How did you decide to start a business?

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.

Jabria Anala | Abstract & Contemporary Artist

really know. It wasn’t that I was trying to hide it, but I didn’t really embrace it until the end of high school. In eighth grade, I was chosen to be in an AP Comp art class. That was the first time coming to a realization that I was good at drawing and painting. Read more>> 

Darryl Taylor | Darryl Taylor Chef Drama- Celebrity Chef (drama for dramatic themed presentations)

My thought process to starting this business was simply I love to cook and realized that this was kind of my therapy. When my mom passed August 13, 2000. I took such loss of a mommy and started the process of grieving. this was a very difficult season for me, it was the beginning of Epicurean Drama Events and Later Darryl Taylor Chef Drama.

Shawn Poe | Entrepreneur / PR Specialist

As a young black entrepreneur with a successful new media company focused on helping artists evolve, the thought process behind starting my own business was driven by a deep passion for creativity and a desire to empower artists within my community. Read more>>

Hilary DeGidio | Curly Hair Specialist

I had always considered starting my own business as a “someday” goal. I was working as a hairstylist at Ulta when some changes were happening that I was at odds with. I started looking into opening a salon suite, and toured a few places. Read more>>

Steven Chase | Auto Detailer & RV Rental Host

I started my own business from the stand point of frustration. I was frustrated with the corporate American greed of using workers for their own success and not rewarding them for actually doing the work. Also, it was out of a desire for freedom, and flexibility. Read more>> 

Latosha Veney | Life Coach, Best selling Author, Consultant, and Serial Entreprenuer

To Develop individuals who are Potential Seekers to Grow, Expand, and Maximize their potental so they can fulfill their purpose. Read more>>

Terri Wright | Non-Profit Founder | Entrepreneur | Believer

I will give full honor to God and credit Him for this. I’m brilliant, don’t get me wrong, but I couldn’t have developed this on my own. I had to embark upon my own journey to embodying my true identity and discovering my God breathed purpose. Read more>>

HC Warner | Painter/ Curator /Designer

The most critical direction is to follow your heart and clamp tight on your intuition. In 1991, I started as a waiter at Mick’s Underground following my BFA in Graphic Design at University of Georgia. Read more>>

Christopher Escobar | Owner, Plaza & Tara Theatres and Executive Director, Atlanta Film Society

While I’ve started a business before (a small production company), my businesses today (the Plaza, the Tara and as a social enterprise, the nonprofit, the Atlanta Film Society)–none of these were ones I sought out to run/have. Instead, these were reactionary as a means of preserving or restoring them. Read more>>

Carrita Tanner-Cloud | Founder and CEO of Creativity Justified and Carrita Cloud & Associates

As I reflect on the journey that led me to found Creativity Justified back in 2016, I’m reminded of the winding path that brought me to this pivotal moment. Growing up, my passion for art burned brightly within me, igniting my imagination and fueling my creative spirit. Read more>>

Joey Wiz | Owner | Operator

As a kid, I was a skateboarding and involved in the punk/hardcore/metal scene. It was a loud, loose, vibrant, and eye-opening time. That scene developed my core style of music, my closest friends, and our fashion. As I grew up, I always enjoyed keeping that punk ethos in my style. Read more>> 

Tracie Johnson | Self-Love & Prioritization Coach for Mothers

My whole thought process started with not wanting to spend the rest of my life working for someone else, building their brand and their company. I want the freedom to move as I please, do and spend time with my family, be there in emergencies, etc. I wanted to build something, showing my children what is possible. Read more>>

RIchard Jefferies | Founder/Creator

I started this business because i felt that there were too many designer brands that were just too expensive. I grew up in a under privileged neighborhood where it was hard to access the finances to afford the Gucci’s and other brands of similar taste. Read more>>

Osha Morrison | Founder and CEO

Identifying Inadequacies, My thing is If you think something sucks, it’s likely a lot of people will agree. 2. Look For A Root Cause I feel like Most successful startups address the root cause of a poor experience. Find the problem. Decide if it can be fix. Then i did some homework/Legwork. Read more>>

Carlissa Pettway | Entrepreneur

Every since I was a little girl my grandmother dressed me to the nines! From the can can dress, down to the handmade lace socks. Fashion is my passion! Fashion allows me to express my view on style anyway i choose. And to me i feel like nobody has the right to judge that you know. Read more>>

Alaina Kelly | Chef & Owner of Elwillie’s

At Elwillie’s Catering, our journey began with a simple yet profound inspiration: my grandmother’s home cooking and the cherished recipes passed down through generations. Growing up, the aroma of her kitchen and the taste of her lovingly prepared meals captivated my senses and ignited a passion for cooking within me. Read more>>

