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.

Karen Duarte | Digital & Multicultural Marketing Strategist | Founder of KD Digital

During one’s tenure in college, at least in my experience, the majority of professors and advisors are inclined to advocate for pursuing internships, fostering connections, engaging in campus activities, maintaining updated profiles on platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake, and utilizing the university’s career center as a resource for resume workshops and mock interviews. These are some of the strategies recommended to enhance one’s standing among potential job applicants. However, throughout my undergraduate years, the topic of how or why students should embark on entrepreneurial endeavors never seemed to surface. Read more>>

Kelsey Dean | Content Creator

I was in my last semester of college finishing up my Bachelor’s in Business Administration and working at a law firm for my internship. I did not have any creative outlets and was keen on connecting with individuals who shared similar interests to me. I have always loved watching vlogs on youtube documenting daily life, home decor, organization, etc. I downloaded TikTok and discovered “restocks” and home organization vlogs. I thrive in a clean and organized environment and was constantly tidying up and reorganizing my space so I decided to start filming content documenting the process. I discovered my love for editing and my appreciation for having a passion project outside of my corporate job. Read more>>

Victor Williams | Retired Special Agent Homeland Security Investigations and Founder/CEO of Quest2freedom, Inc

When I retired from Homeland Securtiy Investigations (HSI) as a Special Agent in Miami on January 1, 2018, I wanted to continue my work in anti human trafficking and bought the domain Quest2freedom but life had other plans. I worked Six months with an organization called Erase Child Trafficking educating police officers around the country on human trafficking (HT) when I took an opportunity working Team Security for the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club for two years. When I departed from the Hawks to head back to Miami, the State of Georgia obtained funding to address HT and took another as the HT Coordinator for the State of Georgia for a year. Read more>>

Khadija Bingham | Entrepreneur and CPA

Starting my own business was a journey that began out of personal curiosity and a desire to fill a knowledge gap within underrepresented communities. It initially started off as just a blog, which was a reflection of my exploration into the realms of personal finance. My curiosity was ignited during college when I had a profound conversation with one of my professors about personal finance – a topic that wasn’t directly related to my coursework, but it resonated deeply with me. I spent that hour in my professor’s office, unraveling the intricacies of credit cards, stocks, and bonds. Walking away from our discussion, a question lingered in my mind – How many individuals have similar questions but lack the resources or access to experts who can provide clear and helpful answers? Read more>>

Tea Kingley | Food Blogger & Content Creator @teaseats

Starting my food blog came first and foremost from a passion for food and desire to share it with the world. With a successful background in social media and a desire to try everything I could after 20 years of missing out, of course my next move was to create a food review page on Instagram (and, later, TikTok and YouTube too). I grew up an extremely picky eater, but when I studied abroad in college I wanted to try famous dishes from every city/country I visited in an effort to more fully experience each culture. Over that semester, my sensitive tastebuds transformed from stinging with every strong flavor to appreciating the nuances and intricacies of each dish. Read more>>

Maria Simurina | Retreat planner

My background is from advertising. Working in best creative agencies in Croatia got me running for amazing campaigns, projects, clients, and to be honest: awards and positions. I loved it!!! Or better to say, for almost six years I was obsesed with it. But then, at the beginning of 2022 I started feeling symptoms of a burnout. It took me almost five months before I looked in the face of it and decided its time for me to take action before it gets really ugly.
That action for me was – no action at all. I simply needed to slow down.
So I packed my bags and went travelling. Read more>>

Mind & Body Integrative Counseling Center | Counseling & Holistic Center

Our founders started as therapists in the community working with individuals and families through hardships and trauma. Mind & Body Integrative Counseling Center was founded by genuine, kind, talented women who are beautiful inside and out. They have an immense passion for what they do and who they serve. Mind & Body ICC was created and born out of the deep care they have for their clients, communities, and fellow counselors. ⁣With over 15 years of combined experience as marriage and family therapist and mental health counselor, Yisel and Taylor have supported many individuals and families through difficult times. Read more>>

Katerina Kladis | Fashion Consultant, Stylist, Merchandiser, & Personal Shopper

Growing up Fashion and Design was something I always loved and had a passion for. After going to College and getting a degree in Fashion Merchandising, Doing Visual Merchandising for a couple years, it was Fashion Styling that I wanted to do, and being in a Chicago at that time, there was not many “Fashion Stylist” jobs out there, so I decided it was time to start my own Fashion Consulting business. In addition I also started an online store called Sugar Sequin Vintage, which I style, rent, and handpick special finds and vintage pieces, and my jewelry line, which uses only vintage designer materials to produce one-of-a-kind pieces is available through Sugar Sequin Vintage. Read more>>

Ayana Rodriguez | Founder

The need for a new approach to childcare resolve. Read more>>

LAKEYA MURRAY | HAIRSTYLIST & TAX PROFESSIONAL

MY THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND STARTING MY OWN BUSINESS WAS TO PUT MY MIND TOWARDS WHAT I WANTED TO DO. AND ACHIEVE THE GOAL WITH KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING AND WISDOM. Read more>>