Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Meagan Culkin | Owner and Lead Designer

I am a third generation small business owner, and while I hadn’t always grown up thinking I would own a business one day— it was the world that I knew and was comfortable with. Read more>>

Eboni Allen | Full Spectrum Doula, Placenta Encapsulation Specialist and Trainer, and Pertisteam Facilitator

I really wanted to assist families in my community. My birth was not exactly what I wanted, even though it was still an amazing birth. Experiences during my birth showed me that if you walk into that space without the confidence to advocate for yourself, or have a person on your birth team who knows the ins and outs of birth; that things can go left really fast. We have a tendency to just do what medical professionals suggest or tell us to do, and sadly providers often do not practice true informed consent. I wanted to have a business that not only assisted people during one of the most important days of their life, but to also teach them what questions to ask ANY provider, and to also educate them on the options they have and the risks and benefits each option has so they truly know which option is best for their family. Read more>>

David Schearer | Restaurant owner

Be my own boss. You spend your time and efforts to work for someone else. Nothing wrong with that by any means but for me it just wasn’t satisfying my desire to want more and with 4 kids I want to show them that you can create and live your own dream. Read more>>

ARLTON CANGELOSI | Food Truck Owner/Operator

I worked for the USPS for 30 years. Upon approaching retirement, I decided I wanted to open a food truck serving something from my hometown of New Orleans. Being that I had commercial experience making beignets, this was an easy choice on what I wanted to serve. Read more>>

Dr. Uvonda Willis | Business Owner & Principal

As an assistant principal and now principal, I’ve worked with teachers at various stages of their careers. What I noticed is that while teachers have professional development opportunities about content matter, I did not see a lot of professional development that offered unique professional development opportunities tailored towards inspiring educators in their craft; hence, Inspired Instruction Consulting Group, LLC was formed. Read more>>

Brittany Webb | CEO/Founder

Honestly, I did not think too much into it. The main thing I love about myself is my confidence. Growing up, I have always been in the water or at least near it. So I decided to start my own swimwear company and then I ventured off and started another business, which has turned into a whole skin care line. Read more>>

Denise Peise | Artisan

Earth Designs Studio began as a hobby. I have always been creative but never really started to put my creativity to work until my children grew up and I was at the tail end of dealing with 3 breast cancer diagnoses that involved 8 surgeries. I also suffer from migraine headaches. So going with my creative flow has been challenging at times. Once I launched my Etsy Shop and participated in some live events, I realized that there is an audience for my art, which has boosted my confidence about getting my pieces out there. Read more>>

Tyler Jones | Artist

My entire thought process behind becoming a freelance artist was catalyzed by taking inspiration from the narratives and histories surrounding global black culture. My disposition comes from my historically fueled personal past of being homeschooled by my mother who would take her time making sure I understood social concepts and constructs around me. This better equipped me to make decisions for myself based on the environment around me and its own contextual history when doing anything. Whether it be making art in the form of pottery, grand-scale drawing or media. Read more>>

Apurva Shah | Managing Partner/Co-Founder/Entrepreneur

I’ve always really enjoyed figuring out how to start and scale businesses. The first company I ever started was when I was 14 years old, it was a landscaping business which had about $4,000 in revenue in one summer (that money was A LOT as 14 year old, I thought about how many bags of chips I could buy). Since then, I was always hooked on the idea of being able to start something from scratch and figure out how to build teams to scale a business. I’ve made so many mistakes from the small landscaping company to the numerous other companies I’ve started, BUT I’ve always known that working in corporate would not be sustainable for me in the long term. Read more>>

Crystal Richardson | Designer, Promoter and Massage Therpist

I went to school for fashion and retail management. I was working at jiffy lube at the time and wanted to do more with my degree. First most of my designs are on paper and not made. I start back sewing and with the help from my business partners. We came up with Sweetriches I develop new roles in my business. Promoter, Designer, Event coordinator for my own shows and booking my clients that are on my team. My mom started a non profit organization for the community. I wanted to do the same and help, Im very resourceful with information that people need to use to get ahead. Read more>>

Dr. Janze Taylor | DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, Founder & Owner of Embodi Hydration & Wellness

I saw a need in my community for alternative solutions for health and wellness. After dealing with my own GI issues and seeing patients who were prescribed multiple medications for the same issues, I felt there has to be something better to help with overall health and wellness. I want people to feel good and live a much healthier lifestyle. Read more>>

