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.

Treyvian Durr | CEO of Durr Capital Group

My thought process when starting Durr Capital Group was focusing on become one of the biggest African American developers due to the lack of African american developers. I made it my mission to begin changing the status quo when attending Developer school. Read more>>

Shane Harper | Real Estate Agent and Interior Designer

I have been surrounded by entrepreneurs my entire life. Specifically strong black women entrepreneurs! I was blessed to be around that atmosphere as I was growing up and it helped mold me into a business minded individual. Real Estate and Interior Design has been a passion of mine since I can remember. Read more>>

Kristie Walker | ADN RN, LE

I wanted to get away from the stress I felt with my nursing career but still be able to put my nursing license to use( I worked hard for them). I’ve always enjoyed skincare so it just made sense to combined the two in some way. After doing more research I decided to go to esthetics school and start my own business. Read more>>

LaRonda Perrien-Massey | CEO + Lead Chandler

When I started The Faithful Flame Candle Co., we were in the middle of the pandemic. At that time I was managing in the service industry and it was one of the first industries deemed “non-essential.” I prayed and asked God for an income idea and while I was waiting I saw a facebook post from an old classmate (Atia Singleton) about making money off of things that you buy often and it was confirmation that I was starting a candle business. I was a candle hoarder! Read more>>

The Illustrated | Original Alternative Music Group

Our thought process is and always has been about the art. When we created The Illustrated, we wanted to create music that connects with people the same way we connect with music. We want to create songs that inspire, move and uplift people. We also want our business to be about more than music. It’s about connecting with people, and creating for a purpose much larger than ourselves. Read more>>

Carnika Major | Young Entrepreneur

I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur and was always interested in the beauty industry. I even wanted to attend makeup school but my parents informed me education is key so I never took that leap of faith. After graduating college with a Finance degree and entering the finance industry I was so depressed from my job because I hated it so much and I remembered crying to work because of it. Read more>>

Raquel M R Thomas | Writer/Director/Producer

My process began with a dream. A dream that told the story of real people living in fear and that often hide who they are to simply survive. The birth of TRANSworld Atlanta was born through that dream. As a writer, I’m constantly writing but this project was special. As a filmmaker my dream is to create content that will save lives or at least start the conversation of what a better life consists of. Read more>>

Dr. Monica Ricks | Pharmacist & Skincare Enthusiast

While in college I had the dream of becoming a cosmetic chemist and developing scents and products for Bath and Body Works. I decided to pursue a career as a pharmacist instead and earned a doctorate of pharmacy in 2013. I thought the dream had died until life threw me an unexpected curveball. Read more>> 

DeAnna Williams | Dance Studio Owner, Educator & Author

Initially, I thought starting a business will be easy considering entrepreneurship was instilled in me by my Father as an adolescent. My mom took the traditional approach by encouraging me to go the collegiate route. It didn’t take long for me to realize college wasn’t as fulfilling as people portray it to be. Read more>>

Ronnetta Stokes Wagstaff | Life Coach

You see, I am a former procrastinator! Read more>>

Raea Fox | Artisan and Creator of Handcrafted Goods

Wood and Feather Designs was created to be an artistic outlet. I am passionate about design and have a desire to create beautiful pieces that tell a story. I love the idea that on any day I can create anything that I want to, from jewelry to a really cool lamp. Read more>>

Chloe Greene | Owner and Cookie Artist

I have Gullah Geechee heritage and to me the root of our culture is love of people and the land. While more people are becoming aware of Gullah Geechee people, there has been significant cultural and land loss in our communities. It was important to me that I did something to disrupt that loss. Read more>>

Craig Ward | Plant based Chef and Owner

I wanted to create something that aligned with me morally and ethically as well as an opportunity for me to create change within my community, my family, and network of friends. As a person who always aspired for change and to impact others positively I realized my passion and interests put me in a unique space to help other heals and empower themselves. Read more>> 

Melanie Ziegenmeyer | Owner and Pediatric Ninja Specialist

Elite Skillz Sport and Fitness was created with one simple mission in mind, to change lives by helping them become the best version of themselves! Read more>>

Chelsea Moore | Baker & Engineer

I started making decorated cookies once a year, only at Christmas. The time it took to bake, flood, and decorate felt like forever for a high school kid. I was using Ziplock bags for my piping, the four colored food gel packets from the grocery store, and just adding water to my store bought icing. Read more>>

Edward Baxter | Lamont’s Barbershop Grooming Lounge LLC & Linc Up Ent LLC

To me I wanted to be able to control my own time, not have someone control it for me unless it’s a career I enjoy doing, then I know where I’m going. Starting a business wasn’t a hard decision for me, it’s was more on how to grow the business. I wasn’t good with money management, but would grind to get some money. I open 4 shops all small ones with no business plans for those. Read more>>

Dana Owens | Boutique Owner/Visionary/Motivator

My thought process behind starting my business was to be able to do what I love and help women. Helping women build their confidence and enhance their outer appearance without breaking the bank. Read more>>

Jordana Dale | Photographer & Vintage Reseller

I am a photographer who shoots fashion and portraits and I always thrifted to style my shoots. It got to to the point where my studio wardrobe was overflowing so I began selling my clothes to make room for more! Read more>>

Damarys Rangel | Human Rights Specialist-Lawyer

Coexistence between people, I believe that we must join forces as an organized society in education in human rights and duties, raise awareness that tolerance, respect, which has despite inequality of race, social condition, political condition, religion, etc., persists people and their ability to love their fellow men as themselves. Read more>>

David Gomez Jr | Fashion Model & Entrepreneur

It all started when I was trying to get in the industry of trying to model other people’s brands but no one ever replied back to me after trying to contact so many upcoming brands and higher up brands so I just decided to go all in and do everything on my own brand “Fallen Idols” from Model to Brand Ambassador to Designer to Content Creator Etc and have full control over my brand Read more>>

Queon Holmes | Founder

When my grandmother Mrs Julia Mae Thornton passing on Memorial Day in 2008 I knew I want to do something in the honor of her name. Julia Hands Of Love Nonprofit start off in 2008 to honor my grandmother..I knew anything came to my mind I just did it Read more>>

Ediana Moncada | Women in Construction

Coming from a family that has two generations of business owner, inspirated me to continue the legacy. It started when I was younger, my dad always encourage us to pursuit our own business, I started at the age of 13 years old being an entrepreneur. Read more>>