In our view, far too many ideas die at the imagination stage. It’s not because people are lazy, we think the primary reason is because many people don’t know where or how to start. So, we connected with some sharp and generous entrepreneurs who’ve agreed to share their stories of how they went from idea to execution.

Tuana Schumacher

Being a fashion social media influencer for many years, I dreamed to start my own brand one day. That day came this year, by launching TUAROD, as many of my followers asked me why I wouldn’t start. So I made a few sketches, bought our very first straight stitch, cover stitch and overlock sewing machines, and with locally purchased fabrics, we created the first samples. We then decided to scale it up and included a whole range of industrial machines, personnel and set up a professional website and other online selling points. We are now looking into opening a brick and mortar location here in Miami, for ladies only ;-) Read more>>

Jalisa Rogers

In 2018, I was a senior at Utah Technical University. Like any other student in their senior year, I was taking demanding classes, working on a capstone project, working (almost) full time, and honestly, looking for just one easy class. So, I signed up for Film Photography and Dark Room Developing. If you know anything about film and the dark lab process, you’ll 1) laugh at my initial impression that it would be an easy class, and 2) understand that it consumed absolutely ALL of my free time and money. I fell absolutely in love with it. I immediately signed up for a digital photography class for my last semester, saved all my money in order to buy a digital camera kit (Canon EOS Rebel 6t), and again – spent all of my free time learning how to use my camera. Read more>>

Dom Chronicles

It all started with faith and being ok with leaping into the unknown. Being an artist where I’m from (Kansas City) really wasn’t an option but there was always something calling me to go this route. I was about to get my student aid cut because I wasn’t meeting the requirements and I before they did I took extra unsubsidized loans and bought my first recording set up and from then on I became Dom Chronicles. At first there was no income and no scene were I was from, but me and a few others took it upon ourselves to further lay the foundation of our music scene to give ourselves and others opportunity. I’ve always been a musician, being a violinist and choir kid growing up, so I just decided to take it a little further. First it was rap and production, doing local shows and going on tours around the country making little to no money. I was on a indie label for awhile, it didn’t work out but I learned alot. Eventually I had to essentially be my own manager doing everything from booking myself, designing my own merchandise, selling it, putting my own teams together and managing my own roll-outs when it came to my music. Read more>>

Jasmine Duncan

I started dancing as a young child, which eventually led to performing in productions and then working for the same dance company I performed with. Being both on stage and behind the scenes gave me a unique perspective—I saw how much planning and coordination went into making events successful. I loved the energy of being part of a team that brought everything together. When I had kids, I stepped away from dancing to focus on raising them. During that time, I realized I didn’t want to go back to a traditional job. I wanted to work for myself and have the flexibility to manage my own time. I knew I wanted to be in the event planning industry, so I attended The Wedding Planning Institute of Cananda Inc and received my Wedding Planner, Consultant, and Coordinator Certification. Read more>>

Jamie Hurt

InstaRyze Digital Marketing is a full-service agency I created in August 2024 to empower businesses with comprehensive digital marketing solutions. At InstaRyze, our goal is to be a one-stop shop for clients, offering everything from content strategy and creation to website optimization, social media management, email marketing, and data analytics. We work closely with clients at every stage, from concept to execution, with a focus on measurable growth and a personalized approach tailored to each brand. The journey to InstaRyze started with my first business, Jamie Hurt Copywriting. At that time, I was focused solely on delivering written content that resonated with audiences. But as I collaborated with clients, I noticed they needed more than just copy—they were also looking for more support in email marketing, SEO, digital ads, and social media management. I saw an opportunity to offer a more well-rounded service to meet these needs. Read more>>

Dorothy King

In the spring of 2023, I found myself in a surprising situation. I was a new mom and just two weeks before my return to work, I was informed that my previously all remote job was not remote anymore — and therefore no longer available. I was shocked. I’d spent the last decade in corporate roles across retail, sales and ecommerce. I deeply enjoyed my work as the ecommerce director for a fast growing brand and was ready to go back after maternity leave. As the shock wore off, I enjoyed the extra snuggles with my little boy and the wheels began to turn. What would I do instead? The thought of jumping into interviews didn’t appeal to me, and I knew that the work I’d been doing was exactly what I wanted to continue. In the back of my mind, an idea began to form — maybe there was a need for the work I’d been doing but tailored to smaller, scrappier brands. Perhaps I could create a freelance-based business where I offered the same core services I’d done before, but fractionally. Read more>>

