Going from idea to execution isn’t easy. Part of the difficulty is that often there is no playbook to follow and while we can’t offer a playbook either, we wanted to create a space where aspiring entrepreneurs could read the stories of how some very smart, very thoughtful entrepreneurs form the community got started.

Joshua Proby

While serving 12 years in prison I knew that I wanted to be a Speaker and Author but just did not know how it would be done. I had been removed from society for so long so many questions such as am I good enough, Do I really have what it takes where consistent things that popped in my mind. Although I had penned 17 self-help books while incarcerated four of those books being written while in solitary confinement for 2 years doubt was still there. With my release date fast approaching I had my plan in place and just knew that if I Trusted in GOD, everything would play itself out as my Pastor Keith Bradley would say. Read more>>

Destiny Giebe-beaulieu

Beaulieu Esthetics was brought to life by legacy. Beaulieu — Which is French for Beautiful Place and my second last name. My father died when I was 14 years old. He was the most adventurous, outgoing, peaceful, adrenaline loving character I have ever met in my life. He worked on the Bering Sea in Alaska as a commercial fisherman and he was a veteran Alaskan King Crab catcher. He taught me how to fish by telling me life can be just like fishing, it teaches you persistence and failure. I then taught myself how to fight exactly how he taught me to fish. You have to fight for what you want for the Idea to turn into Execution. Read more>>

Jules Horvath

For me, my writing process typically starts when I get an idea for a character or a scene randomly comes into my head. Then I expand more on that idea as the weeks go on if It keeps my interest. It’s odd to admit, but the way I generate ideas almost feels like I am watching the film/episode happen in my brain. I can press pause or rewind the moments back in my head whenever I want. I feel like from there, I document “what I just watched” onto paper. Another thing that really helps complete my process is listening to music. Read more>>

Tremain Davis
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Ideas are a dime a dozen. There is nothing special about coming up with an idea. Everybody has them. The power is in the execution. Having the ability to make something tangible out of literal thin air is a very rare and valuable skillset. I am a 5x founder over the past 25 years, so I understand the grind necessary to go from idea to execution. Read more>>

Rachel Garcia

I worked for all 3 top banks for many years working my way up the corporate ladder. Started to hit a ceiling and decided I want to venture off and start my own CRE Finance Brokerage offering creative Financing. After successfully running my company, people would reach out to me asking if I can help and teach them how to Finance a Commercial Property. Many Residential Lenders looking to do Commercial. This is when I decided to start my Coaching Program to teach everyone how to Finance CRE creating a System. Read more>>

Mika Stutzman

Like most ideas I have, there was no time in between my initial thought of, “I think I want to start a balloon business” to “I’ve started a balloon business”. I was one year away from having all three of my kids in school and my husband asked me, “Do you think you’ll get a job when the kids go to school?” I wanted to say no, but our bank account told me I probably should. I scrolled Facebook that afternoon and saw a friend share a photo of a balloon garland she did for someone else. Read more>>

Jamie Kramer

I have always wanted to start my own events business and during each of my pregnancies, I strongly considered leaving my job security to venture out on my own, but the time didn’t feel right with babies on the way. Ultimately when the pandemic hit, I unfortunately lost my job, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It was the push I needed to take the leap. And four years later, here we are! Read more>>

Tishoy Allen

“Life is like a coin, you get to spend it once so spend it wisely.” This quote echoed in my mind as I stood at the crossroads of my life. I am Tishoy Allen, a woman with a vision and a heart full of dreams. For years, I had harboured a passion for designing, a spark ignited and nurtured during my time working with Vistaprint. But despite this passion, my dreams of starting my own business remained unfulfilled, overshadowed by fears and financial constraints. Read more>>

