Readers often email us asking us for advice about new businesses they are thinking about starting and we often find that many of them don’t have a framework for thinking about a more fundamental question: why should or shouldn’t you start a business?

Below, you’ll find how successful entrepreneurs from across the city thought about this very question when they were considering whether to start their businesses.

Ty Colgate | Comedian & Promoter

As a stand-up comedian, stage time is one of the most precious resources you can have. It really determines how fast you build an act and how quickly you learn to be natural and comfortable performing. I worked at The Weather Channel full time and got off late most nights, so it was brutal to get as much stage time as I wanted. My days were usually go in at noon, get off at 8:15, try and do mics until about 1AM, go home, eat fast food in my kitchen while processing the night, then in bed by 2ish. Clearly it was taxing and pretty unsustainable. Read more>>

Asia Pyron | Director/Founder of PYDANCE / Freelance Choreographer / Dance Instructor

During my junior year of college at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, I started presenting my choreography at local dance festivals and concerts. I enjoyed directing my dancers and even started building my own shows and organizing events centered around my work. I enjoyed it so much, I knew this is what I wanted to do after college. Read more>>

François Bryson | Catering & Personal Chef Services

My main thought process was mainly trying to get something started On my own, to be self-employed. while most people work the average 9 – 5 HR job, in our industry it is an average of 10 – 12 HR days. I felt there was a better use for my time that I can spend that time building my brand. Another reason for my motivation was getting the food, passion, skill, and culture of my family and ancestors out for everyone to try on a mainstream level. Read more>>

Taylor Ashford | Illustrator

I’m taking my business one step at a time. I believe that marketing/ expressing myself in a proper manner is my top priority to connect and collaborate with others. Read more>>

Nadia Francois | Professional Cosmetologist & Business Strategist

Survival. I have always in the lane of entrepreneurship starting off as a “kitchen tician” or doing hair in my mom’s kitchen. Bit it wasn’t until I became a single mother who needed to juggle several tasks and make a decent living that I truly put thought into being a business owner. Read more>>

Shashi at Savory Spin | Food Blogger

My daughter was the reason for me starting my blog. Read more>>

Jayce Hill | Video Editor

I wanted to escape the 9-5 grind and find a way to make a living and enjoy a little bit of freedom. Read more>>

Cameron Gallagher | Director + Filmmaker

When I was about 13 or 14, I realized I wanted to be a director but had NO idea how to get there. During high school I started to realize that I could use Video (and photo) to make enough money to MAKE those films I wanted too, so I sort of fell into starting my business, but am so glad I did. Read more>>

Susan Stow | Owner

We knew that we had the skills that would be needed to be owners of a wedding venue between us. My husband has a background in accounting, construction and management; and, I have a background in human resources, psychology and event management. Both us have a servant’s heart and love to entertain. This combination has proven to be perfect for wedding and event venue ownership. Read more>>

Andrea Harris | Educator & Life Guide

My thought process in working for myself definitely came from my internal “march to my own beat” spirit. I love to learn but am very free in my thinking and movements. My Dad was also instrumental in me making the decision to be an entrepreneur. He taught me early on, if you love what you do, then you won’t work a day in your life. Read more>>

Travis Langhorne | Music & Sports

My brother was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a crime he did not commit so getting him out of there is one reason I started my own business. Read more>>

Kiara Reid | Licensed Esthetician & Cosmetic Brand Owner

I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so initially the thought process was just be my own boss in my field of choice. I knew for sure that I didn’t want a typical 9 to 5. Read more>>

Taurean Belk | Landscaper

My thought process behind starting Belk landscaping LLC was freedom. Also having vision to what it is going to be instead of what it could be. I wanted to work for myself to not put any ceiling on my growth. I value myself and work very high and nobody could ever tell me my worth. I love doing landscaping bringing peoples thoughts and visions to reality with their homes and businesses. Read more>>

Jennell J. Davis | Licensed Esthetician & Skincare Formulator

I began to take an interest in Skincare and thinking about starting a business while I was pregnant with my youngest son. My less-evolved self was very much a procrastinator, so when my son Khari was born with severe eczema, I knew that was God pushing me into my purpose. Nothing worked for him, I tried everything. After researching ingredients I began to have a better understanding of why the products I was buying weren’t working, so I set out to make products that work AND are skin safe. Read more>>

