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.

Andrea Allen | CEO

I have always loved fashion eyewear and accessories. I used to have to search hard to find different, unique pieces that made a statement. Whenever I would wear my accessories (especially my eyewear), I would always get lots compliments to the point to where people would try to purchase my personal eyewear from me. Someone made a statement to me that I should sell sunglasses. I laughed at first, but the thought stuck with me. Read more>>

Dwayne Kelly | Handyman

I started my handyman business on prayer and faith. I was fired from my job at a country club after 10 years in 2018. I sat down with my wife and we talked and prayed for guidance on what to do next. I could either go to work for someone else and start over or start my own business. We choose the latter! So, DK’s Handyman Services, LLC. was born. Thank God we did because it was one of the best decisions of our lives. Read more>>

Shenna Morris | Social Justice Advocate, Realtor, & Home Services Business Owner

My initial business venture was sparked completely by the relocation of my mother. She was planning to move from South Georgia to be closer to my family and me and wasn’t fully ready to retire. She’d been self-employed in the domestic and commercial cleaning service industry all of my life. As a single parent and survivor of domestic violence, this was how she sustained our family. It only felt natural that starting an officially branded cleaning business, Mattie B. Read more>>

Angelica Williams | Serial Entrepreneur/Coach/Mentor

I started my first business at 19 years old, my Initial thought was to start something that was flexible due to me have 2 kids by 19, one which is Autistic; trying to navigate that was tedious. I was also in college and I needed something to sustain us as well. Overtime though my thoughts have changed. It’s not a mode of survival, but my business are a means of legacy for children. It’s also me walking in purpose and being the solution to people’s problems and the answers to their prayers Read more>>

Hyacinth Cavallier | Online Boutique Owner , Model , And Rapper/singer , Social media Influencer

My Thought Process behind Starting My own business Was to Provide clothing that is unqiue and will make every woman Feel confident Just like when i Buy clothing and i feel happy , i want My customers to feel the same way , I took each moment step by step , and Did it All by myself , From Getting My LLC , to building my website , To Finding the correct clothing vendors and shipping options , It all takes time and work But it worked out smoothly , Now i just Add more clothing and Promote , which is the fun part ! 🙂 Read more>>

Telv The Great | CEO, Rapper, Clothing Designer

I just got tired of waking up and doing some meaningless job for just enough pay to make it to the next paycheck. I knew a sacrifice had to be made leaving my comfort zone but I was willing to make that change in order to be self efficient. Read more>>

Jessica Foyah | Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor

5 years ago I started my own fitness journey after dealing with personal loss in my life including the end of my marriage. After my divorce I started to take my workout habits more seriously and started working with a trainer. As I started this journey I became even more excited about my intentional steps toward health and wellness. This feeling in combination with the supportive people around me (my trainer especially) helped to jumpstart my decision to become a trainer and fitness instructor. Read more>>

shay w | esthetician & beautician

growing up I knew I always wanted to be my own business woman I knew when I was younger I wanted to be a fashion designer. I always use to love playing dress up games and drawing clothes on figures but that dream never seem to stick. getting older a lot of things seemed different the love of fashion wasn’t with me when I tried to have my own clothing line back in 2021 it just didn’t hit like it use to also with the passion of doing piercings and tattoos.. Read more>>

Kashish Khanna | Tarotist, Numerologist, Reikhi Grandmaster and trainer

So, today what I’m going to share with you is not exactly why I started my business, but here is a story about why I entered this industry. Before directly jumping on the story – I feel like everyone should know that before started reading tarot professionally (after getting certification) as a part time- I was a full time high school teacher; well paid and at good and secure job position at a well- reputed international chain of schools. The organisation loved me as an educator and students were fully satisfied but deep down I was at very low point in my personal life. Read more>>

Scott Low | Fly Fishing guide and art/music curator

We wanted to combine our passions of fly fishing, music, art, and family all onto our property hoping to be a many faceted source of happiness. Read more>>

Rob Cook | Van Michael Salon Director

I actually came to VanMichael Salon with the shared vision with Van and Michael Council, of not only wanting to be considered the best in our industry – but also with the idea to raise the bar for our entire industry. They had already started the business. Therefore, I was invited to be a contributor and partner in helping create systems, open two locations and education manuals for technical staff. Read more>>