At Startup Southerner, we believe the best experts are the founders themselves. The ones taking the chances, founding the companies and experiencing all the highs and lows that come along with the startup journey. If you’re hoping to start your entrepreneurial journey in the new year—or just need some new ideas, skip the unhelpful if-you-build-it-they-will-come unicorn stories about Silicon Valley-esque startups. Sure, they exist, but the media, movies, TV producers, they’d all like you to think that’s a more common story than it is. What’s truly inspiring? The stories of some of our favorite #MyStartupStory subjects over the past year:
Alabama
Ark Labs in Florence, Alabama, is defying that whole you-need-to-be-located-in-an-innovation-hub-to-be-successful concept. These founders prove that Northern Alabama has the resources startups need to succeed.
Arkansas
The #MyStartupStory of Startup Southerner’s social media maestro Nicholas Norfolk demonstrates that it doesn’t matter where you start—the entrepreneurial journey is yours for the taking.
Florida
A designer sock company founded by students at the local university getting startup help from the local startup incubator. What’s not to love about this #MyStartupStory about Tallahassee, Florida-based DivvyUp.
Georgia
The prospect of founding an airline maintenance startup seems incredibly daunting, because what investors know anything about this market? But when we talked to Shane Ballman, founder of Atlanta-based SynapseMX, we realized that his business is filling an incredible need in the airline industry.
Kentucky
From Africa to Louisville, Kentucky, Kela Ivonye carves out a niche in the logistics industry.
Louisiana
The world needs more people like Alberta Wright, founder of Young Creative Agency, which is employing opportunity youth in New Orleans and giving them the skills they need for jobs in graphic design.
Mississippi
As a student at Mississippi State, Terence Williams got the startup bug. As a student, he created several apps and launched Nobility Tech. He was also among the first Mississippi recipients of the coveted scholarship to Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
North Carolina
The story of Anne Brewer of Pocket Palz is the quintessential startup story. This Wilmington, North Carolina-based serial entrepreneur works hard—hustles—for the ideas she’s passionate about.
South Carolina
The team behind Columbia, South Carolina-based Tiny Techz is dedicated to exposing youth to STEM careers, in the hopes of reversing the cycle of poverty among disadvantaged populations. Who wouldn’t get behind a venture like this? As the founders point out, social entrepreneurship has its fair share of challenges.
Tennessee
A software developer turned owner of a coffee shop on wheels? Sign us up, please, to learn more about this Knoxville-based venture.