Lenaka Bounds | Author, Editor, Proofreading Expert

There were several factors that influenced my thought process. The first one being, my deep love for written words, and the craft of writing in general. Secondly, I felt there has always been a strong need for great writing. Top-notch professional writing, whether it be for books or the corporate industry etc, is a great skill to have. Read more>>

Cierra Michelle | Makeup Artist | Fashion Stylist

When I first thought of becoming a Makeup Artist, I was in my Sophomore year at Kentucky State University and I was just getting comfortable with the progress I made with my makeup application skills. I saw a lot of people around me with side hustles and figured makeup could be mine. Read more>>

Nicole & Demetric Sims | Event Designers

We have always loved to host gatherings and enjoy the process of setting up for a good theme. The pandemic increased the amount of outdoor gatherings we held due to everyone being at home and our friends/family started requesting we provide decorations for their themed events. Read more>>

Tatiana Preobrazhenskaia | CEO and Founder, V For Vibes

Running a sexual wellness business is anything but dull! Every day brings new opportunities to connect with inspiring individuals, learn innovative approaches to well-being, and witness the positive impact our products have on people’s lives. Read more>>

Michael McReynolds | Industrial designer and VFX artist.

I was always interested in making things better for people. Particularly, using good, well thought out design to make the extension from our bodies and hands to the tools and objects we use graceful and effortless. I realized that this was not in the plan of most businesses. Read more>>

Leslie Welch | Certified Divorce & Spiritual Life Coach

Meet Leslie Welch, CDC Certified Divorce Coach and Certified Spiritual Life Coach, founder of Heart To Soul Life Coaching in Atlanta. Her life’s work is a beacon of hope and healing for those navigating the difficult process of divorce and seeking renewal in body, mind, and spirit. Read more>>

Dalton Rice | Photographer and Cinematographer

I always new I didnt want to work a traditional job. I went to SCAD to be a creative person and in doing so found that i enjoyed freelancing and making my own destiny. I started my Photo and video business after just a year in college because I found myself passionate for creating things and controlling my own fate. Read more>> 

Akachè Marcino | Photographer & Fashion Designer

Since high-school, I knew I wanted to be my own boss as I used to sell snacks. I want build generational wealth and hold name for my self. I personally don’t see my self working for someone the rest of my life and I know I’m not alone. I ultimately want to inspire people like me to purse their dreams. Read more>>

Jerlisa Juju” Fontaine | Founder & CEO of Hue Capital”

During college (2014-2018), I was heavily involved with student organizations that promoted the social, cultural, and professional success of fellow students. These organizations included NAACP, Minority Association of Pre-Medical/Pre-Health Students (MAPS), Residential Life, and Student Government. Read more>>

Kamina Griffin | CEO/Founder & Junior at Spelman College

The thought behind starting SECURE was to find an innovative and futuristic solution to help other underrepresented scholars gain the spotlight and recognition they deserved. Being allowed to attend my HBCU, Spelman College, also afforded me a sisterhood, endless opportunities, and a chance to find myself. Read more>>

Tiffany Blunt | Artist & Product Designer

In the relentless pursuit of creativity, Tiffany finds solace, purpose, and liberation in having the ability to have passion for the work she does. Creativity thrives on flow, and the flexibility of running her own business allows her to accept projects she fully resonates with. Read more>>

Eddie Hampton | Founder, Artist,Song Writer, Producer, and Engineer

It was very simple I found something I loved to do and instead of going major I learned the business behind the music then went independent and gave others a platform to do what they love without the shenanigans. Read more>>

Amber McGinnis | Freelance Director, Writer, Producer, & Owner Outskirt Media, LLC

I never set out with the intention of starting my own business. I just wanted to make movies. But like many creatives, in order to really have ownership over the work I was creating, I had to learn a lot about the business of making films. Read more>>

Katherine Adeyemi | CEO Imani Cabezas | COO | Katherine Adeyemi | CEO & Imani Cabezas | COO – Event Curators

– What was your thought process behind starting your own business? A: Kurator Kollective was born in the realization that we all have shared experiences. Two women who became friends discovered they were devoid of the experience of curated spaces that were fulfilled at a high level. So in short; we we saw a void – we filled it! Kurator Kollective is a social club, dedicated to the connection of people through bespoke curated leisure. Read more>>

Margarita Arriagada | Founder, Valdé Beauty

I was inspired by my Mother’s love of wearing lipstick. I was profoundly impacted by the fact that even though she suffered from dementia and did not recognize me, everytime I took out a lipstick to apply on her, she would express happiness and joy and look in the mirror and kiss the mirror. Read more>> 

Kelly2face | Artist, Producer, Engineer