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.

Nagier Chambers | Owner/Editor-In-Chief, Big Gold Belt Media, LLC

With the pandemic forcing the world into a unprecedented state, I knew it was no better time than now to start to full invest into all the hobbies and creatives that reflect me. But with that I wanted to create a space for other creative minds to also express and exercise their skills and talents. Read more>>

Jan Willadsen | Creative Designer

Fortunately I was born a creative artist with an entrepreneurial mindset and come from a long line of self-employed folk. So for over 55 years now I’ve had my own businesses, it always made good sense. And my parents used to say: when in doubt make something to sell! So out of that notion I created Ruby’s Rootin’ Snootin’ Snuffles business, hand-crafted Pet Enrichment Activity Snuffles. Read more>>

G. Pilar Lowden, MA DE | Dance Instructor, Owner, 2nd Year Doctoral Student Texas Woman’s University (Dance)

I started my dance company as a club while a freshman at Wesleyan College in August of 1997. 26 seasons later, we are Hayiya Dance Theatre, Inc. a professional performing arts company and service organization. I loved dance and there was no one teaching West African dance in that area at the time. Read more>>

Kenika Williams | Professional Organizer & Business Coach

I started my company out of a desire to have a side hustle for side money. For a while, I had been brainstorming a few ideas for business ventures I thought I could be successful with. It wasn’t until I saw a shoe on Netflix, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, that I realized this was going to be it. Read more>>

Curstin Andrews | Entrepreneur & Actor

My thought process was like to gather all the product market it on a billboard and on social media and key the customers know that my business is where you want to be at to buy new clothing. Read more>>

Angedith Poggi | Academic and Professional Success Consultant

After earning a Doctor of Health Science in Global Health and Education, I had symptoms of depression. Although it was a major accomplishment, I was unable to celebrate it with my family and friends due to COVID-19 pandemic guidelines. Also, earning a doctorate had no effect on my salary until six months later when I received a promotion. Read more>>

Sandra Plenty DeMiss | Wine & Houseplant Enthusiast

Wine and houseplants spark conversation and I love to hear people’s stories. This unique independent wine and plant shop was born out of the quarantine period. Our furniture store was closed by requirement and I missed talking with people. So Plenty Of Vino was created. An essential business. Read more>>

Ibby Morris | Fan, Founder and Co-Owner

The Honey POP! is based entirely on positive and uplifting coverage of pop culture from the perspective of the modern day fan. So, when I saw MY fave being disrespected in interviews by an industry that uses both artists and their fans for views and clicks, I thought to myself “fans can do this better.” (And we do). Read more>>

Shelly McGowan | Personal Stylist & Image Consultant

Lyd & Mari focus is to educate and empower you in finding individual styles to dress in a manner that embraces who you are. Read more>>

Chanelle Robinson | Travel Advisor

As the proud brand owner of Chosen Champs, our travel agency, my thought process behind starting this business was driven by a passion for exploration, adventure, and creating unforgettable experiences for fellow travelers. I believe that traveling has the power to transform lives, broaden horizons, and foster cultural understanding. Read more>>

Chantelle Morgan & Reba Liddy | Event Planners: Alinone Weddings & Events

We were great at planning events for our friends and family and decided it would be a great idea to turn it into a business. As two Caribbean-American women, we created Alinone Weddings & Events to provide our clients with an unforgettable, unmatched celebration. We strive to elevate each event to the next level with every intricate detail. Read more>>

Dominique Savage, M.Ed | Early Childhood Education Consultant & Author

Starting my own business in the childcare consulting industry was a natural progression for me, deeply rooted in my personal journey and experiences. Being a second-generation childcare owner for over 12 years, I witnessed firsthand the incredible impact a well-structured and organized childcare business can have on the lives of children, families, and the community as a whole. Read more>>

Pat Hobaugh | Artist and Instructor

In my experience from becoming a professional artist, it wasn’t that one moment you buy a gallery, turn an on sign on and then suddenly you’re in business. It took me many years, including getting advanced degrees, for me to identify as a full time professional artist and then thinking of it as a business. Read more>>

Natashaa Kaycee | Influencer & Entrepreneur

Funny enough I started my business out of rebellion. As a teenager my father absolutely hated makeup and I was in that phase of becoming a girly girl. My dad and I fought about this constantly! My solution to that was turning my growing passion for makeup into a business so that he would stop throwing away my makeup and let me wear it freely. Read more>>

Sabrina Whitten | Entrepreneur

I’ll take it back to the beginning… Read more>>

Aiyanna Smith | Atlanta & Metro Atlanta REALTOR®

Throughout my teen years my parents began investing in real estate. So having been immersed in that environment, entrepreneurship was highly encouraged from my youth. I’d seen others work under somebody, and soon realized that not only was being an entrepreneur a goal I wanted to achieve, but a luxury I craved. Read more>>

John Paul Davis | Graphic Designer & Artist

At first I started @d11designz as a hobbie really,I didn’t start my small business for financial gain,I love making a piece of art and seen the finished product is why I do what I do.Fortunatally I started getting orders for my prints and finally decided to start my own website including Instagram and tiktok. I am now selling my designs to people all over the world which is incredible and something I am very proud of. Read more>>

Valquencia Winston | Loctician

I started doing locs in college. I attended Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens FL. One of my friends always asked for a retwist. I had no idea what I was doing at one point. But the more and more I did my friend hair. The more I realized how much I enjoyed it. Read more>>

Chelsea Porter | Serial Entrepreneur

The thought process behind my business was that I could do what I love and still make money. I had worked in different industries over the years and was quite good at a couple different ones, but I was burnt out especially with call centers. I’ve always been fascinated with beauty so I decided to dig deeper and feel even further in love. Read more>>

Jah Jefferson | CPA (Certified Public Accountant)

The thought process behind starting my own business was very strategic, the least to say. I received my final degree in accounting and finance at 22, so for me; that was already an challenge because you’re not likely to get a seat at major corporation tables when you’re young, then on top of that, being a young African-American woman. Read more>>

Synthia Jones | ETHNICITY BY CJONES/owner

Ethnicity by Cjones is a brand designed for ALL. Created to embrace the unique attributes within all Ethnicities, while providing affordable luxury products. Our mission and vision were clear from the very beginning. Read more>>

Marjory Cesar | Realtor

I learned in real estate it is important to operate as a business if you are going to take it seriously. So, I learned all the necessary steps needed and created Cesar and Associates. Read more>>

Quan Woods | Realtor and CO-Owner of Lookout Germs Justice

Honestly, my thought process was providing for my family and being able to create generational wealth for nieces and nephews. Also, I enjoy helping others and I get that opportunity each and everyday. Read more>>

Abrahim “Mr Dripset” Berete | Designer,Creative director & celebrity stylist

Coming into the business world I didn’t come in it for the money I came in knowing there were goals in this world that I had to fulfill & just wanting to lead as example for people who are scared to follow there dream. I was always known for the way I dress and the types of clothes I would wear so starting a brand wasn’t something hard because I knew exactly what I was getting myself into and people knew I wouldn’t make anything that I wouldn’t wear. Read more>>