Coming up with an idea for a business or creative project can feel exhilarating. Inspiration for a new idea can come from so many places and we’ve asked some great folks from the community to share their stories of how they came up with their ideas.

Jessica Selander

I’ve been sober for over 18 years now, which means I’ve spent pretty much every moment of my adult life alcohol-free. I drank sparkling apple juice at my wedding, when I got a new job, for every New Year’s Eve, or anything special. Read more>>

Abbie Knights

Growing up I always had an affinity for the performing and creative arts. As a kid I spent hours studying performances by major artists, music videos etc. Read more>>

Jermeika Moody-Martin

I have always dreamed of helping people and seeing them happy. If I can contribute to their happiness, it makes me happy, too. God knows this about me, and He also knows how much I love Jesus and how willing I am to follow His guidance. Read more>>

Michael Fox

In my full time job as an attorney, I was forced to work remote (like the rest of the world) during COVID. During this time, my family and I discovered the tie-dye fad. Read more>>

Gabriella De Souza

I am a passionate scientist and educator, but I have had an entrepreneurial mindset my entire life. I had been selling plants at markets on and off for a few years, but I started to feel that the plant vendor market was becoming saturated. Read more>>

Laura Park

It all began in my grandmother’s art studio, where as a child, I found solace and inspiration in the vibrant world of color that surrounded me. Read more>>

Madison Hager

I want to first mention, it’s taken me many years to fully acknowledge myself as a “creative.” I always imagine creative people being painters, singers, dancers, etc. Read more>>

Melissa Oddo

I always joke that I got into the industry by total accident. Back when I was studying fashion and sewing at school if you had asked me if I would be working in bridal or the wedding industry, I would’ve told you you were crazy. Read more>>

Ondrea Washington

I started this company by accident. lol I got a really ugly and cheap Mickey and Minnie mouse costume to surprise my twins with for their 4th birthday. They loved it despite its odd characteristics. Read more>>

Andrew Keller

There are two key problems Learnicity tackles. Firstly is financial literacy. I knew this was a growing issue within my Generation, ‘Gen Z.” Whether it was talking to friends about finances or hearing how their money is allocated. Read more>>

Brett Forgich

I have been in the hospitality industry for over twenty years and worked in serveral different concepts along the way. It has been a fun rollercoaster ride along the way and it helped pay my way though college. Read more>>

Alicia Officer

Unapologetic Coffee was born from a shared dream, sparked by our cherished memories of communal coffee moments with loved ones, particularly our grandmother, who always cherished coffee and conversation. Read more>>

Carlos Pagan

When I moved to Jacksonville six years back, one of the first things I noticed was how American companies were kinda missing the mark with reaching out to the Hispanic community. Read more>>

Lela Griessbach

I was born and grew up in the republic of Georgia, which became independent in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Read more>>

Sharon Brooks

My late mother, Ella Brooks, is the catalyst for my journey as a business owner. I lost her when I was 7, but most of my memories involve her creative spirit. She was always sewing and making various crafts for me and with me. Read more>>

Alejandro Hernandez

Clothing has always been a form of expression for me. I was always experimenting with my wardrobe. In high school, my friends and I would repurpose our clothes. Read more>>

Michael Habicht

The inspiration for my business originated from my experiences as a designer in Beverly Hills, California. I began by volunteering my time to assist pet rescues with event design, providing support for every aspect of their gatherings. Read more>>

Brandee Stilwell

A lifetime ago, I was interning at a trailer company in the heart of New York City that cut trailers for feature films for all the main studios. Every time I left for lunch or ran an errand, something crazy would happen to me. Read more>>

Em Baker

In 2021 I took a risk, and a pay cut, to leave the corporate world to work for a small business. I had to cut back expenses and took this opportunity to simplify my life and I started a capsule closet. Read more>>

Kalifa Rodriguez

The journey to founding Kalifa Rodriguez Nutrition is deeply personal and rooted in my own struggles and realizations during two of the most challenging periods of my life. Read more>>

Mike Halmon

It started for me as a kid, I always had a passion for music. Growing up music was an outlet for me, whatever I was going through or dealing with I would find a song that could relate and help me get through the situation I was dealing with. Read more>>

Holly Edwards

I started Lost Woods to fix a big problem in the handbag industry – there was no plastic-free, high-quality, sustainable alternative to animal leather. Read more>>

Asacia Trn

Since I was a child, I wanted to live in the world of whimsy. In 2020, after spending four or so years as a Preschool teacher and Special Education Paraeducator for Baltimore County Public Schools, I decided to finally follow my dreams of opening a business about something I was passionate about. Read more>>

Vicky Hioureas

I grew up in a very traditional Greek-American family in California and always had a love for Greek folk costumes, embroidery, and dancing. I even learned how to sew and weave on a loom. Read more>>

Juan Pena

I am from Mexico City and the son of indigenous parents and they drank spirits like mezcal, pulque and tequila. In the United States I obtained my diploma in advertising and that is what I practiced for many years. Read more>>