Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Tessa Mendoza | Entertainer & Producer

I wish I could say there was one! My business is really a byproduct of supply and demand. I started in the entertainment industry 16 years ago, and with every piece of work came an opportunity for more. With that growth came the need to create a company that encompassed our many elements of entertainment. Enter Doza Dance Productions! Read more>>

Datboyjunnie | Artist/Ceo

My thought process was to Learn, Plan, Then Execute. I spent years learning about the career I am Pursuing; The Ups, The Downs, The Pros, The Cons you literally everything. I spent majority of my time looking at and learning from those who came before me and how they began their journey and how their journey ended and I applied it to my brands structure and foundation.  Read more>>

Marian Mills | Professional Voiceover Artist

The only thought I had was that people were always telling me how strong, powerful, unique or distinctive my voice is. Read more>>

Sharnae Smith | Lupus and Disability Advocate

Lupus is a cruel incurable disease and is often overlooked and isn’t publicized enough and because of that, I wanted to create a space that was inclusive and supportive for those who are fighting lupus. It really does take a village to navigate this disease, and I wanted to create a village for all lupus survivors and their caregivers so that they know they aren’t alone in this fight. Read more>>

Valerie Walker | Photographer, Media Digitizer and Preservation Specialist

It was March 2020, I was working as a commercial photographer at the time and the whole world was quarantined. Some friends and I decided to quarantine together and just started dreaming about a business we could create to fill holes in the Memphis market. Read more>> 

Taylor Bialy | Audio Engineer, Mixer, & Producer.

From a young age, I have always possessed a strong sense of self-motivation and a drive to pursue my own goals. When I was a kid, I started my own lawn business, which was an activity I enjoyed doing. The idea of taking something I love and turning it into an opportunity to make money resonated with me. It also taught me the importance of taking initiative and the benefits of being proactive in pursuing my passions. Read more>>

Anjannette and Torrie Dreier | Makers

I honestly can say our thought process was more like a “hey why not?” And “let’s give it a try.” We had discussed every reason NOT to start a business. We convinced ourselves that we are just way too busy in our lives to even think of owning a business. Read more>>

Nathan Sanderlin | Music Artist

Growing up as a kid I always knew that music was away out for me, after my dad passed away I started taking it a lot more seriously putting more thought into the business, learning how to manage myself as a independent artist, developing different mind & skill sets throughout my journey to elevate my business as a independent music artist. Read more>>

Declan C. Khan | Liquid Specialist Digital Director

Having been involved in many corporations and being delegated to many business acumens along with experience building and launching smaller companies I found myself in a transitional phase of creating something unique with a personal touch. Read more>>

Tisha Tinsman | Balloon Business Owner & Mom

Having my oldest Daughter sparked a newfound passion for party decorating. After her first Birthday, I dreamed of starting a business that would allow me to leave my full-time job and work for myself. Before starting my business, I was working for Cirque du Soleil and another Cirque “like” show called Le Reve. Read more>>

Brittany Marcus | Executive Director and Brand Strategist

I began freelancing in college to gain experience in Public Relations and noticed that I started to build quite the portfolio and client list with warranted results. I wanted to have a structure process in place so that my clients would have a stable process and experience with me. Read more>>

Curt Ryle | Record Producer/Musician/Songwriter

I spent 25 years running recording studios for other people. I made many of them wealthy yet, I was to afraid to go in debt and start my own business for fear of failure. I had always been successful as a songwriter and musician but the thought of opening a recording studio was something I didn’t think I could do. it seemed to risky. Read more>> 

Keleshia Denman | Ms Bootz MUA & Stylist

I just remember seeing so many people branch out in individual success. I’ve worked my whole life and when Covid started entrepreneurship was on the rise. I thought this is the perfect time for me to show the world that as an individual I am very talented. Read more>>

Yana Adams | Playlist Curator and A&R

I wanted to do something that I truly love and enjoy! Music has always been a getaway. It’s freeing, and can put you in another realm in life. If I’m happy, sad, in love, or on some main character fly ish, I can always choose my mood.  Read more>>

