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.

April Forshee | Creator of Marietta Monograms & Embroidery

Honestly, I didn’t think about it very much at all! I had just walked away from my career as a tax accountant to stay home with our son who was in kindergarten at the time. My husband was traveling internationally for work, and I was absolutely bored. I was substitute teaching, which was great because the schedule was flexible. In my spare time, I had begun sewing again. I learned to sew as a child and also took clothing construction classes in high school. Read more>>

Anthony Idi | Digital Marketing Expert

I have always loved sharing my knowledge and helping others. Starting my own business has allowed me to help many small businesses achieve their online goals. Read more>>

Queen Precious-Jewel Zabriskie | Founder/CEO/Owner/Executive Chef/Spice Purveyor

Starting this business was/is a blessed journey. I was working as a supervisor in corporate America and cooking for our potlucks, making my signature curry. Several supervisors started paying me to cook for their teams, one because the food was good, and they trusted my cleanliness. After a few months of cooking for several teams, I came home and suggested to my wife that we start a catering company, and she said sure, let’s do it. Read more>>

Amy Robinson | Certified Cognitive?Confidence Coach & Psycho Aromatherapist

My passion for supporting others along with the opportunity to be self sustaining is what drove my thought process to start my business. When COVID came on the scene, it created an opportunity for me to change gears from what I was doing, which was an Online English Educator, to becoming a Certified Cognitive/Confidence Coach and Aromatherapist who specializes in supporting women to release their trauma so that they can THRIVE in their lives. Read more>>

Danielle Carrington | Comedic Food Critic

The love of food. Learning to understand how to prepare it, plate it & enjoy it. Read more>>

James Morton Jr. | Photographer & Videographer

I used to think that there was a “normal” life and career that people could fall back on. I went to college undeclared and landed on History as it’s always been a passion of mine. Museums and historical archives were the coolest places you could work and I fully intended to work in museum education or curatorial work. Then the economy tanked and humanities took a really hard hit. I found myself with less options, less opportunities to enter the history field passed volunteer work. Read more>>

Komeh Ottison | CEO & Master Cake Artist

To be honest, I didn’t have any intentions of owning a business. My plans in life were to become an attorney. I had finished law school and was studying for the bar when my new venture in life started. Once deciding to take a different path, I began to process all the things I needed to do to make sure this would be a career and not a hobby. I began to learn more about the field, what it takes to own a business and what it would take to be successful in the industry. Once I gathered the knowledge, I began to develop CakEffect. Read more>>

Sarah Whitt | Owner + Curator: House of 423

After exiting Corporate America to be a stay-at-home mom, my world was turned upside down by divorce. Initially my goal was a medical sales position for Mayo Healthcare, but the world had different plans for me. I applied for 4 different roles, making it to the final interview with each position and not getting any of the jobs. I had mixed feelings about getting back into sales: the pro’s were great with amazing pay + benefits, but the cons of traveling as a new 100% solo parent didn’t seem worth it. Read more>>

Christina Logan | Boutique Owner

I have always been into everything fashion even as a young child. I always was looking at clothes and hair. Back then my Mom would always take me on these shopping bus trips. I enjoyed going to different cities and looking for different clothes that we did not have here in the city. I remember asking my Mom to put me in modeling classes and of course she did. I enjoyed every minute of it. When I graduated high school I dreamed of owning my own Beauty Salon but I also wanted to attend a four year college and pledge to a sorority. Read more>>

Kientazya Hawkins | Beauty and Wellness

I have always made my own hair and skin care products since I was in high school. As I got older I wanted to create something that could help heal others like I’ve healed myself. Read more>>

Landen Prather | Artist and Art Gallery Owner

I don’t feel like myself if I’m not creating or surrounded by art. There have been periods in my life where I stepped away, but I wasn’t being true to myself. I am a creator, and it was installed in me before I was born. Creating work and sharing it with the world has allowed me to be able to live in my purpose, while being exposed to other talented creators as well. My mission is to spread love, joy and peace through my work while also helping other artists to get the proper respect that their life’s work deserves. There is room for all of us to be successful in our own lanes. This is why I pursue this mission everyday. Being “seen” as an artist is one of the greatest rewards. Read more>>

Anne Washington | Education Advocate & Creative Guide

Entrepreneurship was instilled in me at a young age. I was fortunate to have a family that believed in being creative and industrious. Starting my own business felt instinctual, and natural. I thrive on the challenge of bringing my ideas to fruition. I need the independence of being “my own boss.” And it seems that the best way to be financially successful is to create my own opportunities. Read more>>

