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.

Anna Austin | Photographer

I’ve honestly tried so many ways to bring money in from home. I’ve tried my hand at cake decorating, multi level marketing gigs, etc. Nothing ever seemed to help much, or even bring me joy. It hit me one day, early last year, I am always taking pictures of everything….why not photography? I bought my camera, a Nikon D3500, from my friend and mentor, Madelyn Lett, of Madelyn Lett Photography, and the rest is history. Read more>>

Toya Corbett, Ph.D. | The Etiquette Doctor

My journey to becoming The Etiquette Doctor began in 1996 when I was elected as an undergraduate officer to the International Board of Directors for my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. When I sat down for dinner during my first board meeting in Chicago, Illinois, I was taken aback by the number of utensils and beverage glasses on the table. Unsure of which fork to use, or which glass was mine, I was paralyzed for a few seconds. I was overcome with embarrassment and a bit of imposter syndrome. I questioned, “should I even be here?” Luckily, one of my more seasoned sorority sisters sat beside me. Read more>>

Jeannie & Doug Romanello | Microgreen entrepreneur, homesteaders

Our faith and trust in the Lord played a significant role in our decision to start our own business. We also missed the freedom and excitement of being entrepreneurs and wanted to rediscover that passion. Another important factor was our desire to incorporate more nutritious options into our daily lives, as we saw a need for healthier alternatives in the market. Read more>>

Kimberly Clayton Thigpen | Founder & Curator

I have always been an entrepreneur, my first business endeavor I was maybe 9 or 10. I used the bark mulch around the trees in the projects where I lived to make necklaces and enlisted a friend to help me sell them. It’s something that came naturally to me. I was also influenced by my great-uncle (who raised my dad so he was more like a granddad), he owned a store/deli/poolroom, and I would get off the bus there each day after school. Even when I worked in a corporate environment, I felt a sense of ownership for whatever my role was within the team. Read more>>

Bill Ross | Founder of Linchpin SEO

The story starts in 2000 after graduating from Siena College with a degree in Psychology. I knew I wanted to use it in the digital marketing space, but at the time, I was unsure how. I moved to Raleigh, where I worked for an agency called Market Smart Interactive (which went out of business shortly after I started there). That is where my spark and journey to own my own agency began. I knew I needed more experience in the space, so I moved to a larger market, Chicago, and ran the SEO for two large (40 million pages each) content websites, Encyclopedia.com and Highbeam.com. Read more>>

Kat Williford | Owner and Designer at Pamut

After graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design, I got a job as a designer at a fast fashion brand. I would sketch out a style, pick the fabrics, and then once it went into production I wouldn’t see or hear about it again until I saw it in the store. I desperately missed the hands-on aspect of fashion design… The cutting, sewing, and detail work that goes into making an individual garment. So two years in, I quit that job and went on a journey around the world to figure out what my next step would be. I settled in Budapest, Hungary, where I started making t-shirts from sustainably sourced fabric in my tiny flat. Read more>>

Trista Blandshaw | Owner & Founder of Perfect Experience Notary, LLC

After spending 18 years in the fast-paced, profit-driven world of corporate America, I needed something more fulfilling. The desire to contribute beyond quarterly results burned deeply within me. I wanted to build a business that served a higher purpose, one where people, not profits, took center stage. That’s how Perfect Experience Notary was born. It’s not just a notary service, it’s an embodiment of my values, a platform where I can use my experience to empower individuals, navigate complex processes, and make a tangible difference in my community. Read more>>

Gianna, Ana Castiglione, Guevara | Co-founders, owners & artists

We started having “bead parties” with our close friends, each of us bringing some jewelry-making supplies and hanging out together while we each created. We both fell in love with the process, but with this particular art form, there are only so many pieces you can create that you can use yourself. We started this business to share our art and give it new life! Read more>>

Kenzie Davis | Licensed Marriage Family & Therapist, Notary Public, & Ordained Minister

I think it is important to know where you come from to understand where it is you want to get to! As an African-American, still learning my heritage and history, I feel it is important that I create a legacy of success, excellence, and wealth for myself and for the generations after me. I believe this business allows me to be in a precious place- being able to represent and be an advocate to people that look like me. I have the power within me to influence my community and I want to pass that belief on to those I am able to connect with! Read more>>

Kera L Fears | CEO, Konfident Diva LLC, Women’s Empowerment and Beauty Brand

I had been in a Leadership role with a Fortune 500 company for close to 18 years, but still not feeling fulfilled in life, especially during the pandemic. A close friend of mine encouraged me to go after what I was passionate about and I love inspiring women to love themselves and look their best. This was the beginning of Konfident Diva LLC – Women’s Empowerment and Beauty Brand. Since the moment I made the choice to make a difference and an impact to empower women everywhere, I have not and I will not look back. It’s my passion, and I know I was created for this. Read more>>

Isabelle Hamm and Bryton Thieman | JandJFrenchies LLC

Our thought process when joining my parent’s company, JandJFrenchies LLC, was that we were both really intrigued by breeding French Bulldogs and saw how much our parent’s enjoyed doing it. When they approached us with the idea of getting our first girl Finola Quinn, which we would “co-own” together, we were ecstatic. We were beyond excited to learn more about the business as we both had a passion for dogs and being able to connect people with their new family members! Read more>>

