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.

Brittany Martino | Internationally Published Boudoir & Lifestyle Photographer. Owner of Boudoir Culture Magazine and Brittany Martino Photography.

The inception of my business traces back to my high school years, particularly during my enrollment in a Photo Journalism course. As I engaged in capturing projects and connecting with diverse individuals throughout the year, I found myself inspired. It was during this time that I realized, ‘I possess a genuine skill in this craft. I aspire to delve deeper, making this my profession one day.’ Read more>>

Jennie White | Veteran & Founder of Samara Table Company

Starting this business we had 1 goal: deliver more to the customer than we charge for. The convergence of our passion for woodworking, our service-oriented commitment as a veterans, and a keen understanding of the power of personalization in business really helped us cut through the noise of our competition. Read more>>

Jodie Stewart | Maker

The motivation for starting Stewart Handmade comes from my personal passion for quilting. As a quilter, I know firsthand how much time and effort goes into creating each vintage quilt. My admiration for their intricate handwork is what inspired me. It saddened me to see these beautiful items of the past being set aside on dusty shelves or even worse hidden away in a closet. I knew I had to do something to give these quilts a new lease on life. By repurposing them, I feel like I’m paying homage to their heritage and showcasing their inherent beauty. At Stewart Handmade, not only are you stepping into a world of nostalgia but you’re also experiencing the delight of recycling well-loved vintage quilts into distinctive tote bags and accessories. Our expertise doesn’t end with vintage quilts! We also excel in creating small batches of exclusive totes, purses, and bag accessories. We use only the finest quilt fabrics, cork, and wax canvas materials to ensure that each piece is truly exceptional. Read more>>

Tab Butler | The Transportation Lady and Grant Writer

Tab’s Professional Transportation (TPT) was born from a simple request to go to the store. Over 2 years ago, my vehicle was in the repair shop and I needed to go to the store. I called a few transportation companies, turned on my Uber and Lyft apps and called a taxi cab but to no avail. The transportation companies were too expensive for what I needed. The Uber and Lyft apps kept turning and turning and the taxi cab company never returned my call. By no means was I rich but I was able to live a comfortable lifestyle with a great support system. I eventually ended up borrowing my friend’s car to take care of my errands. That really bothered me that a basic need, such as transportation, was not readily available and/or affordable for the less fortunate. After numerous days of thinking about it, I decided to do something about it so I started TPT, with a goal to provide a service that could help the youth, elderly and underserved. Read more>>

Véronique Monali | DPT & Swimsuit Cut and Sew Designer

It’s a quarantine night filled with cleaning out my storage closet. And I notice my late grandma’s sewing machine in the back corner collecting dust. Which sparked my interest to learn how to sew. Thinking it will be an amazing hobby to kill time during quarantine. One day I had a thought about how the only clothes I spend money on is swimsuits. The next day I started my journey of learning to sew, beginning with swimsuits. Which is one of the hardest materials to sew with. It was a journey to figure out the techniques. Once I began to pick up the technique and discovered I had a skill to design and sew any type of swimsuit I could think of. I began to turn my new hobby into a new business idea. Read more>>

Noah Smistad | @smittystylez – Content Creator

I have always been one to dream of creating my own business and working for myself, but I never knew exactly what my business focus would be. My interest in fashion and dressing well began about two years ago when I decided to revamp my wardrobe to match my new taste in my 20s. I focused on basics, and built my own style from there. The idea of becoming a content creator first came to me through my sister who is a creator herself, and is a campaign manager for a prominent influencer marketing company. She mentioned that there is a huge opportunity for male content creators, and that I should take advantage of this. One year later I officially started my page Smittystylez, and knew she would be with me along the way. She truly believed in me, and supported me in beginning a creator account to showcase my style. I believe it is important to build a life outside of your 9-5, and fill that time with passions/hobbies that inspire you and urge you to grow. While I am still growing my page, you never know how far you can go until you decide to bet on yourself. Influencer marketing is a growing industry, and after seeing so many successful creators, including my sister, I knew this choice to start would reward me. Read more>>

Tiambe Kuykendall | Nurse and Owner Creator of TK Charcuterie

My grandmothers were everything to me. They were both great in the kitchen in their own way. One was a soul food Sunday cook and the other was a world traveled entertainer. They both told me always have a little something in the refrigerator if someone stops by. In 2020 I bought my first home in the height of the pandemic. Being home was all we could do. I had my closest friends and family over as much as I could and I practiced my charcuterie board making on them. One day one of them simply said, you know you could sell these….and that’s what birthed TKC! Read more>>