We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Makayla Louis | Founder, CEO, Notary Public, and Minister

I was sitting in my previous job and was browsing different types of work to better help myself financially. I spoke to a patron at the time and they told me about being a mobile notary, we discussed it over and that’s where is stayed. Read more>>

Paula Anderson | Creative Entrepreneur

The concept of starting a business goes back to 1999. I had worked for a company for about 10 years and felt it was time to move to the next level. I was not able to get a promotion, so I started a business. Read more>>

Jada Sade | Lash Technician

The thought process behind starting my business was to make all women feel beautiful and enhance their inner glam. Provide lash extensions within the latest trends that women are completely obsessed with & exotic lash styles. Read more>>

ANJXLXE | ANJXLXE | Singer-Songwriter, Multidisciplinary Creative

I’m a hybrid of art and entrepreneurship, with a passion for music, marketing, content creation, and creative direction. My journey in the industry has taken me from being a social media strategist for an entertainment company to serving as an executive assistant and head of communications in a corporate law firm, as well as delving into music marketing and communications within a label. Read more>>

Ally Parker | Owner and Head Letterer at Madly in Love Designs

I started my own business after being a bride myself and noticing the overpriced and under thought options available to brides for wedding signage. I wanted signage at my own wedding that I could afford and that didn’t look like everyone else’s.  Read more>>

Lauryn LO | Model & Future Dental Assistant

My thought process behind starting my own business would be something like..is this something I really want to do? I’ll ask myself multiple times before I go forth with it. I’ll even pray and ask God to show me signs that its meant to be. I’ve done this a lot with different businesses I started but never went through with it. Read more>>

Margaret Cowan | Founding Keeper

I never actually intended to start my own business. I was content being an employee. I knew when I worked, how much I was being paid for said work, when I would be off, when I could be off, etc. When I moved to Memphis, however, that had to change. Read more>>

Amani Kelly | Entreprenuer, Developer, Mentor, & Father

I realized that I no longer wanted the same thing in the corporate world as to when I started. I originally wanted to prove to myself and others that I could move up the corporate ladder and eventually become a CEO of a company. Read more>>

Dess Renee | Business owner & Singer Songwriter

My thought process in starting my own business was very clear. I come from poverty and living off the state. I don’t want that for my children I want my children to be able to say “My Mother owned her own business and that’s why we are here today.” Read more>>

Marin Davis | Founder of Local Collaborative

As a military spouse it was difficult to find a fulfilling career let alone someone willing to hire you. In 2018 I decided even if I made no money I wanted to be doing something I loved so I started my marketing agency, Local Collaborative. It would allow work to travel with me and offer the freedom and flexibilities demanded of military spouses. Read more>>

Castel Sweet | CEO & Co-Founder of Blue Glass Jar Farmacy

Many of our family, including ourselves, have struggled with various skin concerns over the years. When attempting to find remedies, the products prescribed or sold in stores didn’t provide much relief and sometimes even made problems worse. Read more>>

Gena Heelz | Entrepreneur & Media Personality

Ever since I could remember I have always strive to be innovative, to build a brand that has authenticity. I have always wanted to exhibit a part of me that people could relate to in the most positive and enlightening way. Read more>>

Andy Torres | Graphic / Web Designer & Small Business Owner

I had a career in IT support which had provided a lot of stability for me for many years, and as a side effect held me back from branching out into a more creative path. When that became a less stable and reliable career for me, it dawned on me that I can spend as much work even looking for a job (that I did not like or want) as I could finding my own clients.  Read more>>

Edwina LaShan | Fashion Bloggers/Influencers

Ten years ago, we created “Edwina LaShan Fashion Blog” to bring attention to shopping under a budget and still being stylish. With a huge lack of fashion and diversity within our community, we wanted to show our supporters that fashion is obtainable, where ever you reside. Read more>>

Kelsey Brasher | Freelance Graphic Designer

In some ways, I didn’t really have a choice. I’ve been freelancing on the side since I graduated with my graphic design degree. After a decade in the industry, I took a risk and joined a startup company. After working for them for nine months, they did what startups do sometimes and laid off my department. Read more>>