Kaytlyn Williams | Soap-maker

I basically stumbled into the idea of running my own business, which to me feels like it was meant to happen. There wasn’t one specific day where I said, “I’m going to start a business!” I started making soap primarily for just myself, but then family and friends expressed interest in purchasing it, I decided to try it out and realized k really enjoyed operating a small business and using my knowledge and skills to not only help support myself, but also help to bring quality products to other people. Read more>>

Julie Hinson | Potter

My full time pottery practice and art studio-Outer Loop Arts- were both birthed out of the pandemic. In early 2020 my now business partner and I were both sharing a tiny studio space downtown, struggling to figure out how to work our messy crafts out of a small dusty space. When the pandemic hit and we both were out of our regular gigs we scrambled to figure out what was next and how we could sustain working in the arts outside of our homes during those uncertain times. It was this scramble that birthed Outer Loop Arts, we found an empty warehouse space and with the help of the community and our friends we put together what is now our thriving art studio. Read more>>

Sleepy Shipman | Creator and Visual Artist

I originally started on this path because as I started sharing my work, requests for not only my originals but prints and merchandise began to spring forth with increasing frequency. Creating the supply to match that demand made me realize I thoroughly enjoyed making my work accessible to the people around me. It was less so about the monetary gain for me and more about the fulfillment that came with knowing there was someone out there that resonated with my work so heavily that they wanted it to beautify their space. I wanted to continue to provide that. Read more>>

Sonali Sethi | Designer

My family migrated from India in 2001 to North Carolina. I was 12 years old with a lifelong dream of having my own fashion brand. I grew up with a passion for design and every opportunity I got I would go to the tailors in India with my mom and design outfits for myself. However, I also grew up knowing that my career choices were very limited as it was for most women in India. Coming to America was truly one a dream, and that’s when I knew I would eventually make my dream a reality one day. After graduating high school I was admitted into the NCSU College of Textiles. I graduated in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Textile and Apparel management. Read more>>

Terresa Zimmerman | Founder, Author, Mentor

Before starting Wood, I was consulting in areas of marketing. When you are a consultant you are working on others projects, and I was starting to look for greater ‘ownership’ in my work – for the good, bad and ugly of it. Being in services all my life, deciding on a product focused business was a pretty high degree of risk and learning curve but super attractive to have something tangible to work on. Wood Underwear came about after a pretty comprehensive review of options and opportunities, including franchise opportunities and buying existing businesses. At the end of it, Wood came from a conversation and exploration with a dynamic group of young founders. Read more>>

Meshalia Satterwhite | Licensed Esthetician

I love providing result driven treatments to my clients and making them feel relaxed and pampered. I wanted to be able to provide that with some extended things of my own that I wasn’t able to do at a franchise and also start building my own brand. Read more>>

Jessica Woodall | Owner and Operator of Jessica Woodall Photography

I was honestly just looking for a way to earn a few extra dollars for Christmas presents. I hosted a few Christmas Tree Farm Mini Sessions and one thing led to another. Read more>>

Kulsum Tasnif | Founder & Director of Artist Ummah

I founded Artist Ummah because there was a need for a space where Muslim creatives could be their authentic selves. After 9-11, immigrant Muslims strove to be active members of their respective communities to dispel stereotypes and combat damaging narratives perpetuated by the media. I have spent a good part of my 20-plus-year career as a visual artist creating art to build bridges and promote understanding. This work was important because it paved the way for the next generation to grow, progress, explore, take risks, gain confidence–and go further than I ever dreamed possible. Read more>>

Kiea Taylor | Salon owner & Educator

Starting my own business I wanted to create a safe space for not only myself but for everyone who entered! My first job after finishing nail school turned out to be a toxic workplace. Even after deciding to put my best foot forward, I quickly realized it was not the place I wanted to be nor was I comfortable being spoken down and made to feel less than I actually was. I decided that in the long run I wanted to be have more control over customer service and overall experience. While at the same time providing and creative and open professional space to thrive and grow in! I do believe I’ve accomplished that mission with much more to do of course! Read more>>

Hannah Davis | Photographer/Videographer

Most people don’t know this, but I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 9 years old. I sold candy with my younger sister, walked peoples dogs and raked their leaves. I would even clean houses as I got older. So being business minded was already in my spirit. When I got older and graduated from college, starting a business made sense after a while because I liked being on my own time and I liked doing something that didn’t feel like a job. Photography and videography has never felt like a job to me. It’s always felt like an outlet. Read more>>

