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.

MIkey Franco | Co-Owner | Lead Wedding Planner

Emily and I knew we could take some of the issues or downsides to weddings and provide a service that would truly be of value to couples. Starting our own business was so we could have creative control in how we plan and manage our relationships with the couples. We are both entrepreneurs at heart and a business that helps bring someone’s wedding to life… doesn’t get much more rewarding than that. Read more>>

Unnati Patel, MPH | Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant

When I became a mom through IVF in 2017, I didn’t know what to expect. Mom guilt took over, and I decided to stay at home instead of working. In 2019, I had my second child through IVF, and then the pandemic happened. It felt like one thing after another, and being a mom became challenging. It wasn’t easy at all. Read more>>

Aroma Cafe Ga., ”The Cafe Reimagined” | Mobile Espresso and Coffee Bar

Combined, we have been in our careers over 40 yrs., and were all feeling it was time for a change. One day we were discussing our goals and dreams for our futures, and we realized in our immediate area during our visits to local coffee shops, carts, and mobile trucks that something was missing. Most coffee shops and trucks are masculine in aesthetics. Read more>>

Alysia Holmes | Hairstylist

It all started when I took my own hair seriously, as far as its health and maintenance of it. I received many compliments from various people during my high school and college years. The compliments expanded to receiving numerous questions on hair care. I was taken aback and appalled that people were coming to me asking and wanting them to do their hair. Read more>>

Funmi Ekpereh | Wig Maker & Hair Stylist

I recognized a growing demand for wigs and hair extensions in the market. There are various reasons why people opt for wigs. I saw an opportunity to cater to this diverse market and fulfill the needs of different customer segments. Read more>>

Danielle Hughes | Photographer and Videographer

I’ve always had a love and a passion for Production and the entire process, it wasn’t until I went to college that the love got stronger! When I graduated from college in 2020, the pandemic was in full effect. Everything was shut down, I had an internship with Windy City Live, that got cancelled due to the pandemic, my graduation got cancelled due to the pandemic…  Read more>>

Carmen Story | Creative Photographer of StudioStory

My thought process in the beginning was that I wanted to do something that no-one in my area had seen. I wanted to create photos that stood out and were full of color and life and wanted to somehow add in my love for art. Read more>>

Hayden Still | Multi media entrepreneur & Podcast host

I didn’t begin to put much thought into it until I began to really enjoy what I was doing. Once I realized that what I enjoyed could be profitable, I started looking into ways to make the show and everything surrounding it profitable while still having fun and learning more about the multi media space Read more>>

Oliver Villacorta | Cybersecurity Consultant & Educator

I’ve been on a mission to educate as many people as possible about the evolving landscape of cybersecurity. As technology advances, risks of being connected to the world increase. I’ve been in the technology industry for over a decade, and I’ve witnessed many clients and organizations not receiving straightforward or wrong advice and being over charged. Read more>>

Patti Pan | Entrepreneur in the art industry and art advocate

I was in business school and 30 years old when I decided to start my own business. I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur; the question was whether it should be now or later. I’ve given a lot of consideration and spoken with a lot of individuals. When I recall the process, I divide my thoughts into three categories. Read more>>

Alexes Haggins | Real Estate Agent and Business Owner

I always knew at some point in my life I would re-open my fathers business and carry on his legacy, I just didn’t know when or where. It wasn’t until I walked into another florist after realizing that I could create centerpieces and floral arrangement that sparked me to say I was ready. I thought it would be after retiring, I never knew if it would be now. Because I had failed previously trying to keep our business open, Read more>>

Dennis Howard | media executive

Media is digital now s o it was important to be in the space in Jamaica as early as possible Read more>>

Shaflo Williams | Queen of Sneaker Gang

My thought process was to create a platform for the youth and people to get jobs learning how to build residual income. After studying a few business owners, I realize most successful people has more than one income, making money with one business, and using their business to open more businesses. Read more>>

Jazlyn Hughes | Serialpreneur & Mommy Mogul

When I was 6 years old I told people that I wanted to run my own business. I was into so many things and very good at them at a young age. I worked a few corporate jobs but none of them felt right or felt like something I seen myself doing very long. It was hard for me to find balance at first but I found balance in doing what I love and now I’m a serialpreneur working solely for myself while being a stay at home mom at 24 years old. Read more>>

