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.

Sheneil Tillis

There was a need for organic skin care in my community so I created it . Read More>>

JoJo DiSalvo

My original intent behind playing music was not to be a business. Just starting, as a young musician, I always consider it a hobby. I didn’t change my mindset until I started making money and realized that it was a viable career path. That changed my mindset and the way that I operated. So my thought process was “If this is something I’m passionate about, I have to turn it into something sustainable.” That’s when I went into business mode and started operating from that mindset. Read More>>

Russell Crooms

Honestly, starting my own business came down to one big realization: if I wanted the kind of life and freedom I kept dreaming about, I had to build it myself.

I hit a point where I knew working for someone else — no matter how good the job — was never going to create the future I really wanted. I wanted to create something lasting, something meaningful, and something that could grow far beyond just me. Read More>>

Dr. Clay Craig

After graduating from chiropractic school, I worked at a high-volume clinic where I was routinely seeing 30-90 patients per day. I barely had enough time to provide a quality adjustment, much less get to know my patients. And because of this, I knew there had to be a better way of providing care. That’s when I realized the best way to provide the thoughtful, personalized care I wanted to was to open my own practice— Read More>>

E. G.

I have always been creating art, as a matter of fact I used to get in trouble for drawing over all of my school work.
When I sold my first painting at 15, it sparked something within me. That my creations are worth something. Read More>> 

Derrick JOHNSON

In the beginning it was just to have a creative outlet but as time progressed I started to think along the lines of generational wealth and having a legacy to leave my sons. I don’t want them having to do some of the things I have done in my past, also I wanted to teach and show them ownership. Read More>>

Carol Horton

Starting Lily Grace Homes came about after a major life change left me contemplating my next steps. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit but launching a building company was really fueled by my passion and experience in residential construction and real estate. I’d always thought about branching out on my own, but the encouragement from another successful female builder was what truly pushed me forward.  Read More>>

Dejanae Parkman

Starting Dotted wasn’t just a business decision. It was personal. I spent years navigating painful periods, missed diagnoses, and a medical system that made me feel invisible. Every time I bought a product that didn’t work or left another appointment without answers, I kept thinking, “There has to be something better.” Read More>>

Tina Vance

Coming from a retail background, I often felt like I was just helping people buy what they thought they needed—guided more by trends and impulse than intention. I realized I wasn’t fully serving them; I was just facilitating transactions. I knew I could offer something deeper, more meaningful, and ultimately more sustainable. Read More>>

Tina Sisneros

If I’m being completely honest, it all came down to creating financial security for my family. As a single mom with three beautiful daughters, the responsibility to provide for them and give them the life they deserve can feel enormous. Kids have dreams, needs, and goals, and those things often come with a price tag. Starting Tina’s Party Rentals was my way of taking control of my situation and building something meaningful, not just for myself, but for them. Read More>>

Jason Washington

The inspiration behind starting my own business came from a deep desire to show people that God can and will use you—whether it’s Plan A, B, or C. You’re never counted out. I wanted others to understand that no matter your age or background, you can still live a healthy lifestyle, be bold, be confident, and be yourself. Fitness has always been a part of who I am, and so has fashion. So I thought—why not combine both passions into something impactful? That’s how PHL — PushingHealthyLifestyles was born. It’s more than a brand; it’s a movement to inspire purpose, faith, and health. Read More>>