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.

Breana Walker | Certified Dance Teacher & Creator of You Betta Werk!” “

Dance has always been a huge part of my life since the age of 5 years old. As I have gotten older, and hearing feedback from when I would teach dance classes, my clients have always praised me on how motivational I am and the energy that I bring while teaching. Since I teach dance formally during the day as a certified dance teacher to students in grades Prek-8th, I really wanted to find a way to dance informally, while incorporating dance into fitness, in a way that people of all levels can enjoy. That’s when I came up with the idea of “You Betta Werk!”. Growing up as a dancer, I always heard and used the phrase “you betta werk” when someone in class killed it or truly gave it their all, and often times while teaching, I even say the phrase to my clients/students. “You Betta Werk!” provides dance cardio “werkouts” for all women at any level. “Werkout” is spelled with an “e” because we are not doing your typical workout. In a “werkout” session, you are doing easy to follow dance movements that make you feel sassy, confident, and move like no one is watching! Read more>>

Kristy Love | Food and Fitness Coach

In 2013 I had a heart attack while playing tennis. I was severely overweight and had adopted bad eating habits over the years. When my cardiologist stated I would have another attack unless I changed, I decided to start cooking heart healthy meals. I shared them with others in hopes they would adopt this lifestyle of eating as well. When people ate my food they commented how beautifu my dishes were and how everything taste good. They offered to pay me to meal prep for them. The word quickly spread and people were knocking my door down for meal prep as well as catering. Exercise and training is a part of lifestyle transformation. Food and fitness is my passion and I know there is a nitch for both so I leaned into it with my whole heart. Read more>>

Tyler Simmons | Owner of a Health & Wellness shop

My idea for my business honestly started in high school. I used to watch a lot of intimate videos and I would see them using adult toys, and I used to want one of my own. By my senior year I had gotten obsessed with the videos and was patiently waiting to turn eighteen so I could go to the adult toy shop in my hometown. And on my eighteenth birthday I went and I was excited to be there, I was analyzing the toy walls, the lingerie mannequins and even the TVs. I knew at that moment I wanted my own store. However, the older I got, the more discouraged I was to have my own business so I kept putting it off but I knew it was going to happen regardless. I moved to Atlanta when I was twenty six and Atlanta’s hustle culture put me in the mindset to really work on my business, so I started writing down ideas. Read more>>

Elizabeth Hulsey | Baker

I started my business on a whim. I had always loved baking and a family member told me for years I should sell my cakes around Christmas time to make a little extra Christmas money. I decided in December of 2018 that I was going to do it. I thought it would be just a one month deal, but the orders didn’t stop after Christmas was over. Read more>>