KELLY MOTLEY | Lash Artist & Salon Owner

I think for me it was the lack of control when working with corporate America. The more and more I worked the less control I felt I had over the things I wanted to do with my life. I found myself canceling plans because I couldn’t get the vacation time or feeling the stress of living paycheck to paycheck with no room for savings. Read more>>

David Martin | Designer

Several years ago, while working as a carpenter and project manager for a construction company, I had a serious injury that forced me to consider a number of lifestyle changes. Given my new physical limitations, it became clear that I needed to reinvent myself for a career where I could work from home. Read more>>

Shontrice(Miss Slay) Slayton | Mentally Cultured’s Founder

I was inspired to create Mentally Cultured by my personal journey and the realization that my family and others needed the right tools to address issues like depression and alcoholism. This mission was assigned to me by God. I’ve always had a gift for listening and offering empathetic advice. Read more>>

Dalia Dalia AminE | Egyptian tour guide and PhD archeologist and tour organizer

Let me tell you that my dream was simple, but I realized that it was worthy, as I had the idea of ​​achieving the goal, proving myself, and challenging the difficult circumstances that faced me. So I finished my university education and completed my master’s and PhD in archeology because I was certain that science was the best way to reach the top. Read more>>

Sincere Boyd | Master Event Entertainment Concierge & Owner

First and foremost, I have always had a passion for photography and a love for capturing special moments. I thoroughly enjoy the art of photography and the ability to freeze a moment in time. Starting a Photo Booth business seemed like a natural extension of this passion, as it allowed me to not only take photos but also provide an interactive and fun experience for people. Read more>>

Annie Furr | Children’s Illustrator and Mom

I think I would consider myself an accidental entrepreneur. My business really just came out of a desire to make more art and find my own creative voice. I’ve always had a passion for art and loved to draw, but after graduating college and having my children, I found myself in sort of creative slump. Read more>>

Amanda & Belinda Marshall | Owner Operators Trifecta Fitness

My daughter, Amanda Marshall, and I both moved here from Southern California approx 4 years ago. As we were starting a new chapter of our lives here in Clarksville, Tn. we wanted to open a business symbolizing our new beginning. We are both very fitness oriented and Amanda has made fitness her career so it made sense to open a business in that genre. Read more>>

Ric Frank | Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, visual artist, educator

After having been a sideman for many years I started to compose my own music. At this point I decided to start my own band as a vehicle for my compositions. This allowed me to persue my creative vision which has like Pablo Casals’ book “The Agony and the Ecstacy” as well as very rewarding. Read more>>

Jacob Waltz | Cybersecurity Expert & CEO of Intraframe US

My thought process behind starting Intraframe US was pretty simple: I saw an issue, and a market gap. In general, SMBs are extremely unrepresented in the realm of MDR and Managed IT services. If they have any IT help at all, it’s usually one ‘jack of all trades’ staff member that’s tasked with everything while on the verge of a burn-out. Read more>>

Karla Lewis | Therapist and Life Coach

I really wanted to help people and to make sure that I’m sharing as many of my gifts as possible. I also wanted to help people feel more comfortable with the idea of therapy and Therapists. In addition I wanted people to know that Therapists are people just like them and so there’s no need to be intimidated. Read more>>

Arieale Munson | Author, Advocate, Activist, Certified Life Coach

My name is Arieale Munson. I am the Executive Director of Operation Taking Back 901.Operation Taking Back 901 is a 501c3 non-profit organization driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a strong foundation of support. Our mission is to implement economic and educational programs for underserved youth and their families in Shelby County. Read more>>

Jay Holman | CEO/HEAD CHEF

The thought process behind starting my own business was a combination of needs and wants. I needed to create more income and the problem was what I wanted that to look like. I bounced a few ideas around, but nothing really hit me until I got to my business partner. He helped with the brainstorming and together we produced the concept of 615 Soul Food. Read more>> 

Constance Sholar Cherry | Mom & Multisite Preschool Owner

When I was thinking about starting my business, I wanted to have the creativity and provide high quality childcare. I was committed to self improvement and program improvement. I started in an after school program working at my grandmother’s center. Then I moved into working in family childcare in my own home. Read more>>

