Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Brandy Hunt | Dr. Brandy Hunt, Coach & Publisher

In 2015, started On the Write Track, after publishing my own memoir, Dealing with the Hand I Was Dealt, in 2014. I had a huge response to my book writing and publishing abilities and people kept asking me to help them tell their story. At first, I did it for free because I was just excited and wanted to share what I had learned. After about a year of free workshops and advice, I decided to take the next step to create a full-service publishing company assisting aspiring Authors to cross the finish line to becoming published Authors. Read more>>

Sahaii Delfosse-Ingleton | Creative & Jewelry Designer and Healer

My previous feature with you explained in detail how I got started, but to expand on that, I wanted to create something that would help facilitate healing. I was on my own healing journey and using my hands to create helped me immensely. I started making waist beads and bracelets on my downtime at work and my coworkers started asking me to make pieces for them which birthed Divine Feminine Goddess Beads LLC. I know that there’s more to be birthed from this business, but I am listening to my own power and the Divinity within myself to guide me through the process of discovery. We’ve all been placed here for a purpose and the purpose for each incarnation is to master the journey back to Self; that’s what I’m trying to do…help the collective on their own individual journeys of self-discovery and healing, using my jewelry as a tool to enhance and facilitate. Read more>>

Valerie D. Johnson | Author & Retired Educator

I love math! I want kids to love all things math. My purpose is to inspire, teach, and empower future generations. During my time as a classroom teacher, I noticed that students often exhibited math anxiety or expressed how much they disliked math. Children who struggle with or dislike math often do so because they haven’t mastered the basics, are influenced by negative attitudes of others, don’t see its relevance outside of school, etc. But, books that have visuals and images, promote discussions, and make real-world connections help to ensure all children can learn, understand, and love math. So, I was inspired to write math-themed children’s books to make math accessible, engaging, and connected to the real world. Read more>>

Challotine Cius-Bonds | Doctor | Philanthropist | Artist | Author | Selfcare Enthusiast

Freedom! Being an entrepreneur meant that I’m my own boss and can connect with my clients personally, while living my life on my own terms. It allowed me to be my most authentic and productive self. What I do isn’t work, it’s my passion and calling. I wanted to bridge the wellness gap for women of color and culture. The goal is to catch them where the healthcare system failed to give them a lifeline and feed them when knowledge was plenty, but out of reach. It’s my responsibility as a woman of color and culture to look out for my sisters. Too many women are unheard and wounded by simple and preventable issues during and after pregnancy and general care. I wanted to build a business that helped advocate and care for this misrepresented group in a natural, spiritual and caring way. Read more>>

Sherlene JeanBaptiste | Owner of brand Shelly Innovative hands, Fashion beauty and lifestyle creator

My now business was once just me casually posting my outfits. The thought of me showcasing my outfits and feeling confident in them. Is what shaped my thought process in starting my business. I thought of being able to help the average person with style and confidence, while still being my genuine self. To be able to pivot and try other ways to making my business a success. Working hard and continuously improve my work ethic and my innovative skills. These are some of the things that help shaped my process of gaining success ,and also being able to bring self awareness in style and satisfaction. Where all the thoughts behind the success of my brand. Read more>>

Sequoyah Matoaka | Licensed Master Cosmetologist & Nail Supplier

My thought process behind starting my own business was to just start. I started nails to save me some money and fell in love immediately. I knew I loved what I was doing and I wanted to take it serious so I just started; no thought process, lol. While doing nails everything else just fell in place and that’s how my acrylic system was born. Read more>>

Michael Stone | Former NFL Player and Current Partner in National Academy of Athletics

As a NFL player I realized very early that I was only paid when I performed. The better I performed the more money I made. When I got injured my job was in jeopardy. This realization pushed me to seek opportunities for ownership very early on. When you own something you make money off the asset instead of being the asset. This intrigued me and thrust me into the world of business ownership. Read more>>

Brandon Ward | Founder & CEO of Palladin Technologies

There were 3 main reasons I started my own business. The first is based on my professional experience: From early on in my career, I was amazed at the rapid impact of technology on the economy, how we interact and how businesses are run. I witnessed this by first working with, then learning, and eventually diving into, Salesforce.com and CRM systems to help companies grow, reduce cost, and be ready for change. The second is very personal – how I grew up:
My father was an entrepreneur. He ran several businesses, some successfully, and, unfortunately, others not so successfully. In college, I swore to myself I’d never start my own business, in order to avoid the “downside” of entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Avery Rosser | Licensed Professional Counselor

When I decided to start my own counseling private practice, my main motivation was the desire for autonomy. I wanted the freedom to make my own decisions and shape the direction of my work. More importantly, I aimed to create a culturally responsive and safe space for my clients, recognizing the significant need for such environments in therapy. Betting on myself, I was driven by the belief in my ability to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others through a practice that reflected my values and approach to counseling. Read more>>

Brittany Ball | Licensed Esthetician

My thought process with starting my own business was very long and hard. There would be days I would right out a business plan and then not pick it back up until weeks later. I think with me having anxiety and depression it makes it a challenge for me because I would overthink everything a lot. Most recently I took a chance on a dream I had to start waxing but as I noticed that the space that I was trying to be in wasn’t for me or that they didn’t want to take a chance on me. I decided to open doors for myself and start my own business because I know how hard it is in this industry as African American young woman. Read more>>

Renae Franz | Founder & CEO

The concept, matching nipple color to lips is a secret Hollywood make up artists have known for years. I learned about it from my daughter. We tested it on ourselves and about 20 other women in our yoga class and found it was true! It sounds simple to do however in reality it takes hours to figure it out and is costly. It took us a trip to Walgreens where we purchased $100 purchase of lipstick, came home and colored all over ourselves in the bathroom mirror trying to find our perfect match. We loved the results however quickly realized that the time and cost are probably the reasons it never appealed to the masses. I have a medical technology development background so that’s where I thought, “why can’t we apply tech to beauty?” Read more>>

