Readers often email us asking us for advice about new businesses they are thinking about starting and we often find that many of them don’t have a framework for thinking about a more fundamental question: why should or shouldn’t you start a business?

Below, you’ll find how successful entrepreneurs from across the city thought about this very question when they were considering whether to start their businesses.

Anthony Mallard | CEO, Entrepreneur & Master Cosmetologist aka Your Friendly Neigborhood Super Sayian 🖤

Well my thought process was very different, I chose to make my own way in the industry by learning the professionalism and actual skill set behind what I do but also for the structure of business and learning other avenues of the field and industry. Read more>>

Jessena Fields | Hairstylist and serial entrepreneur

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit as a kid . I’ve had some many different businesses since I was a kid . I used to sell candy , to sunglasses , to weave . In college I opened up my first clothing boutique . On the side of doing all of this I always did hair. Read more>>

Britnee Alphin | Certified Personal Trainer & Wellness Lifestyle Content Creator

Truthfully, I was tired of being silenced as a creative by being told to fit in a corporate box that only allowed you to move up or down not left and right. I wanted to express my passions on a grander scale with bigger brands that had a large reach and I realized that I had great ambitions in the wrong setting. Read more>>

Shuron Dixon | Fashion designer, photographer

I’ve been into fashion since a kid and I’ve always wanted my own business so once I learned how to create my own logos and the process of making clothes I took off from there. Read more>>

Leslie M Greene, CSA | Leslie M Greene, CSA | Casting Director | Author | Entrepreneur

The inception of RTSE Casting Company stemmed from a deep-seated passion and an unyielding determination to carve out a niche in the casting industry. When I couldn’t land my dream job, I decided to create it myself. The journey began with a thorough research phase, exploring the casting career as a viable option. Read more>>

Tangela Locton | JBM CEO & Regional Director FAMU SBDC

The idea behind the business was inspired by two things: my passion for health and wellness, and the vibrant culture of my hometown, Miami, Florida. I created The Juice Bar Miami to promote empowerment through health and wellness for everyone, sharing my experience from Miami with tropical and exotic fruits. Read more>>

jason castro | Videographer Content Creator

Working Full-Time for somebody else since College and then having children and a family, becoming an Entrepreneur working for myself and my wife were our top priorities and continues to be. Read more>>

Jamie Bowman | Founder & CEO of BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar

The thought process behind starting BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar was driven by a combination of passion, vision, and a desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Read more>>

Emani Scaife | Makeup Artist

From the time I discovered it was possible, I wanted to be a business owner. My thought process was simple, I can chase my own dreams or help someone else build theirs, but at the end of the day I always desired to be my own boss. Read more>>

Levar Allen | Fine Artist & Registered Behavioral Tech

There was one painting in particular that ignited this passion of creating and showing my art to the world. Outta Mind, Outta Love. A piece that’ll most likely be shown first here. Although I painted before this, it seemed to be this painting that spoke back to me when I spoke to the canvas through my brush strokes and spirit. Read more>>

liraz lerman & Idit shaul SPACES | Interior designer studio

Starting our own business was a natural progression born out of our passion for interior design and a desire to create spaces that truly resonate with people. We saw an opportunity to offer personalized, high-quality design services and it met our desire to be self employed and maintaining a good work- life balance. Read more>>

Kamesha Mckelvey | Master Cosmetologist

Wanting to create a better life financially for myself. Growing up I didnt have much but I always saw my dad hustle to make sure we had what me my mom and my siblings needed. After only having one real job and getting rejected from others he never gave up and never allowed us to see him sweat.  Read more>>

Zahra Mendscole | Realtor

For a long time, I had no clue about what I wanted to do with my life. I had my daughter and still had no clue. I knew I needed something that gave me freedom and the fact I was a horrible employee didn’t help either. I did not want to have to ask anyone to pick my child up from school if she happened to get sick. Read more>>

Alexandrea Council | Provide intimate event and picnic services

I’ve always loved planning gatherings for friends and family. I enjoy seeing them relax and have fun in a space I’ve created. I discovered a talent for coming up with unique ways to highlight special themes and color schemes, and I realized there might be others who would love a beautifully curated picnic experience. That’s how The Pop-Up Soirée was born! Read more>>

Harrison Warren | Owner of Harry’s Lawn Service

I’ve always felt a deep drive to create something meaningful, particularly in service. Together with my girlfriend Sara, we founded our business with a mission to enhance outdoor spaces and serve our community here in Cobb County. Read more>>

Roshaude Thomas | Executive Designer & Creator of Pool of Dreams

The first thought that came to mind was, how can I insightfully impact the world with my art? Over time an understanding of what people wear is like a walking billboard sank in. It’s a form of expression. Having great ideas and a high level of creativity has always been limitless for me. Read more>>

Chantel Rice | Jesus Follower, Kingdom Sister & Podcast Host

My thought process behind starting Major Blessings Movement was simply just managing moments and not missing the opportunity to be a light to someone. Also, not always being in a position to financially bless someone pushed me to find other ways to do so and I found that it costs nothing to smile, share kind words and be nice. Read more>>

Joseph Guerrisi | Owner

The idea for Perk-N-Pooch was born out of three things: our love for dogs … our passion for coffee … a walk along the beach. A simple walk on a Southern California beach sparked an idea that became Perk-N-Pooch. Read more>>

