Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Danni Smith | CEO & LMT, MLD-C

My thought process behind starting Atlanta Curves was that there is a high demand and lack of visibility and representation in the health and wellness industry. Upon graduating from massage school I realized there were no spas that catered to curvy women. When i would travel to different places I too did not see images or representation of women that look like me. Read more>>

andrew crawford | Metalsmith / sculptor

I wanted to create a place where I could continue the work that I had begun at art school, (RISD) I found that there was a viable commercial application of the skills I was using to make sculpture. Read more>>

Erika Dehlic | Owner

I have been a sports enthusiast for years, now more than ever having 2 kiddos involved in over 5 different sports. Read more>>

Laura Luk | Cookie Artist

In the beginning, for me – it was simple. I loved decorating cookies and I sought out more opportunities to make them for people. The business formed organically through word of mouth and social media. Read more>>

Gina Kay Osborne | Founder & CEO of True Beauty Marks

My parents were both self employed, so for me it felt most natural to not rely on anyone else for my income. I really wanted an artistic career that I could not only make a good living with, but also be available to raise my future children. A big goal was to build a community of like women to do the same. After finishing school and freelancing for a couple years, I slowly built up a team & never looked back! Read more>>

Carina Balonchard | Owner Besties Empanadas and Belgian Waffles

As an Argentinean who has lived in Belgium and with a Belgian husband, I was inspired to start Besties Empanadas and Belgian Waffles as a way to bring food experiences from around the world to the USA. My husband and I have always enjoyed exploring different cuisines, and we wanted to share our love of Argentinean empanadas and Belgian waffles with others. Read more>>

Soulo & Zhen | Mother-Daughter Artist Team

My mother and I have always had an affinity and appreciation for creative outlets. I have memories of us visiting different art fairs around town and exploring all sorts of crafts together, from homemade clay projects to repurposing recycled materials. Eventually, we gravitated towards mainly using vibrant acrylic paints that can be combined with a variety of other mediums. Read more>>

Christine Harrison | Enrolled Agent & Owner

Interesting enough becoming a business owner was never part of the plan for me until recent years. Not considering myself much of a risk taker I had always been comfortable working a W2 job. Hitting the 50 year old milestone changed everything. Read more>>

Loran Wilson | Body Care Formulator & Client Experience Strategist

My thought process behind starting Address Oasis was helping women get intentional about creating a body care ritual. I wanted women to feel seen no matter where they are on their journey and I wanted Address Oasis to aid in that. Read more>>

Dana McFarland | Owner, Holistic Mountain Market

The idea for Holistic Mountain Market came about because I wanted to bring high-quality vitamins and supplements to downtown Clayton. During the beginning of the pandemic, it became very obvious to me that we needed a health food and supplement store in Rabun County since so many of us were relying on vitamin C, vitamin D3, elderberry, and zinc for support to help boost immunity against COVID. Read more>>

Kiara McClendon | I am an Entrepreneur. I am an Author, Speaker, Financial Educator, Sports & Entertainment Professional, and more to come!

The big picture of my thought process behind starting my own business was that it was essential for me to create a legacy for myself, a legacy that could outlive me, an avenue I could use to create something that would uplift, inspire, and empower people for generations. Read more>>

Tia Gallop Amber Williams | Party & Event Specialist

The thought process behind starting “Top Tier Party Bus” came about when my business partner had a negative experience with booking a mobile spa party for her daughters birthday. After doing extensive research on starting up a mobile business for ourselves, we decided to take a leap of faith and build a mobile party bus from the ground up. Read more>>

John Sierra | Husband, Father & business owner

Originally my thought process was ” I can do this and I’ll be able to have more freedom with my time and my schedule ” and I quickly realized that was not the case at all. I don’t have to wear some of the hats, I wear ALL OF THEM! Read more>>

Kristian Epison | Photographer

At a young age I was always into photography; I was always the go-to family member or friend who would take everyone’s picture, so I knew then that photography was something that was a part of me. So, my thought process is simple; I wanted to continue to pursue something that has always been in my life since a child. Read more>>

Megan Paterson | Principal Designer and Owner of Megan Paterson Interiors

I started my own business because I wanted to be able to spend more time with my family. Shortly after I had my third child I had the itch to pursue my creativity professionally- but still have the balance and freedom to be the type of mother I wanted to be. Read more>>

Kaye Barnwell | Chief Empowerment Officer

I started Billiboo® to create a global wellness platform for girls ages four to young adult. Our tagline “free to be you” is rooted in wellness and our brand is meant to empower and encourage self choice. You have to believe you’re free to be yourself to truly choose what’s best for you. Read more>>

Jacqueline Bond-Acosta | Master Cosmetologist / Protective hairstylist

I started a business as a braider because I’d already been doing hair and figured it was time for me to establish myself in a more concrete way. In 2014 I offered my braiding services on Craigslist working the streets of Atlanta til the wee hours of the morning. I did this while being a single mother of a toddler trying to get my experience and make my money as an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Semajia Howard | Owner Of City Staffing Closet LLC.

Growing up in Rochester New York moving with different family members and to a foster home, I was definitely a dreamer, spending a lot of time thinking and planning for things that I would have liked to have happened in my life but in my mind were improbable and impractical. Read more>>

Donovan Tate | CEO of Synthetique Beat/Producer/Recording Artist/Poet/Short Story Writer

I’ve wanted to release my music independently. Being in the music industry is a shiesty business. Artists are manipulated and exploited by record companies. By having freedom being independent, I can make the music I want, and release an album without having a deadline. I don’t have to rush to put out a record. Read more>>

Alex Wyche | Founder and CEO of Minority Baseball Prospects

Due to the world sitting idle during the 2020 pandemic founder Alex Wyche had to figure out how he could continue to get student-athletes college and professional baseball evaluations. He noticed that in the baseball arena coaches had no way to evaluate because there were no events or games. Alex then created a social media platform that showcases skills not on for minorities at his high school but minority kids around the country. The platform immediately took off. Read more>>

Rochelle Edrington | Digital Marketing Specialist

Since childhood, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur and I have started many ventures since I was a teenager. When I became a mother, I decided to seriously embark on my entrepreneurial journey. It was important for me to have more control over my time and earning potential. Read more>>