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.

Terence Karl-Anthony Stewart

Frozen Records will be a one stop shop for all artists and homeless people. People forget that most of the untapped talent is in the homeless folks. often times when im handing a dollar or some change to one of them i will spend extra time to chat and learn about their life. Read More>>

Dany

The inspiration behind starting my own business comes from my background as an immigrant and my passion for community and connection. My family immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 2006. Shortly after moving to a new country, my dad started his own landscaping business, Dino’s Palms, with little money to his name and without speaking the English language. Read More>>

Tekia Powell

SexiMei is a post-surgical garment brand that was created to introduce a new style during a patient’s post-op journey. I was once a patient myself. After undergoing breast surgery, I struggled with finding a post-op bra that I found attractive. Read More>>

Jesse (Daze) Swindell

I started as a street hustler in NYC, but after going to prison I used the same tools I learned in the streets to create a legit stream of income. That came with understanding the logistics of creating a legit business. I asked questions then jumped out on a faith. Read More>>

 Romeo Vain

My thought process behind starting my business was very simple: You don’t get rich working for anybody else. I learned at a very young age that nothing in this life is free, and if you want something, you have to get up off your ass and make it happen. There is no such thing as handouts. Read More>>

Najoni Montgomery

When I started my business, i wanted it to not only be something impactful but i also wanted it to be something that i would be proud to pass down to my kids. Fitness became my passion because of my kids.  Read More>>

Morgan Godbee

I’ve always thrived when I have the freedom to create my own processes and collaborate directly with clients, rather than working within a traditional, structured work environment. After spending years in the film industry, I transitioned into a corporate 9-5 role, but it wasn’t long before I realized it wasn’t the right fit either. Read More>>

JayBee Briggs

Well I had gotten out of shape and started working out again because of health concerns. A friend thought I was inspiring and set up an LLC for me. I did not want to disappoint so we created Better Body Better Me Fitness. So to be honest there was I was just winging it to not disappoint a friend. Read More>>

Quintard & Shayla Isler

After undergoing eight (8) years of infertility challenges, we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Issa Illyana Isler (III). Since we have a love for baking and a had a desire to be entrepreneurs, we decided to step out on faith and create our entity. Read More>>

Emmanuel Flagler

I noticed people struggling with their weight problems and I’m passionate about fitness and finding solutions that makes their lives easier. Read More>>

Jordan Rhodes

Foundry 237—formerly Jordan Rhodes Design—is a creative brand and digital marketing agency based in Atlanta, GA and built for businesses everywhere that are ready to get serious about their presence, storytelling, and strategy. Read More>>

Kristen Jones

I never set out to be a business owner, but I felt led to obey God’s call. Moments by Marie was birthed out of serving my church, and as doors began to open, I realized I had found my purpose. My journey has been about walking in obedience and trusting that God would guide me every step of the way. Read More>>

Amanda Greene

It’s funny, I have only recently tried to keep myself aware that what I do is a business. I think of myself more as self employed and that I do what I do – take photographs. Read More>>

Mandisa John

I’ve always believed in building what I wish existed—something with lasting impact that not only supports me but also creates opportunities for others. For years, Read More>>

Kat Carter

I had never thought that I would actually start my own business but had always thought of it. I sort of fell into it when my good friend Kim Carlos started the Plus Sidez Podcast. Read More>>

Toni Thomas

TheToniEdit was born out of finally embracing my connection to sensitive skin and engaging with beauty rituals as a form of deep self-care. I wanted the experience to be more than just a tailored treatment for your skin, but one that supported your entire body and mind as well. Read More>>

JUNE DESCHAMPS

My journey toward starting my own business was driven by a deep sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others. As an HR professional working in the healthcare sector, I had the unique opportunity to visit various hospital floors and interact with patients on a daily basis. Read More>>

Jazmine Ellis

The idea came to me in the midst of 2020; my cousin and I discussed how there wasn’t a recreational space for kids who play golf to showcase their hard work, build friendships, and truly play for fun. As we reflected on the limited opportunities for young golfers outside of competitive settings, we realized that many children were missing out on developing their skills in a supportive and enjoyable environment. Read More>>

Hak Sung Kim

Three years before our grand opening, my partner and dear friend, Kim Joon Dong, and I envisioned a bold new culinary venture. We meticulously planned every detail—from the type of cuisine and target clientele to the ideal location, scale of operations, and necessary investment. Read More>>

Javar La’trail Parker

In two words…the pandemic. My husband and I moved back to the United States, from London, in January 2020 with little knowledge of what was about to happen in the world. The first couple months of that year were supposed to be spent with an ailing mother-in-law in Virginia Beach, VA, while we plotted our next move; Read More>>

Lainie Pahos

It’s something I’ve always wanted to do in some form. I have produced one-off shows here and there over the years but nothing major. I’ve been in the entertainment industry for over two decades and I’ve done pretty much every job a person can do in the theatre so I felt equipped to finally rally a solid team around me and go for it. Read More>>

Ashley-Nicole Williams

Starting my own business was a mix of passion, purpose, and a desire for independence. I’ve always loved culinary arts and the ability to bring people together through food. I wanted to create something that not only showcased my skills but also represented my unique approach to cooking.  Read More>>

Tyler Edwards

My great-grandmother, Delsie Ann Dobbs, born in 1924, was a major inspiration behind my decision to start my business. While I was serving in the United States Air Force, she became ill. Due to COVID restrictions and Air Force policies, I was told that she was not considered close enough in kin, meaning I couldn’t visit her in her final days. I took that personally because she played a significant role in my life. Read More>>

Whitney Remington

I chose a “non-traditional path” to opening my business back in 2018. I graduated from Kennesaw State University with my Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science at the end of 2016. I wanted to enter into personal training next. Read More>>

Jordan Berrada

Growing up near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, my love for photography started at a young age. My older sister received a camera as a birthday gift, which quickly became her favorite tool for storytelling. We would go on countless adventures together, turning every outing into a creative photoshoot. It was during those moments that I fell in love with the power of visual storytelling. Read More>>

Corlette Duncan

Like most people who fall into entrepreneurship, I began by just doing something I love. I love gathering people, family, friends, and loved ones. In the beginning, it wasn’t business, it was just me enjoying what I do. Read More>>

Eunique Francis

My thought process behind starting my business was kind of all over the place, to be honest. I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but I was unsure how I should go about doing it. I also had to think about my target audience and how my idea would help others. Read More>>

Lailah (manic ) Perry

My thought process behind starting my own business is be prepared to fail, there’s no such thing as success and without failure. You need to be resilient and view it as a key part to your story of success, use it as momentum. Read More>>

Rachel P.

Originally, I started Salt & Prepped because I felt like there was a huge gap in the desire to meal prep and eat healthy and having the time to actually do it. I knew how hard it was getting dinner on the table for busy families, like mine, and I wanted to create a solution. Read More>>

Isaiah (Zay) Luque

I’ve always been a hustler since a baby and have always been around hustlers so starting a business was mandatory. I created CREATIVE ORDINARE because I wanted to find something other than basketball to be committed to and be successful with. Read More>>

Hannah Payton

when my husband and i were engaged, his Christmas gift to me was a camera! he saw how much i loved taking artistic pictures on my own phone & completely took it upon himself to get me my first DSLR camera! I had no idea it would then lead to where I am today. Read More>>

Terah Da Barber

I knew it was either fight or flight. I wanted to be a great barber and I wasn’t going to sleep until I was successful and respected by my peers. Read More>>