Conrad | Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my own business was creating something I could identify as my own, and to feed that entrepreneurial spirit that I’ve always had in me. Owning a business allows you to be the sole person (unless you have partners) that controls if that business succeeds or fails, and something about that “pressure” motivates me to succeed.  Read more>>

Parmis Mokhtari-Dizaji | Student & Maker

My name is Parmis Mokhtari-Dizaji, a high school senior from Boston. I like to think of myself as a maker. I know how to solder and build circuits; I can work with heavy tools and do carpentry; code and program robots, and create all sorts of gizmos. I enjoy the process. I enjoy the challenge. Read more>>

Jeff Yarbrough | Cinematographer/Director

I have been in business for myself almost all my life, but my fascination with cinematography and directing brought this from a hobby 12 years ago onto the front burner about 4 years ago. I knew my love of film and my desire to do things right would be a serious asset. Read more>>

Dr. Luanne Sailors | Sign Tribe Academy Founder & Instructor

I began signing at the age of 6 months old because it was a necessity for me as both of my parents are Deaf; I’m a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Growing up, it was a way of life for me to help my parents as well as others, and it led to a smooth transition as I became an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter. Read more>>

Marsalena Scurlock | Inspiration clothing brand

My thought process behind starting my business was I wanted to make an impact on people’s lives. By sharing my journey and story I can encourage people they are worthy. I created a clothing brand and soon to be community to spread awareness that you are worthy and victorious. Read more>>

Jonathan Wong | Aspires to Inspire

It was time. Uncle Frank said “Don’t be a man with too many knives in his pocket and none of them sharp!” Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. My cousin Jason and I had just finished opportunity and this amazing opportunity came available! Read more>>

Amy/ Ashley Nunley/ Wilson | Clay Artists

We both have always had a desire to be creative. We were always painting, re finishing furniture, or just doing random crafts. In February of 2019, Amy had a pulmonary embolism a few weeks after having her second child, and was struggling with PTSD and severe anxiety. She mentioned wanting to start making jewelry as a means of therapy. Read more>>

Rocco Cozza | Founder and Managing Partner, Cozza Law Group, PLLC

When I graduated from law school, I worked at a big law firm. When I left that job, I began working as an in-house counsel for a technology company. In that role, I worked with bigger law firms. In both positions, I saw the gaps that traditional law firms have. So, when I decided to leave the corporate world and start my own law firm, I framed my thought process as:  Read more>>

Emma McCallie | Founder of Folx Table

Admittedly, I was about to leave Nashville. It was 2021, and I wasn’t feeling fulfilled socially. It was hard to meet new, interesting people, and it was even harder to scratch the itch of a meaningful conversation. In the midst of the loneliness epidemic post-COVID, we were stuck having surface-level conversations six feet apart. Read more>>

Wilbur Hines | Owner of ˈPräməs U.S.A.

Focused and driven, prepared to do anything to free up my time from working 80+ hours a week in sales, I began brainstorming side hustles. Taking notice of a booming fitness industry in 2021, I looked into personal training and became a certified trainer with ISSA. Read more>>

Bella DeLain | Freelance Digital Media Creator

Starting Gumball Media was sort of an accident. While working in a ‘corporate’ job at a television studio, I was freelancing in my free time for friends and family by creating videos to promote their businesses, editing their podcasts, etc. Read more>>

Eva Leersnyder | Professional Dog Trainer, Vet Tech, and Student

I wanted to be able to branch out on my own after being trained as a professional dog trainer. I felt as if I was ready to promote myself and my business and be able to manage my funds in the process. I don’t just train dogs, but I educate owners as well and I think that is a big part in why I wanted to own my own business.  Read more>>

Stacy Hogan | Producer/Owner of A Writers Paradise Studios – Nashville, TN & Lead Singer/Songwriter of “Sin Shake Sin”

Understanding early on as a teenager how fickle people (as well as the music industry as a whole) could be was pivotal in my decision to start a music business early on. I started getting hired to produce when I was 15 and it eventually led to a job in Nashville, and ultimately my own business. Read more>>