Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Joyce Balcos Butler

Business began orgnically for Joba’s. What started out as a few loaves for friends and family to try grew into a loyal following in our community. Mostly by word of mouth, people started asking where they could find our product. Before we set up at Marigold Farmers Market in Winterville, Georgia, we met customers at coffeehouse parking lots in the area for pick-up orders. Read More>>

Eric Edwards

Our goal was never just to open another arcade, it was to create an experience that people couldn’t find anywhere else. I grew up loving arcades and video games, and I saw an opportunity to preserve that experience for a new generation while giving longtime players a place to relive those memories. Read More>>

Ryan Patrick Dimapilis

As a chef, owning and building a restaurant has always been one of my biggest dreams. Cooking has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always wanted to create dishes that are unique and memorable. For me, food is more than just something to eat—it’s a way of bringing people together, creating connections, and making lasting memories. Read More>>

Jodi Sonenshine

I’ve always known I wanted to spend my life helping kids, and I always dreamed that one day I’d start my own nonprofit. What I didn’t know was what it would look like. Read More>>

Deja Pino

The process behind starting my own business really began during COVID. My first business was Moments by Deja, my photography and videography business. I graduated in 2020, and like so many others, there weren’t many job opportunities. Instead of just sitting around waiting, I decided I wanted to learn new skills and invest in something I was already passionate about. Read More>>

Shutti Abdullah

My thought process behind starting Shuttingstar Studio came from a desire to bridge the gap between technical CGI and high-end advertising. I began my journey completely self-taught, spending countless hours experimenting with product advertising, cinematic lighting, and 3D realism. As I progressed, I realized that many premium brands had incredible products but struggled to translate that high-end feeling into digital spaces. Read More>>

Jenna Morton

My thought process started with seeing other book events taking off, and as an avid reader, I thought I could create one and see what happens. I created A Night Under the Stars Fae Ball in January of 2026 and it sold out. It was such an amazing night meeting with other readers and the authors and bookish vendors that attended! Read More>>

Natalie Dukes

Every journey into the helping professions begins with a deeply rooted purpose. For me, the decision to establish by independent counseling practice stems from a profound commitment to providing accessible, compassionate, and specialized mental health support to individuals seeking meaningful change. I founded this practice to bridge the gap between people and the high quality care they deserve, Read More>>

nicole Levi

I’ve always had a passion for cooking. Some of my earliest inspiration came from my dad and my family, who not only shared their love of food with me but also showed me what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Read More>>

Doron Zohar

I started my dog training business solely on passion. I had very little financial expectations to begin with. To be honest all I wanted was in and around $60,000 a year. Little did I know it would turn into the one of the largest dog training facilities in America. Read More>>

Jong Yoon

After many years of working in accounting and finance, I became semi-retired in 2022. Around that time, members of the Korean American community began reaching out to me with questions about tax returns, IRS notices, and other tax-related matters. At first, I was simply trying to help people better understand their tax situations. Read More>>

Mercedes Madison

My thought process behind starting my business was simple I wanted ownership. I wanted something that belonged to me and created opportunities for financial freedom. I’ve always loved hair, but I also wanted to build a brand that gave women quality products and confidence. I knew it wouldn’t happen overnight, but I was willing to put in the work. Read More>>

Rabsaris & Magedda Arreaza

Starting our own birth doula practice in Atlanta was never really a business decision. It was a values decision. My mother Magedda and I wanted the freedom to actually show up for people, not follow a script. When you work within someone else’s model, there’s always a ceiling on how personal you can actually get. Read More>>

Niku Desai

I love baking and have been doing it for years. About seven years ago, my niece shared a cookie recipe with me, and I made it for her with a few tweaks of my own. She said it was one of the best cookies she had ever tasted. Read More>>

Nathan Byron

My thought process on starting my own business came from my passion for capturing moments and telling stories through videos. I noticed how powerful visual content is for businesses, brands, and individuals, and I wanted to turn a skill I genuinely enjoy into a career. Read More>>

Antonio Parker

Building something that serves people, solves problems, and leaves a lasting impression on customers and the community. I wanted to challenge myself, keep learning, and create opportunities that could eventually benefit not just me, but others as well. Read More>>

Prayy!

Honestly, $trange $olstice has always existed. It just took a minute to make it official. It really started taking shape when I was working at a resale store for four years during my time at Georgia State University. That’s where I started<i> building my eye,</i> collecting pieces, and understanding what it meant to see potential in something other people had already let go. Read More>>