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.

Jabari Crowder | Director/Author/Producer/Editor

My thought behind starting my own business was that I had just been released from prison in 2012. I knew before then that I was going to have trouble surviving the criminal background that I had accumulated over the years. I think the only chance of a future in any field was to start my own company. Read more>>

Haley Hopkins | Body Sculpting

To help all the beautiful men/women all over the world to lose inches without going under the knife. Read more>>

Aaron Jefferson | CEO/President

The thought process behind starting A&V Design Group stemmed from a deep passion for creating impactful designs that enhance aesthetics and daily experiences for clients. This endeavor provided the opportunity to have flexibility over my schedule while focusing on the ability to design and create, bringing ideas to life in unique and meaningful ways. Read more>>

Aimee Salmon | Founder & Operator of Positively Africana, LLC

1. When I decided to start my own business, I had a multitude of reasons driving me. Firstly, the desire for independence and autonomy played a significant role in my decision. I yearned to be my own boss, with the freedom to make decisions, manage my time, and achieve a healthy work-life balance. Read more>>

Raquel Acuña | Pandy Scrap Customized decorations

I am a stay home MOM. So I thought that will be nice to have a activities that I can help my house financially and for my kids understand the importance to have responsibilities and how that everybody can help in some way the house. Read more>>

Gail Hicks | Spiritualist Minister, Certified Psychic Medium, & Healer

Following the completion of my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the late 1980s, I felt a profound guidance from a higher source guiding me to embrace and have faith in my innate spiritual gifts of healing and psychic intuition to serve others. This calling prompted years of dedicated study in mediumship, culminating in the attainment of various credentials, certifications, and ultimately, ordination as a Spiritualist Minister under the guidance of spirit. Read more>>

Howard Flint | Content marketing expert, husband, and father.

I was the youngest of five children. For my entire life up until junior year of college, my father was the president of a bank. Then in the middle of my college career, he lost his job. He was part of a larger banking group that simply decided to change up management during one of thus countries many financial crises. This had a big effect on me. Read more>> 

Bria Wright | Artisan

I had just finished college & started getting my feet wet professionally but wanted to do something more stimulating. While also being in the midst of my healing journey, I learned about the metaphysical properties of crystals. Read more>>

Elliott McKnight | Designer

For most of my life, autonomy over myself was important to me. I also wanted to help people with executing ideas and bringing a different perspective to what can be achieved creatively. I believe I come from that mindset and I’m a bi-product of the era of making something happen for yourself. Read more>>

Mia Pinkney | Cake Artist/Chef

Starting my own business was a decision that was driven by a combination of factors. Firstly, I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship and the idea of creating something of my own. I saw it as an opportunity to pursue my own ideas and vision, rather than working for someone else. Read more>>

Ernesto Pavlov | Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing Specialist

I’ve always been passionate about woodworking and transforming kitchens. I enjoy the challenge of taking a tired or outdated kitchen and making it look beautiful and functional again. I find it rewarding to see the look on a client’s face when they love their finished kitchen cabinets Read more>>

Arianne Salandy | Soca On The Go

Is there something you enjoy doing, you believe you’re good at and others tell you you do well? This, to me, is the definition of a passion that, with some careful planning and thought, a person can wield to solve a problem and/or bring joy to others. Read more>>

Tiayana Logan, M.Sp.Ed | RBT, School Leader, Business Owner, & Momager

Starting my own business as a black mom and educator was driven by a deep-seated desire to make a tangible impact in the home healthcare sector, specifically for children with disabilities. The inception of A Mother’s Love Healthcare sprang from discussions with my business partner, Corey, whose experience and insights into the healthcare needs of these children highlighted a significant gap in services. Read more>>

Symone Brielle

The world needs to hear the truth. I felt like minimizing criticism of the world’s isms made us all a bit too complicit. After the murder of George Floyd performative gestures from corporate America left hope in us. That hope has faded and the call-outs have been aimed across the pond. Read more>> 

April Berry | Owner of The Velvet Bar

My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by the desire for freedom. I hated working in corporate America and craved a significant change. Initially, I saw The Velvet Bar as a simple hustle, just selling desserts. But as I invested more time and energy, I realized I was birthing a real business. Seeing what small efforts could achieve made me wonder what I could create if I truly locked in and focused. Read more>>

