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.

Posey Parks | Author

I always wanted to be my own boss. Writing was my passion. How could I take what I love and turn it into a business? I went online and interacted with readers in the romance community. Shared excerpts of my work. Readers enjoyed what they read. I completed my first book and my author career flourished from there. I took entrepreneurial classes in college. Read more>>

Amantul (Dunna/Rifqa) Muhammad | Serial Entrepreneur

The thought process of me starting my own business came from me always knowing and wanting to own everything I do. Growing up I wasn’t taught nor did I have immediate examples, but I knew ownership was important. In addition to knowing that, I had ideas and concepts I felt were unique and have yet to be embarked upon, and I wanted to be the reason behind something new and innovative that would have an impact on many people’s lives. Read more>>

Jasmine Smith | CEO & Professional Organizer

I started my business in January 2023 after helping my Dad to clean and organize this home office. He was so appreciative and told me over and over that my help was life changing for him. To me it was a fun Saturday afternoon where I listened to my favorite podcast and organized. I loved that I was able to help him without buying acrylic containers or new bins. Read more>>

Todd WIndham | CEO & Founder of Uncle Buck’s

My father passed in December of 2022 and his shoe-shining kit was one of the items I was able to bring home with me. I began shining my own shoes, as a way to reflect on the time I spent with my father, and it made me realize how many young men don’t have the resources and memories I shared with my father. Many of my memories with my dad involve me shining his shoes on Saturday evenings before his church services on Sunday. Read more>>

Marcie Reif | Photographer & Educator

When I started my business I was a full time elementary teacher and had only been previously enjoying photography as a hobby and taking pictures of my own children. I opened my business in 2012 in hopes that I could make a little extra money as well as pay for all the expensive gear I had my eyes on! I did not initially envision it for what it is today. Read more>>

Dr.Elyssa Green | Founder of Bald,Boss,Beauty

Choosing to make my journey of hair loss a living lesson for all who see me I founded Bald Boss Beauty to advocate openly for alopecia awareness highlighting the areas of style, health, and education (S.H.E.). My dedication, focus, communication, determination, openness, and loyalty to my cause, community, and creative freedom make me an invaluable asset to the world! Read more>>

Taylor Young | Branding and Web Designer

Taylor Branding Company initially started as a side hustle. I knew I had the mindset of an entrepreneur and I’ve always been a creative person, so I came up with a way to use my passion for design to help others and make extra money simultaneously. By creating eye-catching graphics and websites, my clientele grew and what started as a side gig expanded into something much bigger! Read more>>

Priscille Lors | Makeup Artist, Entrepreneur, & Faith-Based Creator

My thought process behind starting my business at first was to make quick money, but later down the line, as I started to travel and experience things, I began to understand what exactly my interests are, so I started aligning my passions and beliefs with my business. I have always had a love for Makeup, but I never took it seriously as a career, because I feared what other people would think of me. Read more>>

Pamela Heyward | Event Planner & Human Resources Professional

My thought process behind starting my own business was wanting to create a legacy. When you realize that you have a gift, you want to give it on a larger scale than where you are at the moment. You also want to leave it for your future generations to innovate, especially if you’re around to see the wonderful changes they implement with what you’ve handed to them. Read more>>

Savannah Harris | Bridal | Special Occasions Makeup Artist

I would say starting my business happened all so fast! I have been doing makeup for as long as I can remember, practicing in my free time, doing it for friends and family, making reels/TikToks, etc. Never thinking this dream job of mine would be in reach for me! When I saw an opportunity to be an assistant for a local MUA, I jumped at the opportunity and fell in love! Read more>>

Ayobami Akanbi | CEO/ Founder

As the founder of Quickmechs, my thought process behind starting the company was driven by two main factors: the increasing demand for efficient and reliable automotive services and my passion for leveraging technology to solve everyday problems. I noticed a significant gap in the market when it came to accessing quick and reliable Auto repair services. Read more>>

Jerrime Golightly | Butcher

The thought process behind starting my business was to be able to provide food for my family and the community as a whole. During the pandemic ,I saw the demand of food rise in the community and grocery stores not being able to supply the demand . At that point , the journey of becoming a butcher started and it progressed to Goshen Family Farmland. Read more>>

Mia Newkirk | Cake Designer/Cakeologist

My oldest is almost 18 and I can remember ordering his first birthday cake. It was your basic sheet cake from Walmart that had a cake topper on it, some sprinkles and some writing. I went to the same book every other customer did and the only difference about his cake was the name and picture on it. There was nothing really memorable about it. Read more>>

Kimberly Dooley | Online Course Creator and Focus Group Expert

For the past 3 decades, I have shared the world of focus groups and market research with friends and family in an effort to help them make money and take financial control of their life. I have always found great joy in helping and connecting others to resources. Shortly before the pandemic, I started brainstorming about how I could share my knowledge much more efficiently with hundreds, even thousands. Read more>>

Hans Kenemer | Cinematographer & Co-Founder of PYX Studios

I love anything related to film, and from early childhood, I had my sights set on pursuing it as a career. There wasn’t, and still isn’t, anything else I could picture myself doing. I was fortunate enough to study the craft in university – first at Georgia State University and most recently at the Savannah College of Art & Design. As my career began to develop, I found myself in search of a path that not only provided work in the industry, but also the ability to tell my own stories and help others do the same. Read more>>

Leonard Johnson | Dentist and Aesthetics Provider

My thought process was I wanna work for myself, make my own money and set my own schedule. Read more>>

Mariah White | Master Cosmetologist & Community Activist

I started Myxed Service to build a bridge between my two passions, being creative and serving my community! I am Mariah White, Master Cosmetologist and Community Activist. I began my activist career in undergrad at Clark Atlanta University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in hopes to become a criminal defense attorney. Read more>>

