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.

Kayla Bradford | Graphic Designer

When I started my business I was thinking about how I could do something in my spare time to make money. As I progressed in my business I realized there is so much that goes into running a business that I wasn’t aware of. Continuing in my journey of entrepreneurship I focus on the passion I have for graphic design and marketing more than I focus on the money. I enjoy studying marketing and I love to be creative. I started my business on my phone with just a thought and ambition. Now I design for many entrepreneurs and help them thrive in the same thoughts and ambitions that I had. It is so rewarding! I’m so glad I took the first step! Read more>>

Tragic Thespians | Husband and wife podcast duo Caterina Imbro and Ryan Peters.

In today’s competitive industry, our original goal was to build a platform to create opportunities for ourselves and our friends. We also wanted to cultivate connections, all while providing entertainment to our audience by having both established and independent personalities from all corners within the entertainment industry. Read more>>

Ben Meeks | Author

I wanted to do something more fulfilling than spending every day in a cubicle. I was paid well, had excellent job security and benefits, and was in a regular routine. Life was good but ultimately unsatisfying. I had planned to retire from that job but I started pursuing writing in 2013. It was a dream I had given up on decades before. By 2020, I had a couple books out. I was seeing steady growth in my sales and events, and it seemed like the right time to make a move. I had been at the company for twenty years at that point, so it wasn’t a small decision. I’d been working there for almost my entire adult working life. I believed in my books and what I have to offer as an author, so I just went for it. Read more>>

Jharionne Anderson | Owner and Founder of JHA & COMPANY

I launched JHA & Company in the junior year of my collegiate career at Georgia State University. I studied marketing and acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a certificate in professional sales. In many of my marketing courses, we discussed the growing e-commerce business sector.
I took extra courses and learned how to build the front end and back end of a Shopify store. For a while, I only sold trending products on Amazon but soon felt the need to build a brand around a trending niche. Read more>>

Lamont Griggs | Chief Landscaping Officer

When I decided to start my own landscaping business, several factors influenced my thought process. One of the key considerations was recognizing the potential of an evergreen business, one that is consistently in demand. Landscaping is an essential service, regardless of economic fluctuations. People will always require landscaping and outdoor beautification, making it a resilient and enduring industry to invest in. Having a deep appreciation for the outdoors and nature, I envisioned a business that would allow me to merge my passion for the environment with my entrepreneurial spirit. Read more>>

Shanice Sampson | Licensed Esthetician & Owner Of Siobhan Skin

My thought process behind starting my own business was to solve a problem that many women face today which is a lack of confidence with their skin. I created Siobhan Skin to address this issue because I was once that person. As a real estate agent and working in an office setting I would always wear makeup on a daily basis to the point when I didn’t wear it I felt strange because I felt that I had “dull” skin without it. Periodically, I would get some acne scars that would start to pile up, and just cover it with makeup. Read more>>

Cornelius Jefferson | Actor, Acting Coach, & Author

Originally, I wasn’t looking to start my own business. I’ve garnered almost 2 decades in the entertainment industry. I’ve studied at the University of Miami with a focus on Theatre, performed in countless plays and films, and even worked alongside well known actors helping them to prepare for popular television shows. Throughout this journey I’ve met many people with aspirations to grow in their acting career or who just wanted advice. I would help people because that’s who I am. These people went on to sign with agencies and star on tv series’ or stage plays. I always had a heart to help develop and coach others. I was passionate about seeing others develop in their craft. Read more>>

Dr. Kafilat Salawu, DNP | Independent Health Advocate & Hematology-Oncology Nurse Practitioner

This is a great question that constantly reminds me of my humble beginnings, so thank you for asking. The decision to start Fides Health Advocates, LLC was driven by personal experiences witnessing the challenges in the healthcare system, particularly during a loved one’s illness. Fueled by a commitment to transform these challenges into positive change, the business was founded with a mission to bridge the gap between patients and the healthcare system. The goal is to provide holistic, patient-centric care, especially for families dealing with chronic illnesses like cancer, and to inspire a broader movement toward health equity and ease in navigating the complex healthcare system. Read more>>

