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.

Eric Berman

My co-founder and I had worked together in a few past companies including a start-up OK Play, which was acquired by Dapper Labs where we worked on products with the NBA, NFL and Disney. During our experience together, we recognized we were incredibly complementary – Travis on all things product, game design and engineering and myself on all Business, Growth, Partnerships etc. So it really started with an alignment that we would be a solid duo. Our origin story comes from our experience learning the best way to build a products is to simply get it into consumers hands asap, then listen, learn and iterate from there. The only company value we hold sacred today is that “Feedback is a Gift!” Read more>>

Jessica Escarcega

It all began six years ago when I visited Tabasco for a chocolate workshop. I was taken aback by the community’s meticulous craftsmanship in chocolate-making. When I learned about the cost of their products, I realized that the pricing didn’t reflect the extensive work involved—from planting and harvesting to handcrafting the chocolate. In a light-hearted moment, I joked with the women, saying, “One day, we’ll sell this product together.” Fast forward to March 2023; I was living in San Diego, seeking job opportunities to increase my income. One day, I came across a post on social media from the Mexican Embassy in San Diego, inviting women with business ideas to apply. With chocolate still on my mind, I submitted my project. To my surprise, I was accepted into the “Mexicana Emprende” program in April, after interviews with the program coordinators. I couldn’t believe it—I had only an idea about selling chocolate and no knowledge of permits, business planning, or marketing! Read more>>

Al-shalei Washington

I always wanted to be a manager & Makeup Artist & one day I wrote all my ideas down an started executing one by one . I started in 2014 with doing mines & family faces a the one day I got the courage to start doing Clients and it’s be up from there . I always love music and Want to be in the industry as a SINGER, SONGWRITER and MANAGER -In 2016 I started managing my first client. I was a lil nerves but I went in it FULL FORCE AND EVER LOOK BACK & IM HERE TO WELCOME SLAYBYLAYMUA & FMC.Ent THA LABEL . Read more>>

Karli Auble

The journey to launching my business started in a completely unexpected direction. I was on track to start an MBA program because, as an executive in the defense industry, that’s the path everyone around me was following. I already had a master’s in Systems Engineering, and the MBA was seen as the next step for career growth. But something didn’t feel right. I’d been balancing a corporate career with my passion for supporting individuals, and that part of my life always brought me a sense of fulfillment. Everything changed when I started working with a coach. She encouraged me to look beyond what was expected of me and to find a path that truly aligned with my passions. It was during those conversations that coaching itself felt like home. I began exploring it more deeply and came across a master’s program in Positive Psychology, which piqued my interest. Positive psychology is all about helping people flourish, and it connected so beautifully to my experience in both my personal and professional life. Read more>>

Autumn Carter

The actual process of starting my business began with a clear moment of realization during my time back in school. I was working on finishing my undergrad degree and had taken a course called *The Helping Relationship*. It was in this class that I felt a strong pull toward coaching, as it opened my eyes to how deeply our wellness affects not only ourselves but those around us. The idea of helping others navigate their own wellness journey resonated with me, but at that point, I wasn’t entirely sure how to move forward with it. After the course, I confided in a friend about this calling, and she encouraged me to speak with her sister, who was already a life coach. That conversation was the spark that shifted everything. Suddenly, coaching wasn’t just an idea—it was something real and attainable. I saw how coaching could be transformative, and it was in that moment I decided to pursue it fully. I began by researching coaching certifications, looking at different programs, and identifying the path I wanted to take. Read more>>

Claire Berger

The idea my latest book, “How Much Is Enough? Getting More By Living With Less” came to me as I swam laps in at my neighborhood YMCA in March 2021 when pandemic safety protocols were still in place. Swimmers were only allowed to swim for thirty minutes, then required to hop out and give another swimmer their lane. Once the rules were lifted, swimmers could swim as long as they wanted, but I remained content to continue to swim for thirty minutes. When I started to question if thirty minutes was indeed enough exercise. I reflected on all the different aspects of my life where I questioned ‘how much is enough?’ I began to discuss the concept of ‘enough’ with others and realized this is a question everyone asks themselves multiple times a day about an array of topics without even realizing the self-judgement that accompanies it. I started to question whether this is a positive, constructive inner dialogue or negative, shaming self-talk. This became the thesis for my unique mash up or memoir and self help genres. Read more>>

