Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Charlotte Marra | Creator of Ottoline Interiors

When I embarked on the journey of starting my own business, the inspiration was very personal and deeply rooted in the joy of becoming a parent to my daughter, Audrey Ottoline. As any parent knows, creating a soothing and conducive environment for a newborn is of paramount importance, and blackout blinds and shades are often at the top of the wish list for new parents. However, as I began my search for these essential items, I found myself faced with a rather uninspiring array of drab greys and plain white pull-down shades. While they were undoubtedly functional, they lacked the beauty and charm I envisioned for Audrey’s nursery. Read more>>

Melissa St. Clair | Entrepreneur & Poet

My thought process behind starting my own business was one of necessity. I wanted to thrive professionally alongside my active duty military servicemember and have career stability. Frequent moves were not conducive to holding a traditional 9 to 5 office job without job seeking every time. Keep in mind this was the early 2000’s. While working at the local Chamber of Commerce, I learned about the Virtual Assistant (VA) industry and was inspired by the small business owners I was interacting with every day, so I made the leap to entrepreneurship! Read more>>

Lindsay Nevin | Founder & CEO

Lindsay Nevin started the Flyway Companies in 2008 after realizing there was an opportunity to fill a void in the Charleston market. Flyway is a vertically integrated real estate and construction firm focused on development, construction, property management, leasing and events. Our focus is geared towards placemaking and adaptive reuse across the Southeast with developments in Nashville, Savannah and the Lowcountry. Most notably, our newest mixed-use project The Refinery in Charleston, SC located at 1640 Meeting Street Rd. The mission of the development is to support and encourage community in the Upper Peninsula and to provide another foothold for Charleston’s often overlooked creative culture. Read more>>

Sarah Messner | Photographer

I am very right brain. Therefore, I have always been artistic and creative. When I was 17 years old, I first started thinking about different careers. My senior year, I decided that I would love to photography. My parents bought my very first “big girl” camera back in 2010 and I started to explore. I went to a small liberal arts college and took some photography courses and continued to use my talent and learn more about the art. I got married right out of college and needed money quicker, so I decided not to start my business just yet. We moved to South Carolina in 2019 and then Covid hit in 2020. The “down year” I decided “Why not? Let’s go for it!” in 2021 my dreams became reality and I am thrilled I made that decision. Read more>>

Brandon Burdette | Photographer & Videographer

I started my business my junior year of high school, I had just quit football, didn’t know what I wanted to do, and didn’t want to go to college. I’m not very good at taking orders. So I figured why not make my own, a friend of mine gave me his old camera, and after one shoot, I loved it. I used the money I saved up installing fences with my dad and bought my first camera. Read more>>

Wanda StigmaGoddess Collier | Stigma Activist

I wanted to give back to the community I once impacted in a negative way. I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life in order to save mine. Read more>>

Keshia Colleton | Fitness Coach | Motivator | IT Expert

I wanted to start my business to create a space for women and girls to feel seen, understood and appreciated in their very existence. All are welcome into this space but our focus is on women’s holistic health and wellness through community partnerships, group fitness options, personal training and collaborative efforts with local businesses to increase awareness. When I started my business there weren’t many spaces where I “comfortable” vibing to music that I listen to on a daily such as Afrobeat(s), Amapiano, Reggae, Hip-Hop, NOLA Bounce, B’More Club Music or R&B while exercising and creating a community within a workout class. I saw the vision, did my research, training and BOOM! Read more>>

Fátima M | Nurse Practitioner & Entrepreneur

Since a young age, I always knew I wanted to be a business owner. Both my parents own businesses and I knew that was something I wanted to experience myself. Even while I was in school obtaining my degrees, I had various side hustles ranging from working with brands on social media, a merchandise store selling nursing inspired lifestyle items, and even a book that I published. I came up with the idea of a medical spa after feeling burned out working in the nursing field. I knew I wanted to be able to create something with my nursing education, and I always had a love for wellness and preventative health. I started my own business to be able to have a healthy work-life balance and to be able to have more freedom with my time. Read more>>

Barbara Terry | REALTOR®️

I have a passion for helping people, and buying your first home or selling a home can be very nerve wrecking for many. I strive to be there for my clients every step of the way to ensure a seamless and stress-free transaction. I have always been driven and a self starter, yet in other positions this has not benefitted me. Being a REALTOR®️ allows me freedom and flexibility to be there for my family, friends, customers and clients alike. Read more>>

Erin Godleski | Owner Silver Fern Events

Silver Fern Events was born out of the passion I’ve had from the age of 16, where I first started working in my aunt’s bridal shop here in Asheville, North Carolina. Learning every possible thing I could about the wedding industry, and how to help brides who wanted to have the best day of their lives. ​I always knew I wanted to own my own business one day, and here we are. After starting out in the wedding industry at the age of 16, that launched me into a career in fashion, where I spent 20 years as a visual merchandiser and manager for major retail fashion companies, training people how to enhance their own visual skills, starting in NYC and traveling across the U.S. Read more>>

