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.

Bryan Ramirez | Professional Detailer & Soldier

At first it was just a way to get some extra money in my pocket. Started detailing at the age of 17 while still in high school. Joined the Army, tried college, worked a few jobs here and there while still having this side hustle I ultimately decided to do it full time. Read more>>

Khetanya Henderson | Founder of KKRU, Pilates & Wellness Leader

KKRU is built on the principle of positivity. We find joy in strength and support in community. We work together, as one ‘KRU’, to empower the best versions of ourselves through movement, practice, and self-love. We discover growth as we guide our minds, bodies, and spirits toward a better lifestyle. Read more>>

RAHSAAN JARRELL | Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my first business was driven by my passion for travel, the desire for autonomy, and my extensive experience as the family travel planner. I wanted to combine my love for exploring new destinations with the freedom to offer personalized, high-quality service tailored to each client’s needs. Read more>>

Dominique Lindsey | Basketball Trainer & Personal Trainer

I wanted to combine my knowledge of basketball training and strength & conditioning for a more holistic view of how to build up athletes. I trained all my life and there was so many pitfalls that I went through so I know it’s my purpose to help guide the next generation and show them a better way to reach their goals. Read more>>

Nancy Gakere | Travel Influencer & Curator

I wanted to start my own business so that I could have more control and flexibility over my time. Read more>>

Ben Potter | Senior Instructional Designer and Dean of Students

The Covid-19 pandemic played a huge role in our creative thought process. The Mount Vernon School Online is part of the Mount Vernon School, an innovative independent school with an outstanding reputation for engaging students in exciting ways. Read more>> 

Mechelle Newell | Realtor

There were two reasons that made me start my own business. The first reason is that I have always loved looking at homes. When I first moved to Atlanta me, and my mom would always look at homes under new construction. I liked the architecture and interior design of the homes. The second reason is that I needed to work for myself. Read more>>

Artemis Moon-Walker | Founder & Artist of Artemis and the Moon

I started my business in early 2020, right as the world shut down and I found myself in a brand new and scary world. Artemis and the Moon in its infancy was an attempt at control and understanding, however tangible I was able to hold onto it. Using my own personal collection of insects and foraged flora, I began to attempt to preserve my specimens for years to come, in an attempt to beautify my own home. Read more>>

Raquel Sorondo | Video Creator and Director

After a decade filming advertising, moving to the USA meant starting from scratch. Living in a small town without a substantial film industry presented a unique challenge. To continue pursuing my passion for filmmaking, I decided to start my own business.  Read more>>

Andrew Hollyday | Mobile Mechanic & Business Owner

I began Wolf Work’s as a service for friends. I had developed a skill for mechanical repair and I provided help for a small fee. I began to look at the community around me and I realized that if I could help my friends, there were surely others in need!! Read more>>

Ashley Kinzer | Social Media Manager

Fun fact about me; The entrepreneur route was not my first choice at first. I was actually going to school finishing up my undergrad where I would have then gone on to start chiropractic school. I was falling under the society normal of you had to go to school and get a “real” job to be successful. Read more>>

Patrick Hunt | Bbq Pitboss &Truck driver

Well to keep it short and sweet, I love to make people smile and the way my food makes people feel usually garners that response. I’ve been smoking foods for 8 yrs now and the love I get from that makes cooking feel less than a job and more like a real chill day with my brother in law and partner in “crime”. Read more>>

Candace Wells | Event Planning & Designer

When I birthed the idea of Elegant Affairs I had just successfully planned my own Wedding. Here I am a newly wed, in a new city & state (Dothan, AL) & a mother of a very energetic 2 year old still on a high from creating the second best memory of my life (my son was definitely my biggest accomplishment at that time). Read more>>

Deja Adams | Spelman senior & dog stylist

Originally, my thought process was just to have a little extra side money to help pay for school. I was doing side jobs until summer of 2023 when I decided to make my first business account just to separate my primary job money and what I was making on my own. Read more>> 

Derrick Warner CPS-AD | Certified Addiction Recovery Emopwerment Specialist

I’m running a nonprofit that’s for the purpose of Reentry and prison prevention. I believe this will allow those men with lived experience with the criminal justice system and thus a better understanding of those that are probably in risk of going to prison.  Read more>>

My/Mya P. | Celebrity Nail Artist

Greetings! My name is Mya/ My. I am a celebrity nail artist and I have been in the nail industry for almost 16 years. I wanted to have something for myself so I decided to start my nail business. I have always had a mindset of “we don’t know, until we try”. Of course in the beginning, it was scary and exciting at the same time.. Read more>>

Dr. Ashley Tolleson | Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of The Tolleson Counseling Center

I can vividly remember the numerous times my graduate school professors told our class of soon-to-be therapists, “You can’t be in this field for the money.” At the time, I agreed with them and felt a sense of pride for my seemingly selfless intentions of pursuing a career in the counseling profession. It took quite some time before I realized that self-sacrifice was, in fact, not the road to a sustainable career. Read more>>

