The Early Days: why did you start a business

Aarica Smith | Founder & Creative Executive Officer, Infectious Design Co.

Infectious Design Co. initially started as Infectious Greetings, selling only greeting cards. The business idea of creating a greeting card company came from my experience with my grandmother and my mom. Growing up, they showed me the importance of “showing up” for others. That could be in the form of making a plate for someone who isn’t feeling well, calling someone who you haven’t seen in a while just to check-in, or simply sending them a card to let them know that you are thinking about them. My grandmother had a basket full of cards in her cupboard. Anytime she needed a birthday card, sympathy card, thinking of you card or baptism card, she didn’t have to make an excuse to run to the store. She always had a card to choose from in her cupboard. Read more>>

Ada | CEO & Model

Ever since I was 15, I knew I wanted to have my own business. After Kylie Jenner launched her cosmetics line, I realized I didn’t need to wait until I graduated college to start my own company. In March 2019, I launched my business, V i Z i o N, initially focusing on eyewear before expanding into cosmetics and accessories. I started my own business to create something uniquely mine and build a lasting legacy. I wanted the freedom and autonomy that comes with not working under someone else’s schedule. Owning my business allows me to fully express my creative side and have complete control over my work. Read more>>

Andy Byrne | Founder of RequiemVFX

I think I’ve always had in my head that I would eventually start my own company. I’ve been a part of creating visuals for Film, TV and Commercial Ads for 20 yrs now. It’s crazy to think that, but it’s also a big part of the reason I decided to start RequiemVFX. There’s a lot of repetition that goes on with working in the Visual Effects industry. I tend to lose focus and become bored very quickly when something comes easy for me. One of my top 5 biggest fears is being bored in life. It’s because of this reason that I personally set career goals for myself throughout the years as mini challenges. And at the beginning of 2023 I felt like I have hit the ceiling. It was time to just do it as Phil Knight would say. Read more>>

Arthur Revere | Ayetraye Productions

I have always had a deep passion for storytelling and creating multimedia content. Starting my own company allowed me to have complete creative control and bring my vision to life without any constraints. I also wanted the freedom to pursue projects that truly mattered to me and aligned with my values. Owning my business provided the power to choose projects and collaborations that reflected my personal and professional goals.I aimed to create a lasting impact in the industry and build a brand that would be remembered for its creativity, innovation, and excellence. Ayetraye Productions is not just a business, it’s a legacy I want to build and pass on. Read more>>

Ashley Payne | Scientist and CEO

I’ve spent years in an academic setting earning a Masters, PhD and working in a clinical setting conducting scientific research and writing. There were many struggles and mental breakdowns because I was challenged a lot with little guidance at times. However, throughout that journey, I embraced my talents and discovered that all of my work is a true passion and even character traits to learn new things in the fields of science and public health. It became bigger than me. I am always fulfilled when I can help others pursue their academic and professional goals because it leads to mental growth in other areas of their life. Eventually, I began to recognize my leadership skills and decided to transfer those skills and produce Payne Sciences. Read more>>

Asiah Wilborn | Private Practice Owner & Speech-Language Pathologist

My thought process behind starting my own business began during my diverse work experiences in various settings, including schools, pediatric clinics, and virtual contracting companies. Despite the variety, I never felt fulfilled and often experienced burnout. This left me yearning for the ability to manage my own day-to-day activities. I realized I wanted to open my private practice when I got accepted into graduate school. To prepare, I immersed myself in learning about the process. I listened to numerous podcasts and read countless articles on starting a private practice. I was careful not to rush the process, taking my time to ensure everything was in place before I opened my practice. When the time was right, I was ready to launch, fully confident in my decision and prepared for the journey ahead. Read more>>

Dana Kelley | The Working HouseMom

Starting my own business was a deeply personal and transformative journey for me rooted in my passion for cooking and interior design, both of which have always been close to my heart. The catalyst, however, came from a place of profound personal loss. In 2021, after my mom passed away, I fell into a deep depression and longed for a way to reconnect with her. In my search for solace, I turned to something familiar—cooking. The kitchen became my sanctuary, a place where I could feel her presence. My mom was the undisputed cook in our family, and her meals brought everyone together. To reconnect with her, I’d put on my apron, turn on some Motown music, and could almost envision her in my kitchen with me. Read more>>

