Starting a business or creative project is scary for many reasons, but one that is often overlooked is the anxiety related to whether this is really “the one.” To some, this isn’t a valid consideration while to others this is the only consideration. Some argue that what you work on, along with who you work with are the two most pivotal decisions you’ll make and so we’ve asked folks to tell us about how they came up with their ideas and how they knew this idea was the one.

Cassie Furler

I’ve always been an athlete and growing up in high school I wanted to play every sport I could. In middle school I wanted to play tackle football and my parents said nope on a rope. Fast forward my senior year in high school I got asked to play in the powder puff flag football juniors vs seniors game. I fell in love with the game and continued to keep playing. Read more>>

Pamela Ewing

I had been a Marketing Manager for a country, who when I started working with them, they were completely unknown. It took a lot of work, including early morning beginning at 4am sometimes, as well as serious collaboration, but within a few years, people started recognizing the brand. I went through various aspects of climbing the ladder, including becoming the country’s Director of Industry. After what seemed like a lifetime, I decided to leave. Read more>>

Melanie Shaw

I live along the Eastside Beltline Trail in Atlanta, surrounded by vibrant street art around the city. Every day, hundreds of people visit and stream by my porch-walking, skating, and biking on the trail. There is this amazing energy that results. One day, I drew a hopscotch on the paved path. All day, I saw people disrupt their excursions to jump and play. The smiles, the laughs – were infectious. I wanted to tap into that joy. I was reminded of a Brian Eno quote, “children learn through play, but adults play through art.” I wanted to find ways to bring art to others – to build community and spread delight. Read more>>

Roman Shelkovnikov

My name is Roman Shelkovnikov, and together with my wife Anna, we run a small family business here in Georgia. We design and build custom wood accent walls, fireplace features, and interior carpentry that bring warmth and character into people’s homes. But our story started long before our first client in the U.S. Read more>>

Brandon Telg

I grew up in the Gainesville community but I often say that I became who I am as a member of the Gainesville music scene. I connected with the music and arts community in high school. Meeting all of these incredible people opened my mind up to new ways of interacting with the world and with others. Because of what this community has meant to me, I’ve worked hard to give back to it. In other words, I try to leave it better than I found it. Read more>>

Marlaina Morris

It all started when my husband asked me to paint a Pokémon on a pair of shoes for him. He loved them so much he posted to all his social media platforms and everyone went crazy for them! I started getting calls and messages requesting to paint more from all over the country. I offer a unique aspect to painting shoes, though there are so many other amazing artists out there, I make all my shoes one of a kind. No stencils, duplicates, or airbrushing. All painting are hand drawn and painted one of a kind even if they are on the same themes as others. Each customer has their pair as the only one of its kind in that design in the world! Read more>>

Kiera Ogden

When I was 8 years old my parents took me into New York City to see a Broadway play. On our walk we passed giant store windows filled with all the most beautiful things an 8 year old, fashion obsessed girl could want. One window caught my eye in particular and set my now life, into motion. A spectacular window filled with billowing white wedding gowns. I turned to my parents and told them – “thats what I am going to do when I grow up!”. They asked me “sell wedding gowns?”. I told them no – I am going to make them. From that day forward I began teaching myself to sew with the help of a dear friends Colombian mother (my mother couldn’t sew a button on a shirt). Read more>>

Gregory & Tyler Ingersoll

Dreamhouse Salon was born from a childhood dream that was bigger than just owning a business—it was about owning a piece of the magic we’d admired growing up. You see, we both grew up on opposite sides of the country but shared one unique dream: owning a Barbie Dreamhouse. Not because we just loved the toy, but because Barbie represented so much more—confidence, kindness, fearlessness, and the freedom to be whoever you wanted. Read more>>

Melissa Klatt

I started MK Events after one too many experiences in the workplace made it clear that motherhood was seen as a liability, not a strength. I had spent years in customer-facing and hospitality roles — spaces where multitasking, emotional intelligence, and stamina were essential. But when I became a mom, I quickly realized how unforgiving and inflexible those environments could be. I knew I had more to offer, and I wanted to build something that didn’t force me to choose between being a present parent and a driven professional. Read more>>

