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.

Michelle Rankin | Mobile Bartender & Mobile Bar

When starting Tipsy-Trailer, the initial thought was that I wanted to be able to be my own boss and make my own schedule. I wanted to do something that I loved yet under my terms. Read more>>

Hannah Cottingham | Georgia Wedding and Family Photographer

Growing up, I never dreamed about owning my own business or becoming a photographer. I was actually gifted a camera probably five or six years ago, and ended up selling it because I never used it. It wasn’t until I because a mom that I wanted to learn how to take better pictures of my little ones. I borrowed a camera from a friend AndiI absolutely fell in love with it. Read more>>

Jesse Pallotta | Artist & Founding Director of QT Art Camp

QT Art Camp is an emerging project that provides queer and trans youth with free art workshops. It was founded in Spring 21′ after a sweeping wave of anti-trans legislation targeting youth. 2021 became one of the worst years in recent history for anti-LGBTQ legislation on a state level. Rather than using my resources to fight bills, I wanted to create a safe space for youth to be able to learn art skills, express themselves creatively, and be in community with other queer and trans youth. Experiences that supported me while struggling as a youth. In NYC, there is not a LGBT organization that exclusively dedicates its resources to youth art and QT Art Camp wanted to fill that gap. Read more>>

T-Nyce | Producer & Founder of Nycesound Production

Well I’m from Toronto, Canada where we have no music infrastructure or creating music careers. So my thought process was to fill in a portion of what is missing and dominate. A music production company that develop talented creatives, push music as a career, and professionally change lives. Read more>>

Dr. Zahra Punjani | Holistic Dentist

– Responses to all questions – What was your thought process behind starting your own business? My vision when starting my dental practice was to create a space where patients felt empowered about their dental health. Dental health is such a vital part of the entire body’s health, and often it is seen as an isolated system of the body. Read more>>

Noah Clark | Entrepreneur, Model & Visionary

The thought process behind me starting my own business would simply stem from my passion and desires of being a business owner at a young age. I knew back in middle school and high-school that I wanted to be my own boss, it was just a matter of execution. The process behind me starting “Noven Skin”, was due to my bad acne throughout my adolescence. I knew that I wanted to start an eco-friendly, all natural, cruelty free, skincare line for all skincare types and break the stigma attached to men and skincare in todays world. Read more>>

Masiel Encarnación | Personal trainer, Nutritionist and Weight Loss Coach

My business was actually an accident! I was going through a breakup where I had gained almost 20 lbs and wanted to feel good about myself again and build my confidence by hiring a trainer. Once I had my own transformation, I wanted to share everything I had learned from the experience which I started to do on a blog and on my social media. One of my favorite classes I used to take at the gym was Zumba, and the instructor urged me to become an instructor myself because she could see I had skill and talent. Read more>>

Cierra Starr | Serial Entrepreneur

My thought process to start my own business was to set a solid foundation for my family and to also be off someone else’s clock. My thoughts were to always make it out so that my kids wouldn’t have to struggle. I think that’s about 100% of all our thoughts or at least it should be. My thoughts were also to create something different for the world to see, not only to see but to be able to experience. Read more>>

Sanei W | Makeup Artist

When I was about 14 years old, I found a love for makeup. I asked my mom to buy me a bunch of makeup products so I could practice and be better at it. At the age of 15-16, I started going to sweet 16 parties. I would always get my makeup done at Sephora, and I told myself that I could definitely do this work on my own! So that’s what I did. Eventually, I started to become better and better with practice. My older sister went to a bunch of parties and outings and she always asked me if I could do her makeup. Read more>>

Nick Parsa | Co-founder and Vice President of Strategy, CharterUP

My background in management consulting made me realize that I wanted to put my skills and knowledge to the test in the real world and see the tangible results of my work. This sparked the idea of a startup outside of the corporate world, where I would be able to make decisions with immediate impact. So, I began searching for an opportunity to bring about meaningful change in an industry I was passionate about— transportation. Read more>>

Chantal Taylor | Skincare Products

In March of 2018 Chantal Taylor started her business True Essence Organics. Her business takes raw ingredients from nature and molds them into skincare products usable for different skin types. Chantal’s ambitions were not always skincare, although her purpose never wavered. Her skincare journey began when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called desmoid fibromatosis. Since her diagnosis in 2018 she has and still is undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries. Read more>>

Will J Britton | Automotive Photographer and Clothing Designer

Well I’ve wanted to have my own clothing brand since I was in high school. I worked at a clothing store in my hometown for 4 years. Always thought it would be so cool to have people wear pieces I designed and created. As the years have gone on, I kept putting it off because I couldn’t come up with a name or logo. It has always been a goal to just do it. So I finally made the choice and started getting after it! Read more>>

