What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

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.

Natalie Keng | Food & Culture Expert & Bestselling Author

Having worked in every sector, from Fortune 500 to government and nonprofit, I have seen firsthand how the power of food and culture builds connection and bridges divides. When we learn to love the food, we are more open to the people. Eating and cooking together not only opens gateways to friendship and connection, but more importantly for companies and communities, motivates people to take action and lead. The Cooking Up a Better World™ is a platform of inspiring, interactive, and impactful presentations, tours, and events which foster team-building, innovation, and resilience–essential traits for corporate and organizational success in a changing world. Read more>>

Courtney Holguin | Photographer, Bus Driver, Computer Data & Children’s Book Authur

I believe everyone deserves a chance at starting a business. It can be so difficult, and it can be rewarding all at the same time. Being your own boss is rewarding as well, you can achieve your own vision and outlooks. Read more>>

Lex Williams | Founder & Business Owner

Before starting Compassion The Brand, I founded a community organization named “CLEgivesback”, an acronym which stands for Compassion, Leadership, and Empathy. I founded it in Cleveland, Ohio. My first “give back” was donating socks to the Men’s shelter here in the city I was born in because socks are the most needed donations but least donated throughout the USA. Other than hosting drives, I through events and collaborated with other business owners. I found out shortly that If I wanted to continue giving back how I wanted to then that meant I needed monetary donations. I started my clothing legacy in a way to spread positive clothing at a reasonable price and donated a portion of the proceeds to CLEgivesback to continue the mission -which was to give back and through more community events. Read more>>

Shaunice Baker | Cosmetologist

One day while I was in cosmetology school, we went over the different essential oils and their properties. So I came up with the idea to put all my knowledge and training into my products to help people with their hair, skin and nails. Read more>>

Marcus Huertas | FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD FASHION HEALER

The thought process behind starting my own business, PHAYTH, was multifaceted but primarily centered around my desire to spread love and positivity. I strongly believe in the power of fashion as a form of self-expression and wanted to create a brand that not only offered stylish and high-quality streetwear clothing but also conveyed a meaningful message. Additionally, the birth of my daughter, Aline Phayth Huertas, played a significant role in inspiring me to embark on this entrepreneurial journey. I wanted to create something that not only showcased her radiant spirit but also allowed me to make a positive impact on the world she will grow up in. Read more>>

Jerilyn Horn | Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer

My thought process behind starting my own business was that I would offer more professional design services and products than other businesses in the area and allow more of a partnership with other trades in the area as opposed to competing with them. I have achieved this by advertising that I can be hired solely for design purposes if needed. One example of this would be if someone wanted to keep their existing cabinets and have them professionally painted. Also, I work with a lot of local cabinet makers on projects who need my help with layout and pulling the colors together. I provide the dimensioned layouts and 3D designs for these projects. However, my design services are included at no extra charge if the customer purchases the majority of the products from me. Read more>>

D.Star Stroman | Artist/CEO /Founder/ Author

My entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, driven by an innate passion for music, fashion, and food. At 14-15, I transformed my mother’s apartment into my first business hub, focusing on clothing and hair. The satisfaction of clients fueled my ambition. As I delved deeper into entrepreneurship, I aimed to break generational cycles and build a legacy for my family. Coming from an African American background, the conventional path emphasized finishing school and securing a job, leaving little room for entrepreneurship. I realized the importance of pursuing my passions, steering away from the societal pressure to conform to traditional norms. Though not dismissing the value of education, I acknowledged the significance of aligning it with personal passion. Read more>>

Barbara Earley M.Ed. CCC/SLP April Lowe M.Ed. CCC/SLP | Speech Langauge Pathologist

As two speech therapists, driven by a passion for fostering social connections and self-reliance in our clients, Social EdVentures was created. We started with a small group of older teens in a traditional setting and began exploring unconventional approaches. As we did this, we discovered our real-world learning approach enhanced success, increased involvement, and resulted in better outcomes. This inspired us to create Social Edventures, aiming to offer this experience to larger groups affordably. We started with a small group of four in the Fall of 2021 and quickly expanded to multiple groups of all ages. As our network grew, we listened to our families and gained a clearer understanding of their needs, striving to empower them toward independence and having fun along the way. Read more>>