Dr. Stacy Shepard

One night in my sleep God gave me a vision of owning my own business. I was and still am content in my career in education, but the pull for me to do more was there. After having that vision I began to do some research on black owned women businesses, and then I started to ask my friends who are business owners what it took for them to get started. Although I had those conversations, I could not just leave it at relying on others advice, I had to do the work myself. That meant digging deep to find out what I specifically was supposed to do in my business, and create a roadmap to get there. The roadmap started with focusing on why I wanted to start the business in the first place, and then created a plan of how I was going to get there. One thing I want to tell everyone, be super clear about your mission and vision because it will be a guiding force for you as you navigate being an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Marco Reis

I wanted to tell stories that took people to places they’d never seen before. I wasn’t just interested in being behind a camera or a desk. I wanted to shoot in remote, challenging locations that most wouldn’t even consider. That’s where the spark came from. The next step was figuring out how to make it real. I spent months researching everything from the right gear to the survival skills needed to thrive in extreme environments. It wasn’t just about being a good filmmaker—it was about being fully prepared for anything. I connected with experts, learned from people who work in these conditions, and invested in the right equipment that would let me be self-sufficient in the field. Read more>>

Christopher Castillo

The idea always stems from listening to a song. All the visual learning I did prior watching tons of films also adds to the inspiration. Right at the beginning it’s just a cloud of vapor ready to float away and disappear if I allow it to. That’s why the moment it comes through I must prioritize my creative energy into turning it into a reality. The next step is finding the location for the concept. Take simple photos of the area but also keeping composition into account from when you do the photoshoot. Lots of location scouting until a place just feels right. Next we look for the perfect model to encapsulate this dream. Instagram has always been the platform I use to network and reach out to models in regards to photoshoot concepts. Create a Pinterest board, or if you’re really feeling eager, an official mood board to get the idea across much easier. Send this to your model of choice with the exact idea you have in mind. Send a few reference photos to give a general idea as well as the location you would like to use. If they agree to it now take some time to go back and forth with the discussion of outfit, hair, makeup, and accessories. Lastly, set the date of execution that works for both of you and make this happen! Read more>>

Anjum Mariam

The beginning of every project is most exciting, akin to a blank canvas. With ideas bubbling as I understand the project and brief, I put them away and focus on research- diving deeper into an understanding the market, the situation, the product, needs, gathering information and more. Synthesising the research, new ideas come in and the unique narrative my design would take begins to grow. As I begin execution, I start with colour. I think with colour and grow my ideas from a spark of colour. I draw from the colour of the landscape, colours in nature and colours that inspire to create a palette that would enunciate the design. Once the blank canvas(figuritively speaking) is washed in colour, I go in with the details of the design. This stretch involves a lot of experimentation until the results feel right and feel effective. Most of what I design falls under the broader umbrella of visual communication and I give utmost importance to the story that design communicates, for a result that is most effective. Read more>>

Petar Dojranliev

Graphic designer with many years of experience. In 2018, the month of February, I activated the already existing upwork profile created back in the days of oDesk. I started working with a small hourly wage to break into the upwork labor market. After a short time, I gained a good circle of clients, and naturally, my hourly rate went up. In 2020, the pandemic started, and I had too much free time, work declined and I had to think of another way of income. Browsing the web I came across RedBubble, thought to myself a great platform for my creations. Soon I opened a shop and started without much thought, amateurish, without coming up with a shop name, or a brand, which I do professionally. After a few months, after seeing that my creations were in demand, I started thinking about how to shape them, taking into account the themes I work on. Thus TipTop GFX, RedBubble, and TeePublic stores were born. Stores with unique graphics designed for lovers of music, positivity, and love. Read more>>

Ariana Rodriguez-gitler

A few years ago, I left my full-time job. The pandemic was a huge factor, but I was also reeling from the loss of my dad after his long battle with cancer. Like many others, I was feeling less engaged and fulfilled in my work and had begun to question the path I was on and how I wanted to spend my life. To help me figure out my next steps, I decided to gift myself time away from work to recharge and reflect. (Two books I recommend that helped me in this time are: “Wintering: The Power of Rest & Retreat in Difficult Times” by Katherine May and “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman). I spent the next nine months recovering by reading, traveling, visiting family, and making art. I also gave myself space to reflect on my life and career with the help of more books: The Squiggly Career by Helen Tupper & Sarah Ellis and Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans. Read more>>

Emma Bonthius

Growing up, my younger sister has always been the entrepreneur of the family. Starting as a probably too young babysitter to a too young shift lead a the local fro-yo shop, she’s always had a way of going after what she wants. When she was in high school she started a photography business and I was not surprised when later in college she told me she wanted to start a magazine. I’ve always been so inspired by her ability to know what energizes her and turn it into her career. As a business student I was excited to help her pursue this dream. We sat at cafes talking through her ideas, brainstorming marketing plans, and slowly bringing her dream to life. When I was in college, one of my best friends and roommates started a sewing business, up-cycling clothes with one-of-a-kind patchwork designs. And again I felt inspired by her creativity and tenacity as she grew her business into the incredible success that it is to today. That’s when I realized my own dream. Read more>>

