Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Hannah Webb Maddi Meglic | Kindred Makery – Owners and Artists

It happened very organically. Before pottery became a business for us, it was a hobby that we enjoyed doing together in between our full-time jobs. We found that we made a well-balanced team and really flourished in how life-giving working together was. We started by selling a handful of items to friends and family, then Hannah’s brother took a chance on retailing some of our products through his own small business. We slowly added in pop-ups and farmer’s markets and from there it felt like the right move to see what could happen if we went all in. We both have family members and friends who own successful small businesses, so we sought their advice and looked to their example. They helped give us the courage to take a risk on something we had only ever dreamed of, but never expected to become a reality. Read more>>

DK Gibson | CEO and Creative Director

Starting a clothing brand provided another avenue to express myself without limitation. It was a way to connect to a multicultured world with art, spoken word, architecture in the form of clothing. Moreover it is the frontrunner to my masterplan that is currently coming to fruition. I also know this brand will open up different platforms, provide generational wealth, forge new relationships and bridge many gaps all in the name of style! Read more>>

Jen Olin Lafontaine | Fractional COO and PMP® Certified Project Manager

As a certified Project Management Professional and throughout my operations experience, I recognized a growing need for flexible and strategic operational leadership. Many small to medium-sized businesses and startups often face challenges in affording a full-time, experienced COO. Recognizing this gap, I decided to start a Fractional COO business to offer organizations the opportunity to access high-level operational expertise on a part-time basis. Read more>>

Harvey & Amy Mulder | Scent creator | soap and candle maker

We are family owned and run business. Spending quality time as mama and son was always a priority. We would spend our time creating art, antiquing, playing music and dancing, and just being together. Having already had a successful business, we thought it would be fun to start something new that would allow us to spend more time creating together. Read more>>

Dianne Melillo | Co-owner of Season 2 Consign Central NJ

When we saw the opportunity to buy a franchise with Season 2 Consign we were excited to start the process. We were able to have our own business but not be in business by ourselves. Read more>>

Brittany Porcher | Multidisciplinary Artist

Honestly, to honor the anointing God placed on my life. I was always expressive, reading. Always wildly imaginative, curious! A Dr. Suess fanatic, mind you! The voices and ideas that would swim in wonderment needed a conduit. Hence. words and poetry! I’m also very aware of the limitless possibilities of artistry that can branch from writing! Art and writing are melting pots of everything deserving of breath! Authoring, journalism, being a professor, theatre (e.g. writing, casting, directing, performing), workshops, publishing/editing, content strategist, creative director. My prayer is to push others into being vulnerable. I want to serve as an incubator for people near and far to plant their art, and help nurture what grows! Read more>>

Latisha Martin | Tax Professional

The thought process behind starting my own business was to build generational wealth for my family while simultaneously making a positive impact on our community and creating job opportunities for others. Read more>>