A dad can’t find a bakery to make a birthday cake that can accommodate his daughter’s allergy-related needs. Two freelancers realize they need a way to organize all of their client contracts and can’t find software that adequately handles their use case. Necessity is often hailed as the mother of innovation – but not all ideas come from necessity. Unfortunately, in our experience, often media coverage of the ideas that powered amazing businesses and projects often stops at a very superficial level. The founders noticed a need and boom – idea. Often the ideation process has a much longer, more complex story and so we’ve asked some entrepreneurs and creatives we admire to go into detail about their ideation stories.

Bayonle Arashi.

I have shared this story a few times but I am always excited whenever I have to do it again because it is my story and I know it is powerful and will make other people want to believe in their dreams and follow it. So it was the summer of 2014, as a soccer academy administrator and founder of Midas Football Academy, I have always made it necessary to give the kids that put in so much work on their training and development to have a chance and an avenue where they can showcase their talent and give themselves a chance to take their career to the next level, Read more>>

Christian Smith

Sackchasin Apparel came about in late 2020, It started off as me being curious to learn more about the fashion industry and seeing if I could bring my creative ideas to life. Once I started learning more and more it sparked a interest and and now I enjoy the process of it all Read more>>

Mac Love

I’ve always wanted to make art work. The idea of ART x LOVE began when I was very young and learned that my parents had given up on art to pursue more traditional and financially viable occupations. At an early age, I realized the challenge was really a cultural one, and that I’d have to do a lot of work, research, and advocacy to demonstrate the value of art as a creative profession. In college, Read more>>

Taylor and Sarah.

Post pandemic we were searching for something that would provide us with true happiness both professionally and personally. We felt scared, excited and ready to take our leap of faith towards our definition of freedom! It was a long time in the making but with our combined 10 years of experience we knew we could do it, especially together! Once we knew this was for real the next weeks and months were fully dedicated to bringing our vision to life in the heart of Kansas City! Read more>>

James Chang

Like everyone else I used to buy all my chili oil from the mass produced companies. The biggest issue for me doing this was always the indigestion that i had afterwards. Then one day i happened to look at the nutrition label and was shocked at how many preservatives and additives was in each jar of chili oil. This really set me down this rabbit hole of chili oil and experimentation. Growing up I always worked in my father’s various restaurants and learned a lot of the basics of cooking in a commercial kitchen. Read more>>

Stephanie Giacalone

I came up with the idea to start BLC during quarantine of the COVID-19 shutdown. By nature, I cannot sit still, so I turned quarantine into a giant creative project. I built a garage gym so I could continue my olympic weightlifting training. Due to a former back injury when I was a competitive gymnast, I get flare ups every so often. One of my flares started during quarantine. Being my stubborn self, I continued to train through the pain. Read more>>

Ekima Smith

Our journey to entrepreneurship began over 12 years ago when we began to plan our son’s first birthday party. I spent months locating a venue, selecting a theme, purchasing decorations, and contacting vendors etc. I recall saying to my husband “how cool would it be if there was place that provided a one-stop-shop for kids parties where everything was taken care of for us and all we had to do was show-up”. Read more>>

Ariana Jenkins.

I hear people all the time talk about how they would like to travel, I was actually one of those people. On Facebook, I saw a former teacher from high school going so many places and posting some really good deals. I was at a place in my life where I want to hustle and create as much wealth as I can. I’m a firm believer of working harder now so that when I get older I can have the lifestyle I dream of. Read more>>

Mitch Weathers.

I became a gifted teacher because he was a mediocre student. Growing up I rarely felt comfortable in the classroom. In fact, it took me 7 years to finish my undergraduate courses and graduate from college. Choosing to become a teacher, I was fortunate enough to experience my K12 schooling and my undergrad work as if it was happening all around me. I distinctly recall feeling unsure of how to jump into my learning with confidence. There is a loneliness to experiencing your education as a passive object as opposed to an active subject. Read more>>

Jackie Osborne

When I started RatherBee, we were in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. My husband, Banks, and I had moved to Knoxville in May 2022 after we had both just graduated college and gotten married. I thought it would be a breeze to find a job as a graphic designer as I had the experience and knew that I had the eye and the skills for it. However, it quickly become clear that it wasn’t going to be easy to find a job. Read more>>

Christina Leung

I graduated with an undergraduate degree with a B.S in Accounting (Truman State Univeristy in Kirksville Missouri) and I worked for CPA and accounting firms basically tracking expenditures and explaining company finanical successes or failures. In a way I was interverviwing each company every day and what and how they met their goals and what and how they missed them. I would have meetings with the department heads or business owners regarding their company numbers and I got to hear their thoughts throughout the year how decisions were made and how that factored into their bottom line. Read more>>

Friendship Formulas LLC.

We started out working as Inclusion specialists for programs centered around children with special needs. We saw a need of social and emotional skills for students with and without disabilities. From there, we launched our social skills program for children who have challenges with communicating with peers, regulating emotions, creating friendships, and many other social/emotional skills that need to be practiced outside of the classroom setting. We also saw a need for resources for parents and teachers on how to properly handle challenging behaviors and proactively teach positive behavior in the home and school setting. Read more>>

Aimee Tank.

