Ideas aren’t everything, execution matters greatly, but starting often requires an idea and so we asked folks to think back and tell us the story of how they came up with the idea for their businesses. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite stories below.

Salim Mekhmoukh | CEO MADO-Energy Drink

I was born in Algeria, (grew up in East Cobb) and while visiting in 2019, I stumbled upon an energy drink that I liked so much, I wanted to bring it back home to Atlanta. Now, I didn’t have any experience in the beverage world, but I did have experience running a distribution company. A series of unfortunate obstacles stopped me from importing the drink so I decided, why not create my own. Then the pandemic hit and everything changed. Read more>>

Kia Haynes | Owner & Creator of BowTie Shawty

My journey into entrepreneurship was not intentional, it grew on me. It started in 2015 through my own desire of wanting a product like what I now create, a BowTie. Not just any BowTie, I wanted a something different and complimentary. I could not find what I wanted, so I created it. Read more>>

Takyla Williams | hairstylist & Dj

I’ve always wanted to do hair it was all about timing one of my big cousins inspired me with the hair business she use to always do mine and others and I would watch, over the years I begin to do hair a little here and there, and now it’s bigger than I thought so much clientele & Growth. Read more>>

Aida Dabreo | Nurse Practitioner and Entrepreneur

My mom taught me how to read prior to starting Pre-K. When I became a mom, I decided that I would teach my son Chace at home as well! When Chace was a newborn I sung the alphabet to him daily and during bedtime as if it were a lullaby or nursery rhyme! Fast forward about ten months later, Chace started singing the alphabet on his own. Chace learned phonics A-Z by 16 months old and began reading flashcards at 18 months old. Read more>>

Elise Rankins | Events Director and Life Coach for Athletes

During the pandemic, when the world seemed to pause, I was able to truly hone in on the community around me and realize that there were groups of kids and coaches that needed the support of community. It was the smallest gesture of simply showing up that my friends and I did, with consistency that made all the difference. Read more>>