Michelle Romain-Garcia | Corrective Skincare & Waxing Specialist

Being in an industry that’s a luxury for many, it makes sense that there’s a certain image attached to estheticians and spas. Having been a client myself to upscale spas I can understand the intimidation that a place of prestige can have on a client. So the idea behind my spa was to make a place that’s welcoming and down to earth for all. No matter your background or gender everyone of my clients will be treated the same and made to feel at ease from the moment they check in to the minute they get off my table. Read more>>

Lara Dolan | Partner, The Craft Dolan Team at Ansley Real Estate

To be honest, there was not a lot of initial thought or planning… it was need-based. My husband and I decided to invest in some properties which I managed while staying home with the kids. Then a family member wanted to purchase some property in Georgia…then a friend had a client with properties needing to be managed… I quickly realized that obtaining my real estate license would be a nice “side hustle”, but only planned to use it for property management of my own and select clients. As the economy and the market emerged from the knock-out punch of 2008, I was simply paying attention. I knew that my skills in sales, consulting and contract negotiation would play well in traditional residential real estate. Read more>>

Dedarius Cofer | Podcast Host

The thought process behind my business was I realized that there are a lot of people out here like me. Going to college because you been told to go or because you see others around you go, working a job with no real purpose or goals on what you want to do in life. I been in a lot of those positions, so for me it was just about sharing my stories and others who have been to college or find there passion doing something else . It’s all about educating the next generation so they can be better than us ! Read more>>

Natalie Sims | Owner of Signature Faces Cosmetics

I started Signature Faces Cosmetics because I felt that Black women set the standard for beauty trends but were underrepresented in all aspects of this category. Growing up, I was always let down by my makeup choices because there just weren’t many color options for me. Often the problem was that the undertones were off, which led me to begin custom blending my makeup. It dawned on me-I couldn’t be the only person custom blending due to the lack of inclusion. I didn’t know it then, but this struggle would fuel my decision to create a brand that would fill that void while providing quality high performance cosmetics. Read more>>

Eve Greiner | Mixed media artist

I started creating art when I was very young and always worked in some kind of medium. Sculpture came first, because I always gravitated toward texture. Then I worked with many other materials, such as metals, plaster, and wire. While I was in college, it never occurred to me to pursue art as a career. It wasn`t until after graduating, looking for a job, and landing a few, that I realized – the corporate world was never going to be a good fit for me. Art was moved from being a hobby to what I wanted to do full time. I belonged with other like-minded creatives and could easily relate to their mindset as well. Read more>>

John Petersen | Founder

I am a veteran who served in the Army for 6 years. When I got out of the military, I prided myself on working hard at every job. Until one night almost 20 years ago when everything changed. I was involved in a near-fatal car accident that left me with a tracheotomy. I was awakened at Grady hospital by a tear that fell on my face from my wife as she looked over me. It was then when I learned I’d been life lifted from Gainesville to Atlanta because of my injuries. I was eager to get out of the hospital so I could get back to work. After what a few weeks, the day came when I was cleared to go home. Read more>>

Keya Mociers | Floral and Event Designer

I started my business after I planned and designed my 30th birthday party. I enjoyed the entire process from planning, choosing vendors to designing the overall look and feel. I was completely green and didn’t have much experience other than designing events for my immediate family. I did such a great job that the venue owner told me that she would train me and I should go into business. Read more>>

Grace Douglass Bridges | Master Cosmetologist, Educator & Hair Loss Practitioner

To be honest I really didn’t have a thought process behind starting my business. I was more so thrown into it than making an informed decision. My Grandmother afforded me the opportunity to take the space that she once used for her upholstery business, and turn it into my own salon. I was blessed to have my parents as investors to help me build it out and the rest was pretty much history! Read more>>

Philip Harrell | Ice cream chef

I can do anything. When opening a business you have to be “dumb, like a baby”. A baby is completely unaware of everything. There is no way to convince a baby that they can’t, crawl, walk, or talk. Baby’s persevere, they learn new skills, hone those skills, and keep it pushing. My thought process consisted of keeping my mind in a good place, staying singularly focused on the task, and finding out my limits. Read more>>

Alexandria Baptiste | Realtor, Insurance Agent & Tax Preparer

Freedom and flexibility. I enjoy doing many things so working a 9-5 did not allow for that. With my own business I am able to create my own schedule which allows me time for my children and family who have various events, mainly sports which all of my children are involved in as well as accommodate my clients who have different work schedules. I am able to provide service as early or as late needed and on days where other businesses may be closed, Read more>>

