The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Ansley Griffin | Photographer

I’ve always said that I wanted my job to be something I truly enjoy. I went to college right after high school, but really struggled with what career I wanted to pursue and felt really pressured to start figuring out my life. Looking back, I wish I realized that you don’t need to have your entire life figured out right after school and that there’s no time limit on figuring out what you like and what makes you happy. I believe that things will always fall into place. Read more>> 

Timmesha Burgess | Thought Leader, New-Age Visionary, & Divine Mystic

Most people say they started a business solely because they wanted to help people; I started businesses (many) because I first wanted to help myself! I’m no good to anyone if I’m trying to give from an empty cup! I was tired of offering my value to companies that paid me crumbs for giving them gold and I was OVER IT! Read more>>

Kaniya Squire | Boutique Owner & Fashionista

I’ve always had a passion for fashion since a young girl and knew i wanted to have my own boutique one day. I love piecing different outfit looks together through collages and bringing them to life. Through the years of doing this and having people come to me for outfit ideas i knew it was time for me to invest in myself. During the beginning of covid i was able to really make out a plan of the vision i wanted for my business. Once i had everything planned out it was time to execute the plan and that’s exactly what i did. Read more>>

Delica Duffy | REALTOR®

My thought process behind starting my own business was to accomplish a few things. First, I wanted to retire my parents. I figured that was the very least I could do. They have poured so much into me and my dreams. I also,
wanted to allow them to enjoy the rest of their “Golden Years” as I figured that enough is enough. Read more>>

Chandler McAnally | Co-Founder

We wanted to bring not only high quality tea, but the tradition of tea to western markets. We both have backgrounds steeped in tea (pun intended). We noticed there were companies focused on offering some nice high quality teas, specifically here in the US and the western world, but there was maybe a little bit missing from our perspective: the tradition of tea. A tradition that has influenced us both. A tradition that has served ancient peoples in other parts of the world that could serve people here too, as it has for us. Read more>>

DonMiguel Watson-Ellis | Designer & Stylist

Honestly, I never planned on having or starting my brand it just happened. I was making myself clothes and as time went on other people wanted me to make garments for them. At first, I was not even charging for my work simply because I enjoyed constructing a garment and was completely satisfied when the garment came out right. It clicked to start my brand when people were surprised I was not getting compensated for my designs so from that point on I started to build my brand, MisUndstd. Read more>>

Marcus Mattox | Entrepreneur & Designer

i knew i wanted a dope streetwear brand. i’ve always admired people who have their own brand and rock it daily. to me that’s the coolest thing ever, it’s probably my biggest flex. Read more>>

Tamica Banks | CEO

The thought process behind my business was inspired by another African American sister who was making earrings from Jamaica using African colors. I have always been a lover of earrings and knew they were a powerful part of our culture, tribes and history. I wanted to start a business centered around sisterhood to inspire young African American girls to see the beauty in themselves, culture and mother country. My goal is to create a intern program and to give our scholarships to the youth as well. Read more>>

Jenna Snyder, MS, OTR/L | Owner & Occupational Therapist

Before starting Focus on Function I worked in the school system and for several other pediatric outpatient clinics. I found myself constantly frustrated with the limited time I had to spend with parents. I had so much valuable information to share, and parents who wanted me to share it! The models that schools and clinics tend to use just don’t allow for time to be spent with the family. I decided that I wanted to change that – and Focus on Function was born! Read more>>

Cooper Fortune | Fashion Illustrator

During Covid, I took a free Marc Jacobs drawing tutorial through Instagram. After I had finished creating, I posted a photo online. Immediately I had a message from a follower asking to purchase the drawing. I had never taken sketching seriously until I realized people were interested in what I could create. People began to message me asking if I could paint their wedding gowns, a photo of them in their favorite outfit, or their favorite runway look. Read more>>

Ebony Curry | Ebbthestylist/Beautician

My thought process behind starting “Ebonys Crowned Beauty”was to express my passion and creativity for hair. Doing hair has always been a passion of mines since the age of 12. Expressing my creativity through hair is definitely my happy place. I can proudly say, doing hair has been the only job I’ve ever had and I’m completely dedicated to my craft. Read more>>

Barry Edwards, II | Attorney

In a word, the decision was about control and autonomy. I started my own business because I wanted more control over my time. Also, I wanted to develop my client base so I could have more control over the people I worked with and the types of legal matters I work on. Read more>>

Julius McClarin-Davis | Artist, Athlete, & Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my business was that I didn’t want to be a worker anymore. I want to create generational wealth for my future family because I see where I’m at now with no structure or foundation doesn’t give you much options. I want to change that for my lineage and help those who still stuck reach my same goals. Read more>>

Santyanna Webb | Youth Advocate

My thought process behind starting my own business started at a very young age for me. At the age of 14, I lost my mother to gun violence. Life as I knew it changed in the blink of an eye. As a child, no matter how you lost your mother it is a very dark, lonely place. I know oh so well how hard the journey without your mother can be mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Read more>>

Nana Nkrumah | Luxury Wedding Floral & Event Designer & Icu RN

The Thought process behind staring my own business was passion & legacy. As a ICU registered Nurse, COVID burnt me out, I witnessed so much death that I just wasn’t happy being a nurse anymore. So with prayer and guidance I decided to follow my passion, which is floral and event design! Read more>>

Konica Cherry | Serial Entrepreneur

I honestly never had plans of owning a business. I started selling skincare products as a quick side hustle during the covid pandemic. Each time I would create and produce products I would sell out. I started selling small soap cubes that I created for acne out of ziplock bags. The soaps were 2 for $5. Read more>>

CJ Reaves | (Entrepreneur) Children’s book author, photographer, & digital content producer

My first official business started back in 2012 when I invested in my own camera & photography gear. I have always had a love for art, every form of art, and everything that has to do with art. Read more>>

Kristen Johnson | Owner of Kiss of Silk

When I started Kiss of Silk, it was originally “Kall Me Beautiful”. I know it sounds funny, hahaha! I was 17 when I first made that name up. I started Kiss of Silk because of my own skin. I would get really bad acne, then have dark acne scars that would not go away no matter what I used. I started researching & crafting my own skincare from simple, but effective ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, & sugar …ingredients we had in the house. Read more>>

Toi Epperson | Mindset and Life Coach

For many years I worked in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, and while I loved my job, I knew my heart wasn’t fully in it. Transformation of the body is beautiful, but transformation of the mind can shift your whole life.. That is where my heart was. My passion is to remind people that their voice matters, their gifts are needed and what they have inside of them can impact a generation. Read more>>

Imani Swanson | Wardrobe Stylist

My thought process behind my business was to show my creativity through clothes. How well I can put pieces together and turn it into an outfit. My motto for my brand is “You’ll look like money, no matter the price!” And the reason I believe in that is because you don’t have to wear expensive things to still look EXPENSIVE. Read more>>

Kathleen Cooley | Ecstatic Dance Atlanta Founder, Radio Show Host & Entrepreneur

I chose to start Ecstatic Dance Atlanta for a variety of reasons. 1. I love dancing and I love community, so Ecstatic Dance is the perfect combo of each. 2. I believe there are too few places in the city to dance freely and soberly, which is something I value immensely. Read more>>

Michelle Wright | Communications Consultant & News Reporter

The thought process behind starting my own business evolved over time. I actually like working for someone else who is in charge of “everything”. I like knowing when I’ll get paid and how much I get paid, not having to worry about health insurance and having “all” the responsibility on my shoulders. However, after 2020 things changed. I had a much different outlook. Read more>>