 Jeremiah High | Recording Artist & Owner of Dirt Gang Clothing

Well i’ve wanted to create my own street/workwear clothing brand for the longest time, so as far as a thought process goes, it’s been somewhat effort-less when it was always apart of my dreams. Now executing, that’s a different question. I tend to ponder over things for the longest in my process of creating because i don’t like to spend too much time during the execution of a project. Read more>>

Deja Barthell | Teacher and Photobooth Owner

I never thought about starting my own business until I was inspired at one of my cousin’s birthday parties in 2021 in Florida. There was this super cool, interactive 6 foot tall mirror photobooth that I’d never experienced before. I stepped right up the photobooth, snapped three pictures with my two younger sisters and was in awe of how exciting the process and product were. Read more>>

Sheridan Meriwether | Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider, Supervisee in Social Work, Certified Virtual Assistant, Mobile Notary

Never in a million years did I dream of having a business; however, God had plans for me otherwise. I had been working at a nonprofit agency, as as single mom of 2, for approximately 7 years prior to COVID. When COVID happened, and the world was stuck inside of their homes, I truly had the opportunity to observe my children and learn their needs.  Read more>>

Rosie Gale | Ceramicist

My thought process wasn’t a particularly quick and easy one! There were so many things happening and lots of different things I was thinking through before I even contemplated the idea of starting my own business. I was a little bit lost for a while, which I think lots of people feel when it comes to deciding what jobs to look for and which direction to go in life, not just to be happy but also to get by Read more>>

Andre Minor | D.J.

When I decided to create Swif Entertainment, the sole purpose was to create a business and brand that represented who I am as a DJ, and as a man. I love music. I love to dance, and I love making people dance. I started DJing for free for friends and family so that I could practice and hone my skills. Once I felt confident enough to charge for my services, I knew that I needed to create my business and brand so that I could be taken seriously. Read more>>

Alexis Holifield | Wealth Strategist | Certified Cryptocurrency | Professional Day Trader

My thought process behind starting my own Business was the mission to impact 1000 Millennials to teach them the blueprint, principles, & fundamentals of creating their own economy through the mechanics & inner laws of how money truly works. We are cultivating the culture through creating a higher level of awareness and consciousness to enjoy ALL THAT IS through a heightened sense of knowledge and information. Read more>>

Ben Maughon | Master Sharpener

My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by several factors. First, I have always enjoyed the freedom and independence that comes with working for myself. Being my own boss allows me to set my own schedule and make decisions based on my own vision and values. Read more>>

Dayana Brown | PR and Marketing Strategist

My exact thought process was doing it at first. Then there were many times I had many doubts, including, what if I fail? But I always had that one incident when I was a child that kept me going. I believed in myself, went for it, and never looked back. Read more>>

Ruth Nascimento | Ruth | Nail Technician & Instructor

When I arrived from Brazil five years ago, I started working as a house cleaner, which I did for about a year and a half. I realized that I didn’t want to continue cleaning houses; I came to this country to grow. That’s when I decided to invest in the nail industry, specifically nail extensions. However, I wanted to bring the Brazilian touch to it – beautiful and well-done nails. Read more>>

Kit Forshee | Artist & Music Manager

I’ve been playing instruments like saxophone and guitar since I was 12 years old, and I’ve been in various original and cover bands for over 25 years. But in college, my logical and pragmatic mind had steered me away from music and toward accounting. My reasoning was that I could always do music on the side while I become more financially stable, and maybe I could pursue my interests in music later. Read more>>

DeAsha Redding | Business Growth Consultant & Non Profit Manager

When I started my business in 2018 it was because I wanted to help people. My original business model was credit restoration. That business came about because I had bad credit myself. At the time, there was no one that looked like me or had a similar experience. Because of that, I decided to become what I needed. Someone to educate on finances and how to build credit. Later on I pivoted my business, but the overall mission remained the same. Being a resource for others. Read more>>

London Dailey | Kid Business Owner and Philanthropist

My thought process for starting my business came from my mother having a business first. At the age of 6 I wanted to sell items that kids would love so I started out selling slime. My first business name was London Slimetime. I felt that kids needed a business just for them. After I started with slime I also added accessories and other items such as sunglasses, customized sock, earrings, bracelets and more. I knew it would be something kids would love because it was an item I loved. At the age of 6 everything was fun and having my own money was good too. Read more>>

Latoya Nicole | Owner and Licensed Esthetician

I’ve always had a strong desire for independence and the freedom to work on my own terms. My vision was to create a space of serenity, in a spa like ambience of luxurious pampering and personal attentiveness. Where our core values are community over competition. That’s when Bare Twelve 27 was born! Read more>>

