Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Alexis Boles | Salon Owner & Nail Tech

The original thought process behind starting my business was simply to make money! I started out as a hustler. I began with just performing services. As I got older, I began to realize that this “hustle” was bringing in a six figure income. I started to see how lucrative the beauty industry is and not just in providing services. I wanted more! I wanted to become a brand bigger than myself! Read more>>

Claudia Goodwin | Wedding Videographer

Wow, I love this question. Looking back on when I started my business, I was absolutely terrified. I was in my Junior year of college at The University of Georgia and all of my friends were busy interviewing and accepting positions for a summer job at incredible companies. I felt absolutely lost because I had such a passion for storytelling, and did not know if I could truly make it on my own. Read more>>

Miles Johnson | Morehouse Alumnus | WBD-NABJ Sekou Smith Memorial Intern | Incoming New York University Graduate Student

When I started Real Talk with MJ, I wanted to create a platform that is my own. I wanted to create a platform so that I have ownership of something that no one can take away from me. Especially with the rise of social media, many athletes, celebrities and just every day people decided to start their own platform. We are in a different era where instead of the common person watching television to get their entertainment, they look to social media. Read more>>

Laura Dunn | Founder & Primary Curator of CCA

Community Circle Atlanta was started simply with the idea of creating what we all want to live in, which is Sesame Street. I have lived in the MGP (Memorial Drive Greenway)/ Grant Park area since 2018. I moved to this community and recognized this linear green space that was an untouched park that needed to come to life. I saw a huge social & physical gap between neighbors feeling unsafe to utilize it as a communal or personal space of leisure. Read more>>

Nicole Thomas | Social Media Manager & Resume Writer

I have two businesses ConnextSocial, which does social media management, graphic design and website design, and Rockin Rollin Resumes, which does resume writing and cover letter writing. I used to have a full time job working for a law firm as their Community Liaison. When I was their Community Liaison, I managed the law firm’s social media and networked a lot at business associations on behalf of the law firm. Read more>>

 Robert Hunter | Youth Development Programmer

I created 5PillarsINC through self discovery. The moment I started taking accountability in healing from my trauma I thought of creating ways of helping a young person dodge certain pitfalls that I had encountered. I call it “breaking barriers to leave a bridge”. Read more>>

Sara Oakley | Artist/Arts Activist

I’ve started the same trio of businesses in other states, and in North Georgia three times: once in Gainesville in “Life Before Covid”, then starting over again after local recovery a few years ago, and in the same time frame, building this trio in nearby Clarkesville, GA. The trio consists of a group studio, a collective gallery and an art school. Read more>>

Danil Pervukhin | Filmmaker, Co-Founder of PYX Studios

When I was going into my senior year of college, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the film industry after graduation. I was looking for like-minded people, who are striving to take the next steps and create something that would not only financially help our future, but also help ourselves as well as other filmmakers share their stories and passions with the world. Read more>>

Princess Heath -Dawson | Hair enthusiast

My thought process was very simple. I and very intellectual person so I love to learn about different things and people. So when I took on the task of going to cosmology school, I became infatuated with how the hair grows. So I begin to do my research on what can help make the hair grow, so since I knew my mother was thinning and losing her hair, I came up with a formula to help her hair to grow. So what started as helping a family turned into me branding it and turning it into something my children can run when they get older. Read more>>

Danielle Allen | Accounting

My thought process when I started my business in accounting was to be the voice for small business owners, thorough my experience in working with the Department of Revenue I realized there was a lack of education and training to business owners in regard to compliance issues. Read more>>

Ryan Puckett | Owner/head mechanic/lead janitor at Nimblewheels Bicycles in Dahlonega, Georgia.

Having worked in bike shops and at mountain bike destinations throughout the southeast for over 15 years, as well as being involved in the cycling community for longer than that, I had developed a pretty rigid distinction between what a bike shop should be and what a bike store is. Read more>>

Daphne Martino Smith | Organic Products Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my own business was making products that was not chemically based. To use all natural essential oils and herbs that can promote healthy and rejuvenated skin for people with sensitive, dry and dull skin. At the same time keeping the cost affordable for anyone. Read more>>

Becca Halm | Owner- Little Bird Bamboo

I had very specific thoughts in what I hoped to create. Being a stay at home mom during covid and being away from my husband during the beginning of it, I really wanted to create something that could become a community and a place for parents from all over to feel a sense of belonging, to have a place to share their successes and milestones but to also vent about the struggles that we all face. Read more>>