PhaeMonae Brooks | Fashion Designer + Performance Artist

Well starting my own business really came about because as a creative I had been giving so much and elevating companies I had been apart of to new heights while not being truly acknowledged or appreciated for my efforts. I had even been fired from my. last job for basically doing it “too well”. Read more>>

Rashea Cook | Licensed Massage Therapist & Actor

The thought process behind starting a massage business was to bring awareness of the benefits massage therapy has for people health wise. How it should be considered highly on everyone’s self care list. Read more>>

Elina Pai | Multidisciplinary Artist

My thought process stemmed from my desire for freedom and doing what I love. I always felt I wouldn’t stay in my hometown. After immigrating to the US, I devoted my free time to making art and continuously improving my skills. As my confidence grew, I realized I had the ability to turn my passion into a business. Read more>>

Jamaal Ghauri | Entrepreneur

From a very young age, I always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong desire to start my own business. Observing that almost every successful person I knew owned their own business, I aspired to follow in their footsteps. I was captivated by the freedom and self-reliance entrepreneurship offered. Read more>>

Owen Knight | Professional Wrestler & Actor

With being a professional wrestler, you are your brand so I feel like you have to represent your brand, and how you wanna be portrayed to your audience. My physical self is technically my own business due to the nature of the profession lol. Read more>>

Ridhima Sharma | Content Creator | @thatasianfooodie

Hi, I’m Ridhima Sharma, an IT Consultant. Born and raised in Delhi, India, I called it my first home until August 2022, when I relocated to Atlanta, USA. Alongside my consulting career, I started a side hustle as a Content Creator, focusing on food blogging and sharing my culinary adventures on Instagram as @thatasianfooodie. Read more>>

Jessica Covington | Holistic ADHD Coach

When my son was diagnosed with ADHD at age 7, I jumped right into all the research I could find in order to understand and help him. Pretty quickly, I realized a number of things: Read more>>

Benjamin Williams | Author, Educator, Motivational Speaker, Pastor, and Herbalist

The idea that there are many helpless individuals with good hearts, ideas, and minds left yours truly with a broken heart and puzzled mind. The question arose within my own mind, how can I, being from such poverty and brokenness, allow those described individuals the exact chance I had through offering a helping hand. Read more>>

Brianna Moore | Nonprofit Owner & Multifaced Entrepreneur

The reason I founded the Be’ Moore Foundation was to create a lasting legacy at Clark Atlanta University, one that would profoundly impact students’ lives. I dreamed of an organization that would help students break free from their shells, secure meaningful jobs, and gain invaluable experience in the fashion industry. Read more>>

Pamela W. Howard | Craftsy Instructor (Garment Construction), Author, Designer

After giving the idea much thought, I decided to start my Custom Sewing business. Over the years, I had acquired sewing machines, so I didn’t need to purchase equipment right away. I had plenty of notions (thread, scissors, etc.). That kept my outlay of cash low. Read more>>

Dana Copeland | Author, Educator, & Entrepreneur

Growing up, I witnessed the profound effects of domestic abuse within my own family. My mother endured an abusive marriage, and the trauma from that experience left a lasting impact on my self-esteem and the relationships I formed. Read more>>

Inez Moon | Ceo Namaslaygoddess & Makeup artist

When I started my business I wanted help people heal past and present traumas with spirituality and healing crystals. I knew that my knowledge in the area would help heal so many and healing is my passion! Read more>>

Kayla Dickinson Carsen Ramsey | Salon Owner & Hairstylist
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Carsen: I was coming to a point in my career where I wanted more control over my business and how I wanted to interact with my clients. When you’re behind the chair, you develop a relationship with them in a way that is essentially you running your own business, and I grew to a place where I wanted full control over that. Read more>>

Casey Connerly | Makeup Artist and Wig Stylist

I originally never intended to make a business out of my hobby. I decided to pursue the business route to cater to highschool and college students who could not afford hair and makeup maintenance. Read more>> 

Ashley Sankey | Community Vocalist/Singer/Poet

My journey has been one of endurance, at 16, I went from a teenager to a caregiver of my mother who fell ill to a severe stroke. It was a very turbulent time in my life. I was finding myself, learning myself, and all of a sudden, what my norm was changed immediately. Read more>>

Victor Macias | Owner/Director Of Operations

My father and mother founded the company over 40 years ago here, in Atlanta. I grew up in the hospitality industry due to our family business. The resturants were a huge part of my sister and I’s upbringing. I watched my parents oversee the day to day operations as well as witnessing expansion, accounting, managing, and marketing strategies. Read more>>

Monique Antonia Bland | Professional Dancer & CEO

Well Soleil Dancewear initially started off as a College Project, and I was just creating fun little accessories for my friends and I to wear to class. As a child I would often tell people I was going to be a fashion designer. Soleil Dancewear is the mesh of my dream and profession. Read more>>

Brooke Deron | Owner of Brooke Deron Apparel & Wrapper’s Delight

The inception of both my businesses felt like a natural evolution of my passions. Brooke Deron Apparel was a dream waiting to materialize. My love for fashion was evident from a very young age, and although I initially pursued a more traditional career path for stability, the allure of fashion never waned. Read more>>