Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Fatima Mukhtar | Owner, Chammeli

Chammeli was born out of frustration more than anything. For many women in the world, fashion is not frivolous but a means to balance style in a manner consistent with personal values. Traditional retailers lacked modest options for many of us and the modest brands out there just did not fit the lifestyle of many women I know. Read more>>

Martina Straniero | Artist & illustrator

It all came pretty organically, I started drawing in the little free time I had while being a stay at home mom to my first daughter. After I got the courage to share my drawings on social media, people started to like them and I got my first commissions. I kept drawing even after going back to work a part time job that I had to leave when covid hit. Around that time I started sharing more and more illustrations since I had more free time and then I got my first requests for illustrating children’s books. Read more>>

Kefia Rollerson | CEO of KRo Productions

For me starting a business you must have a vision. Write the vision and make it plain. Know exactly who you are stepping into starting a business. Confidence is key. Read more>>

Tj Price | Chef

The business kinda started by accident lol a few thanksgivings back I decided to make a lobster pasta for my family and with everyone’s rave reviews I just started catering here and there and before you knew it people began requesting dishes and I kinda got obligated to meet everyone’s request. Shortly after I began to really take it serious and my client lust began to grow from friends and family to reality tv stars such as Hazel E to NFL stars such as Eric Ebron of the Steelers and last years Super Bowl champ Gregory “Buddy” Howell of the Los Angeles Rams. It started out as a hobby and now it’s a full blown career. Read more>>

William Guillon | Artist / Designer / Craftsman

I have dreamed of being able to create on a daily basis and to live from my creation since I was 16, we were in 2006… At first it was a rather naive wish, I did not really understand what that really implied. I just knew that I didn’t want to work for someone else because I felt like I had things to say, to offer. I dreamed of financial independence but above all creative independence ! I officially launched my studio in 2014, just after my studies at 24 years old. And even I was already selling pieces by my own before the launch, it took me a few years to understand what it means to work in a “creative industry”, it’s an adventure! Read more>>

Raven Lewis | Entrepreneur

I started my first business when I went away to college, UAPB. It was called “A&R The Experience.” I made custom distressed clothing and handmade choker necklaces. Both were really in at the time and I started that business with one of my friends, so we had good clientele. After that trend kind of died down I ramped my brand to be “Rave by Raven LLC,” and this time I was focused on beauty more than fashion. I started doing hair and selling hair extensions out of my dorm room. I grew up in a hair salon. Read more>>

nakisha merrell | Owner operator of Salon K Merrell & Mentor

My thought process was can I really do this and being afraid of failure and loosing it all but then turned it over to god and allowed him to lead me and I followed, which made it easy to move thru my process of opening a very successful business Read more>>