Dr. Emajonite Etienne

A Journey from Idea to Impact: Merging Passion, Skills, and Experience into a Thriving Business Starting a business often begins with a spark of inspiration, a desire to make a difference, and a vision of how your unique talents can contribute to the world. For me, it was about merging everything I had learned and experienced into something meaningful and impactful. I knew I wanted to help others, particularly in the education sector, by leveraging my extensive background in curriculum development, special education, and consulting. But more than that, I wanted to weave in my cultural heritage and passion for holistic well-being into this venture. Read more>>

Audrey Smith

My approach to executing an idea is somewhat paradoxical; the idea develops during the process of creating the painting. A photoshoot is my starting point. Psychological atmosphere is key. I direct poses that communicate a sense of introspection, contemplation, with an air of gravitas. Hundreds of photos are narrowed down to those in which that atmosphere is also captured in light, shadows, and elements that defy definition. Read more>>

Yvette Valdenegro

Starting YG Collaborations was not an overnight decision; it was a process that required careful consideration and planning. Geovanna, my business partner, and I had established businesses, so we couldn’t abandon our income streams to jump into something new. We had the advantage of a strong network in our existing industry, and our partnership was already recognized. However, transitioning into coaching—a field still gaining traction then—was a significant pivot. Back then, coaching wasn’t as mainstream as it is today. Although the industry has since boomed, driven by shifts like COVID and the rise of remote work. Read more>>

Violeta Cortez

Inspiration came from our gatherings as a family coming around the table and wanting others to experience our flavors. We wanted to present tacos in a way where they were elevated. In the world of cuisine Mexican food is most of the time under appreciated/undervalued and thought of as junk food here in the U.S.A. Mexican cuisine not only is one of the top cuisines in the world due to its diverse rich culture, ingredients, traditions, and techniques. It is considered a cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. In our Restaurant we wanted to bring honor to the most iconic dish Mexico has to offer, which is the TACO. Read more>>

Ariel & Sierra Roberts

As a creative, ideas flow like water, and are never in short supply. Turning that idea into reality? And turning that reality into a profit? Those are much more difficult tasks. Sierra and I were very intentional in this way. Together, we are two halves of a whole. So when we had the idea of turning our passion and skill into a full fledged business, we got to work on outlining exactly what that would look like. Who will function as client relations? Who will take care of the finances? Sierra submitted for our business license, tax exempt status, set up vendor accounts, and began her hot girl Xcel era. I got to work finding out what our clients (which were friends at first) needed, what their budgets were (we were starting with small potatoes), and how we could make the most aesthetically with what we were starting with. That put our foundation in order. Read more>>

Alexandria Rhinehart

In March 2022, I began exploring the idea of investing in a franchise. I was looking for something that not only matched my interests but was also financially rewarding. After discussing the idea with my mom, she suggested that I create my own brand. This suggestion resonated with me, given my experience with startups and my freelance work in branding and web design. I started envisioning the type of business I wanted to build, drawing inspiration from my love for beauty and luxury. I spent hours on Pinterest, searching for ideas and images, with a clear vision of creating something unique for the area—think lime wash walls, boucle furniture, and a sophisticated neutral color palette. This was a stark contrast to the typical pink and girly beauty bars. Read more>>

Wilbur Mckesson

For 10 years I thought about becoming an author. Dating back to 2010, I thought about creating an action thriller novel. Starting and then stopping, numerous times, I finally called my aunt, who published several romance novels. With her help and guidance, she helped me understand the process and was with me every step of the way from conception, finished product, editing, all the way to self-publishing. Her help greatly contributed me self-publishing my first novel, Insertion, when I didn’t know where to look to even get started. The first book was a grueling process because I was new to everything in the book industry. However, once the first book was completed, it made writing the second book so much easier. I think having a great support system with friends and family helped also. Read more>>

John Wangendo

So my art business started during the Covid pandemic lockdowns in April 2020. As my regular workload hours were downsized because of the lockdowns, my daughters who had seen me do a rough sketch here and there encouraged me to try a hand at drawing. Prior to the Covid pandemic, the only drawing i remember doing was when I was around 10 yrs old back in Kenya as art is not often taken as a serious career in most African countries. So after I did my first painting, i decided to post it on my Facebook page and the response was overwhelming. I immediately knew that this was something I wanted to continue doing though back then I only considered it as a hobby. The more I continued to draw the more I found myself lost in the world of canvas and charcoal dust. Read more>>