Tiffany Kindred | Founder & Maker, Walker Street Candle Company

I had my first child during the peak of COVID-19 in November 2020, and I took an interest in candlemaking when I felt like I needed something to reclaim my identity. Becoming a new parent in quarantine was isolating at times and I picked up candlemaking as a hobby to decompress in the evening after work. Read more>>

Carmyn Boone | Event Designer

Like most entrepreneurs I was scared. I honestly didn’t set out with the intentions of starting an Event Planning and Design company. However, it was for the love of flowers and design that I gained early on as a child. As a little girl I would assist with setting the table for my mom and she changed our formal dinning room table to match every holiday/season. It was something about the beautiful florals and formal table settings that stuck with me. So after having my first born I started doing events for friends and family. After a few inquiries and the influence of my late mother I launched EW Events. Read more>>

Deidre McHenry | Real estate Investor/Elite REALTOR

Generational wealth and freedom. I have actually started 3 different businesses. The first was a daycare in Nagano Japan. It’s called Alphabet Kids International Academy. It was started in 2018. Initially it was so my son could have a place close by to learn and speak English. The goal was initially very small. I was thinking 5-6 children inside of a community center a couple of days a week. Read more>>

Amber Robins | Family Medicine Doctor and Period Expert

After years of having heavy periods, I wanted a solution that would allow me to go through my day stress free during that time of the month. I envisioned having a panty that could keep a pad of any size in place while being leak resistant. As a family doctor, I also found that many of my patients were having the same frustrating issue along with questions about their periods and body changes. Years later I took the steps to bring my vision to life. Last year I launched Sanxtuary MD by Dr. Amber to help upgrade periods for women and girls. Read more>>

 

Brianna | High End Portrait Photographer

Once I realized I had a gift and an eye for photography, I knew I could not let time pass me by without using what God had given to me. Read more>>

Crystal Morris | Singer & Song Writer

Honestly, it wasn’t even my own desire per se. This was something that innately existed within me. Since I was a little girl I always would sing. I would sing around the house, at school, and at church really anywhere I had the opportunity, and I didn’t realize at that time that it was a gift. A gift that I would later have the opportunity to share with many others by way of song creation and singing. Read more>>

Toney Lewis | Prophet & Spiritual Leader

I knew I heard the Call of God on my life at an early age BUT it was when I heard His Voice to lead His People, no lie, I was taken aback. I knew I could lead people but to actually lead them in a sacred place, oh no, lol. I’d just rather sing, worship and pray, hands down! Lol Read more>>

DeOndria Stafford | Graphic Designer, Marketing Manager, Recruiter, Business Credit Consultant, Tarot Reader

My thought process behind bringing my own Call Center to life was all of the impossible. I had this big problem with thinking positively with this business idea. I knew that in order for me to actually bring this idea to life, I would have to quit my 9-5. My 9-5 was my money maker, my bill payer and I just did not think that I could do it, solely off of my Business. Read more>>

Ms. Andria Mayberry | Founder, President of Ms. Berry Care Foundation

I am a single mother of two children, as I began this journey it was very hard juggling through single parent hood, domestic violence and managing a child with intellectual disabilities. I was able to be an advocate and successful in ensuring that the lives of me and my children are productive. During my journey, many people c0mplimented me on how much of a great job I did and is continuing to do with raising my children and bringing awareness to intellectual disabilities. Read more>>

Jazmine Harrington | Galaxyfi3nd the artist co-creating with Uni-Verse⭐⭐⭐ 👽✍American series & 🪐Comic book creator, Writer, Editor, Publisher, & Producer of Space Ratz🌌

My thought behind starting my own business was creating the core elements I enjoyed seeing while growing up watching tv, Whether it be cartoons, anime, Disney, or Nickelodeon sitcoms. I enjoyed finding strength through knowledge or relatability in tv shows, even through laughter in a comedic moment. I enjoy telling moving stories to inspire the next in their everyday lives. Read more>>

Kia Osborne | Multi Event Venue Owner

I wanted to generate passive income and build generational for my family doing something that I love and have a passion for. In addition, I wanted to give back to my community – and not just take. Read more>>

Sameera Ali Bey | Serial Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my own business was time freedom and escaping the typical 9-5 cycle. Starting my own business was the gateway of breaking my generational curse and building wealth for my family to come! Read more>>