Chloe Catarina | Makeup Artist

Before I started my own freelance makeup business, I had worked in a plethora of different retail makeup jobs. I worked at Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Too Faced Cosmetics, and MAC, to name a few, and every company had generally the same format. You would get a customer, solve a problem for them, and send them on their way, and in a lot of cases, selling was the primary focus. Read more>>

Kenya Usher | Photographer & Videographer of KU VISUALS

My motivation for starting KU VISUALS stemmed from a desire to pursue a fulfilling career that I am passionate about on a daily basis. Additionally, I wanted to establish my own company to create a lasting legacy. Read more>>

Tamia Clark | Social Media Manager & Influencer

Helping people was always the goal. I’ve always been good with people since a child. As social media grew from my hobby, I was able to see that people needed assistance with what I do for fun! Now, I’m able to fulfill my career goal, to be of help while having fun. It’s truly a blessing. Read more>>

Brittany Roberts | Professional Cosmetologist, Specializing in Natural Hair and Seamless Installs

My thought process behind starting BigHeaded Hair was simple, I loved the way I felt after a day of getting glammed up. I loved the extra boost of confidence I felt, and wanted to give that same feeling to women. I’m a girls girl, and I love making other people feel confident about themselves, whether it’s words of encouragement, or providing a service for someone. Read more>>

Neji Ichiban | Professional Wrestler

I had always enjoyed watching professional wrestling since I was a child. I had fallen off a time or 2 because certain wrestlers would her shafted from being in the spotlight and it crushed me to be unable to see them in that spotlight, until I got back into it heavily around 2014. Read more>>

Cadence Kidwell | Proprietress of Fuzzy Goat

I was in my mid-50s and thought what challenges did I want ahead of me? I had a great job at Florida State University, but knew I would work at least another 10 years and did I want to go ahead with what was predictable, or try a big adventure? Read more>>

Jontanna Greene | Real Estate Professional

My thought process behind starting my own business was not the most traditional, I’ll say. In my case it was one, doing what would be best for my health; second thought being what (career) could change the trajectory of your family. Unpacking what’s best for my health; June of this year I will celebrate 10 years as a liver transplant recipient. Read more>>

CARMINE DAVIS | Singer-songwriter, Podcast host

I was raised in a home that quietly promoted the entrepreneurial spirit. My mother was an entrepreneur. When I created my podcast and started to create and release my music independently, I saw a niche that wasn’t done before by people like me and I knew if I wanted to be in that lane I would have to be fearless, consistent, and run it like a business like my mother did with her own business.  Read more>>

Solange Jacques | Modern Real Estate Expert & Global Professional Development Manager

Starting my own business was driven by a blend of passion, necessity, and vision. My thought process began with identifying a gap in the market for high-quality, customer-focused property management services. I realized that many homeowners and travelers were not receiving the level of care and attention they deserved.  Read more>>

Jordan Jay | Luxury Auto Detailing Expert

I’ve always had a deep passion for cars, especially in keeping them looking their best. This love for automobiles, along with my keen attention to detail, made luxury auto detailing a natural fit for me. The joy I get from transforming vehicles into pristine, showroom-worthy condition drives my commitment to excellence. Read more>>

Tylis Green | Media Specialist

My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by a passion for storytelling and a desire to help people effectively convey their narratives. I wanted to empower individuals and organizations to connect directly and meaningfully with their audiences. Read more>>

George Sloan | Owner of Master Tasks Virtual Assistant

My thoughts for going into busy for myself fulltime, was actually forced. For many years, I worked in the financial industry and fintech. While in those roles I always had the urge to do my own thing full time, but I allowed fear to control what God was pushing me to do. Read more>>

Darius Williams | Educational Consultant | Author | Talk Show Host

When I started King Darius Books, my primary motivation was to address a significant gap I saw in the representation of Black children in literature. As a Black-owned book company, I’m dedicated to creating stories that reflect the diversity and positive imagery of our Black community, ensuring that every child can see themselves in the stories they read. Read more>>

SunSet | Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Realizing I have a musical talent and gifts that serve on a professional level and can provide a means for income as well as lead to a professional career. Read more>>