I have always been a crafty and creative person. I am very visual and also quite particular about design in my home interior, clothing, party planning, etc. So when I became pregnant and found out I was having a daughter, I immediately became excited at all the possibilities for her nursery design and clothing. However, I was quite underwhelmed with choices in traditional retail stores. I started to explore more unique, handmade options for nursery decor and baby clothing/accessories at online retailers. Read more>>

Danny Suriel

For starters I wouldn’t say that I came up with the idea I went to Utica College to study journalism and I was really passionate about becoming an anchor shortly after getting in front of the camera I had a major meltdown they made me notice that being in front of the camera just wasn’t for me Thank God for one of my great professors that I’m still in contact with till this day instructed and you know guided me into shooting behind the camera at first Read more>>

Leo Chan

Innovation is a buzzword. It’s used often but few know how to actually innovate. 75% of companies say innovation is important, but only 20% are ready and equipped to actually innovate. I worked in Corporate Innovation for two really large US companies prior to going out on my own. I started realizing how powerful innovation was in my last Corporate innovation role at Chick-fil-A HQ. I was responsible to create a culture of innovation and develop innovators in the organization. I transformed regular employees into confident innovators. Read more>>

Lauren Riordan

My first 3 births were very medicalized and I felt that I had no one to help me advocate for myself or teach me that I actually had options. Having my fourth child was a completely different story. I felt more educated and listened to. During my birth, my midwife stayed with me the entire time and just the presence of another woman in the room meant the world to me! I felt more relaxed and confident. After my daughter’s delivery, I realized that I wanted to do that for other families! Read more>>

Reagan Dixon.

I started bartending back in 2015, I was studying for my graduate degree in HR, when I met a gentleman who bartended at a restaurant I was eating at. He too was studying for his graduate degree and bartending on the side. I had always had a fascination with being a bartender. I am friendly, and outspoken, I work in HR, so I know how to read people pretty well. Bartending to me seemed fun, it was something that was stress-free, and you didn’t have to take your work home at night. I had a friend who was a bartender, offer me a job at a local dive. I would work the Karaoke hour for regulars who would come in. There I learned to make a lot of drinks. The tips were great, and people seemed to really like me. Read more>>

Sandra Resch

Growing up I always dreamed of designing beautiful clothes for women. This is probably because my Mother, Jessica Resch is a fashion designer. She got a start designing dresses by doing bridal alterations first. When I was a kid I got to go to her shop all the time after school and I would see her work with brides on their wedding dresses and even design some from scratch all on her own. Read more>>

Jena Poston

One night during the pandemic I had a vision about having my own empire. I thought of different ways of how I could make this happen. I knew working for myself was the only option. The idea of generational wealth became a concept I wanted to go after so I began thinking about starting my own business. In the summer of 2021 I launched Jenaration Marketing. The idea started because I was a first generation when I attended University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Read more>>

Brandie Johnson

Starting a business is a whirlwind. I didn’t know what I was doing, weddings, couples, families, I accepted any client that was recommended to me because I knew that photos were so important for people to have tangible evidence that their life was magical. However, I often felt out of place at these events. I was beyond excited for these people, but it never felt like I could give them what other photographers could because I was an outsider. Read more>>

T Hayes

Coming up with Mommies Melodies was very easy to me. Motherhood is such a universal language no matter where you come from, how much money you make, your education background or the lifestyle you live if you are a mother we all can relate. Creating this safe space for women to be more than mommies was very important to me once I realized I wasn’t the only one feeling lost in my title as a mom. Women have been having babies since the beginning of time and will continue to do so, so there will always be a safe space needed for moms to just be free, to be supported, to be celebrated and loved for more than just being a mom. Read more>>

Maya Owens

My business is multifaceted and does a number of things. I host events to bring moms of color together through the Mom Tribe, where we connect through our journey of motherhood. I am also a business consultant, helping small brands connect with their audiences. I first came up with my business idea because as a PR professional with over 10 years experience, I have a keen understanding of what it takes to brand your business well, and get key messages to your audiences. Read more>>

Nichelle Polston.

The story behind HerNormal is empowering. Unfortunately, my online magazine didn’t start off that way, it was called something else. Here’s why: At one time, I thought I had life all figured out and planned. I checked-off college, a lucrative career and marriage, in what I thought was a timely manner. In my early thirties, I was ready to check one more thing off my list- a child. I was ready to expand my family but my husband and I were met with hurdles and fertility challenges. Read more>>

Joey Tracy

Becoming a small farm owner and fiber artist and the results of a pandemic and being a crazy animal lover. I just needed a day to myself. The original plan was to spend a night in a hotel, all alone. Being a larger expense than necessary, my husband offered to take me to an alpaca farm for a tour. I love animals and had never met an alpaca. A great compromise for my husband and for me. Read more>>

