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.

Julie Keating

I grew up in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago in a small, yet not so small town. I met my husband at the age of 11 and he was my first kiss at the age of 12 after our first “date” at our grammar school fun fair. Fast forward over a decade and we married and returned to live in the same town we both grew up in. I graduated from Loyola University in Chicago, and had dreams of becoming a profiler for the FBI after obtaining a degree in psychology. As life sometimes does, my dreams were sidetracked when I found out that I was pregnant with our first son. My husband worked as a commodities trader downtown Chicago, so I had the luxury of staying home with our son. Next, came my daughter Tayt. She was born with a rare genetic condition called Primordial Dwarfism, which no one could diagnose at the time. After going to hospitals all around the country and 43 surgeries to fix the damage done at birth, she was finally somewhat on the mend. Read more>>

Joe Pries

I was in a dead-end corporate job that I knew was ultimately going to lay me off because I came from New York to North Carolina with my New York salary (which wasn’t that impressive) but the firm hired 3 guys in my division who were 8 years younger and straight out of business school and were compensated at a lower pay scale. I was very interested in real estate investment but had not pursued it aggressively until I went to a company lunch for an employee in my division who was going back to school in Boston to get his MBA. He told me about a condo he co-owned with a friend across from the UNC Charlotte campus nearby and I asked him to please show it to me. As soon as I arrived in the complex my eyes lit up and I was excited. The complex is literally a 2 lane road across from campus. Enrollment was around 25,000 students at the time (January 2005) and I saw my ticket out of ever working for someone again. Fast forward to December 2024 and I currently own 86 properties totaling 290 bedrooms and am the largest privately owned student housing provider at the school. UNCC now has a 31,000 student population and it has been an amazing ride, which allowed me to retire in 5 years (at 38 years old) and has given me financial freedom, time freedom and the ability to live an outsized life, thanks to real estate and all its wonderful benefits. Read more>>

Maegan Bereal

GOD gave my sister the name and HE had been giving me the drawings and what to do for a while. GOD has gifted me with creativity and so I really like creating stuff and drawing. It’s something really worth doing because it’s spreading the Gospel and teaching GODS WORD while doing something I really like to do. Read more>>

Amanda Bernard

The idea for Shawish Market was born out of a deep sense of admiration and frustration. While working with Indigenous youth, I was constantly inspired by the immense talent of Indigenous artists, many of whom were not receiving the recognition or support they truly deserved. I also had many friends who created stunning beadwork—pieces so beautiful and meaningful that they deserved to be seen by the world. Yet, despite their artistry, these creators faced significant barriers to accessing wider markets. Read more>>

Jeff Trotter

The idea for Bend Dxnt Break wasn’t born in a boardroom or a brainstorming session—it came from the heart, born out of raw experiences, personal struggles, and a desire to serve others. The journey began during my time mentoring youth through Memphis Athletic Ministries. I noticed many of the kids were rapping Young Dolph’s songs, but the messages they were consuming didn’t always reflect the strength, hope, and resilience I wanted to instill in them. I started writing my own music with positive messages about faith, brotherhood, and the challenges of life. When I performed around Memphis, I decided not to wear big-name brands like Nike or Adidas—they didn’t represent the deeper purpose I was working toward. Read more>>

Michelle Lam

When I started Bklynite Media in 2019, it wasn’t born out of a grand vision but rather a necessity to redefine my career and personal life. At the time, I was a stay-at-home mom with a toddler, navigating the challenges of motherhood while yearning for professional fulfillment. I had spent years working in corporate PR, handling Fortune 500 companies and earning accolades like PRSA’s Reputation & Brand Management award. But the long hours and rigid structures left little room for flexibility or creativity, especially as a mom. Read more>>

Alyssa Jarkow

The journey began in early 2010 when I left community college at 19, completely unsure of what I wanted to do with my life & feeling like I was just wasting time. I didn’t grow up with money & my parents never went to college to pursue degrees, so all I ever saw was hard work & pinching pennies. We lived paycheck to paycheck & all I knew was I had to find a better way of life for my future. Read more>>

Nicole Slone

Above Board Liqueurs: Reinventing Cocktails for a Health-Conscious World Growing up in San Diego, with its vibrant culinary and craft cocktail scene, it was impossible not to be inspired by the artistry behind mixology. But for me, the excitement of a night out often came with a sense of deflation. Like many health-conscious individuals, I felt there wasn’t anything on the menu I could trust to enjoy without compromising my goals. The beauty of those cocktails often masked the reality: they were loaded with sugar, making indulgence feel more like a setback than a celebration. Read more>>

Emily Sleights

I became interested in card magic, close up magic and collecting in 2017. In November in 2018 I joined Instagram under the username “emilysleights52” so I could find other people who share a similar hobby as me. I saw that other people were creating decks of playing cards and it made me realize that I wanted to do the same thing but a little bit different: I wanted my decks of playing cards to have meaning. All of the decks of cards I do have designs where the underlying theme emphasizes strength, positivity, perseverance and happiness. My goal is to make a positive impact in other peoples’ lives. I felt this could work because so many people struggle with confidence, anxiety and mental health issues. I wanted to make sure to help others through my passions! Read more>>