Ife Adebowale | Integrated Maternal Health Consultant, Traditional Student Midwife, Certified Doula, Certified Holistic Doula Trainer, Doula Mentor, & a Breastfeeding, Herbalist, and Belly-Binding Specialist

The thought process behind starting Cherishing Life Beginnings Birth Services was deeply rooted in my commitment to revolutionize the birthing experience. I recognized a significant gap in the available options for childbirth, especially in terms of diversity, representation, and the overall satisfaction of birthing experiences. As I delved into the world of alternative birth options, it became evident that there was a need for more inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches. Cherishing Life Beginnings Birth Services emerged from the belief that every individual should have access to birthing choices that resonate with their values, backgrounds, and preferences. Read more>>

Carona Davis-Diop | Producer, Filmmaker, Author, Podcast Host

The thought process behind me starting my own business was just that, A thought. When you start having these thought patterns in relation to starting your own business you have to place everything in your life into perspective, Do I have time? Am I too old? Will I be able to dedicate time to the family and other relationships? Do I have time for another thing to do when I am already so busy and cluttered. The answer is yes. After placing all of these thoughts, scenarios good and bad into a neat little pile I truly could not see a reason not to start my own business. There is way too much opportunity and technology to no at-least give it a shot. Read more>>

Enley Colbert | Nail Artist Extraordinaire

Basically, in the wake of the pandemic shutdown, I had to either find a new job or create one. Luckily, about 8 months before that I had started a traveling diabetic pedicure business with the skills I learned from the podiatry doctors I had worked for in the past. That was something I usually did on weekends when I wasn’t working my regular Monday through Friday job. Of course, there was an immediate increase in clients from my usual 2-4 clients every weekend to about 10-15 clients or more every week! I was a little overwhelmed at 1st but I just dove in headfirst. A lot of my clients were women & repeatedly asked if I also did nails. I answered “No, but I should.” So I practiced doing nails in my basement for about 6 months, went to school, got my nail license and opened my 1st nail studio by April 2021. Read more>>

Curstin Andrews | Film director, actor, writer, brand ambassador

The thought process behind starting my own business was when the union went on strike. The strike affected everyone where they couldn’t release movies or tv shows, couldn’t get booked for any projects. So I took upon on starting my own production. 2GWSPRODUCTIONS. The reason why I named it that because that name is powerful. It has a meaning to the point where it’s useful for anything and everything people do. So with me choosing that name for my film production I was also going to include it on merchandises. Ever since I chose that name nothing but greatness has happen. So that is my thought process behind my own business Read more>>

Jeremy Ramsey | Motivational Speaker & Outreach

As a proud black man coming from a single-parent home, I saw the struggles of what my mother and late grandmother went through raising two kids. As I got older, God put me through certain trials to teach me growth, patience, and wisdom because God knew I needed to help people. Those experiences fueled BLK NOIZE INC. My challenges growing up inspired me to establish a company that addresses systematic inequalities and empowers individuals from underrepresented communities. As a young child, no father figure existed in my home. Therefore, I had to learn from my mother and grandmother. I didn’t have many friends, so it was hard for me to socialize. I felt I needed to fit in somewhere. I was bullied in school with no sense of identity. Read more>>

Marquitia Wilson | Bail Agent- Recovery Agent

My thought behind starting my own business was exciting but intimidating at the same time. I have been in business for 11 years when I first started I knew I had creative ideas but the tension of surviving it came into play. Nonetheless, I am 11 years in and loving it. Read more>>

Summer D’on | Founder and CEO at D’on Cosmetics

Having spent nearly a decade as a professional makeup artist, I recognized a pressing need for clear guidance and simplification in the beauty industry. Initially envisioning a brand focused on crafting top-notch beauty products, I soon realized there was a broader challenge that needed addressing. It became evident that numerous beauty enthusiasts were grappling with the frustration of ineffective shade matching and difficulty in using products they were eager to explore. My goal shifted to eliminating shopping intimidation and streamlining the makeup application process, aiming to provide a solution that goes beyond merely creating high-quality beauty products. Read more>>

Mike Bazell | Founder and Mentor

What can I do to help with the issues in my community? I’m tired of talking about it and complaining about it, so what can I do to change the situation? God spoke to me and gave me the vision to start a mentoring program for young men. Read more>>