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.

Melissa Schenkman

In my professional life working with hospitals, universities, and nonprofits, I have had the privilege of interviewing many people from around the country. It was this very part of my career that I love so much, interviewing people, that sparked my idea for YMyHealth. Read More>>

Alex Helton

It started as a tiny idea. I have several friends who work in real estate and I always thought it was interesting. I was driving around one day and a thought popped in my head: become a real estate agent. Read More>>

Dr. Nadrat Nuhu

Wisteria Psychological and Behavioral Services was born out of a deep commitment to making high-quality psychological care more accessible. We recognized a significant gap for in-home services, particularly for older children and individuals with challenging behavior. With years of experience, Dr. Nuhu saw firsthand the struggles families faced in finding specialized support for their children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Read More>>

Shava’ Ellis

My thought process behind starting my business wasn’t your typical “I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur” moment. I was actually watching Black Ink Chicago when I saw Rachel James, a Black woman with her own nail polish line, and I was immediately inspired. Read More>>

Savannah Tejchman

The simple answer? I’ve always known that my career would only feel right if I could eat, sleep, and breathe what I’m passionate about—and actually make a living doing it. Being an entrepreneur was always patiently and shyly sitting in the back of my mind, but the bigger question was: what would my business even be?​ How could I truly call myself an entrepreneur? Do I even know what that means? Am I capable of becoming the woman who owns her own successful business, fully living the ‘boss babe’ life?​ Read More>>

Jessica Patton

When I started this journey with just $2000 and a plan, I knew in my heart this was meant to be!

After working in salons since I was 16 and learning the ins and outs of this industry, I felt called to create something different – a space where both stylists and clients could feel at home. Read More>>

Tatyana Voltaire

My thought process behind starting my own Business was that I wanted to help as many Businesses, Entrepreneurs, & Content Creators thrive and elevate within the social media realm with the assistance of my social media management & marketing business Socialsbytaty. I love seeing small businesses & micro influencers grow, flourish, & reach their highest potential on & off of social media. Read More>>

Cameron Jay Harrelson

I started Defined Campaigns because I knew the kind of work I wanted to do didn’t fit inside anyone else’s job description. I’ve always believed that strategy and storytelling—when done with heart and intention—can not just “move needles”, but can actually change lives. Too often, I saw organizations in the public, private, and purpose (nonprofit) sectors doing incredible work without the communications or capacity to tell their story, move hearts, or shift systems. Read More>>

MIa Hall

My thought process behind starting my own business initially was getting the experience for which I wanted someone to hire me. I’ve heard the adage – ‘Don’t wait for someone to produce you, produce yourself’ early on, so I knew that I would need to write, create shows such as ‘HBCU Prime,’ ‘Mia’s Full Court Press,’ and ‘Brown Girls Glow Live,’ and ‘Parables From The Projects’ on my own before getting hired on a show. Read More>>

Russell Squire

The thought process behind starting Jewels4Krowns is that I love people, and I always want to find ways to help and encourage them. I saw a post that said, “you are who your childhood needed.” So, I started Jewels4Krowns to be the mentor and guide I needed while growing up, inspired by life experiences, both positive and negative. I felt the world needed the me that I needed when I was growing up. Read More>>

Victoria & Brad Parks

It all started with what we thought would be a budget-friendly “staycation” as newlyweds. We booked a cheap Airbnb on Tybee Island, Georgia—close enough to drive, with a kitchen to save on meals—thinking we were making a smart move. But after the trip, the sticker shock hit hard. Victoria was in tears over how much we’d spent, and suddenly, international travel felt completely out of reach. That’s when she said, “I’ve heard about this thing called points and miles travel—I’m going to figure it out!” Read More>>