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.

DnD Productions | Dominique Jones & Donald Strothers – DnD Productions

We, Dominique Jones and Donald Strothers, started out as mentees and then became business owners. Keshia Walker at Insight Marketing is our mentor. Watching her plan and execute events, giveaways, tournaments, and parties made us think about starting our own business. Once we determined that we were serious about going from mentees to entrepreneurs we started to learn the business side of the industry. Read more>>

Timiya Ray | Timiya T” Ray | Podcast Host & Creative Strategist”

I am a graphic designer and small business owner before the podcast, so starting businesses was not something I was foreign to. I became an extreme consumer of podcasts during the heat of the pandemic. The Black Lives Movement was at its height, and so much was going on while we were suppose to be locked inside of our homes. Read more>>

Daphne Walker, ECMH-E | Owner & Creative Director

“My decision to start my own business was deeply rooted in my passion for creativity, innovation, and community. After over a decade working in early childhood mental health, I saw firsthand the transformative power of creative expression in fostering connections and healing. However, I also recognized the limitations of conventional therapeutic methods and interventions. Read more>>

Whitney Cobb | Co-owner

We having been in the wedding industry since 2016 as wedding decorators. This started as my Mother decorating my wedding to assist with costs which ultimately unlocked a raw talent of hers. Since then, we have collaborated on weddings. We have always had our eyes set on this specific venue and dreamed of owning it one day. That day came true May of this year. Read more>>

Larissa McPherson | Metalsmith & Artist

Originally, I had started selling my art and jewelry (which is an art form itself) simply to get it out of my house. I was taking a beginning jewelry course and loving the process and had friends who wanted to wear what I was making. It started with simple square earrings and pendants. Read more>>

Brittany Briscoe | Intimacy Coach

My thought process behind starting Intimacy Out Loud was simply from my upbringing. Today we live in a world where everything is accessible at your fingertips, kids can see any and everything with just a click of a button. Growing up in the black community you’re never taught about sex education and the proper measures that should be taken if you find yourself in a situation. Read more>>

Kenyetta Cheatum | Mentor, Author, Emergency Medical Technician, Pageant Queen, Model/Model coach,

My thought process behind starting my own job was to start something in which would help the Youth of the community. I knew for a fact that it would not be easy because there are so many other organizations out here within the local community however doing different things within their organization or brand. My thought process was written down as a vision and I just made the steps in order to be successful. Read more>>

Abby Akins | Freelance Litigation Paralegal and Artist

I’ve always known from a young age I wanted to be an artist. In fact, I went to art school at Georgia Southern University (GATA). After going through breast cancer from 2021-2022 and now a recovering addict, I knew time was of the essence so I launched my art business finally after 14 years, Read more>>

Tabetha Crowder-Lee | Owner/Curator

I had been working in corporate sales/marketing for over 10 years with the same company when the company’s owner was diagnosed with cancer and was forced to sell her company. When the new owners came on they kept me for about 3 months before I was laid off. Read more>>

Terry Wells | Marketing Strategist, FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot

I decided to start my own company after working in corporate marketing for 15 years. A friend was also starting a business and asked me to assist with helping him to build a website and marketing. I didn’t want to do it under the table so I started Press 4Ward Group, LLC on November 30, 2016. Read more>>

Alexis Valentine | Chef, Small Business Owner

In essence, the process behind starting AV Gourmet was a blend of fulfilling my purpose in life, creating experiences that bring people together, and embracing the opportunity to build a culinary venture that reflects my personality and passion. Read more>>

Seshat Ali | Author/Curator/Entrepreneur/Poet

My thought process, derived from my pure Intentions to create products that add on to one’s greatness, positive images and messages that one could be proud of. Also, having autonomy was very important. I always felt when it comes to artistic expression, the more freedom to express is the true joys of creating. Borning ideas that allows one to grow outside of the box is vital. Read more>>

AR Davinchi | Recording Artist & Entrepreneur

Well first I realized, I’m worth more than I make at a 9 to 5. It took sometime to actually think of something that the people demanded and wanted. At work I came up with an idea that can generate income working for myself. Read more>>

Erica Nelson | CEO of Savthegoodgirl/ Podcast Host & Blogger

Living a luxury lifestyle is not just wearing Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada, it’s truly how we decide to live in all areas of our lives. I worked in different categories of the luxury business my entire career, and when you think about luxury, you think about the price being attached to the craftsmanship, quality, attention to detail and exclusivity. Read more>>

Trenae Curry | Entrepreneur, Artist, Dancer, Podcast, Multi – Business Owner, and More

Tc’s Art Gallery,LLC was created to outline the skills and talents of who I am. I took it upon myself to start my business to not only shine in it with my creativity. But to help inspire others to continue theirs and to show off their services and skills. Tc’s Art Gallery,LLC provides services to other businesses to help them grow the best way we can with the skills we know. Read more>>

Nivek Ford | Clinical Exercise Physiologist & Personal Trainer

Fitness has always been a passion of mine! I have always enjoyed learning more about the body and tips and tricks to staying healthy. My love for fitness started from my love for football. My ups and downs in that sport taught me a lot about the benefit of staying healthy, setting goals, pushing myself, and being passionate about my overall health. Read more>>

Jenifer Jay | Business System Expert & Automation Specialist

My entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured from a young age. At just 14, I began working in my father’s construction company at the age of 14, where I was trained in every area of the business, one step at a time. Starting with manual bookkeeping tasks, I gradually transitioned through various roles, including writing payroll checks, dispatching, process design, and even serving as a foreman in the field. Read more>>

Tameika Cheek | Therapist

Once I decided to pursue a career in the mental health field, I knew I wanted to go into private practice. In order to do this, after completing your Master’s degree and passing the state board exam, you still have to work a minimum of 2-3 years under fully licensed clinicians, receiving monthly supervision, before you can practice on your own. Read more>>

Tonya Harris | Business owner

I had a mission! 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Invasive Carcinoma a form of breast Cancer through the process of chemotherapy and treatment I lose my hair, my body went through a major change from how I ate to being more intentional about my health! God gave me grace! God gave me a second chance! Read more>>

Annie Grove | Chef & Owner

I have always wanted to own my own bakery. For as long as I can remember, my answer to, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” was alway, “A baker.” That goal only deviated when I got to work in kitchens and wanted to be learn more about cooking as well, but it only changed to “A chef.” Read more>>

Rose Johnson | AuthorRosej

After over 40 years building an accomplished career in the corporate world, I felt ready to embark on a new entrepreneurial venture focused on my passion – empowering aspiring authors to share their stories. With an extensive background spanning supply chain management, program management, financial services, and more, I had developed strong business acumen and leadership abilities. Read more>>

Maya Moravec Izzie Nadah | Co Founders, Co Directors, One & Other Productions

I: We started One & Other in 2021 after a series of professional opportunities brought us together, including working with our mentor Ramfis Mythril and culminating in our producing of Elizabeth Acevedo’s Mirage. Maya and I realized our artistic and professional goals had significant overlap, and our mutual fascination with unique perspectives would be a driving force in the mission of O&O. Read more>>