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.

Brandon Cole

I have been a photographer for over a decade. As a black photographer, the climb to profession was a challenge being afforded the same opportunities as other photographers as far as contracts, ambassador relations and more. I have been a flash photographer for about 6 years. I learned along time ago in order for you to achieve a uniqueness in your photos and take your skill to another level you must learn flash and lighting. Read more>>

Mackenzie Jorns

It all started back in spring 2020, the world was in the midst of the beginning of the pandemic, I just had our first son and after years and years of giving friends and friends of friends skincare advice, I built a website to conduct virtual skincare routine consultations. My site was simple, but the concept really resonated with people. When I went back to my high pressure executive day job after maternity leave, Read more>>

Dawn Grady

I was in my 20s when I was first inspired to make jewelry. I was invited to attend a Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration in Atlanta, and it was a formal affair. I knew the other attendees would be a mix of the wealthy and politically connected, and I did NOT want my outfit to disappoint. Read more>>

Shay McCray

Well I always knew I wanted to own a shoe boutique just didn’t know when, what or how. So one day I was hosting a women’s panel in Las Vegas September 2019 and as I was introducing myself I told them I was also a shoe boutique owner. Now at this point I had no name but I knew what it took to open up the boutique. When I left there is when I created the name Le’ Shay Boutique (meaning The Shay Boutique). Read more>>

EnJanae’ Taylor

I went to LSU to study fashion merchandising. It was my first major and for me, it was a no-brainer. I have loved fashion and wanted to work in the fashion industry for as long as I could remember. During my second semester, I took a general education class called introduction to mass media. It covered a little bit of everything that would be taught in the Manship School of Mass Communication, and after a few classes, I knew I wanted to pursue writing as well. Read more>>

Josh Washington

The first time I visited Montreal, Canada, my cousin took me on a tour around his neighborhood. I walked around excited to be in a new country and city. Although my cousin was accustomed to the scenery, I was not. We were about a football field away from his apartment when I noticed a cool alley with graffiti. The alley immediately captured my attention, but my cousin had never noticed it. Read more>>

Katherine A Young

When a woman is pregnant, there are a plethora of emotions felt throughout the journey. From joy, to an array of questions peeling back layers of curiosity, anxiety, excitement, and even tears: this special journey gives space to it all. I remember my husband and I being very intentional when I carried both of my children to immerse ourselves in as much love, hope, joy, peace, and positive support we could stand. Read more>>

Liz August

My entire business is built around the logistics of going from idea to execution. In 2015 I opened a professional organization company and had no idea what I was doing. I had seen an episode of Hoarders and thought, “I could do that!” I created a website, got some friends to let me organize their homes for free in exchange for photos, and I was on my way. Read more>>

Betsy Botsford

I got the idea of starting Point of Light Photo a long time ago when I was 15 years old. I was visiting Seattle. It was my first time in the “big city.” As a small town girl from New Mexico I was blown away by the culture and energy of the city. But along side the glamor and excitement was the sad underbelly of city life: homelessness. Read more>>

Arianna Gonzalez

I got my start in the Music Business through education. I’ve been creating and performing all my life – but when I attended Full Sail University and engulfed myself with learning the industry, that’s when I gained skills and confidence to put myself out there. Read more>>

Martin Olson

I’m a comedy writer. I was one of the lucky ones since I didn’t have to go through the crucible of the sitcom format to establish a career. Read more>>

Christina Parker

The Made Shop was made during a very hard time in my life I was selling on Etsy full time ( I just quit my corporate) Etsy permanently closed my account I had no where to sell. I applied to be part of other store in Chicago w no luck and no time. I went to grab some ice cream at a local shop and next door was for rent. Read more>>

Kimberly Evans

It started with a previous partner and 10 months of research and development. That partnership ended and I felt passionate about continuing the journey because I knew I was right where I was supposed to be. Within the first 30 days of launching as a solo founder and my baby Just Her in 2020, I had raised my firt 25K and was ready to go. Read more>>

Katherine Genova

I’ve always enjoyed baking for fun, and I’ve always been good at it. I’ve had friends in the past tell me that I should try and sell my desserts at farmers markets and to neighbors, and it was always just “a bug in my ear.” However, when my county started to adopt educational programs that had completed lessons already made for me, I found myself using my baked goods as the means for my creative outlet. Read more>>

Devin Tinson

Beauty school was coming to an end, and everyone had ideas of what they wanted to pursue once school ended. I had just started to focus on lashing two months prior to school ending. I wasn’t very good at all, but i was determined to get better. The determination of wanting to get better kept me focused as I grew. As time passed on, I saw myself getting better with repetition and the lengthy process of it became my new therapy. Read more>>

Anthony Osuna

I had been working with food for a couple of years before coming up with the idea. One day a couple of my buddies asked me to make a cheesecake and with that being my favorite dessert, I said “hey, why not!” I had never made a cheesecake before so it was my first attempt, but I already placed so much love into my work I had no doubts I would successfully make a cheesecake. Read more>>