Josh, Zach Absher

Josh – I came up with the idea of the Dead Yeti Tattoo Studio in 2018. I had been working in finance in some form for over 10 years. During those ten years I had realized this was not a career I wanted to continue and I always longed to be self employed. The question was, what could I create that would provide a true living for myself and family? In 2017 I started getting heavily tattooed. During this time I observed multiple tattoo artist and shop owners interacting with clients as they worked. I made a point to become tattooed by many different artists and tattoo shops to get a grasp of this environment. I realized this business is in high demand if done right. Coming from a business background in college I began planning the early stages of how this could work. Read more>>

Crystal Hardy

We’ve always loved wine. My wine palette improved over time during my travels while serving in the military in Germany and California. I retired from the Army and then retired from Federal Service. I was looking for something to add to my family ranch I own with my two daughters. I thought wine would be great! They, too, are veterans and a great love for good wine. We were invited by a family member, who also makes wine, to Sonoma County for a visit during his bottling. He introduced me to a wonderful wine maker. I tasted her wines, we talked, joked; it was a perfect fit. Right then, the dream ignited!  Read more>>

Jasmine Frink

Funny enough, I didn’t, my first Sales Manager at a Fox affiliate in Columbia, SC did. His name was Scott, and I’ll never forget him or how he gave me the nickname “Maverick.” It was because I had never done anything the traditional way. While the rest of the sales team followed the script, I was over here flipping the page, rewriting the story, and doing my own thing. At first, I was lowkey offended (like… sir?!), but then I Googled it….” an independent-minded person who refuses to conform.” I was like… oh, so me. Read more>>

Alisa McGlothlin

The decision to start our business was deeply personal for both my husband and me. It all began with my husband’s passion for sports and fitness, which ultimately led him to successfully manage his diabetes through lifestyle changes. Despite the lack of support from his doctor, who only seemed to recommend more insulin, he was able to eliminate the need for insulin entirely through exercise and diet. On the other hand, I was facing the prospect of sinus surgery due to a persistent blockage that severely impacted my ability to breathe. Desperate for a solution, I discovered halotherapy and decided to give it a try. After just a few sessions in our Halo Sauna, I experienced significant relief and was able to avoid surgery altogether. Read more>>

Kathryn Arceneaux

After 21 years of professionally working with both adults and children with severe disabled children as a counselor and a social worker, I knew it was time for a change. My previous occupation was very rewarding and I did great work however it was emotionally draining and the work was affecting me in my personal life and mental health. Read more>>

Amy Piumarta

Since moving to Barcelona with my family, I’ve always been self-employed and worked for myself. I come from the beauty therapy industry, where I was constantly surrounded by women, working in teams full of female energy. So when I moved abroad, everything changed. I stepped into a completely new season of life, living in a foreign country, becoming a mother, raising two sons, and being in a home where I was the only female. Read more>>

Paris Ross

Since I was old enough to remember, I’ve been in a kitchen. Whether with my grandfather, aunt, dad or Big Mama. Cooking and baking have always been a labor of love to me. It gave me a sense of accomplishment to watch people enjoy my cakes or even a simple meal like stir fry. Read more>>

Jess Druey

In 2020, I was 22 years old, working in video production in Los Angeles, with zero connections (or even real interest) in wine. But one night, I was asked to bring a bottle of wine to a first date. I walked into Whole Foods, stood in the wine aisle—lost, confused, and overwhelmed. I had no idea what to pick. Wine education doesn’t exist for people who don’t grow up around it—so how was I supposed to learn? Read more>>

Aspen Buckingham

Overture Games started during a pretty rough patch in my relationship with music. I was totally burned out—classical training, perfectionism, competition… all of it had drained the joy out of something I used to love. One night, just to make myself feel something again, I threw together this ridiculous little game where you had to hit the right intervals to dodge lasers. It was messy, it was funny—and weirdly, it worked. I was learning again. For the first time in a while, music felt fun. Read more>>

Deena Pelton

I always had an interest in art. So I always have been interested in the paint and sip industry. After I had my daughter I started painting again and after a week I realized this was the happiest I felt in a long time and wanted to share this feeling with others. I started researching more about paint and sip industry and I found a few places teaching people how to earn income teaching paint parties and I was hooked. I jumped right in. Read more>>

Marilyn Quinones

I came up with the idea for Seli Han Skincare during my journey with cancer. After being diagnosed with metastatic papillary thyroid cancer in 2016, I realized the importance of taking care of my skin and body. I never saw my skin as an organ but my diagnosis made me understand my body better. I realized our skin is an organ that needs to be fed quality ingredients just like the body. I started exploring with natural, vegan-friendly products and discovered the benefits of fair trade shea, kokum, sal, and cocoa butters along with plant based oils in soothing and reducing the visibility of my surgical scar. Read more>>

