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.

Jabrelle Herbin

Maybe about 5 years ago I purchased a cannabis ointment/balm for back pain I was experiencing. At the time I was working a corporate job and felt a great deal of stress that would lead to physical pain sometimes. My back pain would flair up at the most random times so I carried the balm in my purse. One day I ran out of lipgloss at work. I can’t remember if I had actually ran out or if I just misplaced it. Either way, I decided to pull out my cannabis balm and use it temporarily. Because it wasn’t meant to be used as a lip balm, it would absorb very quickly and I would have to apply it often throughout the day. Read more>>

Daisha Truitt

I usually start my shoots by brainstorming raw ideas. The process begins with turning all of my ideas into pictures and putting them on a blank google doc. Then I pick out the perfect studio space, from there I match the best ideas to the studio space and let my creativity have a mind of its own. Figuring out that I wanted to be a photographer wasn’t hard at all, it came naturally. I’ve always had an eye for art, photos, etc, it was the only place where my creative mind could go free. Once I finally decided to go full force on photography , I decided to buy a Canon 50D. Read more>>

Lori Ruff

My degree is in Engineering. I’ve been an engineer most of my life. When I moved from Texas to Illinois and had my first child, I left the consulting firm I worked for and became and independent engineering consultant. Throughout the years I ran my consulting business while helping to run whatever parent/teacher organization was in place at my childrens’ schools. Read more>>

Alberto Battaglini

The idea to transform **PONY ESPRESSO** into **PONY COCKTAILS + KITCHEN** came from a realization that the business needed to evolve. l have builted a solid reputation with the café, but over time, I started to notice something. While the espresso side was steady, I saw a growing demand for a more complete dining and social experience—especially with the influx of wine tourists and locals wanting more than just coffee. That’s when the lightbulb went off: we needed to pivot, to expand, to create something that would capture the energy of the area in a whole new way. Read more>>

Joshpele Magic Schupak

My start to magic is a very interesting one a few years ago when I was on a trip to Milan, Italy, I was fidgeting with a deck of cards that I brought with me having no magic experience or background I didn’t think much of it, but suddenly an idea clicked and I came up with a very interesting card trick. I wasn’t sure if the trick made sense if it was a trick at all or if what I had in my mind had any merit in the real world so I began going to strangers around the streets of Milan, going to subways churches public areas, and performing the trick over and over to strangers who didn’t speak English, and I didn’t speak Italian, however, the response was resoundingly positive. Read more>>

Sharmila Hall

SMB Global Marketing (SMBGM) didn’t start as a grand plan—it started as something I loved doing in my spare time. Back in 2021, I was freelancing while working a full-time job. I offered services like website design, SEO, and branding to local businesses and even worked with a few international clients right from the start. With over a decade of experience working with global companies, I already understood the unique challenges businesses face when they want to grow—whether it’s standing out in their local community, connecting with multilingual audiences, or reaching new markets. Read more>>

Yolanda Navarro

I first started PiXieTouch Photo Booth in February 2019, but I didn’t just jump in. I always knew I wanted to have my own business of some sort. I put together a list of things I like and dislike, then pros and cons when I narrowed it down to entertainment. After doing much research and seeing photo booths at a few events I attended, I realized that’s what I wanted to invest in. Then it still took several more years before I actually started because I had a full time job. Well after getting laid off work three times in a row, is when I knew I had to have a backup plan to continue to bring in funds. Read more>>

Kevin Williams

Once upon a time, Kevin Williams and his good friend and fellow veteran, Jeffery , both experienced real estate investors, decided to combine their expertise and strengths to create WBH Property Acquisition. It all started with a shared passion for real estate and a desire to build something greater together.

The idea was born during a casual conversation, where Kevin and Jeffery realized that by joining forces, they could leverage their individual skills and resources to create a more robust and successful real estate investment business. The next steps were crucial in turning this idea into a reality. Read more>>

Hana Catlett

It all started in 2010, in the quiet corner of my room with a copy of Web Design for Dummies and a second-hand laptop. At the time, I had no formal training, no clear roadmap—just a curiosity that wouldn’t let go. I remember flipping through those pages, overwhelmed by the jargon, but determined to figure it out. I spent hours experimenting with basic HTML and CSS, building simple pages that probably looked amateur at best. But every pixel I aligned and every line of code I wrote sparked something deeper: the realization that I loved creating things that worked. Read more>>

