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.

Shameka Williams | Accountant & Software Consultant

Starting my own business in FinTech was driven by a combination of factors and a thoughtful process. Here are key aspects of my thought process in the birth of Precision Advisory Group: Passion and Expertise: I identified an area where I had both passion and expertise. Starting a business in a field that genuinely interests me ensures that I am committed for the long term and willing to put in the necessary effort. Read more>>

Melina Daniels | Artist, Designer & co-owner of Common Good co.

We started Common Good co based on a vision God gave us for creating a space for artist to sell their work and grow in their creative callings. We never imaged ever owning a retail space. We traveled the south selling our own fine art & ceramics in various markets & galleries. We also taught extensive workshops on art and entrepreneurship. The dream of owning our own gallery came several decades earlier when God opened the doors for us to have the opportunity to purchase a historical 100 year old building in downtown Boone. Read more>>

Elizabeth Pokki | Owner of Thread Head Designs

I always knew I wasn’t a traditional 9-5 kind of gal, but it wasn’t until I started working full-time that I knew I couldn’t do it forever. I’ll be honest, I never had a 9-5 job where I felt peace and that feeling of “this is where I’m supposed to be.” Looking back, even though the jobs I had were very hard on me mentally, I’m thankful for them. Without them I wouldn’t of pushed myself so hard to start my own business. The unhappiness I felt everyday really motivated me to keep pushing for more. I originally started hand embroidery as a way to destress after work, but very quickly fell in love with it. I knew I somehow wanted to do hand embroidery full time, but I had no idea how. What I did know though is if I tried hard enough, I could figure it out. Read more>>

Rodney Dorsett | TV Mounting Business Owner

My thought process behind starting Moving Mountings LLC was pretty straightforward. I had previously been working for a small tv mounting business with which my time had run its course; but for every ending there has to be some type of new beginning. I knew that by the time that it was time to start my own company, I had all the necessary tools (figuratively and literally) to be successful in this line of work. I stepped into my own business with the faith of a mustard seed, hence the name “Moving Mountings”. 3 years later, I’m still exceeding the needs and expectations of clients. Moving Mountings LLC has led me out of my comfort zone, even into another business venture of becoming an NC-Licensed Realtor®️. I look forward to the growth of Moving Mountings LLC, as it continues to help me grow as well! Read more>>

Jazmine Handy | Hairstylist & Rapper

Honestly I was tired of working for other people knowing I have a lot of different talents it was just time . I’ll never forget quitting my full time to do hair full time it’s been 8 years total & I wouldn’t change a thing . Best decision I ever made was believing in myself starting my business from the ground up ! Read more>>

Tavenia Williams | Mental Health Counselor

I started my business with the mission of aiding individuals struggling with mental health challenges, specifically anxiety and depression that’s rooted in both everyday struggles and spiritual dilemmas. My own journey as a Christian navigating mental health obstacles ignited this passion within me. I firmly believe in God’s presence in our lives, however, I came to realize the need to discern my role in my own healing process. After going through my own experiences and some research, I recognized the significance of incorporating both spiritual and practical approaches. This has lead to the inception of my business. Despite initial hesitations due to market saturation in my area, I pressed forward, conducting a thorough market analysis, crafting a business plan, and seeking counsel from experienced professionals in the field. Read more>>

Fred Ones | Sound Engineer/DJ/Producer/Visual Artist

I started my studio in the Bronx, TME, in order to support my creative personal outlet, especially as the DJ for Sonic Sum and then it became my primary source of income for over 20 years. Read more>>

Jill Garner | Founder/ Chief Visionary Officer

When my twin sons entered first grade, there was much discussion about the lack of manners among our students. I began coming to the cafeteria once a week to offer instruction in the basics. After the second year, teachers asked me to come in their classrooms and teach common courtesies. When the boys entered fifth grade, other schools asked what we were teaching that they were not teaching because our students were standing out on field trips to local historical sites with their kindness to others and exemplary behavior. My husband made a devastating decision to leave the boys and me behind the first week of their sixth grade year. My world turned upside down. I didn’t believe in divorce. The boys begged him to change his mind, but he had made his decision. As I searched for how to go on, I prayed fervently for God’s plan in the midst of our sorrow. After two years of searching, it became clear that my life’s work had been laid before me…to raise up a generation of StrongHearts, morally courageous kids, grounded in truth and fortified with self-respect, who will be able to affect the world for good. Read more>>

Janis DeWitt | Non-profit President & CEO

I was a non-traditional student as a teen mom and I was given the opportunity to start my career through an internship program based on a recommendation from my school’s Dean of Mathematics. This internship turned into getting my bachelor’s degree by the time my daughter was 6 years old and ultimately a successful career as a software engineer. My experience in the last 23 years since then has been that there is a lack of quality internships where the student gets a full 360 degree understanding of a software development project. I have also seen how non-traditional students (career changes, late career starts, military veterans, stay at home moms re-entering the workforce) have even more difficulty finding these types of opportunities to jump start their careers. My husband, for example, changed careers to move from natural gas drilling to a career in technology at 30 years old, but it took him a lot more effort and time than the average young college graduate to find a job with his new degree. My goal with InnovateConnect is to provide real-world project-based quality software development internships to people who want to get into technology, no matter where they are coming from, and ensure that our training program is so good that they can start any job with companies big or small and be able to successfully navigate all of the aspects of that job. Read more>>

Reese and Anna Edgington | Owners of Its All Good Seasoning LLC

The story behind creating our own business has evolved over time. We love to grill, barbeque, and smoke meats to bring family and friends together with the end goal of strengthening relationships and creating memories over amazing meals. What better way to do that then by creating innovative and delicious seasoning that make it easier for families to cook with all natural quality ingredients made by hand with love. For over 25 years our family has been known to have amazing cookout “get togethers” and during that time we’ve created some amazing seasonings blends that continue to receive raving reviews from all of our friends and family. We started “Its All Good Seasoning LLC” in 2019 as an opportunistic journey to not only offer amazing rubs but to also teach our kids how business works. At ages 12 and 16 our kids played critical roles in the start of our business from social marketing, sales, seasoning design and manufacturing. They had a front row seat in how to start and operate a business. We used to wake them up at 6AM on Saturday mornings to help us prepare and sell our rubs at the Clayton Farmers Market to learn the meaning of hard work and dedication. Jokingly, we used to call it “forced family fun” and the memories we’ve created over the years has been amazing. They’re now 18 and 21 years old with aspirations to create their own businesses one day. As Anna and I prepare to be empty nesters, we are seeing the benefits of our family’s faithfulness to this business and look forward to continuing to share our story and delicious rubs with customers as we step into the next chapter of our lives. Read more>>

Virginia Tomic | Certified Gifting Designer/Gifting Company Owner

I was tired of working for someone else and was at the age where I wanted more flexibility, freedom and ability to do what I wanted. With a lot of experience in marketing and business development, I had the confidence to start from scratch. I always had a passion for packaging and gifting. Read more>>