Meet courageous entrepreneurs who followed their passion

Corey Washington's two startups, POPA and Rishari, weren’t supposed to be companies. They were personal projects that transformed into official companies at the suggestion of Corey’s friends and colleagues. Corey now manages POPA, a clothing brand based in Atlanta, and Rishari, a creative agency serving small businesses. In all of his endeavors, Corey is committed to prioritizing perseverance, encouraging fast failure, and listening to your customers.

Delaney Driver started Wilder Mind Events, a wedding planning business in Saint Petersburg, Florida, so she could make more money, choose a schedule that fits her lifestyle, and be in full control of the creative process when planning events. Since starting Wilder Mind, Delaney has tackled the challenges of rescheduled weddings during the pandemic, celebrated small business wins like hiring her first employee, and kept her commitment to happiness along the way.

Cheyenne Crawford has always been behind a camera. Taking graduation photos and prom pictures in high school, she knew that capturing moments was one of her innate talents. After Cheyenne realized that a traditional college path wasn’t for her, a chance opportunity to shift the subject of her photography emerged. She began focusing her lens on real estate. Cheyenne now works full-time capturing homes for sale in Atlanta at her business, HomeStar Photo.

Jen Price fell in love with craft beer during her college summer internships in Boulder, Colorado. In her free time, Jen began educating herself on the craft beer scene. She opened Atlanta Beer Boutique, which included a tasting room and tasting classes, and even started writing a book. When the pandemic had other ideas, Jen pivoted her expertise and launched a second beer-focused business, Crafted for Action.

Matthew Mewbourne has been creating things since high school. Starting with ceramics, he transitioned his maker mindset to candles while at the University of Georgia, becoming a regular vendor at the Athens Farmer’s Market. Matthew and his wife started Rekindle Candle Company after graduation and have since focused on high-quality ingredients, environmental sustainability, and prioritizing value in their wooden wicked candles.