Jayda Abello | Vinyl DJ & Visual Artist

Well, I had been bartending for over a decade and I was pretty burnt out on the late nights, toxic work environments, and just the lifestyle in general. When I was sitting on my unemployed butt in 2020, I knew that I was ready to get out of the service industry once the bars opened back up, but I wanted to stay in nightlife. I did some freelance brand ambassador/promo model work in the beverage industry over the years and I really liked the freedom of it, but I never seemed to be able to move up, no matter how much or how hard I worked. Read more>>

Ruggedman Ruggedybaba | Actor and Radio show host.

Apart from me believing a lot in my Ruggedman brand and my drive, there weren’t too many people ready to invest in you (most especially entertainment) back then. Some also wanted to control and water down what I was into and I was not going to allow that. Read more>>

Amani Taylor | Entrepreneur

My thought process I would say was thinking about how I’d do everything and thinking about how it would turn out. So far I’ve got the basics down but to achieve progress, you have to go through obstacles and take risks, so you must stay consistent with the things that you love and want to do most. I can say my thought process was how my business would look in the future and how dedicated I was to achieving the growth of my business. Read more>>

Alicia M. Walter | Artist, Author, Mompreneur

Oh you’re really good at that! You should start a business; was the inspiration behind starting my brand. As a young creative I was very hesitant and shy to share my artwork. It was an intimate part of myself. In 2001 in my hometown of Springfield, Mass. I decided that I wanted to be a fulltime artist, however I didn’t know where to begin or what to create! Read more>>

Tartiyana Idiong | Entrepreneur

Financial Freedom. I did not want to be tied down to a job doing the same routine. I get bored really easily. I wanted to earn money doing something creative, meeting inspiring people, live my life doing something that I love. When you are doing something you are really passionate about, it does not really feel like work. I also want to build generational wealth. Read more>>

Kimberly Tsumbu | C.E.O. of Simply Giraffe

The Simply Giraffe store was developed to allow me to spend more time with my daughter. During that time, I was working in the film industry, and as a first time mom I did not want to be working 12 hour plus days. A month before Simply Giraffe’s launch date, my husband and I lost our daughter Faith to turner syndrome. When that happened, Simply Giraffe’s mission changed from being simply an income stream, to being a tool of change in the community. Read more>>

Coach KB Hoskie | Owner of Ready To Live Soap Experience and Ready to Live Coaching

I would always put myself in the category of a dynamic woman. One that has a heart of gold, and ambition that can move mountains. I always had a passion to help people but never knew how that looked from an entrepreneur standpoint. In 2022, I was laid off from my dream 6 figure job and went through a lot of depression. Being a Mindset Coach, I knew I had to change my mindset, and move forward no matter what. I meditated and prayed every day. I’ve always been a creative person, and have had many wild visions. Read more>>

Robin Bobo | Co-Owner/Operator and VP of Bobo Enterprises

When my husband and I begin Bobo Enterprises our main goal was to create multiple streams of income in the hope of securing generational wealth for our children’s children and beyond. We have always looked at our last name like an acronym, Black Owned Black Operated: BOBO. The many businesses that fall under the scope of Bobo Emporium are designed to give black people options that are not always available to us by us. Robin’s Resume Renovations focuses on career development. Read more>>

Darrieya Sha’ | Creative Seamstress

My name started from my mom, my sisters and I. I orignally called my brand, SDPH, which are the initials of our first names. Through reflection and a break I took from creating, Four Moons was sent to me spiritually. Same concept, but an easier way to say it and more memorable. Read more>>

Jermel Wilson | Actor/stunt performer/comedian/ rapper/ screen and song writer and business owner

The process is mainly from a creative stand point in my opinion. After a while in the business you can’t just be sitting around waiting for the phone to ring or an email. You have to put yourself in position to make opportunities not only for yourself but for others around you. By you making that move and that decision you could directly not only change your life but the life of others too as well Read more>>

Dianne Reich | Owner, Essential Oily Home

You have to love what you do! Growing herbs was the start of my passion for essential oils. Lavender, Rosemary, Basil, Oregano and Thyme have always been a part of my herb garden. Taking a leaf and rubbing it in my palms, then cupping around my nose inhaling the aroma was and still is a pleasure. Read more>>

Jaylan hoover | Artist(BighoooV)