Chrishea Sanders

This company was created out of a need for organic skincare products that cater to all skin types. This business is based on my dream to provide a affordable and viable solution to a decades old problem. Eczema and dry skin are so common in today’s society. If you ask anyone who has eczema, about the products to use, they will most often tell you that the products don’t smell like anything if they are moisturizing or if they have a fragrance it doesn’t moisturize very well. Read more>>

Coco Styles

As a tall woman, who struggled with finding clothes to fit my body type, I was sure other women had the same style dilemma as I did so, I decided to start a styling company to help women like me who struggled to be stylish with their work and leisure wear. With thousands of brands popping up left and right, you would think one would cater to women, but that’s not the case. Most brands do not cater to tall women. They cater to average-size women or plus-size women, but not tall. It’s a constant struggle, but once I figured out the secret sauce, I had to share it. Read more>>

Bracquel Beachner

Fashion has always been a part of my life, but I had never looked at it as a profitable career, nor did I know it was possible. Since a young age, I remember sitting in class and all I could think about was clothes and how to put different clothes together to make a fire outfit for whatever occasion I had coming up. I struggle with mental illness, so creating fashion became an outlet for me. A blank canvas, as you will. I watched YouTube videos on how to tie-dye, sew, rework and design. Read more>>

Suran Yoo.

Silk or Lace began with my personal journey being diagnosed with alopecia. It first began during my junior year of college when I lost half my head of hair, which was a tough time being in your early 20’s and still trying to figure out your womanhood. I grappled with finding confidence in my outer appearance while trying to find a solution for my hair loss. Read more>>

Maryna Papiashvili

Baking was always my passion, I loved cooking and baking since I was 10. I was making cakes for my family at first, but one day my girlfriend asked if I could make a cake for her. That`s how my business started. I became quite popular in my city and was making orders after my regular work. In 2020 I came to USA with Fiancé visa (I’m from Ukraine). My husband persuaded me to start a bakery business, I didn`t believe I could do that here though. And here we are) Read more>>

Brian Duncan

After retirement from NYC Parks Capital Project Division, I needed a “hands on” way to remain connected to designing and building. Creating Live-edge River Tables met both of those requirements. “Exclusivity” – I was excited by the opportunity to combine live-edge wood slabs with vibrant colors which allows me to create pieces that are guaranteed to be unique, one-of-a-kind items. I think that people are attracted to owning pieces that are exclusive so, I take the time to listen to my customers and try to see their vision before any design decisions are made. Read more>>

Bunmi Emenanjo.

When I was about ten years old, I picked up my first copy of Famous Five by Enid Blyton. I was transported into this English world full of adventure, mystery, and family complete with English tea and biscuits. And I. Was. Hooked! I eagerly awaited the availability of the next book in the series, as they were passed down from friends who were fortunate enough to afford and have access to these books. Read more>>

Deijha Gordon

It all started with my first visit to Africa, Ghana specifically. Coming here for the first time was magical. It was an experience I’ve never imagined, one that’s unexplainable but it changed my life forever. After visiting for the first time I saw opportunity and the potential. I thought there’s so much that can be done here. Returning back to the states made me feel off. After having such a vibrant full of life experience in Ghana, I went back to the US to just go to work! Ghana was on my mind heavily and I remember having a vision or day dreaming about me being back in Ghana. Read more>>

Brushae Stinson

Podcasting, it’s honestly a funny story on how all of this came to be. In the beginning, a co worker at the time now friend and I was discussing starting a podcast. It wasn’t supposed to be a solo show, but everything happens for a reason, right? This was back in 2019. Initially, it was going to be an entertainment kind of show. However, once I realized I would be doing this solo it kind of took a turn. I was in a funny space in my life, at the time, I was on my self discovery journey. Read more>>

Lea Camp

It wasn’t a single idea or moment that created Sweet Peach Weddings. Instead, it was years of working for a bridal store + jewelry store and planning their fashion shows, being in charge of an entire sorority’s social events, being an overly organized teacher and planning school wide dances + staff events, planning my own wedding, helping dear friends plan their weddings, and a lot of other tiny events in between. The experience of event planning in different situations for years set up a business I wasn’t even aware was coming. Finally, Sweet Peach was officially born thanks to a very persuasive and trusting bride + groom in May 2017. Read more>>

Katie Horan.

All Bodies, All Brides started as a creative way to merge my interests and return home for the summer! After completing my first year at Princeton University, I knew I needed to return home to my family and my community. My father passed away in March of my spring semester and it was important to me that I was able to spend time with my mother and my brother intentionally and wholeheartedly to heal and encourage eachother. My brother, Mark, is my biggest supporter and number one fan. Read more>>

CLIFTON SHERROD

Fire n Smoke was birth out of preparing delicious food for friends and family. I started posting pictures on social media and preparing lunches for my coworkers. I quickly realized there was a demand for my offering. My wife encouraged me to enter into the Theta Mu Mu Cooking Ques, I entered my Award-Winning Seafood Lasagna and received 1st place for the main entree. This inspired me to officially launch Fire n Smoke, LLC in the fall of 2019. We a broad catering menu. Smoked brisket, salmon, crab cakes and balls, pulled pork and chicken, and ribs just to name a few. Read more>>