Andrew Labit

The business was listed for sale on Facebook as of February 1st. I thought I arrived late when I walked in on March 1st. I asked the previous owners how the sale of the store was going. They said that they had a few nibbles, but nobody was serious. I stopped. Paused. I threw it at them. “Well, what do you want for it?” From there it was a lot of coordinating with utilities, municipal entities, and paperwork. The sellers were probably the easiest part of the whole thing. Read more>>

Emily & Megan Wall & Hardin

Since we met, we both have dreamed of starting a business with the purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities in some capacity… although to be honest, we didn’t know what that business would be. It was more or less one of those things that we dreamed about, but didn’t actually think we would ever bring to fruition. With that said, two short years later, I (Emily) was about to make the move from Raleigh to Charlotte to begin my Ph.D. Megan and I sat down at a coffee shop in Durham, NC and I pulled out my notebook and wrote the words “Divide and Thrive”. We wanted to do something to ensure that our friendship wouldn’t dissipate with the physical distance that we soon would be experience for the very first time. Read more>>

Javan Richardson

There was no manuscript or guide to becoming an entrepreneur — it was simply a leap of faith. Michael Scott once said and I quote “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I truly believe in the scripture James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” King James Version (KJV). I was sitting in Starbucks at North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University. I had just completed my online exam and my mom, Tashauna Richardson called. This was the completion of my first semester of undergraduate studies. I’m not sure what led my mom to ask me to create her a flyer design, but she indeed asked and I was up for the challenge. My Bachelor’s Degree was in Criminal Justice — so I was a tad bit lost on how I would convert to creating a design expeditiously for her. Read more>>

Lisa Shultz

As I was rushing to my yoga class, I was distracted by a store window with the image of a vintage cowgirl on the back of a flannel, emblazoned with the words “Long Live Cowgirls”. Being a fan of country music and flannels, I loved the look and risked being late to yoga as I went in to check it out. Each design was cuter than the last, but I kept thinking how I could make them even better! I began envisioning how these designs could resonate with various audiences—showcasing their interests, senses of humor, and serving as perfect, one-of-a-kind gifts! What began as a casual browse, quickly transformed into a passionate pursuit! I spent my yoga class thinking about the fun detailing and catchy phrases I could use. I knew when I went home that night, that a seed had been planted. Read more>>

Dominique Johnson

I started my first business when I was 15 years old, I had a online website where I shared hair tutorials. I used to play in my sisters and my cousins hair. I would upload YouTube videos and pictures onto my website. I did that for several years and even generated enough revenue that I sold my website and bought my first car at 19. After I graduated from high school, I worked in a blow job bar, which paid me hourly and I was able to do simple services while building my client on the side. One thing I really wish people would stop telling entrepreneurs is that it takes “a year” to get your business up and running. As someone who has been licensed to stand behind the chair for over ten years now, I really truly feel like it takes closer to 3 to 5 years to get a good business running. Read more>>

Ja’nette Hodge

The idea to start my business came when I realized how passionate I was about esthetics and helping others feel confident in their skin. Once the idea took root, I knew the first step was getting the proper education, so I enrolled in school to get my esthetician license. While in school, I started planning my future business. After getting licensed, I focused on gathering all the supplies I needed to get started. Building my clientele was crucial, so I decided to offer free sets initially. This helped me create content and showcase my work, which in turn attracted clients and allowed me to grow my portfolio. With every set I completed, I gained more experience and confidence, and slowly but surely, my business started to take off. It’s been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m excited for what’s next! Read more>>

