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.

Daniel Cooley

In the midst of my real estate endeavors, fate led me to cross paths with Anthony Canapi, the visionary behind Bestman Matchmaking. What began as a me being a matchmaking client, soon evolved into a remarkable partnership that would forever change the course of my life. Read more>>

Erin Strunkey

The idea of Queen of Graphics began my sophomore year of college. As a Graphic Design major, it had always been a thought to start my own freelance business but for a while I was hesitant not knowing where to start. At the time I was pretty overwhelmed being a full-time student, working 2 jobs, and being active in clubs and sports on campus. Read more>>

Terrance Lee

I created The Introvert Leader brand in November of 2020. Prior to that, my career started in the Aerospace and Defense industry, and I found myself at a crossroads. I felt that my naturally introverted personality was keeping me from excelling in my career. Read more>>

Erin Mann

My idea started when I shared my elderberry syrup with my Mom’s Group I met with every week. They knew the health crisis my son had when he was 1 and what all I had shared to get him back on the right health track. Read more>>

Li Liu

The idea of starting a milk tea brand didn’t come to me overnight. It was more like a slow brew, growing from my love for milk tea and a deep appreciation for tea culture. Despite my background in spatial design, the thought of creating a place where people could enjoy truly authentic milk tea kept popping up in my mind. Read more>>

Dieula Previlon Previlon

The idea for my nonprofit ElevateHer International began long before I knew how to strategically and legally form a nonprofit. It began in the streets of Gonaives, Haiti where I saw dozens upon dozens of women entrepreneurs. Read more>>

Linda Pina

We love Oceanside. Oceanside was a restaurant desert for many years and did not have a good reputation. 13 years ago a restaurant named “Flying Pig” opened; then Privateer in South O, then restaurants started coming in with the breweries. Read more>>

Catryn Miller

Sweet Horizon kind of started in two phases. The first was as a lifestyle blog back in 2013, titled “Sweet Horizon”, where I wanted to share every aspect of my life as a young 20-something year old, fresh out of college, living with roommates and my dog, and trying to navigate adulthood. Read more>>

Evie Anglero

I Started from absolutely nothing, I had no technical knowledge of how to build or run a website or how to sell products online. I had to research everything step by step as I built up my business. Read more>>

Yolimar Hernandez

I would say this journey of mine started way before it was even in motion. I have always been one who procrastinates when it comes to myself, but in a normal work environment I get lost in making sure everything is done and on time. Read more>>

Savannah Mincey

I know it sounds cliche to say that I’ve been dreaming of this since I was young, but it’s true! 8th Grade Savannah in the small town of Wells, TX just decided one day that entrepreneurship was what she wanted to do and even in that moment I knew it would be through a boutique! Read more>>

Lillian Glanton

From my childhood, I have been deeply immersed in the music industry. My journey began at the age of 8, when I started composing songs and learning to play guitar. Gradually, my passion for music solidified, leading me to aspire to carve a niche for myself within the industry. Read more>>

Matthew Caserta

It all started in 2021. The world was somewhat getting back to normal after the pandemic, and it was time to get out and start over, at least for me it was. Our dog, Moon, turned one year old on Sept. 15th… I took my camera out and started making photos of her. Read more>>

Dylan Lorriman

Couch Apparel is a brand that I started during my senior year of high school. The idea first dawned upon me in the summer of 2016 just before the beginning of grade twelve. Read more>>

Jeni Smith

SliceAbility was created because we realize there is a very employABLE group of people living right here in our community who find it difficult to gain employment. We choose to celebrate the gifts and talents of our exceptional team of employees who have varing abilities and special needs. Read more>>

Christopher Hoffman

In the heart of small-town Ohio, amidst the humble beginnings of a small Appalachian village, my story took root. My childhood was a tapestry of challenges and resilience. From an early age, I was imbued with a spirit of service, finding my calling in seeking solutions—be it through the community-focused efforts of the Boy Scouts or addressing poverty with the Rotary Club. Read more>>

Hunter Ditch

When I joined social media, I found instant success and became an influencer almost overnight. After my newfound success, I became a mentor for social media within my entrepreneurial group. Read more>>