As an artist, it took me a moment to start thinking about how I wanted to turn my music into a career. Growing up in a small town we didn’t have much so my brothers and I made the best moments of what we had. One of the things we did to entertain ourselves was freestyling. When it was my turn to go no hesitation I took off running threw every word my mind could think of, my friends were amazed at how good I was doing. Just hearing them telling me along with a variety of people that I should take my career seriously really gave me that push and mindset to take music seriously. Read more>>

SHENITA PORTER | DAYCARE OWNER & TAX PREPARATION OWNER

The thing is, I never thought I would really be a business owner – a serious business owner that is.with play -N- learn daycare I went through ups and down the process was pretty hard getting it open but with my support team they made the process Pretty easy and smooth the business is very successful and the kids I love them all I take my business for serious ! My plan is to open up a second location in the mobile al area! Read more>>

Kim Childrey | Travel Advisor

There are very few things in life that you can control. Starting my business is the first big step towards taking control of my own life. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life working and building someone else’s dream. My business will give me the freedom to shape my life as I see fit. To change and adapt as I grow as a person. Chemistry Travel LLC was specifically created to nurture my love for travel. I hope to encourage new travelers to see the world by sharing my travel experiences. I believe everyone should travel. New environments spark new flames, and this world really is a sight to see. Read more>>

Letuan Montgomery | Licensed Esthetician/Owner of Taylormade Lash and Brow Bar

I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. As a child I spent my afternoons in my grandfather’s barbershop and my aunt’s beauty salon. There the seed was planted for my love of the beauty industry and helping others. Before starting Taylormade Lash Bar, I made several attempts to find my place in the world of entrepreneurship which taught me so much. After suffering an identify crisis, I fasted and prayed for purpose and God gave me the vision of my business. Read more>>

Vinaris M. Scott | Author, actor, producer, director, writer, creator, Iraqi war veteran, and philosopher

I actually don’t see KillaKrane Productions as a business. It’s actually more of a passion project. Since I was little, I have always had ideas for movies, tv shows, and even my spin on various ones that already existed at that time. I believe they are now called “fanfiction.” However, I was busy daydreaming and creating fan fiction and my own original stories well before I had ever heard of that term. Read more>>

Molly Nadolski | Research Scientist & Plant Crafter

I grew with a family of plant-lovers and gardeners, I also grew up living off of second-hand items and thrifting since my family didn’t have much. The past few years I started merging those two parts of my upbringing together, and turning vintage and antique items into planters. Taking items that have been tossed or forgotten about, or wouldn’t normally be used as a planter is a unique challenge at times, but exceptionally fun to turn it into something new. Read more>>

Carly Seifert | Creator of Busy Kids Do Piano

I was teaching private and group piano lessons and had a load of about forty students that I saw between the hours of 3:30 and 7:30 each day. While I loved my job and my students, once my own children were old enough to be in school, I hated being away from them during those precious after-school hours. I created Busy Kids Do Piano late at night after my kids were in bed — sometimes filming lessons in the middle of the night when everyone else in my family was asleep. Read more>>

Tiantay & Shantia Moore | Cleaning Services

We thought about the fact that it’s not enough hours in the day to figure everything out and how life can really become overwhelming. There’s always so much to do. Some have to work, put their kids through school and extra activities, in addition to having to come home, cook dinner, etc. So we decided that cleaning could take some weight off peoples shoulders. In addition we found that having a clean environment really benefits people mentally. Read more>>

Ni Khol McCoy | Wine Ambassador, Author, Brand Ambassador (Self Publishing-N-30Days), Entrepreneur, Event Planner and Motivational Uplifter

My main thought process was mainly, don’t start something you can’t finish. Starting a business commitment, dedication, resources and sacrifice. I strived to have control over my time and use it wisely. I have learned to never try to change the people around me. Instead I have changed the people I be around. Read more>>

Jonathan Alvarez | Social Justice Reform Advocate

My inspiration was my personal experience in returning to the City of Yonkers after serving nearly 13 years in state prison. I recognized the lack of adequate reentry support and services and wanted to make a change. Read more>>

Chelisa “CheChe” Boyce | Owner/ Private Chef

The process itself started back in Spring 11’ when a couple of college kids attending the University of Memphis collaborated on ideas on how to make meals and feed people after the main dining hall closed. Those thoughts would continue to grow creating JusChe Foods. The name was created utilizing the Late Justin Freeman first three initials and the first three of my name Chelisa or “CheChe” . When it all comes down to it we were two kids with big dreams! Although Justin passed 21’ due to Covid he leaves behind two beautiful daughters. Read more>>