The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Kajri Akhtar | Filmmaker, Producer

My journey of starting Icchi the Cat began with my love of images, design, and lighting. I started as a photographer in my hometown New Delhi before moving into cinematography. At 21, I moved to Mumbai, better known as “Bollywood”, where I started working as a camera assistant. Shortly after, I was assisting the top Directors of Photography in Bollywood- a dream! While I loved being part of the hustle on set, I found it challenging being the only woman in the camera department. Read more>>

Destanye Baldwin | Project Management Coordinator

Cultivate by Destanye B.actually started out of convenience. At the time (late 2017), I was getting an abundance of freelance work, and I wanted to find a way to put it all in one category that wasn’t just under the guise of freelance (it needed some razzle dazzle). It allowed for all the work I was doing with different companies come off more professional and together. Read more>>

Mikeal Jinae | Fashion Designer

Ive always enjoyed the idea of being creative and bringing to life a creation that started as an idea. In addition, Ive always loved sharing my passion and inspiring individuals to express themselves unapologetically. Ever since I can remember, I have always been the one who took chances with my style. I would change the color of my hair, customize or my own clothes, and dared to wear things that most wouldn’t consider. Read more>>

Zuzy Dabrowska | Creative Director and Music Producer

I’ve been moving around my whole life, I was born in Poland then shortly after we moved to Spain, China, Switzerland, Mexico and the United States. That does something to you, the constant change in environment cultures, you live and you learn. So when I had the idea of starting my own business, I tried to do it in the same why I’ve lived my life – spontaneously, courageously and quickly.  Read more>>

Isis Gill-Reid | Tennis & Financial Consultant

The main reason, I started SG & BGF to give back to my community and a sport that served as a vehicle for my life. In addition, financial literacy and tennis tend to be neglected in communities of color due to the lack of capital and miseducation. Ergo, I love giving back, growing organizations, and seeing all of my players develop on and off the court. Read more>>

Angelique S.GREEN | Plant Based Chef & traveler

Thought Process was: Survival! Literally … To summarize. Perhaps as for many of us, 2020 has been a wake-up call for me. Painful but necessary wake up call. The global pandemic, disease, the recent political & social & racial events were the trigger. Read more>>