Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Sydney Brown | Artist & Actor

My thought process behind starting your own business is to plan first then plot and put it into action.. dont give up push harder. Read more>>

Dequan Starnes | Entertainment CEO – Senior Recruiter

I’ve diversified myself in many different careers from maintenance work to the manufacturing business all the way to corporate America. And one of the things I realized is that no matter what field of work I was in I always had to answer to a supervisor or a manager. Read more>>

Grace Johnson-Wright | Multi-CEO, Dance Studio Owner, Dance Educator, Artist Developer, Mentor & Momprenuer

Passion and Freedom. Dance is my passion along with pouring into the future of today’s youth; I love being apart of their world and teaching them things I wish I knew when I was their age. Freedom for me is being able to get up each day and do what you love to do for work. If you do what you love, you’ll never work a single day! Read more>>

Jessica Chapin | Reiki Practitioner

I started my Reiki journey in 2018. During a time when lots of facets of my life were evolving and moving, I discovered that I needed to make a change and start growing myself. My stepdaughter had just left the nest and was headed off to college and I found myself needing more, spiritually and physically. Read more>>

Doni Raye | Owner of Angel Eyes Luxe Lashes & Pro Makeup Artist

I started Angel Eyes Luxe Lashes because I wanted to created a lash line for women who wanted to enhance their natural lashes in a way that accentuates their eyes without being overwhelmed with it being super thick and incredibly long. Read more>>

Kasi McKoy | Photographer & Videographer

During the time I started my first business, I was around fourteen. I felt like getting a headstart on income was the best response to living in poverty. Read more>>

Manali Shah | Chief Operating Officer

My boys were small and I wanted to do something from home, so I started selling small on ebay. Read more>>

Miani Rivers | Enamel Pin Creator

I wanted to create something fun and exciting healthcare workers could wear to add personality to their work gear! Read more>>

Sch-Rel Desire | Owner/Designer

When I started my business in 2007, I just wanted to make women feel fabulous by offering statement accessories and fashion. Once I became older and started trying to balance life, work, and business while battling depression I began my spiritual journey and learned the importance of self-care. Read more>>

Andrett Cole – Procter | Artisanal Soap Maker

My business started off as a hobby to process the grief I had behind losing my mother and recently my baby sister. I gifted a few to friends and family and the idea to sell them just came after that. Read more>>

Dr Tonya Stephens | Home Health Agency Owner & NEMT Transportation Owner

The thought process behind starting my home health and NEMT transportation business stemed from helping people and seeing the lives that I touch everyday. When I started my business I was a Registered Respiratory Therapist for over 14 years. Read more>>

Mia Jones | Director

My thought process for starting this pageant system was to create a fair and open system for women of all ages. My mother, who I co-direct with, and myself wanted to create an atmosphere where women could come and freely be themselves and not feel like they have to put on a different persona to compete for our system. Read more>>

William Roots | William Regal / Doberman Breeder

When creating Regal Empire Dobermans, I wanted to do more than just sell a dog. I wanted to create a unique experience that not only delivered a quality Doberman to my clients , but created a sense of family and luxury. Paying close attention to detail with every client allowed me to create an experience that they would never forget! Read more>>

Brittany Shakir | Singing/traveling police officer

The thought process behind starting my own business was taking something I was very passionate about, something I did often, and configuring a way to monetize from it. I’m a first responder full time and I always care for people in the community but I love traveling to escape the stress of dealing with that career, and with understanding mental health, I was always made travel essential. So, I developed a business where I show essential workers how to prioritize themselves for the sake of their mental health through all forms of travel. Read more>>

Danielle Van de Velde | Meditation & Mindfulness Coach, Usui Reiki Master Teacher, Spiritual Mentor, Keynote Speaker, Author

When we moved to Singapore over eight years ago, we did so with my husband’s work. The unfortunate term for the employment pass holder’s partner in these situations is ‘a trailing spouse’. This didn’t sit to well with me for starters. Read more>>

Jessica Hollins | Jessica Hollins | Social Media Strategist & Founder

I knew that I had a gift that could help business owners in a real way. I was secured in knowing that once I started my own social media agency I would be able to help many people at once. I was most excited to build a brand around my skill. Read more>>

Keela Sheree | Creator of Thee Brow Lab

I knew my life was meant for more then just only working for someone else. This feeling has been floating around as long as I can remember. When I was in elementary…..maybe 4th or 5th grade…..creativity was and still is my purpose. I started off making earrings and start selling my homemade products to my teachers. I was so thrilled that I was making sales to adults on homemade earrings lol! Read more>>

Roger Haddad | Chiropractor

Being in healthcare, I wanted the ability to practice in a way that was congruent with my values and design the care I gave my patients around how I would want care for myself and my family. I try to take a very personalized approach to chiropractic care and really take time to educate my patients not only about their current concerns, but also what we can do to minimize their need for care in the future. Read more>>

Shaun Johnson | Entreprenuer, Marketing Specialist & Hospitalian

I have always had big dreams, since a very young age. From being a singer, dancer, songwriter, to a chef of multiple restaurant chains – I have always wanted better for myself, as well as my loved ones. Read more>>

Ashley Rodriguez | Spiritual Guide & Womb Keeper

I really enjoyed the feeling of uplifting and empowering others through the spiritual and holistic services I provided. It made me feel happy and fulfilled to provide clarity and spiritual guidance to those that received card readings from me as well as energy healing sessions. Read more>>

