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.

Talisia Guyton | CEO of Healthy Hustle ( Women’s Athleisure Wear )

My long term goal is to open up a gym, but I know I have to accomplish my short term goals to be able to build up to a gym. I was pregnant with my second child and after I gave birth I wasn’t too fond of how I looked because I didn’t snap back as quick as I did with my previous pregnancy. I immediately went back to working out, ( before my 8 weeks was up). My husband and I always have late night conversations about our goals and ask ourselves what can we do to accomplish these goals. Read more>>

Tisha Morris | Insurance Agency Owner

My thought process began with, “How can I create generational wealth for my family”, “How can I encourage others to create generational wealth for their families”, and most importantly, ” How can I own a business, while educating others about products I love to sell”; the answer came to me easy, Insurance! The actual process is extremely challenging but absolutely worth it though! It’s worth it because I know the importance and the benefits behind having insurance, so my goal is to continue sharing this knowledge by educating others – sharing the wealth, literally! Read more>>

Michelle Bethea | Owner

When I started this business I considered two things. Would the community accept it and could I be great enough to make a full-time career of it. At the time, I only saw the picnic business on TikTok and was unsure that if I brought it to Wilmington would I wish that I just admired it on social media. Read more>>

Uylee Dennis | Boutique Owner

I have always had an entrepreneur’s mind since I was a child. As a youngster I sold popsicles and candy from my home during the summer months. And during the school months, I attempted sell and make my own brand of women’s perfume. The perfume didn’t sell, however I was still a hard working nine-year old that gave it a try! Read more>>

Ava Amar | Model Scout

My thought process behind Baddie On A Budget Agency, was originally created to be a boutique that sells clothing. I realized that as a model and influencer that there is no retirement plan in this industry. So I thought to myself “why not take what I’ve learned in this industry and apply it to the younger generation. Therefore Baddie On A Budget Agency came about. Read more>>

Erica Kyker | Owner-Artist of Honeywolf Mercantile

Like many people, the pandemic changed me. Being at home completely altered my life trajectory. That experience changed my entire thought process and approach to work, and how I want to earn a living. Within the first few months of the pandemic, I realized rather quickly that I was physically, mentally, and spiritually burned out from working nearly 20 years in the film industry. While I absolutely loved my career as a successful makeup artist for film and television for many years, Read more>>

Destiny Wilkey | Co-Founder & President

Music United Scholars Innovating Change Society also known as MUSIC Society was founded in October 2021 by my friend, Caycee Stallworth, and me, Destiny Wilkey. During that time, the pandemic was at a high peak. It affected all students socially, emotionally, and physically changing our whole mindset of what the college experience is supposed to be like. We both realized with continuing our journey at Georgia State University in the heart of Atlanta as music management students that there were few opportunities to connect with fellow students interested in music. Read more>>

Tammy Griffith | Brand & Graphic Designer

Whenever I am asked this question, I always say this time & time again but all the events which lead up to me starting my business, are what I truly believe to be divine alignment, God’s Plan! Born & raised on the beautiful island of Barbados, I can honestly tell you I always knew I wanted to be my own boss. Did I know it would be this soon? haha not really but again, divine alignment. Read more>>

Teylor Bonner | Photographer & Videographer

Starting my own business has been something that I wanted to do since I was a child. Every project and activity we got to do in our classes, I would use my last name backwards as my business name. My family is so important to me and my biggest blessing therefore my plan has always been to create something that represents them and can soon allow me to take care of them as well as eventually put me in a position to create a non-profit so I can help others. Read more>>

KT Blackmon | Pastry Chef

When restaurants closed at the start of Covid, I didn’t have another option. I was living paycheck to paycheck and knew exactly how many days I had and bills I could pay before I would be in the negative. It was difficult to find other work and I felt a little hopeless. I made a birthday cake for a friend in early April, mostly because I felt bad for him that he couldn’t really celebrate. He liked it so much he said I should consider doing it for money. I asked around to a few more friends and the support poured out. Read more>>

Jillian Jenkins | Realtor & Team Lead ReZidence Realty with Coldwell Banker

I grew up with family owned businesses. My adopted mother ran her own medical billing company. I guess it’s just something I’ve always been around. At the end of the day, I like being my own boss. I’m extremely independent and have big ideas about how something should work. I don’t take being told “NO” well and prefer to think “out of the box” when it comes to finding solutions to difficult situations. I’ve found that the corporate world has standard operating procedures and I completely understand why. Read more>>

Aylen Chancey | Integrative Energetic Medicine Practitioner, Reiki practitioner, & Registered Nurse