Arielle Caputo

In the intricate tapestry of life, where each thread weaves a unique story, there are those who dare to transcend conventional norms, overcoming hardships to craft a narrative of resilience, impact, and change. Read more>>

Jamie Grady

Launching my first business at 25 has definitely been the biggest learning experience for me. I had always had a dream that I would have my own cosmetics company, but no idea where to start. Read more>>

CAITLIN MOSS

Everything starts with an idea. Execution is the part where everyone gets stuck. We look at the tasks, the work, and, in the case of authors, the writing that has to actually get done in order to see said idea reach fruition. Read more>>

Chelsea Lisiecki

We had an idea to start an authentic, bronze extruded dried pasta company, so first we started in the kitchen. While Mike had been making pasta for decades, he never learned to dry pasta. Read more>>

Kendall Gilchrist

I started with a chance meeting of another Mom at a local park. In conversation I learned she was a psychic and Tarot Reader as a profession. Her name is Sarah. She sold items like sage and crystals. So we decided to share a booth at local events as I was into making crafts and jewelry. Read more>>

Jeremy Krauze

I’ve always been a highly visual and creative person. From audio engineering and music production to photography and graphic design. As a kid, I made flyers for bands and photographed them live or in studios. Read more>>

Aleina Radovan

I started my business by a happy accident during the height of the 2020 Covid Pandemic. I got laid off instantaneously from my event coordinating position at a boutique hotel in Los Angeles and realized quickly the corporate world isn’t so stable after all. Read more>>

Steve Hayer

My sister and I inherited our family cattle ranch. Although doing our best we quickly learned that cattle just do not pay the bills. We were looking for anything that would help subsidize our expenses and keep the ranch. Read more>>

Kirsten Leslie

I’ve always been drawn to color and light–I notice different color combinations, I can study art at modern art museums for hours, and I find and watch light reflections wherever I’m at. Read more>>

Tiffany Grant

For years ago, I embarked on a journey to start my own business, although the exact path was initially unclear. This journey coincided with my personal healing process, during which I became a certified Reiki practitioner. Read more>>

Emery Sumberlin

We started Gold Link Beard Company in 2018. My business partner (Broderick Williams), and I (Emery Sumberlin) both worked as Academic College Advisors for a high school in Texas. Read more>>

K Lobo

In motherhood, I realized how quickly life could become isolating. I realized that, as a young mom, I always felt like the odd one out. For the mom groups, I was too different – I was newly single and divorcing, at least 5 years younger than the other moms, and into streetwear and sneakers. Read more>>

Kirby Gilliam

I went to school to be a music educator, and after landing my first job as a highschool choral director, I quickly realized I was grossly underprared for the social/emotional needs of our public school students. Read more>>

Nakia Baker

I’ve always wanted my own sneakers and clothing line. I had such a fascination with sneakers that I just started collecting them. I had every pair of Jordans and Timberland’s Junior Field Boots with a couple of other fly fresh footwear. Read more>>

Jamahl Keyes

Jamahl Keyes was thrust into all of the business’s he currently has do to survival and taking advantage of his resources in times of need…(The Need Being Money) At the early age of 3 he saw his first Broadway Show and throughout the years grew a love and deep admiration for theater and speaking. Read more>>

Gina Schreck

Starting from an idea or dream and moving into execution and completion takes some specific steps and nerves of steal. #1, You must surround yourself with people who can encourage you and tell you that you can do it. Read more>>

Ryan Blatto

Back in 2019, I went to go see David Liebe Hart at a venue in my hometown of Buffalo, NY. Growing up watching him on [adult swim], I knew I had to get the VIP tickets so I had a chance at meeting him. Read more>>

Alphonza Hicks

1st it was coming up with a name that would set me apart from anyone. I was big on culture and the state of how my culture specifically was viewed or perceived. Read more>>

Arianna Henderson-Hatfield

It all started in elementary school. In choir class, the teacher announced that somebody was looking for two people to participate in an all women’s singing competition in Yakima. Read more>>