We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Marquita Richardson | Owner, Creative Director

This is an interesting question for me, because I didn’t start a business, originally…. Life was life-ing, as they say, and I was exhausted and incredibly stressed out. I made a decision to figure out something else to do that would help me find balance. My requirements were: to find something that I could do with my dog on the weekends, that I loved. Something that would break up the weekly routine and not be nearly as stressful as my corporate gig. Something that made me happy from the inside out. Read more>>

Yiu Keung Lee | Ceramic Artist

I have been teaching at different schools in the area since 1995. I often wanted a place, a school, of my own so I can teach my follow my own teaching style and what I would like people to learn in a non-traditional 4-year program or a more traditional way of learning through an apprentice/ mentorship program. I find this is a more effective way, in my view, to teach the craft. Read more>>

I’Sha Schultz-Spradlin | LMT & Founder

I started Black Moon Bathhouse as a safe haven space for women, non-binary and queer folks to engage in deep self care. There aren’t many spaces that cater to that demographic specifically, that holds space for them to nurture and care for themselves without the male gaze of judgement, disapproval or hyper sexualization. As a Black Queer Woman, I know of the need for a space like this personally and wanted to provide it for others and myself. After the pandemic many folks were looking into holistic ways to care for themselves and to stay healthy. Read more>>