Brooke Tang | Microinfluencer & Full-time college student

I have always been interested in fashion and would outfit/modeling pictures for fun throughout high school. Before that, I started to make fun little YouTube videos like every other little girl in middle/high school. I started taking content creating seriously in 2021 by being consistent and wanting to pursue the opportunities that comes with it! Not much of a process but just doing what I loved and created a community out of it. Read more>>

Joseph Giampino | Sign painter

I personally feel that starting your business is one of the most humbling but rewarding things you can ever do. The work itself, at least in my case is the most amazing part of it.. I couldn’t imagine anything better than creating timeless work for a living. The toughest part is the back end. Read more>>

Diamond Anae | Digital creator and Entrepreneur

When it came to starting my own business I had to first write down each idea I brainstormed. I want to create a business in combination of everything that the face of who I am today as a creator. Whether it was artwork, music ,literature, storytelling, apparel and comedy, it was my main goal to tie it into one big knot. I love music , I love being an animal caregiver, I love creativity and so many other things. I just needed a vision on what I wanted to do with it. I wanted to give myself the proper knowledge on top of my disability. Read more>>

Nina Gervase | Realtor

I knew it would be a hustle to get a business started from nothing to gang busters, but I also knew that it offered limitless income and potential. As a widowed mom of two, I needed to provide a hearty income to take care of household expenses, sports, activities, etc. I am not afraid of hard work and I have always known that whatever I put my mind to I am able to achieve. And so I put myself through real estate school, hired a coach, aligned with the right brokerage and now I am building my own team. I started this business to provide for my family and now I am coaching other agents that are starting out in the business. Read more>>

Markita Adair-Crudup | Chef & Author

I got comfortable with being more available for my family after I became a stay-at-home mom after having our last child in 2017. I loved working as a catering chef but I also really loved being with my family. I knew that I could work for myself doing what I loved but also I wouldn’t need approval to carve out time for my family. Secondly, I wanted to do the kinds of food and parties that I wanted to do. I’m over the huge, extravagant parties and weddings. Private, small events have always been my favorite because you get to engage with the client more. Read more>>

Handyman Steve Stoddard | Handyman: Owner/Operator

Starting a handyman business required careful consideration of various factors. I have a passion for fixing things, a desire to create a vision, mission, and strategy to pass down to my sons. After researching the local market to understand the demand for handyman services, I identified some gaps and opportunities. I recognized there was a need for reliable, affordable, and honest handyman services in the community. It is also a way to utilize a wide range of skills and provide valuable services to help others. As a result, I developed a marketing strategy to reach potential customers and build a strong reputation through word-of-mouth referrals. Read more>>

Alesja Daehnrich | Co-founder / Sanctuary Director

We wanted to help animals who are in the blind spot of the public – farm animals. Farm animals are some of the most abused, exploited and misunderstood animals. Farm animals are often hidden from the public eye and the society has very little, to connection to farm animals. We wanted to change that! Read more>>

Jamal Cowser | The Chef

I’ve always felt like I had my own ideas and creativity when it came to food. So I created Jaysfoodspot. Working in restaurants was always cool and I had a tendency to put my best foot forward, however after learning the menu and the repetitive nature of restaurants, after a while I felt stagnant, almost robot-like. I also saw the food that my community eats and thought, we can have that but let’s make it a little healthier and let’s put a little flare to it! I never like to feel like when I’m working it feels like work, I feel like cooking should be fun and that’s what I intend to do when it comes to working for myself. I started this so I can make a name for myself as well and give my food its own identity. Read more>>

Caitlin Baumberger | Designer & Illustrator

Shortly after college, I was working as a graphic designer in the corporate world and I needed a creative outlet, so I signed myself up for a traditional in-person calligraphy class. I was instantly hooked and found myself practicing every night so that I could have the skills to address my own wedding envelopes. After designing wedding invitations for my own wedding and for a few close friends, I fell in love with the creative process and I launched Happy Tines in 2017. Starting out, I offered primarily custom wedding stationery and custom calligraphy artwork. Since then, my business has evolved into designing my own stationery product line that I sell both retail and wholesale, and collaborating with other brands to license my artwork. Read more>>