Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Nikita Rao | Bollywood choreographer, founder, and artistic director of the Nikita’s Bollywood Dance Academy

As an immigrant coming to the U.S., I deeply missed the sense of home and longed to preserve the roots, culture, and values I grew up with while finding a way to fit into my new environment. I wanted my children to grow up with that same connection to our heritage. Being passionate about Bollywood dance, I saw it as the perfect medium to bridge these worlds.

When my daughter was 4, I enrolled her in a classical dance class, but she didn’t enjoy it much. To keep her motivated, I began teaching her and her friends on my own. What started as a small initiative soon turned into a passion project. Without realizing it, I was taking steps toward becoming a choreographer and living my dream. Encouraged by friends who saw my potential, I decided to pursue this professionally. Read more>> 

Vivian Gregory | Chef/ Cater

My business started out as a class project that was always a childhood dream. It really started with a Easy Bake oven and progress to cooking alongside my parents. I was always told I would be a great Chef and Business owner but it wasn’t until Johnson and Wales- Charlotte open that it became a reality. I’m a small business that still dreams of being in a thriving market and I would love to feed the masses with what I call “Healthy Soul Food”. Its my take on Southern Cuisine but with more Love and Less calories. I keep positive vibes and I pray and meditate on everything about my business from recipes to displays of flower arrangements. Read more>>

Tracy Mcneill | Small Business Owner

I was retiring from the public education system and decided it was time to pursue my dream of being a boutique owner. I taught marketing and small business entrepreneurship many years to high school students. Upon my impending retirement I deiced to take a leap of faith and open my own small business. The store front went up for rent at just the right time thus starting the process of opening the business. We went from lease signing to opening day in 7 weeks. Read more>>

Brandon Leake | Stage name “OneTakeJake” Videographer

A platform where brands, businesses, and creative members can gain exposure and expand their brands to their target audience. Read more>>

Nicki Ladon | Event Planner

My thoughts to start a business of my own was born out of a failed collaboration that I felt the world needed. After the project failed I had to be honest with myself. I felt the stories I was ready to tell through the art of event planning needed to get out of my brain and into the world, however, I was afraid to put myself out there and needed the collaboration to feel confident enough to “test the waters”. But life had other plans, I am now carving a path for myself weather I still have fear or not doesn’t matter. I have to remind myself, “If not me then, who?” Read more>>

Jody Doran | Real Estate Agent

What was your thought process behind starting your own business? After a long career in the corporate environment, I realized I was craving a more personal and tangible connection to the people I served. Real estate had always intrigued me; it’s a blend of strategy, relationships, and the art of creating spaces that feel like home. After spending 20+ years working for a large corporations, I decided that I wanted freedom to fully pursue the connections, my passion for real estate and to manage my career on my terms. Starting my own business allowed me to take the skills I honed in the corporate world—negotiation, client management, and problem-solving—and channel them into building something that’s uniquely mine. While it involves risk, it gives me more freedom to be myself, connect with my clients and the freedom us harness my creativity.
It also helps me with my personal life. Read more>>

Mackjohnson Harris | Talent Agent

I felt like working for someone was a waste . From the jump I always thought to hustle for my own. Read more>>