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.

Bleach Film Lab

For the past 10 years, Nancy has been a working artist developing her own analog photography, and I (Henry) have been producing commercials and photo shoots. After spending time together, the two of us understood that art and community are some of our highest shared values. These conversations were occurring as we searched the city for a film lab to develop our own photos. Read more>> 

Jasper Alford | Creative Consultant & Designer

Starting my business as a Creative Consultant/Designer was journey fueled by a deep passion for fashion and a vision to create something unique. Inspired by the diverse styles and trends I observed around me, I immersed myself in the world of design, learning from every stitch, fabric, and silhouette. With limited resources but a lot of creativity, I began crafting pieces that reflected my personal aesthetic and resonated with others. Read more>>

Acacia Harris | DIY Creator

I thought long and hard for many years on what direction I wanted for my life. I initially thought I wanted a successful career in the financial services industry. I realized I wasn’t as fulfilled as I liked. Even after various attempts at a successful career in this field. I spent years pondering and trying to soul search. I wanted to figure out what truly made me happy. I knew that I wanted to be able to have more flexibility in my life. Read more>>

Letisha Allen | Owner and Operations Manager

I advanced quickly in all the print shops I worked at, and knew I had a unique skill for screen printing. I saw the impact I was having at the companies I was working for and thought, why not hone my skills and start my own company? Read more>>

Xay George | Photographer & Digital Marketer

My goal in founding XRG Nexus was to combine my passion for photography with my degree in marketing from college and provide my services as a freelancer to anyone who needed them. I wanted to be able to eventually work for myself and not have to clock in to someone else’s timesheet. The freedom behind having my own business has been very ideal for me because I am my own boss. I can work with whoever, wherever I want, and whatever time I want to. Read more>>

India Brown | Scientist & Founder

Business is something that has been encouraged since I was a child. My mother and grandfather always encouraged us to start a business from childhood, so it’s something I always knew I would do at some point. When I was around 12, my mom put my brother and I in an Entrepreneurship Summer Camp at Fort Valley State University. Read more>> 

Britney Williams | Graphic Designer & Digital Marketer

I was in a period of my life where I was tired of working at a place where I was undervalued, overworked, and underpaid. I wanted to do something more meaningful with my life, besides spend the next 35 years of it in an office. I wanted my time back, location freedom, and most importantly the ability to make money on my own terms. Read more>>

EEEUREEKA

My thought process with starting EEEUREEKAHB I know wanted to have pieces that would last forever and having a meaning to each release that I do and also eeenjoying the process of creating the art and designs that I want to have and having control of my ideas not doing the fast fashion type deal. Read more>>

Chris Harry | Music artist

To start your own business, you have to be confident that’s a big part. You have to make sure that you believe in yourself more than anybody else. Once I start my business, I had to believe 100% that it’s gonna work putting in a time in the effort to actually see the results that I projected, and even in the times where I felt like I was hamster in the wheel, not going anywhere i continue to push forward. Read more>>

VaShawn Dixon | CEO. Film Director. Cinematographer. Actor. Producer. Writer. Editor

God Created me to create. I created Control Overdose Films LLC to show others that creation is the ultimate form of gratitude to the creator. Control Overdose Studios aims to help others realize their own creative talents; our movies, documentarys, short films and commercials all show positive influences inspired by real life trauma. Read more>>

Kimberly Best | Salon Owner & Operator

With over 25 years of experience in the hair industry, I have gained extensive knowledge and expertise in various aspects of the beauty industry. As a hairstylist turned salon owner, I realized that collaborating with skilled stylists has taught me the value of teamwork and interaction. Two years ago, I fulfilled my ultimate ambition by establishing Natural Tresses Hair Salon. Read more>>