Trey Payne | Business Maverick & Networking Luminary

I appreciate your interest in my business journey. The foundation of my decision to start my own business was rooted in a dual motivation – one that extends beyond mere financial control. While establishing a sustainable income stream is undoubtedly important, my aspirations run deeper. Read more>>

Jason Pollak | Marketer & Brand Architect

I started my marketing agency in 2012 when I saw how there was a need for social media management, but it wasn’t yet a career. Since there were very few jobs in social media marketing, most jobs revolved around blogging, I decided to start reaching out to people to see if they needed help in those areas. Read more>>

Lauren Moreno | Coffee Business Owner

I created The Gold Bean Coffee to introduce specialty coffees to people that love coffee, who have never experienced a farm to cup coffee experience! Read more>>

Justine Dahl | Fine Artist & Master of Media

I started my Art business for many reasons and it’s hard to say what gave me the final push; financial needs, ambition, passion, purpose, and circumstance all have led me to where I am today. Straight out of a college, I became a middle school Art teacher and loved my job and students, but I had a deep passion for creating and sharing Art with others far beyond that of teaching. Read more>>

Gerald Jerome Hicks Jr | Scout and recruiter

The underlying motivation for launching my business centers around providing student-athletes, especially those transferring to collegiate institutions, with the chance to excel at the collegiate level. Simultaneously, I aim to support parents who are unfamiliar with the intricacies of scouting and recruiting, offering guidance throughout the process. Read more>>

Sharryn Harewood | Glamourista

I always loved Fashion! Of course, being a native New Yorker definitely helped, New York is one of the fashion capitals of the world. Growing up in a city with such a strong fashion presence inspired and exposed me to a wide range of trends and styles. In addition, I frequently traveled for work and with my Navy husband. Read more>>

Queshon Early | Mother, Business owner, Rapper, Nail Tech, Hairstylist

I wanted to provide a legacy for my children. Whether they continue to grow this business or use it as a stepping stone. I just want to provide them with a solid foundation. Read more>>

Jon Padilla | Destination Wedding Videographer

Funny enough I was working at my church as a youth leader and had started shooting with another wedding videography business. It dawned on me to try to buy my own camera and start my own business shooting weddings and it’s been uphill since then! I love being a business owner and having the freedom I do have. It feels like a cheat code at times in life. Read more>>

Influence Getem | Entrepreneur

Knowing that, in any company’s eyes, I’m just another number that’s expendable is just one of the reasons why I haven’t worked for anyone in 25 years. Knowing that the same energy could go into building my own brand and marketing myself as well as my talents was a better path to take. Companies care not about their employees or customers and lack attention to details that actually matter for the most part. Read more>>

KEVIN JOHN | Co-Founder and CEO

I started this journey with my Dad with more heart than knowledge. I saw it as an opportunity to partner with my Dad and start a family business. I’ve never dabbled in the adult beverage space other than being a consumer. I was as green as they come but over the years, my aspiration and vision is enormous. Read more>>

Patrick Downer | Filmmaker, community activists & photo studio owner

My thought process of starting my own business came from just wanting to do my own thing and creating something that I can have as I get old and possibly give it to my future family. I was always the type that didn’t like working for someone. Read more>>

Shamarie Simmons | Cosmetics owner

My thought process behind starting my business was really just me wanting to make women feel special and embracing their true beauty without breaking the bank. I have always loved make up and had a passion for it. Read more>>

Maryle Malloy | Brand Architect, Web Designer, Digital Marketer, & Strategic Consultant

I have over 40 years of experience in both management and marketing. During that time, I was employed by various small business owners and corporations with hundreds of employees. I also worked for a family-owned company and myself for short periods. Read more>>

Haley McNeal | Founder and CEO

After years of working in Corporate America, a huge part of me felt under-appreciated for my talent in Human Resources and I felt as though I was not truly compensated for the hard work, loyalty and dedication. I think this story resonates with many in the workforce and especially for those considering entrepreneurship and I wanted more from life and I needed to create my own path to showcase my talent in a way no one could have imagined. Read more>>

Imani .L | Entrepreneur

The full and honest process of getting to where I am now, as a person and with my business, might not be what you think. It started with my mom becoming a full-time entrepreneur. December 2019. Me at the time being 12, and yes, I’m 15 now. It was my mom’s idea to have me think about what my business would be in August 2020, so I did. Read more>>

Scarves and Spikes | Tyler Pilgrim, Tommy Moos, & Sydney Hunte

As a group that loves soccer and Atlanta United, the three of us have been writing and contributing to Dirty South Soccer, Major League Soccer, and a variety of other outlets for years. We started the Dirty South Soccer Twitter Spaces post-match show in early 2022 and the listenership grew massively in a matter of weeks. Read more>>

Keyilah McCray | Found and CEO of K.S.M. BOUTIQUE

I started K.S.M. BOUTIQUE, after studying the gap of body positivity for all and the lack of not having custom apparel or ready to wear fashions available for all body types. I knew this was my calling at the age of 7. I have always had a passion for fashion. From then to now I have been working on my knowledge and execution. Read more>>

Ebony Adams | Cottage Baker/Private Chef

Right before I decided to start my business my daughter and I had just started renting a house. My ex and I were both making pretty decent money at our jobs. I had enough money saved up while still expecting my tax return money and he was up for a promotion at his job, and so we mutually decided that it was a good time to go ahead and take that step. Read more>>

Kristen Marcus | Creator of House of Marcus

I created my own business out of a need that I personally had. I studied Multimedia and Graphic Design in College. My last year of college, I began experiencing health concerns (physical and mental). Within 2 years, after Graduation, Marriage, and working; I experienced a significant health decline. After spending a week in the hospital and fasting…I began to feel better. Read more>>