Wtdwannahear Podcast

So it all started with Reef Major being my(Kenyatta) barber. Reef and I would always have life altering conversations that would literally leave us in awe by the end of the haircut. We’ve experienced that same feeling of awe about 4 times. When it happened a fifth time, I said “Nah, we can’t be the only ones hearing this”. Reef and I both had thoughts of starting our own individual podcast’s in the past but neither one of us ever acted on it. After the fifth time being left in awe, we both stated that we should start a podcast together. I (Kenyatta) was being dead serious. Reef didn’t 100% think I was blowing smoke, but he wasn’t 100% on board either at the time. 2 days went by and I gave Reef a call and told him I was not playing about starting the podcast and that we need to act on it immediately! Reef felt the energy through the phone and we were able to lock in. Reef and I are firm believers in everything happening for a reason and divine timing. Pooling our resources together, we both knew our guy DHaze! DHaze is a literal one stop shop! DHaze is a music producer, a music artist, a videographer, a photographer and he is also a chef!! It was just our luck that DHaze also built a studio inside of his home! Within a week or 2 we shot our first podcast right in that studio and the rest is history !! Reef and I are actually celebrating our 50th episode live this Saturday (12/14/24) in Brooklyn ! Read more>>

Alison Brien

The process of creating Ritual started as a slow hunch, a whisper of an idea I cultivated until it started to take shape and gradually became a reality. That hunch began after walking out of a local cycling class. I had entered the space expecting to experience something magical and leave feeling fulfilled. Instead, I left the class more anxious and on edge than when I had entered. I didn’t feel seen, the instructor talked at me versus riding with me. It made me wonder what it would look like to merge high-intensity movement with a deeper, more intentional mindset. Could a class like that create a greater sense of purpose & connection and not wreck our nervous systems in the process? Read more>>

Juliet Guisasola Drummond

Starting Reset with Juliet was a natural evolution of my journey. After 16 years as a yoga, pilates, and fitness instructor, I thought that’s what I’d be doing forever. But when the pandemic hit, everything changed. My in-person classes quickly moved online, and at the same time, I became a mother, which shifted my priorities and perspective. I realized that, just as businesses need to adapt, I too needed to evolve. As I navigated this new phase, I dove into learning about social media, marketing, and branding. I worked at an agency, collaborating with larger clients and helping them grow their online presence. It was during this time that I recognized a gap—small businesses needed this same level of expertise and personal attention. Read more>>

Jennifer Lauer

Well, they say something like 80% of people want to write a book, but only 3% actually ever do. My desire to do it was not rare, and my first attempt to write a book lasted ten years. And that book went into the drawer. I was writing a lot of other projects (plays, poetry, and screenplays), but I didn’t want to take another ten years to write the next book. Every year it was on my New Year’s Eve resolution list to “finish a book.” In 2019, I’d been toying with the idea of A.I. and what it meant to us, how it was going to change our lives much like the internet did. And then Covid happened, and I knew I wanted to write about being contained. My observations about being at home and how certain things became more beautiful and how I longed for things I could not do or see. There was a lot of yearning during that time, of what we had before and what we wanted to have, but couldn’t. I wrote a fast draft of ‘The Girl in the Zoo,’ but I knew it needed work. I threw myself into research mode about all things publishing. I found amazing resources that led me to hiring a book coach to help get my book where it needed to be. Read more>>

Ashley Hughes & O’teesha Cornelius

When we first came up with the idea for our card game, it just felt right. It all started during one of our usual hangouts — the kind where music is always playing in the background, and our conversations weave effortlessly between life, work, and everything in between. While this happens often, on this particular day we took notice of how we would integrate lyrics and melodies into parts of the conversation. It was almost like a play on words. That moment sparked laughter and the realization that this could be more than just how our conversations usually flow — it could be the foundation for something exciting. We both share a love for music and the way it brings people together. The idea(s) of a game that captured that joy, while also serving as a fun challenge, felt like a natural fit since we both are competitive. We envisioned friends and families gathered around, guessing lyrics, belting out songs, and creating memories together. From that day forward, our casual brainstorming turned into serious planning. Read more>>

Shetal Patel

It was a thought that fruition to current localized events over time. It was a struggle finding locations and venues that would allow the group gatherings pre and post COVID. Initially, I was supporting existing businesses at a loss,but ran into issues with scheduling or reaching owners to support the gatherings. Then, I looked into city and county locations which was also challenging due to regulations. I didn’t have equipment, but raised enough of my own sales to gather equipment if the venue did not provide it. We ran into remote locations who didn’t have the outreach,but learned to market differently. We have a system in place now to make it function on any location or venue. Read more>>

