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.

Abel Silverio | Owner of Abeltints

To be honest . Not much thought went into it , we just rolled with it and just tried to see how far we can take it was our goal. Read more>>

Emon Sullivan | Entrepreneur

Starting a clothing brand is my way of breaking generational curses, by creating a platform where people can express themselves and build confidence. I aim to foster a culture of empowerment, inclusivity, and self-expression through our designs and messages. With this brand, I hope to inspire future generations to break free from negative cycles and embrace their individuality. Read more>>

Sandra E. Jackson | Shiftologist: Life Coach and Life & Health Insurance Agent

Sandra’s Life Experience Pushed Her To Start Journey Into Purpose LLC.

Her struggle of standing in pantry lines, asking gas station attendants for c gas cards to make it home from college, and running out of gas on the highway with her children in the car were all scary experiences. Sandra mentioned that she can hear the voices of women and children crying out for help as she goes about her day. Sandra lived a lavish life with her parents before marriage. However, after marriage, her life took her on an unexpected roller coaster ride of first-hand experiences from one eviction after another, residing in hotels and motels, lights, gas, and electricity disconnected, not knowing where to begin asking for help and sleeping on a mattress at a Catholic Rectory Read more>>

Mehtap Drayton | Esthetician

I decided to start my own business because I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and turn my love for creative facials into a successful venture. After working in the beauty industry and picking up valuable skills in customer service, as well as learning how to provide beauty tips for a diverse clientele, I felt it was time to put my ideas into action. So, in 2017, I launched Mimi’s Spa, and it’s been an incredible journey over the past six years. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved as a small business. Looking ahead, my dream is to take Mimi’s Spa to the next level by expanding our brand and offering our unique services to even more people. I’ve also recently introduced a new skincare line called Herani Skin, which I believe is going to be a game-changer. Read more>>

Micheline Bowman | Founder, Bowman Media Group, LLC

After 27 years working in the television news industry, I was told my position was going to be eliminated due to the company reorganizing. That was in 2017. I already knew that year, I no longer wanted to be there and prayed to God on my daily drive to work. I had literally given all I had and there wasn’t anymore growth “they” were going to give me. When they called me into the office to tell me it was literally a weight lifted because I knew that something bigger ahead. I still can hear the words “We are eliminating your position.” I said right then, “Your elimination is God’s elevation!” Everything in my life since that date has been amazing. I’m at that time over 50 and the likelihood of someone hiring me was slim, so I hired myself and started my own Media Relations company. Read more>>

Karyn Staples, PT, PhD, NCPT | Physical Therapist and Pilates Teacher

I wanted to work with patients and clients in an environment and with the quality I wanted to drive. I have a passion for what I do as a physical therapist and I also found Pilates as a wonderful discipline with a rehabilitation focus. My goal was to work with individuals along the wellness spectrum. Read more>>

Kwanita Adair | Residential & Commercial Cleaning Business Owner

Before graduating from college in 2020, I made a list of businesses I would like to own one day. During the pandemic, I was stressed while working three jobs and found it difficult to secure a job related to my major. After watching the 85 South Show, where a group of men discussed financial literacy, I was convinced to quit my jobs and go all in on my cleaning business idea. I’ve been learning and growing my business ever since. Read more>>

Underground Projectz | Hip Hop Influencer & Curator

As someone who was born in the big city of Manhattan and raised in a family of musicians and partying, I aspired to become a hip hop artist and grew into a “90’s hip hop head”. The thought process behind starting Underground Projectz comes from taking a different turn in life by studying the music business and looking at hip hop culture as a whole from a different angle. I realized how important Hip Hop culture is to society and how its different elements plays a big role in the world. I thought to myself, how important would it be to create an online community and business that pays homage and support to hip hop artists, in addition to providing music services that can help push new music artists become the best version of themselves and have a platform to share their music to. Read more>>

Jeremy Williams | Pastry Chef

I was encouraged to start my Baking business by my Pastor. I would always enjoy baking delicious desserts for free, and see people enjoying them. Read more>>

Jasmin-Ayana Moy | Social Entrepreneur & Founder of Moy Bien

Initially, I was struggling with skin and hormonal issues. At first, I was taking prescribed medication to “treat” my conditions but eventually realized that my issues were being exacerbated by the chemical components in the medications I was using. The side effects of the medication led to depression, skin rashes, and irritation, lack of appetite, and more. I wanted to find a way to heal, but I knew it needed to be natural and provide lasting benefits. I started to do more research on holistic healing and found my way to herbal blends. I started to create blends that catered to the specific issues I wanted to target. I began to heal from the inside which later showed on the outside. Read more>>

Xiang Jiapeng | Colorist, Director, Editor

Yeah, it’s a bit of a long story that goes back to 2021. I have to give a huge shout-out to Jeffrey Chance, a professional colorist and a fellow MICA alum whom I really look up to. He led this incredible color grading workshop that opened my eyes to the world of professional color grading. It was the first time I truly grasped the art form, and I was utterly fascinated. Without overthinking it, I immersed myself in self-teaching color theory, color science, and color grading for a whole year. Then, a year later, I crossed paths with Jeffrey again. When I told him he was the reason I dove into learning about colors, he got emotional – he shed a few tears. Read more>>