Vacshon Brown | Photographer/Videographer

When starting a business, I believed it would be easy, or rather easier than others due to the fact I come from a small city. But honestly it made it harder. Competing with some of the best creators on the east coast was a great learning experience and it helped me build character and resilience within myself. Read more>>

La-Chelle M Dickenson | Custom Creator and Dancer

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. During my teenage years, I had started and helped run many businesses. Entrepreneurship was even my minor in college. However, when it comes to fashion, I don’t have this great story of going to the top design schools or sewing all my life. Read more>>

Gerry Londono | Photographer and Owner of MR Perro ATL

The most difficult part was to obtain the licenses to operate the food truck. Read more>>

Clare Hardy | Founder of Haute Lady

I have always had an entrepreneurial drive. I cannot tell you where it comes from – it’s just something I was born with, something that has always been inside of me that I cannot ever seem to turn “off.” I have tried to start many businesses that I frankly gave up on because I was not yet confident enough, didn’t know what I was doing, or lost the passion and drive that I thought I had for that particular business at the time. Read more>>

Jada Blye | Business Owner & College Student

Financial freedom . Most jobs critique your background and things that have nothing to do with the person you are now. I’ve had great jobs let me go (even though I’ve shown amazing work ethic) over something happened 7+ years ago in my teen years. Read more>>

Travis Patton Sr | PODVAST Host/ Author

While beginning my podcast, I wanted to present a platform where individuals who felt they had no place for their voices to be heard to be brought to the light. It is important to me that individuals who feel undeserving, left out, hurting and bypassed because of life’s different experiences are presented with a safe and practical place to talk and grow. Read more>>

Garrysa Caffey | Event & Travel Consultant, Tillman Davis Enterprises, LLC

I’ve always been an organized person that enjoyed planning gatherings for friends and family. My maternal grandparents’ home in Savannah was always considered the “Mitchell Hotel” and I spent many summers in my youth assisting my grandmother with cooking, cleaning and entertaining family members and guests at their home. Read more>>

Felicia Brown | Missionary Evangelist and President

I imagine my thought process behind starting my own business is much different than most entrepreneurs. For one, I started a non-profit and not a for-profit business. Starting one was not a dream of mine, to be honest. However, I heard God tell me to. He gave me vision, purpose, and even a name and then said to start it. Read more>>

Jessie Julien Espinoza & Jessica Julien Idris Twins | Spa owners, beauty school owners, & Estheticians

The thought process behind starting our own business was the difficulties and disparities experienced in corporate. As women in the workplace it has been always about proving yourself and earning the respect of your male peers. Read more>>

Miles Ryan | Photographer | Director

I never really wanted to start a business. Photography started out as a hobby, and when that turned into a skill and passion, I knew that making a living off of my art and creativity would be my end goal. Starting my photography business was just the first step. Read more>>

Ted L. Alexis | Creative Director

Ultimately I just wanted to create something to keep my creative mind occupied. I’ve always been into art, production & entertainment. The passion is the driving force the business came second. Read more>>

Dante Hancock | Personal Trainer & Boxing Conditioning Coach

I have always had a passion for exercise, eating healthy and making better life choices. From the age of nine until 23; I suffered from Epilepsy which caused seizures and made it very difficult for me to have an active lifestyle. When it came to starting my business; I believed it should involve my passion and interests. Read more>>

Craig Miller | Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter

I played in a pretty serious band back in the 1990’s called The Reach. We had interest from several major record labels, but nothing panned out, and bands break up as they do. From there I always thought I’d make more music “someday”, but someday never quite happened. Read more>>

Sophia Fain | Interior Designer

I have always loved anything to do with architecture or decorating! As a kid, I’d pore through house plan books just for fun and style various areas in our home. But instead of doing anything in that field, I got a bachelor’s degree in marketing and then went on to become a personal trainer and owned various other businesses. Read more>>

Deb Rosenbury | Artist

I live in Marietta and had artist studio space in Chamblee. Loved the space and all the other artists but the commute was just getting harder. And since my art had started becoming more successful, I was commuting nearly five days a week. Read more>>

Dr. Monica S. Hall | Founder & K12 Principal, T.H.R.I.V.E. Christian Academy

There was none! Imagine that, growing up in a dual Army household, moving every 2-3 years of your life and having your mind set on being a JAG attorney in the military, but then God calling you to education… my story is definitely a tale of obedience versus strategy. Read more>>

Dominic Emerson | Mentor and Coach

The thought process behind Conversation Kingz is a blend of curiosity and courage, where every dialogue is a journey to uncover deeper truths and inspire transformative ideas. Read more>>

Madelyn Powers | Co-Creator of Life’s a Stitch Studio

Starting my own crochet business was driven by a combination of passion, opportunity, and hope. Crocheting is a hobby that brings me joy, relaxation, and a sense of accomplishment. In basic terms, crocheting equals sanity to me. I noticed a growing trend and appreciation for handmade items- specifically crocheted items. Read more>> 

Naiya Cunningham | SHE-EO

I feel as if the business ambition has always been in me. All around me are business owners, so what’s stopping me from taking the risk? I also wanted to have something that I could call mine. Something that I built from the ground up. Read more>>