KRISSY ALLEGRA

How did I actually get started – short answer, COVID. Long answer, well – up until this point of curation to the business (January 2021), I have been in the Event Planning industry for just under 10 years. I had been working for Los Angeles based Event Venues, and found my heart in working with the clients. Took my years to really identify that I love the client based side; Read more>>

Kali Gordon

As a meditator I began a regular seated practice around 2015, I was going through some big changes and realized the immense positive impact the practice of meditation was having on me. It wasn’t until 2017 that I felt a pull to really start a business of my own in the wellness space and focus on meditation and mindfulness and how I could bring it to others. Read more>>

Raven McCall

I started my business in 2020 after getting laid off secondary to the Coronavirus Pandemic. After 3 months of being unemployed, I began to travel and visit family during my downtime and decided to visit my aunt. At this time she was making her own body butters and I thought that was pretty cool and interesting. Read more>>

Derwinisha Alford

This is an excellent question. GTFCREEP LLC was first thought of as “Creepy” due to being bullied in high school. People would say “Derwin, you’re so creepy” because I was observant, watching everything. That was 2013, it wasn’t until early 2015, that creepy was shortened to Creep and I created the first logo. Fast forward to 2017, my senior year of high school, I took an art class and it totally peaked my passion for abstract art. Read more>>

Adino Belton

Going From Idea to Execution I spent a few years working for Hospitality and customer friendly companies. During my time being an employee, I further learned how to communicate, empathize and interact with a various amount of people, some from different cultures. I owe those years to crafting me in being able to carry that same customer friendly environment to the business I own today. Read more>>

Dellanee Nicole

I remember graduating high school and before I graduated I was doing hair on the side for my friends at school. My Grandmother asked if I wanted to go to hair school and I was thinking it won’t be so bad so yes I’ll go. I completed hair school not having the slightest idea what I wanted to do next. After passing state board I still had no idea what I wanted to do so I got a job. Throughout the years I would take clients and do their hair and I was getting established by word of mouth. Read more>>

Andrea Doss

Like many other creatives, I discovered an interest in photography when I was little. I got my first camera in high school, started practicing and learning, and eventually realized I wanted to make a career out of it. It took me some time to determine what I enjoyed photographing most, and after my first wedding at 19, I instantly knew working with couples was the right path for me. Read more>>

Dubraska Rapio

Having personalized gifts has always made me feel very happy. In my life also choosing gifts for other people that made them feel unique and special also caused me a lot of happiness. I am a Venezuelan immigrant and I have lived in New York City since 2017. All my life I have worked in banking services oriented to give advice to people in order to financially contribute personal well-being and progress to their companies. Read more>>

Nikki Harris

When I first moved to Atlanta, my background was in education. I spent 15 years teaching Art to students through APS and private tutoring and helping them channel their inner creativity. I was passionate about what I was doing but it also took time away from my personal journey. Read more>>

Joseph Baldwin

How I came about my interest for photography and launching my business started out as a podcast. My primary goal was to create a space for local artist and business owners to have platform to promote their business and tell their story. I believe everyone has a unique story to tell. Secondly, I wanted to address and bring about awareness to mental health issues. Read more>>

Frederick Privette

I came up with the idea of the Smorz Krunch from my then seven your old daughter. She was in summer day camp and s’mores were the subject of the day in school. When I picked her up from camp she asked could we make s’mores. We stopped by the store on the way home and picked up the supplies. Read more>>

Jacqueline DeLeon

3 years ago no one was an influencer or had a versatile blog in Bucks County PA. I craved so much more from social media, a platform to support & highlight local businesses, connect people, share places & events, spirituality, family, sobriety, & humor. 4 months into creating “Bucks County Mama” on Instagram, Covid hit the world. It quickly turned into people are terrified and feel alone. I kept my mission, & blogged 2 years, charging zero money, just helping my community. Read more>>

Cancer Cartel

As three cancer survivors, we knew that our purpose in life went beyond our careers. We wanted to use our experience with cancer to create something powerful and inspiring for others who faced the same financial struggles we did. Read more>>

Dr. Cynthia Davis

The word ALERT continued to take resident in my mind. ALERT, ALERT, ALERT! I would hear those words all the time. As I continued to think about, meditate on, and inquire of the Lord about, I realize that ALERT was the name of my company. Soon after that revelation, I also realized that it was an acronym. ALERT stands for Abundant Life: Education, Renewal of the Mind, Teaching and Training. Read more>>

Mea Allman

After attending a cultural event I realized that there was a general lack of cultural knowledge or ignorance of their cultural heritage. Being from the Caribbean, it’s so important to know your cultural history so that you can understand who you are, and the historical perspective of our heritage. Read more>>