Going from idea to execution isn’t easy. Part of the difficulty is that often there is no playbook to follow and while we can’t offer a playbook either, we wanted to create a space where aspiring entrepreneurs could read the stories of how some very smart, very thoughtful entrepreneurs form the community got started. Aliki Ko …

Our children are our future. Education is at the heart at developing their skills and abilities and yet year after year we hear about the degrading state of our educational system. Our nation has spent trillions of dollars on failed programs that research and experts had promised would work. Achievement gaps persist, performance declines are…

Having new or innovative ideas is essential to pushing the world forward and so we asked the community to share stories of the most innovative things they’ve done in their career. Our hope is to inspire folks who think only scientists or tech-wizards can innovate – innovation is possible for everyone, regardless of job title…

Establishing your own firm or practice is an incredibly daunting task. From myriad of legal and regulatory hurdles to the financial and career related risks, professionals who choose to start their own firm have to overcome so much and so we wanted to reach out to those who've done it successfully for advice, insight and…

We’ve always tried to ask the questions that matter but that are too awkward for people to ask their friends, family and coworkers without seeming dramatic. One of those questions is about mission and purpose – when’s the last time you asked a friend what their mission was? Too often we don’t talk about our…

Our Storytime series is based on the premise that stories are one of the most powerful ways to learn and so this series explores topics we think matter greatly to the success of small business owners and artists and creatives. One of those topics is showing customers that you appreciate them because there is a…

What’s your view on asking friends and family to support your brand? We asked members of the community to open up and share their views on this controversial topic. Check out some highlights below. Jordin Taylor Baking cakes was always a fun hobby to me. Something to take the stress away. My friends and family were…

Do you run or work for a family business? If so, we’d love to hear from you for our family business series. In this series, you’ll find insights, stories and a discussion of the pros and cons of family businesses. Brian Riemer Why a Stewardship Culture is Essential to the Multiple Generational Success of a Family…

The number one thing we hear from entrepreneurs and artists and creatives when we ask them about their education is about how irrelevant it was to their story. Sure, some folks had wonderful educational experiences, but for many their experiences left them feeling ill prepared for life and their careers. So, we wanted to create…

One of the most creative parts of starting something new is finding a name and it’s also one of the most challenging. Below, you’ll find the stories of how various successful brands, creators and entrepreneurs came up with their names. Sarah Wells The name of my business, Swell Design, was a happy accident. Before I branched…