Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Brandon Clark | Music School Owner & Director

I started as a teacher at a music school after the church I was working at was shriveling up and having to let some of their recently hired staff go. Over a couple years I went from teacher to networking & marketing to partner to franchise owner and eventually to fully owning and directing. The owner and director of the original school I started with gave me the opportunity to take over our second campus and it all sort of just happened at once. Read more>>

Gigi St. Hilaire | Faith-Based Wellness Coach & Breast Cancer Awareness Ambassador

My journey to starting my own business began as a deeply personal mission shaped by my own life experiences. After overcoming significant challenges, including surviving breast cancer and navigating difficult transitions, I felt a strong calling to create a space where women could find healing, purpose, and community. I realized that my story and struggles were not just for me but were meant to inspire and empower others. Read more>>

Charmeka Lipscomb | Author, Doctorate Prepared Dual Certified Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health and HIV Advocate

Overall, the thought process behind starting my business (es) is financial freedom, building generational wealth and leaving behind a legacy that my children, family, and ancestors can be proud of. Read more>>