Julius Mbungo | Technology Entreprenuer

I chose to pursue entrepreneurship rather than accept a traditional job after receiving multiple job offers following my university graduation because I believed I could have a greater impact this way. I felt a strong desire to use my skills and abilities to address real-world challenges and make a meaningful difference. This led me to start Toolboksi, a platform that connects skilled workers in the informal sector with clients, providing job opportunities and enhancing skill development. The goal of Toolboksi is to create economic empowerment and community impact by leveraging technology to address the challenges faced by workers in the informal sector and by households and businesses seeking reliable service providers. Read more>>

Kenika Holloway | Licensed Professional Counselor

My thought process behind starting my own business was really born from the fact that I did not have a desire to work in corporate America. I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but with no direct role models it took me a while to figure out exactly what that meant for me. After working for several counseling agencies, I decided that I wanted to start my own. I wanted to have a name that reflected my belief about people reaching understanding through healing and that we cannot change people we can only change ourselves. So with the help of a friend, I figured out the message I wanted to communicate and that’s how I started Activating Wellness Within. Read more>>

Kilian Rief | Ran Estate Broker

It has been my dream to be a real estate broker in the US since I was 10 years old. Originally from Germany I moved to the US in 2015 to start my business. Read more>>

Meg Harris | Business owner, & Group Fitness Instructor

I worked in Medical Administration for nearly 25 years in many different positions, managing being the main role. I also taught Group Fitness, specializing in Dance, on the side for many years. This was my release from working a stressful 9-5 job. One day my son came to me, who, at the time, was a Life/Health Coach and let me know that he started an LLC called The Cultivation Station. I was very proud of him and admired that he did this at such a young age. About a year later we talked again and came up with the idea of adding Group Fitness to the LLC. He added me as his partner shortly after and together we have opened up a Fitness studio in Carrollton Georgia where we also provide one on one Coaching services for Life, Health, Nutrition and Fitness. Read more>> 

Mehul Desai | Photographer & Videographer

I embarked on the journey of starting my own business to pursue my long-held passion. Over the years, I gained experience across various industries, yet I had not previously considered transforming my passion into a professional venture. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 provided a unique opportunity to step away from the relentless pace of everyday life and reflect deeply on my enthusiasm for photography. After dedicating time to enhancing my skills and knowledge in the field, I made the decision to establish a production company, turning my passion into a dedicated business endeavor. Read more>>

Nelle Williams | Brand Strategist & Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting each of my businesses was driven by a desire to address specific needs that I identified through personal experience and market observation. For instance, with the Opin’ Facts Podcast, I noticed a gap in the availability of intergenerational perspectives in media. Many people, including myself, were missing the rich insights that come from different age groups interacting and sharing experiences. This realization led me to create a platform that brings these diverse viewpoints together. It began with my mother (60) and I (28) and we focused on bridging the gap between perspectives of different generations. Read more>>

Opeoluwa Anifowoshe | Musician/Field Service Technician

At a Very Young Age I have always had the passion to entertain People with My musical skills. I never knew relocating to the United States would elevate me to this level. I am a professional DJ, with experience of about 17years as we speak. A little reflection on how My Story Started. During My High School Senior Year Back in 2007, we were having our final get-together, which was a banquet, The organizer had nothing to entertain the audience with musically. Being part of the planning committee, with the knowledge that the event will kick off in 2hours I suddenly suggested that I had a DVD player and a sound system we could at least use just to play some music. Immediately, My Gym coach took me home to get it since I was a little less than 5 mins away from the school. Read more>>

P.s. Wilson | Chief Wellness Officer & Personal Health Consultant

Embarking on my entrepreneurial journey was fueled by several personal motivations that resonate with my overarching goal of creating a positive impact. First and foremost, I wanted to create more freedom for family time—having the flexibility to be present for the moments that matter most. I wanted to chart my own course, making decisions that align with my values and long-term goals. As a health advocate, I saw an opportunity to extend my reach and purpose. My goal is to create a wave of influence in the healthcare industry, from being a positive impact in the ever growing private home care and corporate wellness sectors, to improving food quality in hospitals and schools. This business is my way of contributing to a healthier, more compassionate world. Read more>>