Devin Duncan | Full Time College Student & Entrepreneur

My thought process while starting my own business was solely based on the fact that I wanted to create a revenue that would lead to generational wealth for my family/team to come. Though I started my business at age 15, I always had a vision of longevity. Read more>>

Simone Washington | Body Contour Specialist & US Federal Officer

The thought process came from believing that all women are beautiful and should be afforded the opportunity to achieve their body goals without breaking the bank. Yes, we should be comfortable in our skin, but if we aren’t; it’s okay to change whatever we don’t see as beauty. Read more>>

Bettina Applewhite, MS, RDN, LDN, SNS | Recipe Developer & School Nutrition Enthusiast

As with many people, starting my own business came from the desire to supplement my income due to the high costs of living. Once I was able to lean into my passions, I have found that I providing a service that is needed and it’s fun to me to do. Read more>> 

Kiara Potts | Blogger, Resume Writer, and Influencer

My thought process behind starting my own business was this “I might as well make money doing this”. The thought was super simple as I began my business “unofficially” by testing the waters with my family and friends.  Read more>>

Victoria Morgan | Owner + Principal Designer

I started my interior design firm business purely as a hobby and as a way to stretch my legs creatively. I had taken the traditional route of college, graduate school, corporate job with an attempt to climb the ranks and retire after 30 years; however, after 10 years, I found it to feel stifling.  Read more>>

Joel Lockridge | Bourbon Taster & Pen Maker

BourbonPens.com was created through an idea for recycling, a love for fine bourbon, adoration of woods with a story, and a love for woodworking. The entire business sprouted from an accident. I had a table saw accident, and while I was healing I went to a turning demonstration. I said “that looks like fun,” and bought some equipment. Read more>>

Quishandrea Williams | Cake Instructor and Dessert Studio Owner

There wasn’t a thought process initially. I started baking due to the demands of my then 5 year old son. Tyler was into transformers and spiderman and he began asking for themed cakes. Read more>>

Michael Silverman | Partner, Autumn Hill Records

My brother Rob Silverman and I have been involved in the online music business from the very first iteration of the mp3 format in 1997, and we were excited about the possibility of the coming digial music revolution at every step. Read more>> 

Valencia Perkins | Educator, Doula, and Author

When I graduated college in 2017, I had published my first book called “Poppy’s Garden”. It was not a business then. As I progressed in the work force as an educator, I realized having my own business is necessary in today’s economy, so I birth my business after being at home with my first born Reign for a year. Read more>>

Owen Watson, PhD | Minister & Author

My thought process behind starting my publishing business (Turn The Page in Your Life) intertwines with what I believe to be my God-given purpose in life, and that is to inspire others by communicating and sharing God’s love.  Read more>>

Brittany Woodard | Culinary Artist

The thought process behind starting my business began with creativity and being different from everyone else. You can have the same food as everyone but you can add your own twist and take it to another level of wow!!! Read more>>

Victoria Lane | Author & Pro Makeup Artist

My thought were that I needed to be the example. I needed to to be the example not only for my 2 sons but for young single mothers everywhere. I needed to be proof that it could be done. With a little faith and determination anything is possible. Read more>>

Rachel Goss | Realtor

Real estate has always been something I loved. Home architecture. design and building relationships with others is the perfect combination for me. After spending 12 years in corporate marketing I needed to change my focus to allow more time for my family. Read more>>

Melanie Redd | Best-selling author, Speaker, Social Media Manager, Teacher, Wife, Mom, and Friend

It was 2014, and I had just graduated with a Master’s in Christian Education and landed a wonderful job. Then, unexpectedly job fell through. In the week following, my husband suggested I start that blog that I had been talking about starting. Read more>>

Sarah Alliston | Insurance Agency Owner

Truth be told, I’ve always wanted to be my own boss. I knew early on that working for someone else was just not where I saw my career going. So, at age 25 I started my own business, in a completely different industry. It was that drive and passion, that led me wanting more.  Read more>>