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.

Dr. Evelyn Roberts | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I grew up in a small town called Orville, AL, with a burning desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Being naturally talkative, I embarked on a journey through college, switching majors three times until I finally found my calling in Social Work. It was a decision driven by my deep-rooted passion for connecting with others and providing support. Read more>>

Rachel Norton | Founder of Clothing Brand: Zenith Nadir

Since adolescence, I’ve always had a weirdly strong desire to be an entrepreneur. I didn’t know what that term meant back then but I remember watching travel shows with my grandfather and seeing these elaborate resorts and theme parks and saying “I want to own something like that some day”. I remember constantly writing about the different features like restaurants and shops that I wanted to have on my resort. Read more>>

 Francesca Sweat | Photographer & Owner of Frankie’s Gift Ideas

I was always the slow and steady wins the race person in my family. I would dedicate years to a corporation that was lacking creativity but it supported me financially to raise my family and meet my needs. Many years people I worked with would plant seeds of encouragement that I should tap into my creative side to start something outside of my current position. Read more>> 

Raisa Hunter | Wife + Mom + Chef

After working in marketing for over 10 years, I found myself stagnant. I wanted more than what the organization was offering and really had reached a point of no more growth. Always having a passion for food and somehow maintaining a part-time food related job, in addition to a full-time career job, I was just ready to do something different than meeting deadlines or attending meetings that could have been an email. Read more>>

Greg Johnson | Medical Doctor and owner of Edge Dynasty a full service restaurant with hookah

I have had the great fortune of having owned several businesses o er my career I am a Medical Doctor (Emergency Teleradiology), a minimally disabled Air Force Veteran, previously owned a Beauty Salon and Barbershop, and AirBnB’s This project is very different and difficult however I always wanted to own A Supper Club My parents first date was at The Cotton Club in Harlem The picture of their first date was in my home my whole life. It inspired and when the prior owners of The Sound Table offered to sell it to me, I jumped at the opportunity Read more>>

Enaiyah Martin | Nail Tech

Growing up, I watched my mom run her own business and it inspired me. I started my first business, making beaded bracelets, in elementary school. I operated that business through middle school and the beginning of high school. After a while, the business was at a standstill. So I thought of other things I could do as a stream of income. I chose to start practicing nails the rest is history! I now have been doing nails professionally for 3 years and have a small, online nail supply store as well. Read more>>

Tea Cup | Community/Brand Strategist

In 2014, I saw a foresight of people wanting to step into their purpose and pursue all the things they were taught was unrealistic growing up. Back then, Instagram had only been out a few years and had just allowed us to start using video longer than 10 secs. So I started recording YouTube videos and interviews with my peers who do cool things and document the journey of where they’re going, Read more>>

Monaleto C. Irby | Staff and Leadership Development Facilitator

I was providing services for my 9-5 that was receiving awesome reviews. Staff were requesting me to be the facilitator of their courses. I was being asked to share my facilitation skills outside of work at conferences. It was stated once, “you need to do this on your on. You need your own business. Read more>>

Dr. Mary Goodwin, PhD, RN | Founder/Owner/Directo

As a registered nurse with a passion for education, I wanted to become an nurse educator and a mentor for a new generation of healthcare providers. I understand the frustrations and lack of encouragement that sometimes comes with the pursuit into healthcare and I want to not only provide education and teach skills, I also want to provide students with tools and the encouragement necessary as they begin their healthcare journey. Read more>>

Shelby Friedman | CEO of Silver Swann Marketing

I worked for 5 different Marketing agencies before deciding to open up my own, and the reasoning was simple: I saw all 5 of these past employers fail to create a transparent customer experience that kept their clients happy. As an agency scales and grows, personalization and transparency lose their footing, making way for standardization and sanitization in an attempt to retain clients. Read more>>

Sabrina Pollard | Chef & Event Creator

My initial thought of starting my own business was survival. As a mother making a way for my family was always my main focus. Learning to cook as a way to provide turned into a passion the more I was able to see the joy it brought others. It allowed me an avenue of creativity I’d never experienced and I loved it. Read more>>