Nichole Dipippo | CEO Cozy Quarters Management & Serial Entrepreneur

Starting my own short-term rental management business was a journey that evolved from my passion for creating memorable guest experiences and a series of strategic insights. Growing up in the Florida Keys, a highly tourist-dominated area, I gained a unique perspective on the importance of hospitality. My journey began with a genuine love for hosting and a deep understanding of what makes travelers feel truly welcomed and comfortable especially families where hotels are not ideal. The idea also of being the sole decider of my future and my time was more appealing then the traditional 9-5 corporate world I had been in Read more>>

Faustine McDonald | Entrepreneur/motivational speaker/mentor

My decision to start my own business was driven by a deep sense of purpose and survival. Defying medical odds, I outlived a prognosis that predicted I wouldn’t see my twelfth birthday. This extraordinary journey instilled in me a powerful message: the resilience and strength that come from facing life’s toughest challenges. I realized my experiences, particularly living with sickle cell anemia, could inspire and empower others facing their own battles. Beyond this, the traditional 9-to-5 work model was impractical for me, given my frequent hospitalizations. Read more>>

Shanice Stephenson, LCMHC, LCAS-A, NCC | Founder & Owner of Pivotal Breakthrough Counseling Services, PLLC

Because representation is important, I chose to start my own business. As an African-American woman, I realize how important representation is in our readiness or reluctance to start something new. It serves as an inspiration to individuals especially those in marginalized areas who frequently experience barriers to obtaining mental health services due to disparities. Pivotal Breakthrough Counseling Services is a therapeutic space open to individuals of diverse backgrounds that serves the needs of BIPOC clients while also eliminating the stigma associated with seeking treatment in the community. Regardless of the obstacles, we strive for a client’s empowerment over their situation. Read more>>

Elijah Smith | MultiTalented Artist

Personally just wanted to showcase my artist ability in different ways to the world. Whether it’s photography, clothes, or creative direction. Read more>>

Madison Winter | Companion & Content Creator

I grew up in a small town, with a single mom who struggled financially. I had my first official job by 15, and contributed to household expenses like groceries and heat/hydro regularly. After putting myself through college, and earning a job in finance, I remember looking around wondering: “is this all there is?” I think my early experiences instilled a hunger, and a determination to achieve. I rose quickly through roles within the financial realm, but found working for someone else deeply unsatisfying. It quickly became clear to me that entrepreneurship was the only way forward, and so, I began an unconventional career as a Companion and Content Creator, within the adult industry. Read more>>

Krysteah Carroll | Branding Specialist & Graphic Artist

The thought process behind starting my own business, Design Method, stemmed from a desire to blend creativity with strategic thinking in the realm of branding and website design. I saw the logical need for a ‘visual translator’ at every job I worked at, which had confirmed the forever need of art in the world of business. I’ve always been deeply passionate about design and its impact on business and society. This passion drove me to create a platform where I could express my creativity and help others bring their visions to life. Read more>>

Libby Taylor | School Selection Consultant and Founder of SchoolUp

Going through the school selection process with my own family really opened my eyes to the need. We have so many options here in Raleigh. There is year-round school, magnet schools, charter schools, and of course private schools. I have a deep background in education and it was still confusing and time consuming for me. I wanted to fill that need in our community and offer guidance to families. Read more>>

Mandy and Andy Long | Owner operators of the #1 Cleaning service in NC

My wife and I both had thrown around the idea of working for ourselves for as long as we could remember but the rat race was starting to really take a toll on our mental. We sat one night and came up with the idea of starting our own junk removal service. We figured that if we were going to do bad, we were going to do bad by ourselves and not on anyone else’s watch. Best decision we ever made. We got our first job from a friend of ours that runs a construction business. He asked if we had ever done carpet removal. We said “yeah no problem” that led to if we had experience in light demolition. Read more>>

Coralie von Unruh | Wedding planner

The journey of creating my wedding planning company has been both exhilarating and challenging. While my background was not initially in the wedding industry, my innate entrepreneurial spirit always drove me to explore new opportunities. The path leading me to the wedding planning field was more a series of carefully chosen opportunities than a predetermined plan. Transitioning into wedding planning required a significant leap of faith. The most formidable challenge was finding the confidence to embark on this entrepreneurial endeavor. Read more>>

Dr Taylor Cox / Colleen Flaherty | C0-creators of Build a birth LLC

Upon moving to this area, Both Dr. Taylor and Colleen knew that community was lacking in the prenatal and postpartum realm. Dr. Taylor was pregnant with her son when she moved and had a hard time finding the providers she needed to get support. Then COVID hit, and that became even more challenging for local mothers. Classes cancelled, co-Horts stopped meeting and motherhood became a lonely place. Thus began Build a birth. This group started in order to bring community together, all while supporting local businesses, most of which are mothers themselves. We wanted to create a networking group that brought together our niche professionals where mothers could find their people easily. Read more>>