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.

Chelsea; Tevin Burke

Kountry Kravings is truly a family business built on faith, passion, and purpose. Husband and wife, Tevin and Chelsea Burke always knew we wanted to be entrepreneurs. Tevin is a jack-of-all-trades; however, cooking has always come naturally to him. One day he prepared a meal for TechOps staff at Delta Airlines and the feedback was incredible. That moment sparked something in us. Read More>>

Husain Ali

I began my career as an Engineer in the construction industry. One of the duties that I had was to ensure material logistics were handled and purchasing was done on time, From purchasing $1million of ductile iron pipe all the way down to the safety equipment required to perform the activities. Read More>>

Amadeuz Christ

My thought process behind starting Building Seven Media Company was to have complete control over my creative works and to have control over my own destiny. In retrospect, I can see now that one of the main inspirations behind the name ‘Building Seven Media’ was the seven years I spent working as a contractor at Google Headquarters in Mountain View, CA, inside a corporate environment. Read More>>

Minasemma Ramon

During my first pregnancy, I faced a serious medical complication that led to an extended hospital stay. It was a challenging time, and amidst the medical care, I noticed a striking absence: basic, quality skincare. While medical professionals were focused on my health, the simple comforts of hydration and gentle skincare were overlooked. This realization struck a chord with me. Read More>>

Erin McClellan

In all honesty, I never dreamed I would start my own business. It really culminated from needing a creative outlet because my teaching profession at the time kept me in a metaphorical ‘box’. Little by little, I leaned into my creativity within home design, and shared it because close friends and family expressed how much they enjoyed what I shared. Read More>>

Shavar Lester

Our mission is to build a space where small businesses, emerging creators, and culture-centered brands can thrive in like community. Every event, partnership, and initiative we launch is designed with community impact in mind. We help our community by providing accessible tools for small content creators to develop meaningful content. Read More>>

Harold Magby

From the beginning, I knew I wanted to create something built on purpose, passion, and consistency. Working in dealership environments taught me the importance of quality, leadership, and customer trust, and I saw a real opportunity to elevate the standard of professional auto detailing. My thought process was simple: build a company that treats every vehicle like a high-end investment and every client like family. Read More>>

The Author Queen

Honestly? It wasn’t some grand plan I had all mapped out. I’ve been writing since I was 2 years old—literally grew up with books and stories in my blood. But what really pushed me to start a publishing company is seeing how many people had powerful stories inside them that the world needed to hear, and they just didn’t know how to get them out. Read More>>

LeAndra Vasquez-Johnson

The idea behind MOVE YOUR SOLE was born out of lived experience and a series of wake-up calls for our family. I was first diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure before the age of 30, which forced me to take my health seriously. Read More>>

Adria Marshall

EcoSlay began as a personal search for better options. When I went natural, I was frustrated by how limited and misaligned the products were for textured hair—either they didn’t work well, were filled with questionable ingredients, or required constant trial and error. As an engineer and lifelong problem-solver, I couldn’t accept that as the norm. Read More>>

Tan Pittman

My business honestly started by accident. I’ve always loved anklets, and after losing a custom one I had made on a girls’ trip, I tried to find a replacement online. Nothing felt like me, so I decided to make my own. When I wore it to work, my co-workers started asking me to make anklets for them. Read More>>

Ibrahim Dakubu

I have always believed in creating generational wealth and building structures for the effective proliferation of my skills and talents. Entrepreneurship in my opinion is the best way to do this. Charisma, skills and college credentials, though essential, are not enough to guarantee success, freedom and sustainability. Read More>>

Kayla Selmer

When I first started Journey of Faith, my goal was simply to share my lived experience, my personal journey navigating sickle cell disease and Moya-Moya, and the challenges and triumphs that shaped me. Publishing my book in November 2023 was meant to be a testimony of faith, not the beginning of a business. Read More>>