Shavonn Richardson | Founder and CEO, Think and Ink Grants

As a nonprofit leader, I saw how difficult it was to get grants. I co-founded the prostate cancer nonprofit Blue Flowers Org. I have walked the journey so many nonprofit leaders walk. Then, I saw grant-seeking through the eyes of a funder. I worked for a corporate foundation office responsible for distributing over $1.3 million in grants and sponsorship to Atlanta nonprofits. It was a privilege to read multiple applications, learn what stood out in some applications, and see opportunities for improvement in others. Read more>>

 Chris Caldwell | Chef

I wanted to give back to my community and the only resources I had at the time was food. So drawn the pandemic I donated 2500 meals to essential workers and Homely shelters.a Read more>>

Lauren Allen | Creative Anomaly & Business Owner

Starting my own business meant having creative control while doing something I love! The birth of my daughters increased my need for creative expression and getting closer to my purpose. My full-time job provides opportunities to be creative in leadership agility but can limit creative freedom based on personal interests. Read more>>

Shanice Linton | Content Marketing Strategist & Founder

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had the mindset of a business owner. In high school, I sold my artwork and did freelance photography and videography as a side hustle. In college, I started a Caribbean model agency while working to obtain my degree. Fast forward to today, my content marketing agency, Visual Vybz Studios is now 5 years old. So I’d probably say, my thought process behind starting my business is due to the satisfaction that comes with creating something that can impact others in a significant way. Read more>>

Abodunrin Akinfenwa | Photographer & Creative Director

In all honesty, I realized at a very young age that I did not like being told what to do. Although I needed guidance at the time, the idea being my own boss always appealed to me. I had worked a few job from when I was 16 till about 20. Catering assistant, customer service, bus boy, waiter, paper route and so on. Read more>>

Dana Nunnally | Owner + Creator of Drench Sauna Studio

Ultimately, there was a “problem”, so I created a solution. The “problem” was that I, and other wellness seekers in our area, didn’t have access to quality private infrared saunas. In fact, we didn’t have access to any private saunas at all. I wanted to create a space that not only provided my community with access to the absolute best full-spectrum infrared saunas on the market, but for this this space to feel more like a spa than the sterile aesthetic of many other wellness centers. I felt like our town needed Drench. So, I created it. Read more>>

Suerence Marcelle | Pastry Chef

My business first started as a hobby. As I started to bake more for family and friends, through word of mouth, I was asked to bake for their friends or kids birthday’s. When I decided to move forward as a business I knew that I wanted to bring quality work to my craft and have a focus point for my business. Read more>>

M.Ø.B.DAME | Artists

Learning that there is more to life than making the next person rich. Constantly thinking how can i make enough to take care of my people and build Generational wealth like i Gotta be the one to do it. Read more>>

Nalani York | Founder & Leadership Coach

York + Co. is a professional development company for emerging talent and rising leaders. My thought process behind starting York + Co. was my belief that everyone should have access to coaching and development, and I am passionate about helping underserved talent at the intersection of life and career. Read more>>

Kami Symone | Graphic Designer

The thought behind starting my business was creativity and passion. I’ve been so creative since I was a little girl, I say around 7 or 9. Just always knew how to work different programs. Microsoft PowerPoint was my favorite. When I was in the 8th grade I had to present a PowerPoint to move on to high school and I did so well that so many people asked me to help them with theirs! After that I just had a passion for technology! Anything you needed I can get it done! Read more>>

Jasmin Long | Master Stylist and Luxury Boutique Owner

My thought process behind starting my own business and brand was about me changing the dynamic of what shopping experiences are like for women. I wanted to start a brand that catered to women’s self esteem, femininity, and fashion sense. I have realized how much looking good contributes to feeling good for women. Being able to assist women in discovering things about themselves and their confidence level through fashion is a beautiful journey to be apart of with our clients. Read more>>

Bernadine Baptiste | North Georgia Baker & Cake Decorator

I’ve been baking since I was 12 years old so it’s always been a hobby of mine. When COVID hit, being at home gave me more time practice and really hone in on my skills! By 2021 with a push from my family, I started my business! I was also nearing the end of high school and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so being able to work while being creative is such a blessing. Read more>>