Buzz Schuster | Pitmaster/owner operator

We have been in this industry for 25 plus years. We have been a part of several concepts and organizations it only made since for us to take all of our knowledge and experiences combine them and start our own business. Read more>>

Alexandra Clinton | Life Coach

My thought process behind starting my business was the importance of me making a difference in this world and fulfilling my purpose. I believe we are all here on Earth to fulfill our unique purposes. I entered into a pivotal point in my life where I felt it was time to go in a different direction which was fulfilling my purpose. This began the creation of my business, Talks With Alex. Read more>>

Anthony P. Howard | HR Influencer & Certification Coach

My journey towards starting my own business evolved over time. Initially, it began as a part-time endeavor to provide tax benefits and to express my passion for teaching and thought leadership, stemming from my original aspiration to become an elementary school teacher. However, a significant turning point occurred after my Grandmother’s passing in January 2022, which led me through months of clinical depression. During this challenging period, I found a higher purpose: addressing the lack of diversity within the U.S. Human Resources industry. Read more>>

Dr. Pamela Reaves | Earring Mogul

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and have been a part of other successful business, but none of them were mine alone. I would always get so far, and then the business would flat line. I figured if I did something on my own, what could I lose. I pondered in my head, “What do I like doing that I would do for free, and what do I search or view on-line all day long?” The answer was something in the world of fashion. Thus, I hired a mentor and the process began. Read more>>

Vishwanath “CV” Chegireddy | Plastic Surgeon

Starting my own practice began as a desire to provide the best possible care to my patients. I knew if I personally hired the staff and designed the space where I would be taking care of patients, then I could fully dictate the quality of care my patients receive by setting my own standards for what I believe an exceptional patient experience should be. I also wanted the freedom to explore innovative techniques and technologies in plastic surgery. Owning my practice allows me to invest in the latest advancements and offer those services to my patients here in Atlanta. Read more>>

Faith Kotee | Photographer & Film Director

I often feel like I fall just outside of what’s considered “mainstream” or “commercial”. I find that when one feels there is no space for them, it’s an act of self love to create that space for themselves, which is exactly what I did when I formulated faith’s lens; it’s me, creating a space for myself. Read more>>

Mikaila Mack | Spiritual Consultant, Writer, & Filmmaker

I work in both the spiritual and creative fields. I do spiritual consultations for people and businesses, while developing myself as a writer and filmmaker. Before starting my business, I’d had plenty of other jobs: service industry, fireworks, talent agency, etc. None of them felt like me. None of them felt like I had a viable future in it. At the end of 2019, I participated in a Vipassana Meditation Retreat, where I traveled to a center in the south of Georgia and for ten days, I sat in silence and learned how to meditate. For ten days, I was confronted with all the mishaps and missteps in my life and something became crystal clear to me: I never wanted to feel as if I was in a position of suffering for a reward, of sacrificing my happiness for money. Read more>>

Lauren Sanders | Professional Matchmaker, Certified Dating/Relationship Coach, Licensed Physical Therapist

I started my matchmaking agency, The Love Crush Agency, in order to provide equal opportunities for minorities in the matchmaking industry. Minorities are underrepresented in the matchmaking industry overall, so one of the primary focuses with starting my matchmaking agency is to help assist more minorities on their quest for love. In my experience as a professional matchmaker, I have witnessed the overall limited options present for matchmaking clients with some of the larger agencies. Therefore, one of the main focuses with The Love Crush Agency is to bridge the gap. Read more>>

Clara Park | Executive Chef, Teacher, Storyteller

Quite frankly, I wanted to work for myself. I wanted autonomy and full creative freedom. I like the ability to do many different things instead of one thing every day. I knew that I had what it takes to be my own boss. Read more>>

Carrie Ellington | Founding Principal/ Interior Designer

A life changing event, the loss of my Mother, made me realize that I needed to take the risk and stop playing it safe in my design career. Although I was very successful working for a large design firm for over 16 years, that loss made me realize how much i needed to make a shift in how I was living my own life. It was the best decision I ever could have made! It was a major risk and very scary, but, ultimately the best choice for me. Working hard for yourself hits different. Read more>>