Patricia Siegel

I’ve studied sports science for half a decade in Germany and specialize in rehabilitation & prevention.
Three years ago I became pregnant with my baby girl and ended up having a very traumatic birth experience that took over 57 hours of labor.
The consequences for my pelvic floor were significant and even though I was a semi-professional runner and triathlete, I still experienced incontinence almost two years postpartum. Read more>>

Kelvin Nelson

My lifelong passion for baseball led me to consider entrepreneurship early on. During high school, a close friend and I frequently discussed the idea of foregoing traditional college paths to establish a wood baseball bat manufacturing company. While we researched necessary equipment, the concept remained largely aspirational. Read more>>

Jesse Herron

Painted Lady Bed & Brew is a twist on the traditional bed and breakfast concept. It’s actually the first of its kind in New Mexico and still one of only a few in the entire country. The property itself dates back to 1881. It was originally a brothel and saloon with a pretty colorful past. There are stories tied to Billy the Kid, hidden rooms, rumors of buried money and even ghosts. Read more>>

Dina Pizzolla

I was sitting at the kitchen counter—coffee mug in one hand, pen in the other—jotting down whatever came to mind. Life was pulling me in a new direction. I had an idea of where it was headed, but I wasn’t quite sure how it would all take shape. Read more>>

Erin Eber

I’ve been a singer my entire life and music has always been my way to connect inward. But when i was a teenager, health challenges began to affect my voice, shaking my confidence and pushing me to heal my voice and body, I dove into exploring various healing modalities, I became a student and practitioner of many healing arts. Read more>>

Amelia English

I used to run a brick-and-mortar consignment store in my East Coast hometown in Massachusetts. I loved connecting with women in the community and giving clothes a second life—but what I kept hearing from customers over and over was that they felt disappointed by how little their clothing was reselling for. Beautiful, well-made pieces they’d invested in were suddenly worth next to nothing, simply because they weren’t brand-new. They were frustrated, and rightfully so. Read more>>

Claudia Vazquez

It wasn’t one of those lightning-bolt moments. It was more like a slow, spiritual download that came after years of being the go-to tech girl for everyone around me. I’d spent over a decade in the tech world—coding, managing products, building software, freelancing—and somewhere along the way, I realized I was solving the same problems over and over: business owners were drowning in tech overwhelm. Read more>>

Esenam Asembri

On November 28th, 2023, our world shattered when my husband was found unresponsive. Suddenly, I became the sole parent to our two children, then 11 and 12. While our family rallied around my husband’s care, my father’s health deteriorated quickly and we lost him just three weeks later, on December 18th. Read more>>

Kayne Richardson

I was placed in a woodshop class by accident in my 9th grade year and i enjoyed it. It also happened to be that my mother is a event designer and so i started building her props i eventually got so good at it i decided i should make a business and start making my services public to anyone in need. Read more>>

KAITLYN KOHN GODBEE

In 2008, I was in my junior year of high school. For our end-of-year final, we had something called Junior Exhibition, where we had to choose a career path, break down what it takes to succeed in that field, and present it to a panel of teachers. While none of us were expected to have our futures figured out, the project gave us space to explore what life might look like after graduation. Some of my classmates chose careers in business, the trades, or entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Jasmine Rodriguez-Wagner

As a former overwaterer of house plants, I decided to dive deeper into the health and composition of the soil, which I had learned was essential in growing an outdoor garden. When I first started out with bringing plants indoors, the only care I knew how to provide was watering, and I could tell I was missing something. My goal was to have a beautiful, lush and thriving collection. I did the research and conducted various experiments to determine the premium mixture for our soils! This methodology carried on into finding, sourcing and formulating all of our plant essentials. Being a plant parent means you’re on a continuous journey of learning and we aim to continue to build that community so we can grow together! Read more>>

Emelia Nwokobia

The idea for SlayedLocks was born during my time working in an oncology clinic, where I saw firsthand how chemotherapy and radiation affected not just my patients’ health, but also their sense of identity. Many of my clients, from diverse ethnic backgrounds, experienced unexpected changes in their hair texture, or complete hair loss, which deeply impacted their confidence. Read more>>