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.

Ernest Miller | Founder of Lyft Ryderz Jeep Club

My wife bought me my first Jeep Wrangler as a victory gift. She said the jeep reminded her of the journey we went through to get here, the thought of being broken down and put back together. The next thing was to start a Jeep Club that represented our culture and to pass and gain information for our well-being. That’s where our Lyft Ryderz motto comes in….To Empower, UpLyft and Encourage one another. Read more>>

Rachel Grant | Visual Artist

I often refer to it as my art practice, though it’s absolutely a business as well! Creating art has been a lifelong passion, and I’ve been fortunate to have a fulfilling career spanning over a decade as an arts administrator, working in galleries, museums, and consultancies. During those years, I continued developing my art on the side, carving out studio time in the evenings and weekends. In recent years, I dedicated myself to creating art, allowing me to turn my passion into a professional pursuit and focus entirely on my practice. It’s been both a challenging and rewarding journey. Read more>>

Sam(minsung) Kim | High School Senior & Youth Advocate

Starting Equity Minds was one of my goals in my life. As an immigrant from South Korea, I am very well aware of the disparities I feel, particularly in navigating education, healthcare, and social systems. My thought process was deeply rooted in bridging those gaps—not just for myself but for others in similar situations. I wanted to create a space where young people, especially those from underrepresented communities, could access resources and guidance that empower them to succeed despite societal barriers. Read more>>

Gabrielle Bayona | Founder & Creative Director

Between ages 18-20, I was custom making graduation & wedding dresses at a shop my mom & I co-ran. Since we were sewing all of the dresses ourselves, there was a limit to what we were able to make each year. I knew that I wanted to grow beyond custom making dresses, so took my favourite dresses from the shop’s custom wedding dress collection & put them on Etsy. At the time I didn’t know much about building a collection & creating standard sizes, but I’ve always learned best when I’m thrown into situations. It was 2013 when I put that collection on Etsy, and I’m proud to still be running my company 11 years later! Read more>>

Mia Parris | Interior Designer/Store Owner

Primarily, it was about having a purpose. I had retired from my finance career to stay home and raise my children. As they got older, I knew that I needed and wanted to work, preferably for myself. Read more>>

Alexis Fields | Indie Author, Licensed esthetician, Mental health and wellness advocate/Life Coach, Motivational Speaker and Content Creator

I’ve always felt a strong desire for autonomy and control over my own destiny. The traditional 9-to-5 job, with its rigid structure and limited earning potential, never truly resonated with me. I yearned for a path that would allow me to break free from these constraints and pursue my own ambitions. Read more>>

Ariyan Miller | Real Estate Broker

When I started my business, my thought process centered on the belief that I could make a real difference in people’s financial lives. In 2017, at 21/22, I was working as a sales manager at a hotel—a “good job” by many standards—but I always wanted something more fulfilling. My mom, a strong advocate for business ownership, encouraged me to go that route. Ironically, because she was in real estate, I initially didn’t want to pursue the same path. Instead, I started in life insurance, where I truly appreciated the value it could bring to families. However, I was confronted with the heartbreaking reality that many older clients, some in their 70s and 80s, couldn’t afford life insurance or other basic financial needs. Read more>>

Malachi Johnson | Filmmaker, Director, and CEO

When I first started MANMC Entertainment (Mid-Atlantic Network Media Company) and the production companies under it, I wanted to bring more diversity to film and television. I wanted to create content for everyone; Male, female, young, old, and those who cater towards a specific genre of film. I wanted to create something different for everyone to tell stories that viewers, specifically people of color could relate to, but I knew it couldn’t be under just one company. I had to create different companies for different target audiences to give viewers something they could feel is their own and enjoy it will be able to relate to the stories being told as well as the characters in the film or show. Read more>>

Darriyhan Edmond | Founder/Co-Executive Director

Project RED Paint, Inc. was founded in 2018 as a personal response to witnessing close friends face the reality of an HIV diagnosis without the essential support they needed. Watching them go through those initial, isolating moments—feeling alone, stigmatized, and uncertain—was incredibly difficult. I saw firsthand how much more they needed in terms of guidance, understanding, and community. Read more>>

Nicole Carothers | PR|AR|Public Figure

In a word…Empowered. At a young age, I knew what I knew and there isn’t a soul that could tell me differently. There has always been an internal fire within me that knew I would leave a positive print on the world. I also knew it would take “one brick at a time”. I have been doing this a while…. not as long as it feels… but since 2003 actively. I use that phrase with emphasis for the reason I mean exactly that… One brick at a time. Brick=team member/affiliate/partner/etc. Read more>>

Tyler Quackenbush | Merchant Processor for Georgia Businesses

My thought process behind starting my own business was pretty simple—I wanted to create something that could make a real difference for people while also giving me the freedom to shape my own path. I’d seen a lot of businesses with big fees and complicated processes, and I thought, “What if I could make things easier and actually help people keep more of their hard-earned money?” I wanted to build a business where I could connect with clients on a personal level, understand their needs, and offer real value. It was definitely a leap of faith, but I knew that if I could bring genuine service and transparency into an industry that often lacks it, I’d be doing something worthwhile. Read more>>

Alisa Walters | Digital Creator + SAHWM

My thought process behind starting my own business began super simple and has slowly grown into a huge vision. Growing up I never saw myself as a business owner, I was going the college route, I loved school. I finished my degree and I’m so glad I did, but I still craved something more in life. As I researched things I was passionate about, like being a stay at home mom, beauty, and holistic living, I knew that I had the place to start a business. Now I have multiple. Having multiple streams of income is so necessary for the kind of life my husband and I plan to give our son. So I started the business, then I started a few more and that vision is huge, and that dream is slowly getting accomplished. Read more>>

Coco Collier | Founder + President

I’ve always been passionate about empowering women and making a difference in my community. My own experiences as a cancer warrior further fueled this passion. I saw firsthand the importance of having a strong support system and the power of community. Lumina of Hope was born from this desire to create a safe and supportive space where women could heal, connect, and grow. I wanted to build an organization that could offer transformative experiences and provide the tools and resources women need to thrive. Read more>>

Karim Badani | Franchise Territory and Real Estate Developer

Growing up, I was surrounded by entrepreneurship. My parents’ journey, immigrating to the US to provide me with better opportunities, instilled in me a strong work ethic and a desire to make a meaningful impact. As I progressed in my corporate career, I realized that while I enjoyed the challenges and successes, I yearned for a deeper sense of purpose. Read more>>

Frank Monroe | Frank Monroe, but my Brand name is Khing Jus Wurk

You cannot expect others to outwork you in your pursuit of success. Until you forge those critical connections, you are responsible for putting in the effort necessary to achieve your dreams. I am on that journey. My first business, DreamzWurk Entertainment, allowed me to shine as the head artist. Although that venture faced challenges due to my lack of experience and missteps, I emerged from it wiser. My time in solitary confinement at Franklin County Jail in Tennessee was difficult, but it became a turning point for me that fueled my determination to succeed. Read more>>

Erika Allison | Owner of NuFeet Medical Pedicures®

NuFeet was born from recognizing a gap in the nail and pedicure industry for specialized services, products, and education centered around medical pedicures. I wanted to create a brand that not only provided high-quality products but also supported people who often go overlooked in traditional foot care services. My goal was to empower nail professionals with the knowledge and tools to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care tailored to specific foot health needs. My commitment to health, safety, and education in foot care drove me to establish NuFeet as both a trusted resource and a community for professionals dedicated to excellence. Read more>>