Jordan Norswearthy | Content Creator & Freelance Videographer/Photogra

The thought process was just focused on verification. I always knew I had the talent to do what I do, so I just needed a business to have people not see me as unprofessional. I just believe if you have a talent, you might as well profit off of it. I did the same work before my “business” was a business. Read more>>

Spark Dawg | National Recording Artist & Jeweler

The thought process behind starting my own business was pretty simple. I’m from Texas. And in Texas culture, almost everyone wears Grillz. So it made sense for me to find a way to sell a (legal) product that all my peers wanted.
Lucky for me, I had an Uncle who owned a jewelry shop. And with him as my “gold plug,” I started slangin’ grillz my Senior Year of High School & haven’t looked back since. Read more>>

Shantelle Patton | Minority Business Advocate

I started That Brown Bag as a passion project. Seeing that there was a disconnect between the consumer and local black owned businesses, I sought out to bridge the gap. During the evolution of the directory, I found I had a very valuable and scalable product that would help to enrich the quality of life in my community Read more>>

Te Mayonna Brown | Residential Licensed Real Estate Developer, Angel Investor

The thought process behind me and starting my business in women in Construction Corporation is my daughter at the time was 23 years of age she had a degree and her credit was good and she was denied through several big box banks that didn’t want to approve her for a loan so I told my husband that I’m about to take some general contracting classes I’m about to become a general contractor  Read more>>

Ina Musgrove | Owner of Flourish East

Before I started Flourish East, which is currently a house plant retail and consultation business but is starting to evolve into including educational consultations, I was working as a Naturalist at a school in Grant Park. I’ve always loved being a teacher but, and I’m sure every educator in this country can relate to this, I started to experience burnout on a really intense level and I knew I had to make some changes in my life. Read more>>

Kywanda Reed | Founder and Owner of LeKar Homecare and Companion Services

I’ve worked in Healthcare for over 19 years as a Medical Biller/ Business Office Manager and Medicaid Specialist for Long Term Care Facilities. During the Covid pandemic In the single month of March 2020, healthcare employment dropped by 1.5 million jobs, Hospitals and LTC’s nationwide suffered staffing shortages and Resident was Socially Isolated which caused depression, anxiety, and High Blood Pressure for Patients and the Staff. Read more>>

Jasmine Jones | Entrepreneur

Starting your own business is great but it’s not for the weak. There will be times you’re not motivated and want to give up but you have to keep pushing if that’s something you really want. Read more>>

Akeyla Pascoe-Muhammad | Business Owner & Podcaster

Honestly my thought process behind starting my business was how do I reclaim my time? and once I reclaim my time what am I going to do with it? I really wanted to not have to work long hours to make alot of money because at that point I had no time for myself, but money and not feeling fulfilled. So I began researching businesses with a low start up cost, not alot of hours to do, and I can make money. Read more>>

Jessica Gordon | The Baddest Black Hypnotherapist

Graduating with my Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy, I’ve always loved to help others and give advice since I could remember. However, I started my business because I knew that there was deeper healing than traditional therapy could provide. No shade at all towards standard therapy, because I actually believe that everyone needs therapy, but I’ve always been the type of person that wanted to help myself and others on the deepest level of healing.  Read more>>

Brandon Branham | Curiosity Lab Executive Director, City of Peachtree Corners Assistant City Manager & CTO

Starting in 2017, the City of Peachtree Corners was looking to create additional economic development opportunities for the city. One of our council members was specifically interested in autonomous vehicle technology, and we started evaluating space in the city where this could be a possibility. After much discussion, we identified the city’s historic 500-acre Technology Park as a potential location for a technology program. Read more>>

Vonnie Gill | Travel agent

The thought process behind starting my own business was needing something low budget to start up, still being able to help people, and have a flexible schedule. I love to travel and wanted to help bring that passion to others. Read more>>

Ricky Shoebio | Creative Director, Photographer, Founder of Know Your Dope L.L.C

Launching our own Agency was a big conversation. I was transitioning out of journalism, and wanted to still support alot of the contacts and relationships I’d garnered over the years. There was alot of encouragement by alot of those relationships. That spoke to me letting them know how they could help once I landed stably. Read more>>

Akayshia Estee’ | Talent Agent

My thought process behind starting my own business was and still is the passion to help people. I am an individual who believes in structure and pushing talents to excel beyond their own expectations. In the entertainment industry it is hard to find genuine people that can be trusted, i pride myself in being honest with anyone I encounter and as helpful as I can be. v