Jaliyah Ross

I love this question because honestly the power of hurrying to act on an idea I feel I am/could be great at is how this all came about and it’s something I do often. Being that I grew up into all things art (dancing, singing, drawing, baking, and photography in my early high school years) makes who I am and what I’m becoming make sense. For instance, when it came to me becoming a makeup artist, I first started off obsessed with having perfect eyebrows my freshman year of school. I would fill them in with a brow pencil then shape them up nicely with an eyebrow razor either before leaving out for school or in the bathroom at school. Once people noticed, they began to ask me to do theirs….yes at school. Read more>>

Monique S. Pearson

It was the onset of the pandemic when I realized something: I wasn’t as fulfilled with my life as I thought. I had a successful career, but something was missing. Being stuck at home gave me plenty of time to reflect on what truly made me happy, and the answer was clear—travel. Nothing in the world brought me more joy. The idea struck me: “What if I turned my love of travel into a business?” That moment sparked something in me, but there was a huge catch—we were in the middle of a global lockdown. Travel was off the table. Read more>>

Deanna Araceli

Growing up, I always knew I was different, and I found myself more of an observer of reality than a participant. Yes, I played sports and had many friends, but I always knew I wanted more than what I saw around me. My parents were opposites when it came to work ethics. My mom was an immigrant from Mexico who worked hard at her company for over 47 years, and my father was an African-American who despised the system and hustled his way through life. As I started reaching for my identity and understanding my purpose, it led me to teaching and tutoring children. After college, I traveled and taught English abroad. This helped to bridge my sense of exploration while preparing myself for my most significant venture, stepping out of the shadows, taking my gifts, and using them on a larger scale. Read more>>

Kristen Coke

The idea for The Wedding Strategist really started with my own wedding. I quickly found myself frustrated with how opaque the pricing was, how unclear the processes were, and how everything felt like a one-size-fits-all approach. It just didn’t seem like anyone was addressing the need for more transparency and personalization in the wedding industry. Given my background as a product manager, I couldn’t help but approach wedding planning the same way I’d tackle a new product launch at work. I started thinking of our wedding as a project that needed careful planning, design, and organization—all focused on creating the best possible experience for us, the “users.” Read more>>

Analisia White

I earned my RYT 200 by the summer of 2019 and have since had the pleasure of instructing in several studios in Texas and South East Wisconsin. Yoga quickly became a pivotal role in my life. It has healing powers, both spiritually and mentally, and has connected me more with my body and well being. Sharing something I’ve become so passionate about has been very satisfying for me. Student feedback has been so impactful. Helping others discover the same enrichment and self-love that I’ve found through yoga is why I do it – it’s my motivation. It’s this very motivation that has propelled my vision for one day owning my very own yoga studio and making a true go at this not just as a profession, but a lifestyle. Read more>>

Joseph Crocco

The invention of the FoamGlide originated from Joe Crocco, a 25-year veteran L.A. County firefighter who, over time, developed multiple injuries to his back, hips, and shoulders. His rehab for these injuries required using a foam roller as prescribed by his physical therapist. However, many foam rolling positions made it difficult for Joe to rehab effectively. Joe’s invention of the FoamGlide enabled him to hold many different positions with ease and control. He could then effectively perform the targeted therapeutic exercises with his foam roller, as prescribed by his therapist. Applying controlled pressure to the areas Joe targeted became more effective and comfortable. His rehab and flexibility improved significantly, and he was inspired to continue his regime with greater motivation and confidence. His outcome of reduced pain and stiffness gave Joe better flexibility and range of motion. Read more>>

Royal Lee

I began researching natural skin rejuvenation products and herbs that provide the best benefits. I spent a few weeks mastering four fragrances and began working on packaging. It became immediately clear that I had something after passing out free samples. Market! Market! Market! was all I could think. Doing things right takes times. It was time to make a decision weather to be an actual business or a hustle. Hustles never last businesses create the opportunity to thrive. I took time to plan out the future of PLUM with realistic expectations. Currently expectations have been exceeded and new goals have to be set. In the meantime we’re taking it one jar at a time. Read more>>

