Starting a business can be terrifying. Weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and other considerations can be so overwhelming that often promising entrepreneurs stop before they even start. We asked some phenomenal entrepreneurs about their thought process behind starting their own businesses. Our hope is that by making the thought-process less intimidating we can help more folks think through whether they should take an entrepreneurial leap.

LaCoya Lovett | Social Media Manager & Influencer Marketer

When I started my own business I was nervous and afraid of failure. The entire thought of being your own boss is amazing. I was ready to do that & I was also tired of working for others. It’s upsetting when you’re giving your all to a company and they’re not pouring back into you. It was taking over my mental health, slipping me back into depression & triggering my anxiety. I had to take control of it. I had to take care of ME. Read more>>

Daphne Cosey | Graphic design artist

It began as my way to keep up with my, at the time, 3 year old special needs daughter love for big flashy hairbows. I joined groups on Facebook and watch tons of YouTube videos. I stumbled upon a video of a lady using the Silhouette Cameo to personalize the hairbows. Read more>>

Laura Black | Owner

I began my career in the restaurant industry in my teens as a server. While pursuing a Bachelor’s in Marketing I continued to work in restaurants serving, bartending and even back in the kitchen. I always knew I had a passion for people, for food and that I liked being of service to people. So I think I always knew I was best suited for roles that allowed me to help and be of service to people. Read more>>

Moses Flores | Director, Filmmaker

I found myself at a crossroad because I was working in video production at a corporate job but I also had a ton of freelance work starting to pile up. I had envisioned starting my own video production company for a long time, but didn’t quite have the client base I needed. The timing finally seemed right to take that leap of faith, and I haven’t looked back since. Read more>>

Alexandria Warfield | Actress & Entrepreneur

At the beginning of the pandemic, I was laid off from my job, All I could think about was, how am I going to provide for my family. A good friend of mine randomly asked if I had ever thought about owning a vending machine. So I began doing some research. I watched countless vending videos on Youtube. I joined different Vending Facebook groups. Read more>>

Brooke Stuart | Holistic Doctor & Founder of Let Go & Grow® International

I’ve always known that I wanted to work for myself and felt it was right in my heart to pursue a career that incorporated a holistic approach to help people experience the type of freedom and health within their bodies, minds, hearts and lives as a whole that comes with growth and true movement forward. Read more>>

Tay Price | Planning Consultant

I started Perfect Price Planning in August 2019 with the hopes of helping others “do more, with less.” Growing up in urban Memphis, TN – many families in my neighborhood had access to very limited resources. Read more>>

Tiffany Qualls & Jo Denman | Owners of Scrumptious Fried Pie Station Llc Food Truck

So initially I can’t say the goal was to go into business but it came to my mom, Jo Denman, in a dream, which at that point she reached out to me and gave me all the details. Mind you, I myself had been making fried meat pies for work potlucks and even had a few orders outside of work events. Read more>>

Tracie Benton | Founder of Lux Style & Design

I wanted to make something that people could use that didn’t already exist. I wanted people to be able to locate creatives all on one platform instead of looking at multiple different platforms. I wanted to add designers because some people have creative thoughts but need help seeing those thoughts come to life. Read more>>

Deambra Collins | Barber Chef

My thought process behind starting my own business was making my local neighborhoods healthier by providing them with more options outside of the typical fast food we all grew up on. It’s been proven that when you’re healthier you operate better mentally, physically & emotionally. Read more>>

Catrina Crutcher | Certified Personal Trainer

The initial thought behind my business was to gain a bigger voice to help others in a way to showcase motivation, encouragement, but to also display other attributes that can allow you to grow into the best version of yourself is through faith, confidence, support system, and a strong foundation. Read more>>

India Williams | Childcare Learning Center Owner

As an Early Childhood educator, I would see certain things that I wanted to incorporate into my schools culture, however I didn’t have as much of a voice as other Faculty and staff. I’ve had this vision and dream of having my own Childcare for many years. Read more>>

George Chavarria | Chef

When I created Salty cow It was at the height of COVID-19 and everything was shut down everyone was quarantined ordering out fast food and trying to stay calm. I wanted to bring “normal” to people something they could enjoy in house take the stress out and hopefully for a few seconds just relax. Read more>>