Read more>>

Roxann Smithers | Business Attorney, Educator, Speaker, and Mediator

The Firm was started twelve years ago with idea that there was a dearth of high quality legal support for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Myself, along with my original co-founders, wanted to bring our Big Law experience and skills to Small Business. Read more>>

Varayna Cordell | Therapist

It was both personal and professional. I wanted to structure my work life in a way that worked for me and not be bound to traditional schedules and expectations. I feel like I’m a better therapist when I have the freedom to move in ways that make me comfortable. Read more>>

Hope Hodges | Makeup Artist and Creator

What drives me is my family, my son and where I come from. Atlanta has so much history from the celebrities, to conventions, to the Olympics being hosted here the year I was born, to my Grandfather “Shipwreck” having the first African American restaurant on Auburn Avenue. Read more>>

Emily Magstadt | Mortgage loan originator

It has always been a dream of mine to build a business of my own. Every ounce of hard work I have put into it feels like it is going towards my future and the future of my family. Read more>>

Robtaevious Madden | Photographer & Content Creator

Honestly, it came from being let down to many times in the industry. I started acting back in 2013. I had my first ever MAJOR acting gig in my first year of being in the business. I was on TV One’s “Fatal Attraction” and I portrayed Ryan Holness. Read more>> 

Shantoria Wills | Jeweler

Setting Up The Generation After Me. Read more>>

Izzy Oller | Vintage Curator & Social Media Creator

When creating “Thx, It’s Thrifted!” I wanted a place where sustainability and affordability met! I often saw that when a brand was “sustainable” or “ethical” they used that as an excuse to price gouge and make it an exclusive space with their prices being so high, or it would be the complete opposite with a fast fashion unethical clothing brand with their prices super low.  Read more>>

Keshia Williams | Luxury Wig Specialist

My thought process behind starting Slayy Hair Boutique was driven by my own experiences and the needs of women like me. I understand how important it is to look and feel confident, especially during those crucial moments at work or when you’re out having fun with friends. Read more>>

Sierra Breckenridge | Mother & small business owner

I wanted to create diaper bags that didn’t look like diaper bag because I want parents to be able to maintain their own personal style after becoming a parent. Read more>>

Marquan Henderson and Terrell Solomon

It has always been a dream of ours to own our own barber shop. Both Terrell and I as customers have experienced great barbers as well as not so great barbers. This is usally due to the overall professionalism or lack there of in the individual. Read more>>

Viv Lee | Owner, Baker, Sandwich bread maker

When I started bread school, I realized a lot of sandwiches are built on whatever bread is lying around, instead of building sandwiches based on the bread. The bread used in making a sandwich is often an afterthought. I wanted to open a shop in which the bread was a consideration — equally as important as the fillings, because it’s the foundation. Read more>>

Jessi Holden | Culinary and Family focused Registered Dietitian (RD, MS)

I started my own business because I don’t know enough Registered Dietitians stepping outside of the box and teaching people both cooking and nutrition simultaneously. Everyday families need help in the kitchen and I knew I could make a difference. Read more>>

Latrice Latin Alexander | Civil rights and Personal Injury Attorney

In the beginning, I never wanted to start my own. I always thought I would just practice law! The business aspect was never that important to me. My goal was to do what I loved and went to school for. After a while, I noticed that things in different firms were not going the way I wanted. Read more>>

Courtney Butler | Mom, Digital creator/marketer, DJ, roller skater, wigmaker

As a younger adult, I’ve NEVER had a desire to start my own business. I was always comfortable working a 9-5 because that’s what I saw my parents do. When Covid-19 came back in 2020, that’s when I got the motivation to start my own business. Read more>>

Alicia Samuel | The Medical Assistant Expert | Lead Specialist

You know, the idea of starting my own business came from a really personal place. Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming a pediatrician. But life had other plans. At 21, I was a single mom of three, and I had to put my dreams on hold to support my family.  Read more>>

MsMek MHB | Hiphop Rapper & Eyelash Artist & Nursing Student

My thought process was to be able to build financial freedom. Being a leader i wanted to become something out of the Norm. To take risk and invest in business so that one day i can leave it for my future family. Read more>>

DOMONIQUE SCOTT | MED SPA OWNER

I REALLY GOT STARTED TO CREATE WHAT I FELT WAS MISSING IN CORPORATE AMERICA FOR A BLACK FEMALE HECK ANY FEMALE WE WORK HARDER PAID LESS AND ALWAYS HITTING THE GLASS CEILING! THEN ONCE I MARRIED AND HAD MY OWN DAUGHTERS I KNEW IF I DIDNT DO SOMETHING THEY WOULD ONLY HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHAT I HAD TO DEAL WITH SO I SET OUT TO CREATE A SPACE THAT WELCOME MOTHERS AND CELEBRATED OUR WORK CONTRIBUTIONS.  Read more>>

Selek Kae | DJ

I moved to Atlanta from NYC three years ago, no one really knew me as a DJ here yet I only played for House In The Park Recovery Party 2019 the year before Covid took us down. I wasn’t getting called for any gigs so I decided to ask DJ Yusef Terry & DJ Theo Hampton if they would like to collaborate on a Monthly Party hence Soul Variations was established two years ago. Read more>>

Jasmine King | Actress & content creator

So I’m an actress I been doing a few series which include tyler perry beauty & black I done the series pvalley & I have done a movie which was mostly background roles. My goal with acting is to make that an actual career and actual get leading roles. Read more>>

Ian Jackson | CEO/Co-Founder of ORDINARY ODDS

While attending Morehouse College, I was immersed in a culture of highly creative students who I believed needed support, opportunity, and vision. Students were often suggested to put their artistic gifts to the side in pursuit of more “realistic” career paths such as banking, law, and medicine. Read more>>

Connor Abdo | Shelter Dog Advocate

I grew up with a love and passion for dogs. I’d always find myself petting the dog or playing with the dog while at a friends house or a party. I had a true soft spot for dogs that were in shelters or homeless. It amazed me to see an animal that was in such a rough position but still so happy when you showed it a little attention. Read more>>

David White | CEO of Zion Productions, LLC

I’ve always had a love for music and event planning since being a kid. Music was a safe space for me, and everything made sense when I’d listen to it. I loved the way instruments sounded when a band would play in harmony, and I loved watching how the production of a show was put together. Read more>>

Nathaniel Ellis | Fashion designer and life coach

I was working a job then I realized that I didn’t believe in the structure of working for another person. So I decided to start something on my own where I can manage my schedule, my money, and my energy, as well as, have something I can build. Read more>>

Carly Garrison Zent | Owner of Amaryllis and Main Boutique, LLC

With a desire to empower and uplift women of all ages, the thought for Amaryllis and Main Boutique was to create a place to do just that. I knew I wanted a comfortable place for women to walk in and feel welcome and seen. This in turn gave me the confidence to drive the startup process with one thing in mind, the mission of my store.  Read more>>

Michael Hitchcock | Producer / Engineer

I’ve been in the music industry for a little over 10 years and I never saw myself falling in love with the studio side of things. In college I found myself collaborating with more and more artists, and my recordings kept improving and my interest in the process grew a lot. Now I produce records and podcasts full time! I love making other people’s music sound huge. Read more>>