Lavonda Bowman

The process of launching a business typically starts as a spark of inspiration or a problem that you feel compelled to solve. For me, it began as I was learning more about entrepreneurship to grow my credit repair and tax firm; I became more aware of the gaps in the market where people needed more tailored guidance in their careers and small business ventures, particularly in underserved communities. But having an idea is one thing—execution is a completely different beast. In March of 2021, I decided to rebrand my then 10-year-old tax and credit repair firm to a Career Development and Small Business Consulting Firm after being approved for and receiving our first business funding. I remember the moment when I decided I wanted to help like-minded entrepreneurs build their careers and businesses. I was talking to a friend who had so much potential but lacked the direction and confidence to start her own business. That conversation lit a fire in me to not only help her but to create something that could benefit others in a similar situation and SEE IT THROUGH! Read more>>

Khalid Sanchez-muhammad

Starting Good Deeds was a journey rooted in both personal passion and community need. The idea took seed during a community meeting in Newark, where I was struck by the challenges faced by underserved inner-city neighborhoods. I had been actively involved in various community efforts, but it was clear that a more coordinated, structured approach was necessary to make a lasting impact. The initial idea came to me while attending a youth mentorship program. I saw firsthand how lack of resources and opportunities hindered many young individuals from reaching their full potential. That evening, I sat down with a notebook and jotted down all the services I believed could help: educational programs, food security initiatives, recreational activities, and support services. The goal was to create a holistic organization that addressed various facets of community upliftment. Read more>>

Ashlee Stratton

My story from idea to execution is a long path because I am first, and foremost, a mother. I have found that for mothers, the path to entrepreneurship can look different. Before I got married and had kids, I had a few speaking opportunities through leadership positions I held and pageants. I thoroughly enjoyed speaking. When I was in college, Dan Clark, named one of the top 10 speakers in the world came to teach a public speaking class at my University. I didn’t know who he was, but luckily my dad did and my dad told me, “When they bring these real world people onto campus, you need to take their class.” So I reluctantly signed up for Dan’s class. It was held once a week, so it was a 3 hour class on a Friday afternoon! I wasn’t thrilled. But! That class changed my life. Dan’s ability to speak to us, teach us and motivate us to action was unlike anything I had ever experienced.  Read more>>

Jkai Jones

After creating my single WYNE, me one of my business partners Josh hit the studio in hopes of creating something we both were proud of. I brought a couple demos with me as a starting point, and we were both drawn to a track called “Candid”. The track only had an intro and was a work in progress. Josh played a key role in helping me refine the concept and find the right words. In just a few days, we had finished the first version of the song. Over the next year, I revisited the project often, producing nearly nine different versions of, “Candid”. It took nearly two years for the song to finally come out. Unlike other songs I’ve created quickly, this one demanded patience and persistence. It wasn’t just about translating my idea into music; I needed to deeply connect with what I was expressing. Sometimes, I need to process certain emotions or thoughts fully before I can translate them into a song. As an artist, I know when my work is ready, and I’m willing to wait until it reaches that point. It’s okay for ideas to take time to materialize as long as you stay committed and give them the attention they deserve. Read more>>

Mk Drayna

I never thought I wanted to be a business owner. I thought owning a business would take over every aspect of my personal life, I was confused by all the paperwork, and I didn’t think I’d be able to make a decent living for myself just selling cakes. At the same time, I knew working for someone else wasn’t actually what I wanted. My dream job was to be creative at work and make my own schedule. I got to a point pretty early in my career when I realized that my dream job didn’t exist at another company— I’d have to create it on my own terms. I took a huge chance on myself and I quit my job, making the leap to launch Whisk Chick full time at age 21. I found a commercial kitchen space with incredible luck at the right place at the right time. I was also lucky to have an incredible support system: a friend to make my website, my accountant grandpa to help with tax paperwork, a partner who supported this choice from day one, and countless other friends and family members to encourage me along the way. Read more>>