Danielle Bultron Donovan | Designer & Entrepreneur

The pandemic put an end to my personal training career. I instantly became a stay at home mom, teacher and lunch lady. As a personal trainer I created daily workouts for my clients, using my creativity to challenge my clients. I am a natural born multitask-er so I started to do home improvement projects in our new home. I also planted my first garden and replaced a lot of our landscaping which did not include any flowering plants originally. Soon my love for growing hibiscus, dahlias and hydrangeas turned into designing my own faux floral arrangements, using some of the same flowers I successfully grew outside. After sharing photos of my creations with family and friends, I opened my Etsy shop, Danielle’s Daily Decor. Read more>>

Anna Garrison | Photographer

I was faced with a major life change and my choices were to find any job just to have work or take this opportunity to turn my passion into a business, which I did! Read more>>

Amanda Booth | Owner/Creator of Trinkets by Amanda Booth

Honestly, I’m not sure if there was ever a moment where I decided “ hey, I think I want to try starting my own business” I started making craft jewellery shortly after my son was born. I was going through some postpartum depression, and I wanted something to focus on that with try and help getting through that, and making simple craft jewelry seemed like an OK place to start. I just started with small leather, cut out earrings and things like that. I eventually decided to start playing with clay as I knew I enjoyed sculpting. I had a small social media following. One local woman nearby tragically lost her young son, and asked if I would be willing to try making something with his cremains. Read more>>

Ben Bower | Chief Instructor / Company Manager

I wanted to start my own business because I have always wanted the freedom to set my own schedule and to do things my own way. My business is an Affiliate of a non-profit organization called the Central Aid Agency (where I also currently serve as Executive Director) and was originally created as a way to provide more funding to the non-profit. So it was a win-win kind of situation. Read more>>

Mossiah Jones | Visionaire/Entrepreneur

Music has always been my first love, so I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music but the State I was born in wasn’t known for propelling any artists or musicians to stardom. Nevertheless I felt that my contributions as an individual who loves music but not performing ie singing, rapping, dancing, making beats, etc. I wanted to bring the business side of music to the market, thus birthing my dream company V12 Worldwide. Read more>>

Vanessa Blanding | Fashion Designer

I started a business because you can’t pass a 9-5 down to your children. I wanted to create a brand that outlasts me and creates wealth for generations to come. I also believe women are as unique as our fingerprints. Most stores carry general sizes but as women we all have different shapes and sizes. We’re all custom made by the greatest designer of them all and we should have custom clothing that reflects that. Read more>>

Bailey Morris | Self-taught baker, entrepreneur, and proud business owner

I don’t think there was much of a process at first. I simply enjoyed baking and wanted to share my treats with other people. I typed up a brief menu, created a Facebook page, took cupcakes to friends and family, and hoped I could build a little clientele. Although it’s very important to think through your business decisions and do your due diligence behind every component, I think what stops many people from starting their own business is they overthink it. It’s okay to start small. Every business started somewhere. You just have this cool idea and have to step out and just go for it at some point. Read more>>

Haleigh Hamilton | Family, Couple and Dog Photographer

I started Charley Mae Dog Photography because I knew I didn’t want to live a 9-5 job, or in my case a teachers schedule. I wanted a life where my job could be flexible, where I could travel, and most importantly, be happy! I wanted my business to be unique. I didn’t want to be a wedding photographer or family photographer. I loved dogs so why not pair photography and dogs together. There are not many dog photographers in our area, and our area in Hilton Head is so dog friendly. I figured why not shoot my shot and see where it takes me! I am so happy I made the jump. Read more>>

Francesca DiSalvo-Follmer | Founder of Pure Luxe Bride & Pure Luxe Travel

Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, the idea of owning my own business felt like a natural part of my upbringing. As a child, I observed the demands and responsibilities that came with being a business owner, and I wasn’t entirely certain if that was the path I should follow. After completing my BS in Marketing at St. Joseph’s University, I ventured into the corporate world. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that this wasn’t the right fit for me. I craved a more challenging and rewarding endeavor, and I firmly believed that being a business owner presented one of the most significant challenges and rewards. Read more>>

Dez Darby | Professional Auto Detailer

My thought process behind Done Right Auto Detailing is to make consumers feel like they chose the right detailer when performing services in their vehicle. I take my experiences and craft on what I do to make it known that I am the right person for the services. I wanted consumers to feel like they spent the hard earned money on their vehicle. When I leave they are amazed and pleased on what they had done to their vehicle. Read more>>

Melissa Boykin | Licensed Esthetician

My thought process was to do something I loved so I’d never have to work another day in my life. To be of good service to humanity by offering services that speak for themselves. The Halotherapy room was something my Hometown needed to help people with allergies, asthma, arthritis issues and so much more. My esthetics practice was to help people by being more affordable. For those who couldn’t afford higher end spa treatments the opportunity to get help with their skin care needs and help everyone that comes through my doors. I pride myself on helping others and I am grateful for all who come through my doors. Read more>>

Latavia Williams | Spiritually Ordained Minister & Tarot Reader

When I created Exquisite Tastee E.T Tarot & Spirituality LLC, my goal was to share the spiritual knowledge and wisdom that I have acquired over many years. As a writer by the pen name of TasteeThoughts I created 3Queens Publishing LLC with the intention to inspire, entertain and teach. I want E.T Tarot & Spirituality LLC to be an extension of that mission. I utilize my oracle and tarot cards to motivate and inform my YouTube subscribers of the light and dark spiritual aspects of our journeys that can hinder and/or elevate our lives. Read more>>