Steiga Hewitt | Mom & Beauty Therapist

Starting my own business was a deliberate decision driven by a desire for independence and flexibility. I knew early on that I didn’t want to work for someone else, feeling constrained by their rules and limitations. By venturing into entrepreneurship, I gained the freedom to set my own schedule and priorities, allowing me to strike a balance between pursuing my passion and being present for my family. Read more>> 

Mary Domino / Captain Plant.IT | Founders

share them with the world. Since we felt limited in our options, our first idea was to create a safe place to listen to the music we desired and dance like no one was watching. We personally call our events our “living room”, where creativity knows no bounds and good vibes reign supreme! Read more>>

Michelle Hill | Skincare Alchemist

The journey to starting Honeymilk was deeply personal for me. It all began when my son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at just four years old. His health became my priority, and I became acutely aware of the impact everyday toxins and chemicals could have on his fragile system. Read more>>

Jasmine Calhoun | Wine and Fellowship Curator & Mastectomy Fitter

My thought process in starting my own business was multi-faceted. One, I always thought that turning your passion into your career was the best way to live life – no matter the income, doing something you love is special. For me, what started as an appreciation and infatuation for wine, turned into a crazy side hustle, and is now going to one day become my day to day…and I cannot wait for that moment. Read more>>

Danielle Bray | Nonprofit Founder

Where do I start and very long story. It was a vision. Everlasting Vessels Inc was established in 2013 after a layoff in February 2013. However, I did not fully launch until a spiritual encounter circling me back around to it. In August 2013, I went back into corporate world and did not finish anything with Everlasting Vessels Inc. Read more>>

Tamara Leigh | Founder & Editor of Blaque/OUT Magazine and DEI Consultant with Blaque/OUT Consultants

I was running a LGBTQ Resource Center in upstate New York and part of my job was being the editor of their publication which had been in existence for almost 50yrs. I learned the ins and outs of the process and worked extremely hard to diversify its contents, covers, subjects and writers. Read more>> 

James Montague | Real Estate Developer

The most important factors behind my success are tenacity and boldness.
Over the years I’ve experienced the ups and downs in my business as well as my personal life but my faith has kept me moving forward in a positive direction.
With each challenge, I reflect on the lesson to be learned. What mistake did I make and how can I either avoid this outcome from happening the next time. Read more>>

Lauren Adams | Artist and Art Educator

I worked in restaurants throughout college, and after. I thought,”if I can’t find permanent employment with a company as an artist, how do I capitalize on my talents and start my own business?”. Read more>>

Timisha Hosey | Cleaning Business owner

My Thought Process Was I Want To Help People , But also Do Something I Enjoy . As A Little girl I have always enjoyed Cleaning , and the joy having a clean space brings. Read more>>

Sydni Tillman | Owner of Elixir ATL

I have always been fascinated with the idea of having a “Social Third Place.” A third place is a location that bridges social interaction outside of the people you live or work with. When you are a child, your “third place” might have been your sports club or your local recreation center. As an adult, however, your “third place” can be a little harder to align with. Adults weather the mundanity of work/school/taking care of family, and these ventures leave little room to rest. Read more>>

Marketa George | CEO of KEYS Primary Academy and Author of Faces and Phases

I am Marketa George, master educator with 23 years of experience, teacher leader, academic coach, and former Title I Principal who served at-risk students and families. After watching the detrimental effects of COVID, I knew in order to academically recover for millions of our babies, I needed to risk it all and start KEYS Primary Academy…the Readiness School. Read more>>

Yakira Cartledge | Founder of My Endo For You, Advocate for Women’s Health & Wellness

I founded My Endo For You with a deep sense of empathy for women facing health challenges similar to what I experienced as a teenager and young adult. At 14, I underwent emergency surgery for Ovarian Torsion, followed by a diagnosis of Endometriosis and PCOS. Read more>>

Leonard Gwinn | Streaming Network Owner & Filmmaker

Well, I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset and have started and ran multiple businesses. So I think my thought process has always been to figure out the steps to take in order to be successful in whatever industry my business may be apart of. Read more>>

Jazmen Love | CEO of MANECRAFT , Wigmaker & Wig Stylist

I wanted to start my own business because I wanted to be in control of my time. Having to get approval for days off or vacations never sat right with me. I figured starting my own business would give me that control. Read more>>