Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Jill Strickland | Wife, Mother, & Business Owner

What started out as a hobby quickly turned into something unexpected. I purchased a kiln at the end of February 2020, and two weeks later the school where I taught closed for Covid. I was teaching Pre-K so there was no virtual learning put in place at that time so I had a lot of time on my hands. Being at home with my husband, 2 teenagers, and our dog was nice for a few days but quickly got old! I found peace in the garage in my little glass studio that I had created. I pretty much went out into the garage and didn’t come back inside until I had made something pretty. Read more>>

Samantha Bush | CEO/Owner

My thought behind starting my own business was acknowledging the passion and drive I have for food and making different creation with food. Read more>>

Elaina Gray | DJ Laineweeze

I’ve always had a strong passion for music. Growing up in the church and being surrounded by so many different instruments, and hearing so many strong voices, really led to me wanting to explore music on a more personal level. For a while, I took up rapping. Writing rhymes in my notebook at school. And even begging my grandmother to take me to the studio while visiting her in Chicago, to no avail. Probably a smart decision on her end, considering I had no idea what I was doing. My siblings actually still crack jokes on me for that. Luckily, that’s not where my story ended. Read more>>

Osvaldo (Ozzy) Madera | Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Nerdy Basement, News Reporter, Social Media Specialist, Podcast Host & Producer

Thinking back to when I started brainstorming the creation of The Nerdy Basement as simply a podcast, it was all about creating a space where I could engage and talk to people about the things I was interested in which were films, tv shows, anime, comic books, and video games. While I was doing that already on other platforms as simply a fan, I wanted to have what I essentially wanted, a safe space. At the time that the idea sparked, I was working a dead-end job and didn’t really have any friends at the time, and the friends I did have, we had drifted apart, funny because The Nerdy Basement brought us all together again; Read more>>

Daniela M Ribeiro Beard | Linguist, Consultant & COO at Fuller Language Experiences

It is in my very nature to look at the world around and wonder how I can be part of both adding value to it and optimizing its systems. Starting this business was a way to leverage what I have had the opportunity to learn along the way, my formal education as a linguist, experiences, and passion to create a platform in which people can interact with language learning with excellence and through community. Read more>>

Nancy Woods | Owner, Nancy’s Flower Truck

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and I’ve owned other businesses in the past. I’m in my 70s now and into my retirement years doing things I enjoy and spending time with my family. I grew up in a farm, so I love spending time at my daughter’s farm in Florida and helping out with the animals and plants. A couple of years ago, my daughter began experimenting with a variety of flowers and had excellent results. Read more>>

Rho’Nesha Bontemps | Life Coach for moms

The biggest thought process behind starting my business was time and financial freedom. I wanted to be able to raise my kids and still contribute to my household financially. Read more>>

MONICA RAUDENBUSH | Hairstylist

I worked for in the corporate world as an educator for salons for almost 10 years. Eventually the universe delivered what I had been asking for for a long time. FREEDOM!!! Things were getting back to”normal” after COVID days. The company I had worked for realigned it’s districts and I was let go along with 250 other corporate employees. Read more>>

Ssanyu Lukoma | Teenage Entrepreneur, Author, and Motivator

When I was 12 years old, I wanted a new pair of jeans for about $25, but I didn’t want just to go and ask my parents for the funds. Instead, I approached to my grandmother, asked for a $25 investment, and we both went to a craft store that afternoon to purchase jewelry supplies to make earrings and bracelets. That Saturday evening, I sat on my bedroom floor for hours, surrounded by beads, creating jewelry to sell the next day. After church on Sunday, I sold my creations to the congregation exiting the building and my profit margin was larger than I could have ever imagined! That day, I decided that I will find a way to always be my own boss. Read more>>

Infinite Aka Fluid | Recording Artist

At a certain point of looking for people to help me do the things I desired in business, I decided that I could compensate the lack of help in certain areas where I was strong enough to handle myself. That lead to a lot of self education and experience which let me know that I should make a business out of the services I actually provided myself but for others. Read more>>

Photogenic TheBrand | Aesthetic Clothing Brand

Starting my own business my thought process probably have been if my audience in today’s generation would like my brand. Until I looked deep into my purpose, and what my goal would be when it came to Photogenic TheBrand. Transitioning from then, to now with Photogenic TheBrand it’s been a amazing journey and it will continue to flourish continuously. Read more>>

Davina Law | Mom & Event Planner

I was planning for my son’s 16th birthday. I wanted to do something different but also worthy of him. My son is like the cool kid who just sits and watches everyone else at the party. He’s not going to dance. He doesn’t want to be around a lot of people. As a single mother, I am always trying to find ways to teach him. I wanted to make sure I created a space where there would be a group a men around him. Otherwise, he would be uncomfortable. I thought of having the men of his village share with him aspects of manhood and Becoming A King was born. Read more>>