Calvin O’Neil | Personal Fitness Trainer

First, I want to start off by saying that starting your own business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. My wife and I have always worked out together since we first started dating. It is a passion for us, and we are 100 percent committed to living a healthy lifestyle. In 2017, my wife encouraged me to start training other people because she saw the potential in me. So that year, while working a corporate job, I decided to train clients on the weekends. The weekends turned into weekdays, and I start building my clientele from there. When the pandemic hit, I found this to be an opportunity for me to step even further out of my comfort zone and actually turn it into a business. I figured I could start making a living off pursing my purpose and passion, while helping others reach their goals. Read more>>

Latashanna Ransom | L. Ransom | Social Media Strategist & Branding Professional

It all began two months after I graduated from college, earning a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications with a minor in Psychology. I had a vision—I wanted to step into the world of news anchoring, to be the voice behind the camera, keeping the community informed and fulfilling what I believed was my life’s purpose: to serve. However, my ambitions faced a hurdle during my last semester at college when COVID-19 struck, disrupting everything. The pandemic threw a wrench into my plans; internships got canceled, and most job opportunities turned me away, citing my lack of experience fresh out of college. They couldn’t train new hires due to stringent regulations. Read more>>

Ricardo & Desiree Jaimes | Landscape Business Owners

Different people have different interests in life. There are some people who like to manage things and they are excellent in that. While there are another bunch of people who like the whole idea of creating something from scratch and watch it grow and provide value to people, my family and myself I am of the second kind. Read more>>

Jamelle Williams | Tattoo Artist & Body Piercer

I’ve always wanted to own my own business since I was a kid, I was never a conventional thinker so to speak. I’d rather work 100 hours a week on my own goals rather than working 40 hours a week on someone else’s goals. Of course the process was scary at times but my drive was even stronger. During the pandemic I ended up losing my job I was scared to leave in the fear of failing at owning my own business. But that was the push I needed and never punched someone else’s clock again. I felt like it was time that I really put my artistic abilities to good use and really get my name out here in Atlanta. Losing my job was very stressful because I was finally breaking away from that conditioned lifestyle I was used to living. Read more>>

Danaita King | Business Leader, Consultant & Educator

The thought process behind starting my own business for me was a few things. For one I didn’t come from a rich family, a family that knew what being a business owner was like, or even one that was willing to take risks. In the family I come from yes they work hard but they were raised to rely on security and for me, that was not an option. There were things I wanted as a kid and my family couldn’t afford them, it was hard times, many times. I didn’t want that, I wanted to create a legacy for my family and I wanted something my nieces and nephews can benefit from long after I leave this earth and I needed to do that by showing them how to be business owners, and keep generational wealth going. Read more>>

Jasmine Mapp | Personal Chef & Holistic Wellness Advocate

My motivation for starting Planty Vibes ATL was driven by a desire to spread love through health-conscious foods. I’ve always dreamed of owning a business, and this was an opportunity to align my passion with serving my community. It’s about the journey and having a clear sense of purpose. I’ve always been service-oriented, so when the time came to launch my concept, after years of planning, I didn’t hesitate. Planty Vibes ATL is where real love and real food meet. Read more>>

Kiki Rouse | Restaurateur

My thought was centered entirely around the the lack of healthy, convenient food options within metro Atlanta. Read more>>

Laritka Sutton | Owner and creator of Envied Cosmetics By L

My thought process was doing something I’m passionate about. Being aware that consistency is key and there will be ups and downs in business. The beauty is the reward of a successful business. Read more>>

Susie Nelson | Jewelry maker

When the pandemic hit. I just sat back and thought what was it I could do to occupy my time since we were social distancing. I was just looking on IG and saw some beaded bracelets that I liked. I started looking into the way they were made and thought “hmmm” I can make these. I preceded to amazon and got the materials and the rest was history. People started requesting them and it’s been my passion ever since. Read more>>

Brandon L. Draper | Founder CEO

Embarking on the journey to establish Serebro AI was not merely a business decision; it was a clarion call to revolutionize the digital landscape. The inception of our venture stemmed from a profound realization: the technology we relied upon was not just a tool, but a testament to our potential. It was a stark revelation that while we were avid consumers of technology, we were not its creators, nor were we beneficiaries in its economic ecosystem. This was not just about profit or revenue sharing; it was about equity, representation, and empowerment. Our mission at Serebro AI transcends the conventional boundaries of business. It’s a crusade to redefine the narrative for people of color in the technological realm. Read more>>

Lionel Nichols | International Designer & Tailor

If we are being honest there’ wasn’t a thought process about starting my own business initially. It all started as a passion project something I really enjoyed doing and at the time the only thing I felt like I was really good at naturally. It wasn’t until people started asking me to make clothes for them that I even thought, hmmm maybe I could make money doing this so I had to reverse engineer what my business was about and what I wanted it to stand for since I was just creating ideas that came to me. I want people to know that there are no limitations and that fashion is about self expression.. Read more>>

Kimberle Elbery | Sommelier/Wine Educator

In April of 2020 I was introduced to a company that was blowing the whistle on the mass produced wine industry. I learned so much about wine during during this time and also started to realize how much consumers don’t know about the wine they’re drinking. I wanted to be able to educate people the same was I was educated but in a fun and approachable way. I couldn’t find anyone locally that was hosting any kind of private tastings or educating about wine without going through a certification course so I decided to be that person. I love wine, teaching and bringing people together to enjoy community so it seemed like the perfect fit. Read more>>