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.

Jenn Baugus

I have always had an extremely creative mind. From a young age, I had an entrepreneurial spirit, pair that with my dreamer mentality and one may say I was in much need of disciplined grounding. An aspect that was not as much fun as the creativity that seemed to endlessly flow. This led initially to a network marketing opportunity, where I began building my first brand which involved leading other female entrepreneurs in their success. Read More>>  

Kayla Carnes

Yoga, especially in the Western world, isn’t a new concept. I’m incredibly aware that as a white American woman, making myself the face of any sort of yoga practice comes with an enourmous amount of privilege and responsibility. As I struck out on my own and began creating Solara Yoga School, I knew I both needed and wanted to surround myself with people who could elevate not only my business, but also my life, my practice, and my outlook on this sacred spiritually.  Read More>> 

Dhruti Contractor

For both my nonprofit and my business, my motivation was my son, who is neurodiverse.

The nonprofit is call Happy Kids Tournaments and the mission is to raise money for mental health services for teens in Atlanta. The idea for the nonprofit was from my older son, Shyam, who wanted other children and teens to have mental health services like he did when he needed it. We have donated to CHRIS180 for the past two years, who has provided mental health services to families throughout metro-Atlanta for the past 40 years. This year we raised over $12,000. Read More>> 

Kalani Shelby

Spark of Glitter Productions actually started thanks to my sister. She was having a baby shower, and the quotes we received for balloon décor were a bit pricey. Being the family party planner, I figured, ‘Why not just do the entire event myself?’ I took a class to learn balloon design, fell in love with the process, and before I knew it……Spark of Glitter was born. Read More>> 

Tiffani Price

Honestly? My thought process was: If I’m going to build something, it’s going to be FABulous, PERIODT!

I’ve always been big on energy, and nothing will ruin my mood faster than paying good money, tipping well, and getting bad service. And in Atlanta? Listen… the people are beautiful, the vibes are beautiful, but sometimes the service? Not so much. I wanted to change that. Read More>> 

Mikaela Perkins

Honestly, I was tired of asking for opportunities I could create myself. I kept seeing gaps in the industry, whether it was taxes, branding, or business development and I knew I had the skills to fill them. I didn’t start my business because I had everything figured out. I started it because I got tired of being overworked, undervalued, and underpaid in environments that would replace me before they recognized me. My thought process was simple. If I’m going to lose sleep, it might as well be building my own vision. Read More>> 

Michael Jones

I was an Allstate insurance agent in NY. Yet I knew I was supposed to be doing something else. In the spring of 1986, I moved my family to Atlanta, where I was promised a job. Shortly after my arrival, my prospective employer informed me that he had changed his mind and would not be hiring me. So, I ended up starting self-employed by default. My initial mindset was survival and taking care of my family. Read More>> 

Tracy Stuever

I wanted a place where people of all ages could come to learn music and have a creative outlet to improve their quality of life. Music touches people on many levels and I can’t imagine my life without a higher appreciation of this beautiful form of art. I wanted to reach as many people as possible by offering a wide variety of options. Some people want to learn music from a technical standpoint and become strong music readers with a high understanding of music theory. Other people just want to learn to play from their heart.  Read More>> 

Nancy Dunson

As a former makeup artist with over 15 years’ experience in the wedding industry, I already had a foundation in creating beauty. Pivoting due to COVID seemed like a natural, more meaningful move.

My work is more than just a service—it’s an emotional offering. By focusing on preserving wedding and memorial florals my business is built on capturing fleeting moments and turning them into enduring symbols. To help people hold onto the sentimental essence of their celebrations and memories—offering closure, beauty, and remembrance. Read More>>

Jenna Nelli

I wanted to combine something I loved with something I could do for a living, which is how I landed on travel advising. I was already spending so much time planning my own trips and advising on and planning trips for friends and family, that the move to make it into a small business was the logical next step. So I created Wandering Moon Escapes and could not be happier doing something that brings me joy, every single day! Read More>> 

Einar Haraldsson

Well it started long time ago. I was in the Icelandic Police and I was invited by LAPD to visit them I stayed there for 6 weeks. Most of my colleagues were Bodyguards for som famously people in Beverly Hills. I was invited to go with them up there in their off days. There I met few big names such as Clint Eastwood—Elton John and very young actress which came to me and talked to me for a long time. This woman is today a world famous actress Sandra Bullock. Every celebrity people I met where so much kind to me and gave me some advice if I leave the Police Force one day and they told me to go into the Acting business. Read More>>