LaDonna Walker | Licensed Master Cosmetologist

My thought process behind my business was to be great . To make everyone that sat in my chair to feel beautiful Read more>>

Shavone Grayson | Hair stylist and product maker

When i was about 16 i started trying different stuff on my hair to help it. Different stuff to help my curls and even grow my hair. January 2020 my grandma passed away and that took a big tole on me cause she was my bestfriend. After that i thought life to short Shavone you gotta make a name for yourself. So i did i started making sample products of shampoo, conditioner and hair growth oil and just started passing them out everywhere so people could see my name and get a taste of what i have. Read more>>

Davia Allen | Cosmetologist & Boutique owner

The thought process behind starting and opening up my boutique Vidia’s Closet was from the unexpected passing of my sister, who I named the boutique after. She was a mega influencer who inspired, motivated, and empowered so many while doing it with style and grace! That’s our mission behind what we do. We not only offer unique authentic fashion finds. Our mission is to makesure that you feel inspired, motivated, and empowered when rocking Vidia’s Closet. Leaving a legacy that son many will remember.. Read more>>

Caitlin Crane | CEO & Founder

Just1 was born out of the belief that just one person is worth fighting for. The world is full of brokenness and need, and quite honestly it can be overwhelming to process the need, let alone take action to help meet the need. I remember seeing statistics like “there are 27 million people trapped in modern-day slavery around the world”. It is hard for any human being to wrap their mind and heart around 27 million. Read more>>

Arin Adams | Property Management and Business Consultant

I started this business based on experience. As an entrepreneur myself, one thing I have established early on is that funding can make or break your business. It is all about the preparedness. Sure, there are a lot of entities out there that are willing to provide funding through loans, but the question is, are you eligible? This question made me realize that not many people are actually aware on how to make themselves funding worthy; may it be for personal and business. Which is why I started Arin Adams Enterprises, a service company that focuses on guiding individuals in building up their personal and business credit. Read more>>

Dr. Tomisha Brock | Experienced Music Educator, Education Consultant, and Professional Development Specialist

My motivation for starting Prodigious Music Concepts, LLC, was the desire to help teacher candidates, especially those of color, break through barriers blocking them from achieving their teaching licenses in their desired field. People of color have struggled with standardized tests since 1917. I witnessed these challenges happening firsthand to some of my classmates, colleagues, and students, which prompted me to take action to be a part of the solution to close this achievement gap. Read more>>

Samuel Markin | Freight broker

I am a father of 2 boys, and I like to teach them about great value, integrity, honesty and great work. I worked in the customer service as a Volkswagen and Audi parts consultant, parts manager for decades. I started my business in the logistic, to provide logistical services in the most professional and progressive manner, and to deliver those services in a friendly, no-nonsense, customer-focused approach that will set Elog Mark Logistic Services apart from all other organizations in the supply chain industry. Read more>>

Sandy Nguyen | Esthetician, Lash Artist & Trainer

My thought process behind starting my own business was I wanted to help other women like me. Most importantly I didn’t want to work for anybody else. I spent 10 years in the beauty industry and I felt like it was my turn to create something that was mine that I can share with the world. Read more>>

Cassandra Rice | Event Host, Embroidery Expert, & Creator of From The Threads

I just felt like if I can work 45-50 hours per week to help fulfill someone else’s business and dream then why can I not apply that same energy to my vision, ya kno? At some point the light just came on for me and it showed me I can have and do whatever. The choice is yours. Read more>>

Kayla Brown | Natural Living Manager & Cosmetic Chemist

Studied up on all ingredients that I’m currently using to figure out the right oil blends for my clients skin. From the carrier oils, to herbs, the essential oils, and healing crystals. Read more>>

Chrissy Steed | Serial Entrepreneur – Influencer – Celebrity Awards Show Producer

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. At the young age of 14, I opened an award winning community dance program for inner-city youth and it was this opportunity that sparked my journey into the world of entrepreneurship. I knew at an early age that I wanted to give back, inspire, and motivate others to be great within their own self. I went on to produce events, write and direct movies, opened a small events center, explored various creative outlets, but it was after obtaining my MBA, my thought process and entrepreneurial journey shifted just a bit. Read more>>

Zackrey Ceasar | Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Revolutionary Entertainment Group, LLC

My number one reason for starting my own business Revolutionary Entertainment Group, LLC was freedom. Freedom to own my own life and help others do the same. I have never been a huge fan of the “9 to 5” lifestyle. Wake up at the same time, do the same thing everyday, and go to bed at the same time. Being able to have only a week or two of paid vacation time out of 365 days a year. Read more>>