Traliece

I started playing in various orchestras since I was a child but, in the last few years decided to venture out as a singer and violinist and I started promoting my music and craft on social media. Read more>>

Kristine Choate

After working for other salon owners within commission salons, I felt it was finally my time to branch out. My starting point was when I realized I had no control over the environment I was bringing clients into. I wanted to provide a space where clients AND staff could truly express themselves without fear of judgment. I began to do the math, get my ducks in a row and figure out exactly everything I needed to do to open my own suite. I began as a one chair suite, moved to a double suite with another artist and finally decided to open my storefront salon, The VIVID Collective. This was a 3 year process and each stepping stone was so pivotal in the success of my business. Read more>>

Liliya Salira

My biggest passion in life is travel and spirituality. When I was 21, I came to Cody, Wyoming, as a Work and Travel student. It was back in 2010, and I was working at the historic Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel. At the end of the summer, our boss, John Darby, took us to Yellowstone, and I fell in love with that beautiful park. I was amazed by its canyon, waterfalls, mountains, and geysers. But even more, I was amazed by the American people who, back in 1872, recognized the importance of this place and protected it. Read more>>

Errol D. Bryant Sr.

The Miami Central Rockets Alumni Association (MCRAA) came into existence in late September 2005 at which time our beloved Alma Mater was in jeopardy of being shut down and or reconstituted due to the school failing and receiving poor grades for a number of years. At that point large number number of alumni and stakeholders in the community decided to band together and form MCRAA in an effort to see what could be done to help our school stay open and not have its doors closed.. Read more>>

Ashley Autry

The inspiration for Livin’ Fresh came from my desire to create a food business that offers healthier alternatives to traditional soul food and comfort food. I wanted to reimagine these beloved dishes in a way that promotes wellness without compromising on flavor. Read more>>

Shawn Moore

It started with the idea on how can I bring me and my brothers back together. All three of our lives went in different directions, not forgetting one another, but took us away from one another. All three talented in different ways but there is one in particular all three the same, art. Read more>>

Cameron Johnson

When I was in college, my major was Communications: Broadcast Journalism. In my senior year, I had an internship at KMBC in Kansas City, MO. At one point, I was asked if I would like to run the teleprompter during the early morning telecast. At the time, I was working overnight, finishing my last semester, and doing the internship. I just couldn’t add that extra on top of everything else I was doing. I turned that work down and never heard anything else about it again. Near the end of my internship, I was doing a capstone project to show if internships truly turn into job opportunities. I interviewed another girl who was interning at the same place I was. She told me that one day she was asked if she wanted to run the teleprompter in the early mornings. Turns out that it was an actual job opportunity. You can just imagine my disappointment. Not only did I miss out on a perfect entry level opportunity, but I would never get another chance due to every company was wanting at least 3-5 years of experience, and I was only a college graduate. I told my dad about what I found out. He encouraged me to start my own business. He told me I was good at what I did, and if there are no doors open, create my own. So I started Action-N-Motion Productions soon after I graduated, and I’ve been perfecting my craft ever since for the last 10 years. Read more>>

Max Zelenevich

Coffee has long been a cherished thing for me, often enjoyed while catching up with old friends or admiring the slowness of the morning with loved ones. The more I was able to explore unique flavor characteristics from different origins and processes, the more I fell into the rabbit hole of learning more, which eventually turned into roasting my own coffee at home. I was able to have coffee at home that I wasn’t able to find in any coffee shop nearby, from funky fermented coffees to really fruity and bright coffees that were a huge departure from the typical cup. My partner and I enjoyed sharing the coffee we made with our friends so much that we wanted to take it a step further and be able to turn a passion into a business. Brainwave started as making connections and we try really hard to continue the tradition and connect others with something we love so much. Read more>>

Chris Schniepp

When my journey into photography began, I was—and still am—a teacher. It was March 2024, during Spring Break, when some friends and I decided to escape to Miami for a getaway. The trip had a dual purpose: a much-needed break and the chance to cheer on another friend competing in an esports tournament. We carved out extra days before and after the event to soak up everything Miami had to offer. At that time, I had a deep love for cars but no real direction for turning that passion into something tangible. One of my best friends, who had just started dabbling in photography, brought his professional camera along for the trip. Miami, with its vibrant culture and jaw-dropping cars, became our playground. I found myself mesmerized by all the “cool cars” cruising around. Read more>>

