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.

EJ Gailliard | Co-Founder of VICCCI Protocol

We started our journey by creating a community behind us known as Carolina Crypto Collab on June of 2021. This consisted of 10+ black business owners from Rock Hill SC, Charlotte, NC all the way up to Brooklyn, NY. We started out teaching others about financial education, blockchain technology and how this is relevant in our every day lives. As we expanded and grew our network, more partnerships became involved in our classes and events. After a year of teaching and hosting educational events, we shifted to primarily be in the technology sector. So our mindset is always about giving back first and creating opportunities for others to implement what we teach. Read more>>

Taylor Rhyne | Owner and Lead Planner at Lemons & Willow Event Management, Host of the Dazed & Engaged Podcast

I went to school at NC State for Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management and I had interned for a wedding planner in college and wasn’t sure if weddings were what I was called to. Then, right out of college I worked under the Director of Events at the Country Club of Asheville. This was where I fell in love with weddings and events but I kept noticing one thing over and over. Couples would show up on their wedding day and I would say “Are you guys so excited?! Are you ready to get married?!” and time and time again I’d hear something along the lines of “Oh my gosh no this has been so stressful I’m just glad we’re finally getting it over with.” And that was the WORST to hear. Read more>>

Dr. John Chanaca | Husband, Father, Teacher, Counselor, Founder and Author of MJChanacapublishing

It’s been an incredible twelve months since Jane and I embarked on our journey with MJChanacapublishing. With your unwavering support, we’ve achieved a remarkable milestone of producing eight books. Among these, four belong to our Family Values Series, and four to our Super Student Series (with two more ready for publication). We’re thrilled to share that each of these books is available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audio formats. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for not only listening to our ideas but also for assisting us in crafting wholesome and captivating books for children and their parents. Read more>>

Melissa Straub | Owner & Operator

I have always loved cooking and entertaining guests. After moving to Anderson from South FL, I found myself working in a medical office, but still had the desire to do something in the hospitality industry. After being asked to cater a bridal shower for a friend, I knew that this is what I wanted to do, so I left my office job and put my focus on Straub’s Charcuteries full time.
I love to see people enjoying the things we provide, and take pride in the taste and presentation of everything we serve. Read more>>

Kameron Laue | Owner / The Standard Landscape Solutions

Over the last 2 years I have witnessed 2 very close friends of mine start successful businesses. It was very tough listening to their everyday joy and the battles they would face while I was stuck in a job, I had lost my passion for. My job was an Administrative Lieutenant for a Maximum-Security Prison. Believe it or not, that job does get boring after 8 years. I have always had a passion for the outdoors and helping others. My close family and friends encouraged me to take the leap, one of them, Mario, allowed me to expand into his brand. I have an unquenchable thirst for success. Even my Captains from the prison has agreed, this path I am taking is destined to succeed. Read more>>

Sok Hwee Tay | Reiki Teacher, Sound Practitioner, Music Therapist

I started my business with the vision of sharing and teaching what I have learned and what have helped me in my healing journey with the hopes of empowering others to realize their own inner power and strength to do the same for themselves. Read more>>

Jim Mize | Outdoor humor writer

When I first started writing about the outdoors, it seemed like a logical progression from my fishing, hiking, and photography hobbies. Once I started getting published, I began to study markets and try to improve my writing skills. Early in my career, I wrote a few humor pieces that editors liked and this became the next step in the progression. I studied humor writing and stand-up comics to see what techniques would lend themselves to outdoor magazines. At this point in my career, I have published hundreds of humorous stories, plus quite a few nostalgic ones, and five award-winning books of humor. The most recent, The Jon Boat Years, was selected for an Excellence in Craft award by the South Carolina Outdoor Press Association. Read more>>