I have an incredible appreciation for what nursing and the medical field taught me. Taking care of people is a privilege to me, but over time, I realized something was missing. Taking care of the physical body alone was not enough. A very important emotional component was not present in my work due to time, patient overturn, and the workload itself. I had my own spiritual methods and path of holistic healing that I kept for myself and would put on a different hat to enter the hospital. Read more>>

Justine Sierra | Community Leader, Event Curator, Herbalist, Studying Yogi, Mindfullness Teacher & Mom

My thought process was always to make a positive mark on the world by helping people. Originally my brand was named The Medicine Cabinet and I was selling sea moss, elderberry syrup and loose leaf herbal blends. When i was going through the process of getting incorporated I couldn’t go with the name for legal reasons. So I meditated on how I should rebrand. It was very important to me that I was providing more than just a product you can buy. Read more>>

Alexis Cee | Graphic Designer & Art Director

As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed creating whether it was digital or physical art. I realized I could turn my passion into a career during my teenage years. At times I often feared not being accepted into sought-after positions because of my gender, race, and educational background. As a result, I started my own business. Read more>>

Krystal Alexander | President of Casa Dilla Food Truck

I didn’t have the best upbringing. My mother battled drug addiction and incarceration which left me to a single retired vet raising a young lady and he did the best he could do (that was my heart) and then boom they both passed away within 3 months of each other. My grandfather gave his life to the military and always taught me that if I work hard, I can gain anything I dreamed. Read more>>

Sonni Smith | Registered Nurse & Owner of BeLux Aesthetics

I had been looking into starting an IV Hydration business for over a year. I’m all about stepping out on faith and the rest will follow. I took a class in November of 2021, where I met my awesome mentor; whom I am more than grateful for because she is more than a mentor. I had been traveling as a Covid-19 nurse since December 2020 and was beginning to feel a little burnt out; physically, mentally and emotionally. Read more>>

LaVata Elise | Fantasy Illustrator

It was over ten years ago when I started, but I want to say that I was focused on growing as an artist which led to many experiences through business transactions and I’ve also been fortunate enough to make a couple of friends along the way. Read more>>

Chelsea Jenkins | Entrepreneur & Creative

BodiedbyBreon LLC was created with a vision to give individuals reasons to fall in love with themselves. Starting with a new wardrobe, fragrances, hair are and more. Our brand is redefining the meaning of self care, self esteem and self awareness. As we strive to complete this vision, our focus is to remind each customer of how great it feels to be yourself. You feel better when you look and smell amazing! You become a happier version on YOU! Read more>>

Chiquita Miller | Owner

Clothing stores will never stop being a busy business and in high demand, given since they market useful and necessary products for all people, the key is to ge creative and offer something different from other stores. Creativity and Ingenuity are two great allies in the industry. Read more>>

Ashley & Brittany Silfies | Co-Owners

I had previously owned several businesses and had worked most of her career as an entrepreneur. I owned 3 of her own children’s clothing brands and a retail store as a way to manage raw goods from the other line and sold them for profit in 2015. Manufacturing was my wheel house as well as photography by necessity. Pink Picasso became a culmination of our idea to recreate paint by numbers, our need for flexibility, and our desire to work for ourselves. Read more>>

Jasmine Tilman | Self published author and upcoming Life Purpose coach and Transformational speaker

It all started with my passion for writing books. Once I received my business and management design certification I discovered the power of networking. I began to figure out what I wanted to be and how I would attain this goal to achieve it. Which was being a Life coach. I always knew I wanted to help people and I realized that my tone of voice and my message to others helped them in life changing ways which was mind blowing to me. Read more>>

Donna Wise | Certified Global Shipping Concierge

I ran a successful freelance consultancy for 12 years, specializing in developing strategies for business growth. My thought was to buy a consultative franchise that would leverage my expertise and also allow me to explore new industries and markets. InXpress was the perfect fit because of all the supply chain disruptions and confusion. Business owners crave access to accurate, trustworthy information and support. Read more>>

Brittany Young | Licensed Esthetician, Spa and Wellness Center Owner

Starting a business can be challenging its fearful because it’s the unknown and its honestly something I put off for about 3 years. I would think about it, seek a location, get discouraged, shoot for it again, pause and the cycle continued. It all started as a side hustle I kept my 9-5 and would work my business after work and on my off days. I was passionate about both my 9-5 and my side hustle but as time passed, Read more>>

Marcus “DevineSouls” Johnson | Fashion Designer

Well my thought process behind starting my own business was quite simple, because I actually come from a long line of entrepreneurs starting with my Grandfather to my Father. That’s what made me really start thinking about having my own business to leave for my children and children’s children, it’s in my blood. Read more>>