Vee Meadows

As an advocate for autism awareness, I have always sought innovative ways to promote understanding and inclusivity. Inspired to go beyond spreading awareness through music, I envisioned creating products that carry autism awareness messages. After conducting initial research, I discovered that items such as T-shirts, mugs, bags, and hats representing autism awareness were not widely available in the market. Recognizing this as an untapped opportunity, I decided to pursue this venture. To bring this idea to life, I began by investing in printing equipment capable of handling a wide range of substrates. After thorough research and attending specialized classes, I selected the most suitable printing equipment. I also identified and acquired the machinery required to permanently affix prints onto items, ultimately purchasing four heat press units. Read more>>

Shambhavi Borkar

Like most of us, I was confined within the walls of my home during the COVID lockdown. I had been dabbling in freelance editing, but opportunities were sparse, leaving me with too much idle time. The days began to blur together, a monotonous rhythm of sitting behind my computer screen, trying to complete a small motion graphic project for my showreel. It was on one of those seemingly endless days that I hit a wall—not just creatively, but emotionally. Exhaustion, self-doubt, and an overwhelming sense of aimlessness crept in. I found myself questioning everything. What was I doing with my life? Where would I be when all this was over? The uncertainty was suffocating. I hated feeling stuck, without a plan or a sense of purpose. In the depths of that rut, a thought surfaced—one that felt equal parts impulsive and liberating: Why not create something of my own?Something that didn’t rely on others to give me work or take it away. A space where I could be in control, where creativity could flourish without limits. That spark was enough to jolt me into action. The first step was finding a name. I wanted something that embodied collaboration and creativity—a studio where diverse skills could come together and thrive. I scoured the internet, brainstorming and scribbling ideas in my notebook. But most names felt either too cliché or too disconnected from my vision. Read more>>

Chris Renna

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was juggling the demands of being a full-time student-athlete in college while also working a full-time job. Despite my busy schedule, I felt a strong pull to start something creative, something that allowed me to express myself and connect with others. Like many people, I turned to social media for inspiration and quickly realized I wanted to explore the fashion industry, even though my vision wasn’t fully clear at the time. Read more>>

Greg Washington

My journey into cinematography began at the age of six, when I first encountered those iconic 90’s toy commercials featuring miniature sets and moving toys. I vividly remember thinking, “I can create something even better with my own toy collection and watch it come to life!” That spark of inspiration led me straight to my grandmother, urging her to take me to the drugstore to buy a disposable 35mm camera. I can still picture myself lying on the floor, setting up intricate Hot Wheels tracks, capturing the moment as my cars soared over custom-built gaps. When those photos came back from the darkroom, I was hooked—completely captivated by the endless creative possibilities photography offered. Read more>>

Holly Gottlieb

I spent a decade as a corporate headhunter, firstly in London, and then moving out to LA to open the first US office for the business. There were various points in that career where I felt disillusioned by the work, often having to make a sales pitch to win business, and there’s no doubt that working in any kind of sales business can often be a grind with numbers over your head. When life imploded in 2019, hitting a rock bottom via the death of my business partner, various addictions, a job loss and then ultimately the pandemic, I swore to get out of corporate recruitment for good, and set off on this path of self discovery, committing to doing only what felt good. I hustled in a number of non-traditional ways for a couple of years, but eventually hit a brick wall with the money, I just couldn’t seem to ‘figure it out’. I happened to land back in the recruitment world, this time working for myself, and with a client that felt very aligned with my values. Read more>>

JR Garcia

The execution for JR Technology had to be precise and calculated. Being from San Antonio I noticed the online market had barely begun to pick up in San Antonio. As San Antonio was evolving I pounced on the opportunity to establish a brand that would showcase the excellence of San Antonio companies to bring light to my home. I locked myself in my office, which of course I mean my bedroom, and revised my original business plan. Laying out the steps to strike at the perfect time with a lasting impact. What better way to launch then by respecting Texas Tradition and showcasing at the Rodeo. I was asked to be a tasting judge for the cook-off and got the opportunity to meet countless clients which I still have today. Read more>>

