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.

Angela Baker-Creary | Owner & Operator, Mobillionairez Way

During the pandemic I saw a huge void as an opportunity for me to swoop in and attempt to uplift people’s spirits, create a sense of belonging, and instill optimism for the future. I decided to do this through fashion something that was always a strong suite of mine, that as well as my knack for reminding people who they are and what they are capable of accomplishing. It was only right to name the brand something that would bring people together and inspire them to be more than they ever imagined, Mobillionairez, it was love at first sight the moment I sketched up the design. Read more>>

Tru Da Don | CEO YSi Bailey ‘Money Talk’ Empire” Records”

How can I have a name that will describe who I am but also the empire that I made. I look at things in my way; main thing was to have a name differentiate from other record labels. I researched names to make sure nobody had it so I wouldn’t have to look at lawsuit. I thought and prayed on next steps to see clearer picture of the business name; next thing I know I came up with the business name less than 72hrs. Read more>>

Tharren Printup | Private Executive Chef

Building a brand and company must begin with taking advice and learning from those who have done it before you. I always had a vision to start my own private executive chef company which is now a reality, yet the advice and education from previous executive chefs, different companies I worked for and people I’ve met along the way, have all aided in this process of creating Top Floor Cuisines. Read more>>

Tara GilbertRoss | Chef

My husband and I have committed our lives to serving God, country, family and community. This new endeavor comes on the heels of mental breakdown for me. This family restaurant is our new way of serving. Read more>>

Adam Thomason | Filmmaker & author

Belief that your purpose was higher than a 9-5 job. I was commissioned to do three documentaries in one year in 2018, that took me to Ghana, Colombia, Venezuela, Malta, Italy and France on assignment. I was fortunate to win some awards. A long term friend of mine Lecrae wanted to team up and by hard work and faith we launched 3 Strand Films Read more>>

Chantel Thompson | Owner of Heaven Scent Fragrance & Registered Nurse

The thought of having a business was never a thing for me after graduating college. I thought having a degree in Nursing would be financially freedom I wanted. However, over the years after having children, I have realized that it would only make me free to an extent. I would still be working in corporate America and I wanted to build legacies for my children. I thought long and hard for about two years before I took that leap into the entrepreneurial world and that’s how Heaven Scent Fragrance came about. Read more>>

Shuwan Chen | Visual artist & co-founder at © :iidrr

In collaboration with the talented Annie Ziyao Chen, I had the privilege of co-founding ©:iidrr – a platform that serves as an immersive art community, full of endless possibilities. In this artistic sphere, we provide a nurturing space for emerging creators in the fields of new media art and new photography, where friendships are forged and inspiration is fostered. Our efforts include a variety of different initiatives, including an engaging artist talk series, collaborating with emerging artists on commercial projects, and establishing an artist-run gallery space and creative agency. Read more>>

Ahmad Robinson | High Fashion Model, Entrepreneur, & Social Media Influencer

I’ve Always Wanted To Sell What I’m Advanced In. For Example, I’m A Very Creative Person, & It Also Speaks In My Fashion. Instead Of Me Always Showcasing Other Peoples Works Of Fashion, I Wanted To Do It Myself, As In A Language To My Audience.. Speak Through My Clothing, As A Way Of Getting Into My World! Read more>>

Raza Ry | Creative producer, agency owner, and photographer

Starting my own business is like one of my clients stepping onto a stage for the first time – exhilarating, nerve-wracking, but ultimately, a performance I was born to give. I’ve always been a creative soul, and I wanted to build a platform that allowed me to express my creativity and help others do the same. Read more>>

 Shanelle Butler | Fashion Stylist, Tailor and Boutique Owner

The motto behind my business is to be that “go-to” boutique for individuals of any and all walks of life and be their “Sandals” of inclusivity, affordability and self love. We pride ourselves in accepting people for who they are and dressing and styling them according to their ultimate needs and wants essentially. In My Own Lane Boutique is here to bridge the gap and void of not being “accepted”. We love to market and bring on apparel that isn’t your norm but excites the client. When you walk in a room, heads are sure to turn from your fashionable element and demand that you command when wearing our brand. Read more>>

Alexa Shackelford | Breathwork Facilitator

I started my business in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. I was going through a really difficult time during that year as most of us were. I had just moved uprooted my life from Los Angeles to Atlanta, I didn’t have a passion or drive for acting anymore, I was going through a break up and felt disillusioned from most of what I thought I loved. Breathwork had always been a very healing and transformative tool in my life to that point so when I moved to Atlanta, Read more>>

Meek Pearson | Chef and Owner

I’m originally from Washington DC. Mumbo Sauce is an all purpose sauce found in the DC area. I decided to make my own and started selling it. From there, once folks started trying my sauce, it was the pandemic, we were lock down, and I then started selling plates and giving samples of Mumbo Sauce. By the end summer of 2020,, Meeks Mumbo was born and then my catering company, MM Catered Cuisine LLC was formed the year after. Read more>>

Valerie Kristyne | Innovation Experience Designer | AI Specialist | Tech Career Coach | Technology Consultant

Starting my own business, Foster2Tech, was a combination of personal passion, my own life experiences, and recognizing a critical need in the market. Growing up in foster care, I faced numerous challenges. However, I was fortunate to discover the opportunities and power of technology early in my life. It became my pathway to opportunity, enabling me to break through barriers and build a successful career in tech. Read more>>

Sunja Harris | Entrepreneur/Entertainer

I love Spanish. I love teaching and have loved tutoring since high school. When I first moved to Atlanta and told people what I do and so many people asked me if I have a business and if I could help them learn Spanish. So the summer of 2015, I decided to start my business teaching, tutoring, and creating customized learning resources for my clients. Read more>>