Traci Moore

Executing ideas has always been one of my strengths. I’m a visual thinker, and the process of going from concept to reality starts with getting everything down on paper. I outline the steps, sketch out the vision, and start breaking the big picture into manageable pieces. That’s exactly how the Southern Pleasure Expo came to life. Read more>>

Buffy Ferguson

My business began with an opportunity to help a dear friend with his home. He was nearing the final stages of a major renovation, with his wedding and honeymoon just around the corner. I was brought on to complete the project – managing subcontractors, overseeing the installation of furnishings and artwork. I styled their decor and found a place for all their personal belongings from the previous home. By the time they returned from their honeymoon, their new home was fully move-in ready—a true turnkey experience. Read more>>

Maya Faulkner

I googled similar businesses, read customer reviews, and started identifying gaps in the market. I wanted to make sure there was a real need for what I was thinking about. At the same time, I started asking friends and family what they thought of the idea. Their feedback helped me refine it even further. Read more>>

Lana Reed

When I first became a yoga teacher, my only dream was to teach. I wanted to show up, share my passion, and leave knowing I had made a difference. For a long time, I believed that was all it took to succeed. But over the years, as I watched studios struggle to support their teachers and saw my own workshops and classes fail to fill up, I realized there was so much more to being a yoga teacher than just showing up. Read more>>

Timothy Covell

I spent the years immediately after college traveling, writing, and working odd jobs. My goal was always to become a screenwriter, but I didn’t really have an understanding of how to go about pursuing that. So after living in Brooklyn, for some time, I began writing web series and designing ARGs (Alternate Reality Games) for a small company that was trying new modes of storytelling. Read more>>

Kellie Bailey

It all started about a year ago in August, 2023. My husband Luke and I were out exploring a new town and tried out a local pizza place. We both ordered Calzones, they tasted great. However, as soon as I took a bite of mine I noticed something was slightly off. I said, “There is no ricotta cheese. This is not a Calzone, it is technically a Stromboli.” Luke just looks at me and goes “You need to be a food critic.” I definitely laughed it off because we make fun of each other all the time but Luke was actually being serious. He said, “You are adventurous, love trying new things and have a lot of knowledge about food and drinks. You should start making food review videos for all of the new places we try.” Read more>>

Demetrius Williams

I discovered my talent for doing taxes in February 2008, and although it was initially a side gig, I laid the groundwork for a promising future. When Covid hit in 2020, my commercial maintenance and janitorial business, which had five charter school contracts, was severely impacted as everything shut down, leaving me with a significant void to fill. My brother encouraged me to pivot and focus on doing taxes full time, and after conducting thorough research, I obtained the necessary licenses and certifications. I recall feeling a mix of nerves and determination, telling myself that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking this leap of faith. Read more>>

Suzie Lewis

I work hard, but I also play hard and it’s really important to me to achieve that elusive work-life balance. I offset my long hours in front of a screen with lots of physical exercise and movement, such as cycling, running and Pilates, and I am thoroughly enjoying once again being able to travel again and meet clients, colleagues, friends and family in person, something that I have missed terribly during COVID, so much do I value human interaction and connection. Read more>>

Janeeta Ellman

The idea of starting my own massage therapy business came to me during a particularly quiet moment in my life—a time when I realized I wanted more control over how I could help people heal and feel better. I’d always loved the idea of using my hands and knowledge to relieve pain and stress, and I wanted to create a space that was uniquely mine where people could feel completely cared for. Read more>>

Ninette Howell

When I first envisioned opening my ABA practice in Hays County, I was driven by a deep awareness of the unmet needs in the area. Families were traveling long distances to access services or going without, which often meant children weren’t getting the early intervention they desperately needed. Recognizing the gap, I knew it was time to take action—and the journey from idea to execution became one of the most fulfilling challenges of my career. Read more>>

Dr. Sharon Jones

I launched the Dottie Rose Foundation in February of 2018. As a high school computer science teacher, I began to see a decline in female representation in my computing classes and in the enrollment of the schools Information Technology academy. As I began to research, it was clear there was a disconnect between elementary and middle school and girls were losing interest in topics related to technology, science and math. Therefore I saw a need that needed to be addressed. Dottie Rose Foundation was created with a simple but powerful idea: to bridge the gap between young girls and the world of technology. I knew if we could show young ladies the connection between real life and things they loved to technology, we could create change. Read more>>

Dr Rita Renee

My journey to becoming an author and international speaker began as a quest to heal from the traumas of my childhood, experiences in church, and past relationships. It was a deeply personal mission that transformed into a professional calling, allowing me to reach and inspire others across the globe. Read more>>