Áurea María Altamirano Cuaresma

My first book of poetry, Mariposa de Fuego: A Journey to Empowerment. After some writing on my own, I looked for a circle for writers as I did at Community College in the past, I  joined the CLI ( Community Literature Initiative), a program that supports minority writers, where I could share my passion for writing, and learn from others, from their experiences with writing and life. They also listened, respected, and appreciated the ideas behind my poems. I could express myself, my pains, and my dreams through my writing and slowly found my voice and confirmed my purpose. I wanted to thank CLI, because finding a community of writers, and an option online helped me to surpass my issues with my tight schedule, and gave me the tools I needed to work on it more decidedly; with a strong routine of writing, if not daily in the mornings, at least weekly on the weekends. Also, getting an accountability partner, who checks on you to see your advancements in writing, and encourages you to break your barriers of shyness, has been so valuable. Read more>>

Mason Whitcanack

So, Lindzey and I had the idea for the company back in 2016/2017, but we didn’t actually get started until 2018. I grew up a contractors kid, and my grandfather was a big hobbyist woodworker. You could say this stuff is in my blood. Lindz has a background in design; her father and grandfather have been in the design and print industries their whole careers, and she grew up watching design shows with her mom (remember Trading Spaces?). She loves designing but after working in graphic design and for an interior designer she determined she wanted more of a hand in actually making the designs come to life. After we got together and started messing around with small projects, she took to building what was in her mind like a fish to water. Read more>>

Gwendoline Kamara

When I first had the idea for my business in 2018, I wrote it down in a journal: I wanted to keep my culture and heritage alive through clothing while supporting the African diaspora. By 2020, I hosted my first pop-up shop, where I collaborated with vendors and built connections with like-minded individuals. Initially, my boutique was online, but I made it a priority to network through other people’s events as well. For two years, I focused on pop-ups and networking events. By my third year, I began collaborating with larger organizations like Working Hours, who hosted consistent events, giving me the opportunity to showcase my brand. My background in Business Management allowed me to help other businesses grow, merging fashion shows with pop-ups to add more value. Read more>>

Marina Micanovic

The journey of starting my business has been an incredible mix of passion, challenges, and constant reinvention. It all began about 13 years ago when I graduated from fashion school. Soon after, I had the opportunity to showcase my first runway presentation. Standing backstage, watching my designs come to life on the runway, I realized that this was what I was meant to do. It wasn’t just about creating clothes—it was about sharing a vision, telling stories through fabric and form. Read more>>

Tiffany Hayes

I began my journey by refocusing on my career aspirations. With Career Direction and Clarity Coach Alison Cardy’s guidance, we delved deeply into my career history, education, hobbies, and other interests. We identified recurring themes in my life experience where I excelled. Once I saw these areas clearly, we pivoted to discussing my career goals. These discussions ultimately led to the realization that I wanted to establish my own business. Alison provided exercises to map out this plan, leading me to draft the first version of my business plan. Read more>>

Crystal Wamalwa

The journey to launching Audacity was long and winding, but it all began in 2019 when I started a business called *Chrystal TuTu Paradise*. At the time, I focused on creating custom tutus and t-shirts, which was an exciting outlet for my creativity. But I quickly realized I wanted to do more—I wanted to create a space where artists of all kinds could come together, showcase their work, and collaborate. So, I started hosting events that featured poets, musicians, visual artists, jewelry makers, and makeup artists. My first two events sold out, and the positive feedback fueled my desire to continue. Read more>>

Sonia Jackson Myles

I am often asked “How did you come up with the idea to start a global movement for girls and women?” How did you come up with the name “The Sister Accord?” I believe that the things that we have a deep passion, curiosity and desire to solve, can often reside in our subconscious mind. During my experience in corporate America, I had a mentee from every continent, with the exception of Antarctica, and saw what I call a “Humanity Insight” that girls and women are socialized to not like themselves or each other, no matter where they grew up around the world. As a result, the behaviors that I observed in my companies revealed that women were often dealing with challenges getting along and supporting each other in the workplace. Men, on the other hand, would support each other, even if they weren’t friends or friendly with each other. I went to sleep one night and literally saw The Sister Accord coming to life in a dream. I saw my book cover. In my dream, the book was on the shelf in a store. When the first bookstore accepted my book, I took a picture and it was exactly how I saw it in my dream. Read more>>

Connor Lockhart

In the height of the pandemic, I found myself working a marketing job for a small local company. My office had no windows, I was commuting an hour each way for work every day, and most days I was the only person working at the office (not kidding!). I tried to be as efficient as possible with my tasks so that I could buy & sell mid century modern furniture in my down time. I would reach out to sellers before work, pick up furniture on my lunch break, and deliver pieces after work or the next day. When I started making more money selling furniture than I was at my desk job, I took the leap into full-time reselling & business ownership. Read more>>