Brandersen | Documentary Filmmaker

The decision to start my own business, WLVES Digital Cinema, in January 2023, was driven by the realization that I needed access to resources beyond my individual capacity. While I had prior experience running a production company with another entity, I recognized the need for the freedom to make critical decisions for growth. With this in mind, I aspired to build a brand that could grow with me. Read more>>

Kelcey Walker | Baker & Treat Maker

I have always loved baking and giving my treats to friends and family! Eventually, people started placing orders for birthdays and other events, and I took some time to think about if it was something I really wanted to pursue. I wanted to still love baking no matter what, and I didn’t know if creating a business would take that joy away. But after probably a year of debating, I decided to go for it! I figured, if I love it and love creating things that make people happy or add to their events, starting my own business will only add to that, not take away from it. Read more>>

Andrea Smith | Professional Dog Trainer, Producer

As a Professional Dog Trainer for over 25 years, I wanted to make sure that the dogs were treated well and that I was paid for my expertise and my service! So when I started battling with companies about myself worth I decided to just start my own business and that way I could have total control over how the animals were being cared for and my own needs as an animal caretaker Read more>>

Crystal Jackson C.D. | Certified Monitrice Doula

This is a great question! I really believe at a young age, I noticed I was different. Everyone was stuck in traditional thoughts of college, grad school, Job. I always wondered about how all these companies got started. Who helped these people? Did they go to college? Why does everyone want to work for someone and not themselves? My entire school journey was on my terms as well! Some days I skipped school completely but I maintained a great GPA and never missed practice of course! Read more>>

Azzie Scott | Filmmaker x Visionary

I think Entrepreneurship is the scariest thing in the world and the greatest thing in the world but it’s not for everybody. Starting your own business takes discipline, vision, failure, heartbreak, and risk, I could go on and on, but these are some of the things that come with starting a business. But consistency is the key to your success. So don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dream, invest in yours. Read more>>

Camelia Frink | Business Coach & Entreprenuer

Before starting my business, I was like where did that even come in my mind to start a business at the age of 24 so I honestly just ignored it. However, it didn’t go away! So what I did was started implementing it. While doing this, I still sometimes asked myself “Is this really you?” Of course it was me because that was God’s voice and calling to tell me what I needed to be focused on. Read more>>

Adam Income | Serial Entrepreneur

Around 2008, I was hanging with the Twins from Jagged Edge A LOT they would have hoop sessions at their crib every weekend and cookouts etc and I was a big promoter in Atlanta at the time, so one day I got a call from a guy that knew I knew them and asked could I get them for a show.. So of course I ran it by the manager and she said hey are they paying your commission? Read more>>

Lina Thomas | Proprietor of Jars of Joy

When I lived in Malaysia many years ago I had a 9-5 job working for German Engineering Company. It was good to have a steady income in those days as I had a young child and needed the security. Eventually I moved to the states and never really felt the need to take on a regular job. Read more>>

Cedrice Young | Pianist & Music Educator

During the pandemic, I was exploring music outside of the standard repertoire of classical music. This is when I started discovering Afro-Classical composers and their repertoire. I became inspired by the history and thought to create a publishing company that specialized in creating beginner education materials on Afro-Classical composers. Read more>>

Kadisha Jones | Natural Hair Loctician

My thought process behind starting my business was to always have faith, to never give up and to keep pushing myself to do more ! Read more>>

Dan Cholewa | Business Coach & Real Estate Brokerage Owner

When I was young, I could never sit still. There was a part of me that needed to explore, make my own rules, test the limits that others had set in front of me. Now, I have come to the realization and understanding that I didn’t have a choice but to follow my entrepreneurial instinct and start my own business, continue starting and developing businesses and even grow further and coach others professionally to grow their businesses because I am simply not employable! Read more>>

Keyla Saldivar | Body Contour & Nurse

My thoughts behind my process were how will i do it? Being a mom of 4 boys working as a nurse and having a small business. My 12 year old son always said to me “ ma you got this,theirs a light at the end of the tunel” and that pushed me to start my business witch is called bellebodyaesthetic. The services that I provide are Plasma BBL , Breast Enlargement, Weight Loss Injections, Body Contouring , Tattoo Removal & Iv Drips and more. Read more>>

Darius ”D-Win” Winfield | Rapper & Designer

My thoughts for launching my own venture was to only make things when motivated by feeling. I had a degree in design for many years and was never driven to establish a label. I didn’t want to be a designer simply because I went to college. In the past, I’d craft things just because others were doing it. But now, I only create when I’m motivated by inspiration and intuition. I’ve attempted writing songs but have not been able to deliver my best. Read more>>

Ash Santana | Bottle Girl & Owner of Bottoms Up MLE

Well, I’ve been running my own business for some time now so, when I moved from Buffalo, NY to Georgia last summer, my plan was to continue my career in the beauty industry. I was (& still am) a Master Braider, however, me being new to the area, of course, my clientele was non existent. I ran specials & deals & was able to attract a couple clients, (literally 3-4), but it wasn’t enough. Read more>>

Vashia F | CEO

The genesis of Sevyn 90 was rooted in the objective of promoting self-care among individuals from all backgrounds and lifestyles. Often, amid attending to the needs of others, we tend to neglect ourselves. Through personal growth, I have realized the vital importance of self-care, which has led me to create a luxurious lineup of cosmetics aimed at promoting it. Read more>>

Jason Clairy | COO, Lightscape Lighting & Equipment

We saw a need in the entertainment lighting sector for a company to bridge the gap between the crew, the studios that they work for, and the vendors who are creating such innovative technologies for the film, television, and live event industries. Read more>>