Ferry Ijaya | Real Estate Investor & Entrepreneur

Started with an idea that sounds exciting to me. Then explore the possibilities and did some extensive research, but not too much that would stop me from trying. Invest to get it started, and off to the race. Since I’m passionate about the business, most times it works and makes money until it doesn’t. Then I move on to the next one or the ones that still work. Read more>>

Tyechia Cameron | Lash technician/Esthetician

I started my own business bc when I was a little younger I got into some trouble and my background kept me from finding decent employment l went to cosmetology school after high school however like I said before trouble found a desperate young mother I love the beauty industry so once I got myself together got some training I started my own business Read more>>

LaToya Wider, Ph.D. | Writing Consultant & Lifestyle Blogger

I started Always Written out of my love for journaling and writing. Since I can remember, I’ve loved to journal and write out my thoughts. I’m also a huge stickler for correct spelling and grammar. There are many people who are great oral communicators, but lack in written communication. That’s where I come in, helping people to write what they want to say in a graceful and professional way. Read more>>

Pamala McCoy | CEO & Empowerment Evolutionary

As I child I thought about owning a boutique when I grew up; but, as I experienced retail as one of my earlier jobs, I decided that retail as a career path was not as appealing as I thought it would be; thus, my desire to own a boutique waned. However, the existence of an entrepreneurial spirit was present – as demonstrated in my top performance awards from selling Girl Scout cookies. Read more>>

Naadira Brown | Captain, US Army Retired & Kindness Coach

Before enlisting in the Army (over 20 yrs ago), I worked Summer jobs, other part time jobs and volunteered. My jobs and military service were always important to me; but, for reasons other than a paycheck – SERVICE and IMPACT. No matter the job/title I held, I always gave my all. Read more>>

Joshua Borrero | Photographer & Videographer

I’ve worked several jobs in my life, and I always saw work as something that you do because you have to, not because you enjoy it. My mind started shifting with my last job, where I started realizing my desire to pursue my creative outlets and offer it to the world. Read more>>

Emmanuel Glaze | Founder/CEO of Optimize the Vizion

I wanted to start my own non profit so I can make a difference in the communities I support. I have been blessed to be able to achieve a lot in my adult career and I wanted to extend those blessings to the youth. When I created Optimize The Vizion in 2019, I had a goal of creating a program that can help young people get exposed to different possibilities and opportunities that are available to them in the world today. That’s what I had and that’s what made me. Read more>>

Brittany Weaver | Certified Public Accountant & CFO

I had been in accounting for a few years working with small businesses. I noticed how many small business did not have a CPA. Since then, it’s become my passion to work with small businesses. Read more>>

Timeshia Alexander | YourMua, Creative Director, Entrepreneur

I knew that I did not want to work for anyone. My thought process was, what can I do that would always be a need? I had a passion for makeup and really enjoyed doing other people’s makeup. I started with my own funds, my own way and made a lot of money doing what I love to do. Read more>>

Breshayla Singleton | Makeup Artist

Honestly, I was scared. I didn’t know what to expect, I’m an introvert and was very timid at the time. I didn’t know where to start and how to start but I decided to start anyway. There were months that I had just one to two clients. There were times I wanted to give up but my future wouldn’t allow me. Read more>>

DoobieWrapz Duo The OOUU Pod | Hosts of the OOUU Pod Danies and Re

We created this platform – to share not only our love for music with the world through The OOUU Pod (The Overly Obsessed: Unsung and Underground Podcast) but to connect with a community that explores life through a musical lens. We also want to build a community where individuals & best friends can be their truest self and strive to be their greatest self. Read more>>

Avery McIntyre | Artist

The goal is financial freedom. Letting my money make more money so I can get to a point where I have disposable income. With that being the goal, I couldn’t see myself accomplishing that working for someone else. And on top of that, as an artist, having my own business grants me freedom in my schedule to do events and shows or whatever else I want to do without having to worry about taking off from work. Read more>>

Dr. Carmen and Jouan Cox | Physical Therapist

Our thought process behind starting our own business was not trading our time for money, being more independent, having time freedom building generational wealth, and having additional streams of income. Read more>>

Taneka Johnson | Business Strategist & Certified Professional Life Coach

The thought process for me behind starting a business is that it typically should be based off of your real life experiences, something that comes to you naturally to do or a skillset that can be monetized and has proven itself monetizable. Read more>>

Jerica Maness | Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainer

When I first thought about starting my own business I was in a situation where I was working and felt my skills where not being used. I would feel doubted or under-minded. I had to tell myself that I could do this. Reminded that this wasn’t my first business I started. Read more>>

LeAnne Mitchell | Owner & Stylist of Royal Lux Hair Studio

The reason I decided to pursue cosmetology and launch Royal Lux Hair Studio is because my goal was to restore faith back into the hair industry. I started taking clients during my freshman year of college. As a broke college student, I easily saw how important it was to look the part amongst my peers. Read more>>

Sophonie Blanc | Digital Marketing & Professional Singer

Hey creatives! I wanted to give everyone a platform to be able to grow what the love to do. I also wanted to provide entertainment with my services. Marketing, Business and Art goes hand in hand. Read more>>

Derika Jackson | RealtorRead more>>

Leaving a Legacy for my generations to come. Read more>>