Riandra J | Entrepreneur

My initial thought process was “I can’t work for nobody”. However, that’s not the case, you gotta be a worker before you can become a boss. My problem was never “a job”… it was the pay I didn’t like. Plus I’m so multitalented, why keep me bottled up? Why keep my talents away from the world? I don’t want to feel restricted anymore… Read more>>

Semi V | Lupus Advocate & Children’s Author

I started the Light For Lupus LLC because I wanted to tackle the emotional, personal and social realities of living with lupus by speaking to community groups and sharing my story with those who are affected by the disease, in hope to bringing light to the illness. Connecting with families with younger children diagnosed with lupus has been one of my centered focuses. Being able to provide them with materials to help them navigate through this journey is the main goal. Originally, I didn’t know what direction I wanted to go in, all I knew is that I wanted to spread awareness and educate others. I wanted people to know that lupus is a complex disease that can cause many complications but with the right resources and mindset you can live life like any other person. I have my bad days when I’m lethargic and achy but I also have really good days too. Read more>> 

Stephanie Olson | restauWant Founder & Campaign Director

This question is kind of funny to think about, because it almost feels as though there was never another option for me. I have always felt drawn to problem-solving: innovating solutions where they didn’t yet exist, or filling gaps in those that did to do something better or more comprehensively. I started my first business at eighteen and built it through college. I wanted to learn everything. I began with a limited skillset, of course, at that age, but it was practically useful: web development and graphic design. I had tinkered with this for personal projects and realized it could be done better than it was in my area at the time. So I reached out to business owners, posted my portfolio, and began working on projects. Read more>>

Taylor Schenker | Founder & Designer

Through my experience working as an Urban Designer and Land Use Data Analyst, I realized that the number one thing preventing meaningful work and successful partnership was poor communication. So many organizations are doing incredible things but fail to get others on board because they can’t explain their research, ideas, etc, in an accessible way. I created Schenker Creative Co. as a design firm focused on helping people visually communicate their complex ideas. After all, 65% of people are visual learners. Read more>>

Walil Archer | Real Estate Investor, An Award Winning Photojournalist, and An Inspired Actor

My thought process for starting my own business began with identifying opportunities in the real estate market, which led to my first venture as a real estate investor. Recognizing the growth potential, I expanded into a real estate management company, and later diversified into the cellphone store business and a unisex hair salon. Each step was driven by a clear understanding of market needs, a strategic plan, and a willingness to adapt and innovate. Which led me to be invited as a guest on Downtown Hott Radio. My engaging presence and passion for broadcasting quickly earned me a spot as a co-host on the show. By 2013, I had expanded my role even further, becoming an award-winning photojournalist for The Real RAPP Radio Show, which airs on Saturdays from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Downtown Hott Radio. Read more>>

Will Harris | Gym Owner

I just wanted to create a dope fitness space with a great atmosphere and gym culture! A place where people can come for REAL results and a sense of community. There’s a ton of fitness facilities in Georgia, no doubt about it. But there aren’t many who take pride in building culture amongst their tribe. I want Double Up Boxing and Fitness to be the premier transformational facility in Gainesville. And I intend on setting the tone for that. Read more>>

Yulia Kallestinova | Photographer

It all started with a simple hobby: I was fascinated by photo portraits. I loved seeing myself, my friends, and family looking beautiful in photos. It brought me joy to capture their beauty, show them the pictures, and see their smiles and happiness. I wanted them to love their photos and feel proud to share them with their loved ones. When I became a mom, the importance of preserving those fleeting moments became even more apparent. This passion, combined with the desire to help others keep their special memories, motivated me to turn my hobby into a profession. I recognized a unique opportunity to provide personalized and heartfelt photography services, focusing on the special bonds within families, the joy in everyday moments, and the beauty of life’s milestones. This blend of personal passion and the desire to offer a valuable service to others was the foundation of my decision to start my own photography business. Read more>>

Zoe Hill | Esthetician

In high school I had the dream of owning my own business someday. That dream grew and after completing esthetic school I had the opportunity to make it a reality. Read more>>