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.

Laila Risgallah Wahba | Working on Abolishing Sexual Abuse and Bullying, Author of “What Happens After #MeToo

What on earth am I here for? That is a question that has haunted me ever since I can remember. When young, I thought to become a physician and help heal people would be my why, but I finished medical school, became a pediatrician, and still felt empty. Read more>>

Lissette Perry | Certified Reflexologist

I knew that I wanted to help people feel better. Starting my own business as a Certified Reflexologist was the way, Read more>>

Peta Chase | Creative Artisan

When I first discovered the whole process of making earrings from polymer clay, I did not have any intention of starting a business. Actually, my initial thoughts were that this would make a great hobby or resourceful way for me to make my own jewelry. Read more>> 

James DJ XXXclusive Williams | DIsc Jockey Extraordinaire

My thought process behind starting my own business was that people throw parties all the time! By the time I moved back to Atlanta in 2004 I was struggling to find my way, not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. Read more>>  

Dr. Iman Hypolite | Owner and Principal Psychiatrist of DrHypolite.com | Aspira Health and Wellness LLC

I started my private mental health practice because I recognized a need within myself and my close personal and professional circles. We tend to have a very narrow view when we think of what defines “underserved communities”, Read more>>

Tamya Michelle | Entrepreneur

My thought process was very optimistic! I was very open minded about learning a lot of new things about starting/running a business. Especially a cosmetics line, where I feel like in this era makeup/makeup products are always changing. Read more>>

Tiffany Moment | Entrepreneur

It all began as a casual conversation with someone I hold dear; she’s more than a mentor to me, she’s a guiding light in my life. As we discussed various topics, the idea of starting a cleaning service came up, almost in passing. At the time, I didn’t give it much consideration, but something lingered within me. Read more>>

Wycal Carter Jr | custom Screen-printing and Embroidery Shop / Clothing Brand BMORE LIKE JESUS and podcast

It’s two parts to that one the LORD GOD told me to start a clothing brand as another part of ministry. So, I did and being that at that point in time I did not have the minimum order amount per design I wanted to get printed, like 50 t-shirts of one design, it made me pray and look into buying my own screen-printing equipment and embroidery machine. Read more>>

Mariska Breland | Movement Teacher & Inventor

For Fuse Ladder, we wanted to offer something new when we opened a second location of our popular DC-based Pilates studio. We also wanted that offering to be more of a standing/balance workout, as those things can be lacking in more traditional Pilates classes. Read more>>

Stephanie Canton | Personal Development Coach & Apostolic Midwife

I remember sitting at work one day, and I said to myself, I wonder where I would have been if I pursued my own dreams as hard as I work for someone else’s. I remember going home that same evening I talked it over with my husband. Read more>> 

Christi Hairston | Hosiery Designer | Environmentalist

My thoughts behind creating my own hosiery brand was to solve a couple of problems. One the need for a product that would allow consumers to have a high quality product, two, a product that was fashion-forward and sustainable, three a design that would allow hosiery lovers to go commando! Read more>>

Braxton Cosby | Author/Novelist/Entrepreneur

I wanted to get into the publishing arena because of my love of storytelling. I wrote my first novel in 2010 and got picked up by a small publisher right there in Atlanta. After going through some struggles when the publisher went out of business, I was left facing the decision of what I would do next with reacquiring the rights to my story. Read more>>

Dione Bandy | Owner/Mixologist

I was always the bartender for family and friends. I LOVE IT! I then decided to turn it into a business. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Read more>>

Maheen Tarver | CEO of Bhasha Inc.

Bangladesh, a small country located in South Asia, has around 13 million people of Bangladeshi origin living throughout the world. As a Bengali mother living abroad with two kids and in an inter-cultural marriage, I was faced with a challenge to find stimulating and captivating online resources to teach Bangla, my native language. Read more>>

DeNeisha Phillips | Professional Organizer

I founded Reorganize Me after recognizing the demand for structure within homes. Organization enhances functionality and efficiency. Through my professional organizing venture, I can impart my expertise to families and individuals, assisting them in establishing home systems for a more functional and tranquil living space. Read more>>

Jessxica Rose | Music Artist, Producer , Serial Entrepreneur, CEO of Invisible Rebel & Founder of SWJ

I don’t think it was a complete thought process; I just kind of got nudged to do it intuitively. After leaving my corporate job at Mercedes-Benz, where I worked as an packaging engineer, I knew that I wanted to live a more creative life and lead one with flexibility. Read more>> 

Kofi Young | Super Hero

I’ve always had dreams of creating on a global scale; When I envision branding, marketing, ideation, videography, and photography, I envision them on a global scale—reaching billions of people. So, when launching my business, I aimed to cultivate a platform dedicated to global concepts and creation, all while integrating global solutions. Read more>>

Kyrsten Turner | Storyteller & Communications Maven

I never thought I would have my own business. I was always the girl who wanted to climb the corporate ladder, wear bright suits, carry a big bag and boss my way around my career. Being an entrepreneur seemed like a lot of work for no guarantee of success. Read more>>

Eulandria Montford | Entrepreneur, Actress & Model

Starting my businesses originally came out of financial need. Being a single mom I always had to figure out a way to ensure my children had what they needed. I found myself searching my talents and seeing which one would be lucrative. Read more>>

Shantise Parker | Extensions Specialist

Shantise Michelle LLC came into play when I moved on from being a full time assistant to my aunt who’s also a hairstylist. I no longer wanted to just be an assistant. I wanted to become a stylist as well.  Read more>>

Ted Terry | DeKalb District 6 Commissioner

I ran for office because I felt a strong responsibility to leverage my skills and passion for advocacy to help my community. My thought process was anchored in the belief that through public service, I could champion progressive policies that address critical issues like affordable housing, transit equity, health equity and social justice. Read more>>

Hannah Mack | Vocalist, Songwriter, 1/2 of Mack & Michael

My dad & I started our entertainment business because we had both been in so many entertainment situations that were not fulfilling for us. We had to follow someone else’s song list, not get to perform our own songs, we didn’t have a say in the choices of venue or band members, and the list goes on. Read more>> 

Deanna Knight | Skate Instructor & Loctician

I think we all crave to spend our time the best way we see fit in a way that feels the MOST fulfilling. And working my 9-5 felt dreadful—whereas I would be doing hair or teaching someone to skate for fun and would get paid without even having to ask for it! I’m blindly doing it for enjoyment because I want others to experience the same joy I feel. Read more>>

Cashmeir Mcaden | Founder & “She”EO of Cashmeir Bridal

I always knew that whatever I did in my career, I wanted to eventually work for myself. I never felt that corporate america was the best fit for me. As a black woman, I always felt like I was walking on eggshells. At times, I was afraid to voice any opinions in fear of being deemed “the angry black woman”, or difficult to work with. Read more>>

Kevin Epps | Leader In Software Engineering & STEEAM Educator

You cannot start a business thinking that everything will “take off” quickly. You start your own business to build a legacy. To plan for future. If you start a business to simply “make ends meet”, like applying for a typical job, you’ll get your feelings hurt. Read more>>