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.

Paul Stonick

Absolutely, having spent nearly three decades immersed in the digital design world—beginning with web design in the 1990s, back when the magic was written—I’ve arrived at a juncture where factors like salary, age, and experience might seem like drawbacks in a traditional sense. In the creative industry, you often encounter two archetypes: the youthful prodigies, bursting with groundbreaking ideas that redefine the field, and the seasoned veterans, whose craft deepens and ripens over years of dedication. Read More>>

Ja’Nera Mitchom

It was really a leap of faith. Owning a salon had been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl. Becoming a curly hair specialist was really something that happened by chance. My original plan was to become a color specialist. However, I was presented an opportunity to be an assistant to a curly hair specialist and educator and the more I worked with curly hair, the more I fell in love with it. I realized how much I enjoyed empowering and educating people on how to embrace and care for their natural hair. That passion ultimately led to me opening Curls Unlimited and creating a space dedicated to helping people feel confident in their curls. Read More>>

Shaquna Pendarvis-Sullivan

You’re not living unless you have work-life Balance. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit since a young girl but when I Turned age 14 I began working in the work field in various industries such as hospitality and a born Gift of hairstyling.. so much so I became a salon owner in year 2011
Started multiple businesses from then until now including Hair Extensions, Home Decor and Home staging , Hospitality staffing services, and Tax services since 2015. Read More>>

Howard Coolin

I’ve been drawing since I can remember and I had always been told that I made really eye catching work since I was a young child. I was working as a LV Field Engineer and really didn’t get along well with the new manager. Very rude and condescending. Well I was getting to my breaking point when the Covid pandemic happened. I was forced to stay home for the 1st month. I had been drawing on my small Note Series phone,but Within that time off I decided to pick up an IPad to test out some large scale digital drawing Read More>>

Desiree Smith

Freedom! That was my primary thought process behind starting my own business. I was a stay at home mom and I wanted to have more time with my three young children while also building wealth for my family. In addition, my mother was a serial entrepreneur and seeing her navigate multiple businesses was a part of my upbringing that I didn’t realize affected me until I was an adult. Furthermore, to be honest, I had problems with authority. I was known to quit a job at the drop of a hat if something didn’t align with ME. Read More>>

Jenny & Jana

Starting Perry Price interiors was really about following a shared passion for interior design. We had collaborated in the past on a few projects, and recognized our individual strengths complement each other in a way we could provide a higher level of service to our clients together. Read More>>

Brandon B

Owning a Tattoo Shop has always been a dream of mine. We spent over 5 years traveling the country, working with top artists, learning different techniques of tattooing, and making connections within the tattoo community. We felt that we had cultivated something unique that we wanted to share with the people we serve. Read More>>

Abigail Feehley

I’ve always been a free spirit who loves working on my own terms and following my own path. Growing up, I watched my parents run their own business, which really inspired me to create something of my own one day. When I first got into social media, I realized just how many opportunities there were to collaborate with brands and turn my passion into a career. That’s when I decided to take the leap and start my own business! It was the best decision that I’ve ever made. Read More>>

Jonathan And Christian Watson

Our initial thinking was actually quite simple. We wanted to marry our various interests together in a way that would allow us to truly enjoy ourselves. Those interests being, food and beverage tasting, exploration, travel, and our background in mass communications, film and art. Read More>>

Khayla McCoy

When I started Ed. Opal, I was trying to create something in the world that I wish I’d had when I first began my personal finance journey. Back in 2013, after graduating from college, I was looking for personal finance advice that was approachable and digestible and took into consideration my unique experiences and challenges as a Black woman navigating money and career. Unfortunately, it was really hard to find that. I built Ed. Opal with the purpose of creating a safe space that centers the Black woman experience and builds that context into the education around personal finances. Read More>>

Daniel Bodkin

I specialize in the use of high-tech sports rehab equipment which allows us to objectively test an athlete’s readiness for safe return to sports and improve their athletic ability. I work primarily with athletes recovering from ACL reconstruction and other high-risk injuries.

I opened my business because even though we have amazing sports rehab specialists in Atlanta, most clinics don’t have access to the high-dollar technologies used for the testing side of sports rehab. But by working alongside local Atlanta physical therapists, athletic trainers, and surgeons, we can help get our athletes back on the field safely. Read More>>

Shaniece “Queen” Reese

I started my waxing business because I wanted to create a space where clients could feel comfortable, confident, and cared for while receiving high-quality, efficient, and affordable waxing services. With my years of experience as both a wax specialist and trainer, I saw a need for a place that prioritized not just speed and technique but also client education and a welcoming atmosphere. My goal was to build a business that made waxing a seamless and positive experience for everyone, helping them feel their best with every visit. Read More>>

Jenny Zacharewicz

As a mom of 12, I absolutely adore children! And I know how important it is to have a place for my children to be able to roam free and explore while I catch up with a few friends over an amazing cup of coffee! Having a 60-acre hobby farm with lots of different breeds of animals, fresh air and a good old fashioned playground inspired me to share what I love with other moms and families! Coffee, farm animals and freedom! That sounded like a pretty great business to me! Read More>>

 Ben Wilder

I have always wanted to have ownership of something that represents what I love. BeWild Productions LLC is my way of tapping into film/content creation and contributing to various projects with friends and colleagues. I want to use my company as not only a platform for my content, but for other projects that represent a whole slew of ideas and themes made by fellow storytellers. The hope is to, one day, see my company’s name appear on the silver screen before your movie starts. Read More>>

Taihler Simms

My thought process behind starting my own business was simply wanting mental FREEDOM and wanting to be able to do something I liked to do that didn’t feel like work but still made me money. I’m a firm believer that you cannot do good at a job you hate going to. It’s nearly impossible. It came to a point where I had worked all these “good” jobs that people dreamed of working- USPS, correctional officers, substitute teachers, etc… ALL deemed good jobs, but yet they were so unfulfilling to me. I was so unhappy working them because it just wasn’t for me.  Read More>>

Jayne Jones

Five years ago, my world completely changed. I went from being a busy lawyer/professional to waking up one morning completely unable to see for three weeks. My body had been warning me, but like so many of us, I ignored the signs—until I couldn’t anymore. I was diagnosed with severe, uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes, and the doctors told me my lifestyle had to change immediately. I cut out sugar cold turkey, and within days, my vision returned. But there was one problem: I loved to bake, and there were no sugar-free treats that actually tasted good. Read More>>

R G

I wanted to start a business where my friends were able to come get help, representation, resources and hopefully find success through exploration of their art form and expression. We’re in a time where people dont really want to answer their emails or emails aren’t going through but I wanted to make sure I pushed hard for people I know I’m working with who have what it takes. In the pandemic, the arts really wanted to make video submissions more accessible and we’ve in a way done away with that to go back to the old method of signing up on lists, maybe being seen and losing slip or work hours to not be seen, considered or even to make it into the room.  Read More>>