Jawana Irby | Founder & Chief Curator

I started The Irby after having a conversation with my husband about graveyards and dreams. He told me that there were a lot of brilliant ideas buried in graveyards because people never realized their dreams. He encouraged me not to be one of those people. A few weeks later, I started The Irby. Read more>>

Breanna Allen | Owner, Bloom Boutique Handmade Jewelry

I am a huge fashionista: shopping, wear jewelry, and matching my outfits fits me and my personality. I absolutely love wearing earrings that come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, and I especially love wearing tassel earrings. During the pandemic in 2021, my goal was to find a new hobby and I thought about making tassel earrings. After making a few pairs, I thought to myself, “why buy them in stores when I can make them my own?” and that’s when I thought about starting my own earring business. I came up with the name Bloom Boutique Handmade Jewelry because to bloom means to flourish. I want for women to feel confident and “bloom” when wearing my product. Read more>>

Mello Brown | Event Venue Owner

The inspiration for 44th and Madison was twofold, a personal challenge and the dream of building a lasting legacy. When my wife and I couldn’t find an all-inclusive venue for our wedding, it highlighted a gap in the market. This personal experience was the catalyst for creating a business that could provide that inclusive experience for others. Beyond solving a market need, I wanted to build something that would endure, setting an example for our future children. 44th and Madison stands as a symbol of what can be achieved with passion and perseverance, demonstrating to the next generation that they can build solutions that matter. Read more>>

Rob McCampbell | Bar Service Connoisseur

The thought process behind starting my own buisness wasn’t my own, I just loved making good drinks for my people. The thought of turning this love/hobby to a business actually came from family and friends. They’ve always encouraged me to turn my love into entrepreneurship. However, I did not think It was something I could commit to. The people in my life provided the confidence I needed to jump out on faith. Once I received that love, I decided to actually look into the details of pursuing what I love to do. Read more>>

Kev Choice | Pianist/Producer/Composer/Lyricist/Educator/Activist

My thought process behind starting my own business was always to have more creative control and also to dictate my own path as an artist an entrepreneur. Coming from the Bay Area, we have always had an independent, DIY, approach to business, music, and all things in general. Read more>>

Nicole Anderson | CEO/Founder of HER Wine

I essentially started her wine for two reasons, one from an appreciation of wine over the years of just being an avid wine drinker. I just love drinking wine and that was really it. I just really enjoy wine and then on top of that I also remember getting to a point where I was getting bored with wine. Something that I loved was not bringing me the same fulfillment that it once did. And when I was at the store one day, I was looking at the shelf and I realized that everything on the shelf looked the same. None of the names resonated with me. None of the brands really spoke to who I was as a person, and as a black woman, I didn’t feel represented as a woman, I didn’t feel represented, and so I wanted to create a brand that that could be for us. Read more>>

Naoki Fukuda | Professional Photographer & Director

The reason I started taking photos was when I was in university studying film. The classes mainly focused on theory, criticism, and history of films. However, I’ve always been a curious person by nature, so I wanted to try shooting myself. I started making independent films with friends. I taught myself about visuals, and the equipment and knowledge didn’t differ much, so I naturally began taking photos as well. At that time, I was also involved in music. As my graduation approached, I couldn’t bring myself to consider working for a company somewhere. I was wandering aimlessly, but I heard from an acquaintance that a photographer was looking for an assistant. As soon as I graduated, I moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. That’s how I gradually learned about the world of photography. Read more>>

Souckeihyna Keita | Brands content creator/Social media marketing strategist

Well it wasn’t something I initially planned. I always had a passion for fashion and everything related to that. When I graduated with my bachelor in 2014 I decided to start modeling. I worked with a few plus size brands and I absolutely loved creating visuals for brands. In 2016 I went back to school for my MBA and I fell in love with marketing and product story telling. I loved the idea of having a campaign idea for a product and bringing it to life through pictures and videos!
After I graduated I was helping my friends businesses with their social media marketing strategy and their content as a hobby. As I was doing that I realized that there was really a gap that needed to be filled in the industry and that is when I decided to turn this “hobby” into an actual business. Read more>>

Dom Kegel | Stuntman & Custom Golf Cart Builder

‘Necessity is the mother of invention’, right? As a stunt performer I’ve not been able to work since June. So, in some ways Full Send Golf Carts is me trying to stay busy and do something productive. AKA…not lose my mind. In regards to the market of Golf Carts and the ‘why that?’, I think it’s a response to the exorbitant costs of that particular amenity in our area of Peachtree City. When we first moved to this area I was shocked at how much a new, lithium golf cart costs at the several dealerships. Now, my background is mainly in the creative fields and film/TV action, but I’ve been a hobbyist motorcycle mechanic for almost 20 years. I’ve re-built classic cafe racers and smaller engines. Read more>>

No Plans Let’s Travel | Travel Company & Content Creators

When starting our business (No Plans Let’s Travel), our overall goal was to simplify the travel experience. When it comes to traveling there’s so much information out there which be confusing. Our mission is to make the travel experience enjoyable & affordable. We’re giving direct information on the best times, days, and destinations to travel to. Also, how to score seat upgrades with airlines. Read more>>