Iver Marjerison

Years ago I was asked to officiate a friends wedding, after that, I decided – hey, this is pretty cool, maybe I’ll try to do it some more. So I put out a Craigslist add as an officiant, and that same day got my first booking. Soon after that, I realized there was a gap in the market for people looking to plan small weddings (aka “Micro-Weddings” or Elopements). So much of the wedding industry as a whole is all about these big expensive events, and so many couples don’t have the desire for that. I started focusing specifically on smaller weddings, and started to build a system for all the components needed for these sort of events: the ceremony site, the photographer, officiant, flowers, etc. Overtime this business slowly continued to grow, and now I help people plan small weddings full time. Read more>>

Sibin Babu

The idea for my creative services business, Men Of Letters, emerged from a lifelong passion for spirituality, knowledge, and sharing insights with others. Growing up, I was captivated by the mysteries of the universe and ancient wisdom, and I immersed myself in books and teachings that explored these topics. Over time, this fascination evolved into a deep desire to help others on their spiritual journeys and make complex concepts accessible to everyone. The moment of clarity came while I was watching the TV series Supernatural. The concept of the Men of Letters, a secret society dedicated to preserving and passing down knowledge, resonated deeply with me. It sparked an idea: why not create a modern-day equivalent that combines ancient spiritual practices, cutting-edge science, and physical fitness to empower individuals? From there, Men Of Letters was born. Read more>>

Clara Kaluderovic

Mitzi Perdue and I co-founded a nonprofit with the mission of building an AI model to provide therapy, interconnect care systems, and analyze regional data to improve mental health outcomes. Mitzi and I met at a speaking event. She was already deeply engaged in supporting Ukraine—famously auctioning her engagement ring for $1.2 million to donate to the Ukrainian police—and writing with sharp precision as a journalist about the toll of war. I mentioned, almost in passing, that I was Ukrainian. It was one of those moments that felt both incidental and inevitable. Read more>>

Isaac Poole

The idea for my creative services business came from a deeply personal place—my desire to tell stories that matter and connect with people on a human level. I grew up inspired by resilience, creativity, and the power of self-expression, particularly through my mother’s ability to create beauty and strength in the face of challenges. At 15, my cousin introduced me to photography, and it sparked something in me—a realization that I could use this medium to capture not just images, but emotions, narratives, and perspectives that often go unseen. Read more>>

Priya Grimes

After working at Ralphs for 10 years, I was forced to retire due to health complications that led me to undergo varicose vein surgery. Post-surgery, I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of what to do with all the extra time on my hands. That’s when my mom suggested I start a business or something that could not only keep me busy but also allow me to channel my creativity and passion into something meaningful. Read more>>

Mila Tenaglia

Being a freelancer often pushes you out of your comfort zone, and that’s something I’ve embraced fully. In my field, there are two key ways to work: crafting and editing a story from beginning to end or having an overarching view of the entire process. Both require a deep commitment to storytelling and organization. Read more>>

Liv Fox

Liv Fox Design started from my passion for creating spaces that truly support beauty and wellness professionals. As an esthetician and business owner, I know how important it is to work in a space that feels aligned with your brand—where everything flows and enhances both your work and the client experience. I knew I could fill a gap by offering a thoughtful, consultative approach—one that focuses on functionality, flow, and bringing a brand’s vision to life. What excites me most is seeing the transformation, not just in the space, but in how my clients feel—empowered, confident, and ready to thrive. Read more>>

Aleksandra Plewa

I always knew that I really enjoyed problem solving so when my partner told me that he needed more packaging materials for his e-commerce business, I got to work. Packaging materials are expensive, especially for a small business that has a limited budget. However, we are living in a time where social media plays a pretty big part in our lives. I had been a part of my local Buy Nothing Facebook group, in which community members would post free items that they might have lying around and are looking to get rid of them. I made my first #ISO (in search of) post and almost immediately received responses. Knowing that I could leverage more of these Facebook groups, I joined neighborhood pages and an environmental group. After a week of driving around my neighborhood and picking up free packaging materials, my closet was filled to the brim. Read more>>

Samantha And Alexandra Cooper

Alexandra and I have always been overly cautious about the toxins we allowed in our home, on our children and on our own bodies. We became frustrated by the lack of transparency in many companies’ products. Once we began diving deep into ingredients, we discovered that numerous products claiming to be “clean” sadly weren’t. Read more>>

Roderick Casadores

It started with my old roommate Michael, back in the spring of 2017 He knocked on my door, and told me that he had a vision. That he saw me owning my own small moving business, and that I will do great because I would provide great service to my clients, and to the community. I told Michael, my old roommate that he’s crazy. No one will hire me, no one will trust me moving their entire house, let alone a guy like me. But Michael was very persistent. I would always say no, that’s not gonna happen. After almost 5 months of going back, and forth with him telling me that I just need to do it. It ended up Michael just made me a business card, and would help me start the moving business moving forward., and name it MR. Move OC why is it called MR. Move? Well M is for Michael, funny thing is my brother’s name is also Michael, and R is for Roderick. combine the 2 letters you get MR. We do our moving business primarily in Orange County, and that what OC stands for. So, MR. Move OC was born. I gave it a try because Michael made the business cards for me for free, and I’ve got nothing to lose. Read more>>