Amara Onuigbo | Founder

Too many times i have heard devastating stories about black people, celebrities, family and friends alike, being affected by the use and abuse of prescription drugs as a method of coping with the hardships of life, one of those drugs being promethazine with codeine. As a black woman who is concerned about issues in the black community I wanted to contribute to finding a solution to prescription drug abuse and spread awareness to the problem, and do so in style Read more>>

Dr. Cortnie S. Baity, LMFT | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I launched my business because I wanted more freedom and autonomy over my therapeutic practices. While I do still operate under the governing boards of my profession, opening my own business has afforded me the ability to create a better work life balance for myself, while simultaneously meeting availability and accessibility needs of my clients. As a mental health provider and private practice owner, I am able to provide high quality mental health services based on ethics rather than politics that often negatively impact healthcare in the United States. Read more>>

ABG Rocky | Clothing Brand Owner

Prior to me starting my clothing brand, I had no intentions or plans on creating a company or business. Being a stand up comedian, an idea was pitched to me about merchandise such as shirts and hoodies with my name or slogan on them. I looked up a few custom clothing companies online and thought about ordering some clothing from them. Instead, I thought of a way to cut the prices in half and the time it would take for me to receive my order. Read more>>

Brianna DeMayo | Artist Helper

I knew I wanted to help artists in new ways and change the industry to be more in favor of the artist, and I didn’t think I’d be able to do that by working for a company (like a record label). I wanted to be hands on with the artists. I saw a gap that I felt needed to be filled so I filled it myself. Read more>>

Kaila Wilkie | Influencer and Small Business Owner

The idea of financial freedom has always sparked my interest. From being able to set my own schedule to curating generational wealth for all those who will come after me, I vowed to one day become my own boss. Since a young girl I loved everything about fashion. Growing up I watched as my mother planned her work ensembles the night before. Read more>>

Foluso Solarin, Ph.D. | Licensed Psychologist

I decided to start my own therapy practice, in part, to serve populations and issues that can get overlooked by “traditional” mental health services. Part of this demographic includes those who have been diagnosed with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). This diagnosis is frequently misunderstood by society at large. Read more>>

Marissa Buckle | Social Media Manager, Published Model, & Content Creator

Although I still work as a model and influencer, I transitioned the main focus of my business to digital marketing. This has allowed me to use my past experiences in a beautiful way. My background has allowed me to bring experience from all sides of digital marketing to my projects and clients. In todays market, an online presence is such an important part of running a business. Read more>>

Zenobia Young | Creator & Owner

To build a legacy for my children to carry-on and create an on trend, upscale, unique, infant /toddler brand that could possibly grow into their adulthood brand and expand to different avenues of products. Read more>>

Nicole Green | Chef-Owner

I sort of fell into this business…5 years ago I was looking for someone to make a smash cake for my daughter and I could not find anyone to do it. Being the culinary grad that I am, I decided to make it myself, and just like any other good mom who was proud of something she did for her kid, I posted pictures of her cake on social media. Read more>>

Devin Moore | Author, Antibullying Activist and Advocate

I created RaceToSpeakUp – an antibullying organization at 14 years old because I wanted to educate the youth about bullying prevention. I didn’t want what happened to me to happen to another kid. The racist bullying that I went through was traumatizing, offensive and hurtful. I knew that I wanted to be a part of the change for the better. Read more>>

Markisha Goodman | Markisha Goodman/ Cosmetologist/jewelry maker/cosmetic maker

My thoughts was taking care of my boys and making woman feel beautiful. Read more>>

Photogenic TheBrand | Clothing Brand

My thought process wasn’t too bad. I just honestly knew my purpose on why I decided with Photogenic TheBrand, and how much of a impact I want it to be for my peers. Read more>>

Sara Anderson | Artist and Designer

Creating my business was a vehicle to share my art and offer beautiful options in limited editions. Elsie de Wolfe said, “I am going to make everything around me beautiful.” I love this approach to living and this is our game. We challenge ourselves and those we meet to make it beautiful and pleasing. We are also committed to using the most authentic and natural materials which adds to a gorgeous outcome. Read more>>

Marcelle Johnson | Hair Replacement & Short Hair Specialist

The thought behind starting my hair salon; On Point Salon was to create a hair sanctuary for women. A space in which each woman can feel comfortable, relaxed and peaceful while receiving exemplary hair care services that is specific to their hair care need. Read more>>

Otis | Creator & founder of O’Buttonz

It all started with a dream. God told me to make buttonz. Read more>>

Bill Blokzyl | Coffee Roaster

I had read about how much better freshly roasted coffee tasted, and how easy it was. I actually began just roasting for myself and friends. Read more>>