Erica Young | Publicist & Cannaprenuer

My thought process about starting my own business was I do not want to work for anyone else ever again! I wanted to have the flexibility to create my own schedule, create my own narrative, control my own fate, and make my own decisions. While I do work more than a typical 40 hour week now, I get to pick and choose what and who I represent. Read more>>

Miguel Juarez | Owner (Miguel Juarez Music, LLC); Vice President (Columbus Jazz Society); Independent Artist

I had a lot of heroes growing up, most of them were either artists, musicians, or athletes. Especially in sports, the decline of performance ability with age is quick and brutal. I am also unaware of any retirement plans for musicians and artists. I wanted to plant a seed that, along with proper nourishment and care could possibly grow into something to feed myself and my family when I am no longer able to perform music as much or as well. Read more>>

Miss Ikonic | Fitness Enthusiast | Influencer

It didn’t allow me to answer the multiple questions like normals so here are my answers to all the questions: What was your thought process behind starting your own business? Rephrase: What was the thought process behind starting your fitness journey and sharing that process with your followers? In truth, it was an accident. I’ve always been rather small framed, but I was never in true shape. Read more>>

Pete Alcide | Filmmaker: Director, Writer, Producer

Other then following my dreams, I’ve always wanted to create something that will serve the community. I’ve always wanted to make the rules without any political agenda and I’m not restricted by the standards and procedures of a boss or corporate culture. I can offer a service that fits my vision. I can also build a company according to my own ideas. I want to make sure my employees get fair wages and family leave time. I’ve encountered many problems in the working world, in my own business, I have a chance to do something different. Read more>>

Jasmine Keepler | Business Owner & Curator

Honestly, My business started through caring for my family. Originally, I was making whipped shea butter for my then 3 month old to avoid all the harsh chemicals in lotions, using the method I was taught during my time at Massage Therapy school. However, over the course of a few months, word got around and people start requesting jars of it. I then officially started The Hood Hippie in 2020 amidst the pandemic. Read more>>

Luis Angel Martinez | Auto Styling Specialist

Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. My thought process behind starting my own business was probably like most people, scared lol. But I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I actually got into a really bad situation with my old job that pushed me to start my own business. It was now or never in that moment. If I didn’t push myself to do it then, I wouldn’t ever do it. Read more>>

Jennifer Anderson | Personal Stylist

Initially, I had an online boutique. Although I loved it, I didn’t have the needed support. It was also a drain on my finances. So I decided to pivot. I love fashion and styling others, I just felt this was a natural transition. Read more>>

Lapatra Fisher | Entrepreneur

Selling wigs was my kids dad idea everytime he ran across large amounts of money he would try to invest in me it wasnt until he passed away I put the business plan in action Read more>>

SHEmeka Maddox | The Transformational Business Coach

It was my mission to start my own business so that I could spend time with my kids without having to ask for permission to create memories with them. In my marriage, we have always placed a high priority on building a successful life without sacrificing the quality of life. I’ve always been intentional about living a limitless life. Read more>>

Amber Connor | Baker

​When I was a nutrition coach, I would always share healthy dessert and breakfast recipes with my clients to help them with their meal planning. I didn’t want them to feel like they were on such a strict diet that they couldn’t stick to it. This is how I started creating healthy recipes for myself and others. My clients would always tell me that they appreciated me sharing it, but they would rather me make it and they would just pay me for it! Well being a competitor myself, having a one year old and working as a trainer and nutrition coach, I didn’t have time for much else!! Read more>>

Lisa Janay | 5X Published CEO and Fashion Model & Media Personality

My thought process behind starting my own business was when I got laid off from my job and I started thinking about how can I make money. In August of 2020, the idea of running an online boutique came across my mind and from then Cold Piece Boutique was created. Then, came along my other two businesses which are Heavy Flexin Media & Heavy Flexin Apparel. Read more>>

Rose Photobombshell” Mercado | Music Journalist

Photobombshell.media came about in 2020, born from the idea that independent musicians and artists needed someone on the ground floor, elevating good music and providing resources and information to help them not only get started in music creation but to be successful at it in whatever way the artist view success. Read more>>

Daniel Haynes | 🇬🇾 Journalist 🖋️| Educator 📚 | Storyteller ✍🏾🗣️

When I was younger, I never thought about starting my own business. I knew I wanted to be a writer and tell stories to connect people outside of their own experiences but I guess I had subscribed to what was taught to me. You know the traditional narrative where you go to school, then go to college, then work and from there you build. Read more>>