Dr. Lisa Dorsey

Before starting my second career as an author, I owned and operated a business in the healthcare industry. I quickly learned that my healthcare business skills and acumen could only take me so far in my career as an author. I felt like I was relegated to riding a tricycle again, and although I have two earned doctorates, I felt like I knew little to nothing. After overcoming that shock, I began studying and researching everything I could get my hands on about how to write a book, market and sell it, and run a business as an author. I chose a publisher who offered services that taught me every aspect of book publishing. This included honing in on my book idea, identifying my audience and market research, and the mechanics of writing, executing, launching, and publishing my book, including how to make multiple streams of income. I invested in mastermind classes to hone my skills and hired a coach to help me brand myself as an author. I also obtained paid help to design my author’s website and brand and develop lead magnets. From the time I decided to become an author to publication, it took me nineteen months. The universal business skill sets of financial management, accounting, budgeting, knowing tax requirements, federal, state, and local laws, and having an overall business plan was helpful for me in looking at my being a writer as a business, not a hobby. Marketing my book has been the most daunting task because it has me constantly evaluating who my audience is and how to find them and best serve their needs. I have to spend money to make money and continue to develop new products to gain and sustain success. Read more>>

Rob Janicke

It was early April 2020. I was in my backyard watching my dog play and thinking about how bizarre life was at that moment. We were living through a global pandemic, the likes of which we hadn’t seen in over a century, and no one knew how to act or what to do. Most of us were prisoners in our own homes, and with nothing to do but think, the mind tends to wander. Earlier in the day, the year 1991 was said on the radio and caught my attention. As a music fan, writer, and at the time, a record label owner, that specific year wields immense power in my mind. For myself and most of the Gen Xers out there, 1991 changed the world as we knew it forever. I was a freshman in college and before my first semester was over, Nirvana had exploded onto the scene, with Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden not too far behind. Music and popular culture would never be the same again. Upon hearing 1991 on that day, it made me go back to those times and I realized that the following year (2021) would be 30 years since that pivotal time in history began. It blew my mind that nearly three decades had passed and yet I still listen to and love that music and that so many aspects of my current life and personality were shaped all those years ago. If I felt that way, I knew millions of others had to as well. I went back into the house and began writing down the thoughts, feelings, and emotions this revelation had conjured up inside me. Read more>>

Rob Zazzali

My business partner, Justin Shilton, and I have been working in the entertainment industry for 25 years. We met each other in acting school and then pursued different careers within the industry–he wrote a number of scripts that were produced and was hired to direct projects as well. I was an executive producer and showrunner at a reality TV company. Two years ago, we joined forces and started our own production company. Previously we had learned that there are countless gatekeepers who decide if your project makes it to the screen. So we decided to shoot our own films and better control our access into the industry. Read more>>

Desean Neal

Thanks for pointing that out! Here’s an updated version to reflect that: The beginning of my skate brand came from a passion for skateboarding that slowly turned into a full-blown business. After moving to Mesquite, Texas, in 2019, St. Francis Skatepark became my local spot. Skating and documenting the skaters around me sparked something – I knew we could build something bigger around this community. So, I started filming tricks and posting them on Instagram, which is how the skate page started. But it wasn’t just about capturing the culture; I wanted to create something that represented it. Read more>>

Emily Roan

Well I would like to say that this business idea was something that was 20 years in the making from when I was a young child to now. I was raised by a Mom who LOVED arts and crafts and her mom, my Grammy, was also quite the crafter herself. My Mom always enjoyed attending the local craft shows and I was always in awe of the artisans selling their handmade goods, that’s when the seed was planted. I grew up loving all sorts of different methods of art, I painted a mural at my high school, took as many art classes as I could and learned as much as I could from my Mom/Grammy. Sadly they both passed when I was a teenager/in my early twenties so I didn’t get a lifetime of lessons but I did acquire my love for fiber arts and sewing from them. My Grammy, hand quilted 2 quilts for each of her grandchildren (she had 7!) and she also loved to crochet. My Mom was more of a hobby crafter, I giggle when I look around my home studio now at all my half finished art projects because my Mom was the same way, she would get really excited about one thing, start it, then proceed to get really excited about another project. LOL! Read more>>

Kdnae The Alchemist

I usually have most of my over the head lightbulb moment around excessive water( oceans, lakes, bayous, shower/bath time), late nights(10:30pm-5am), doing my breathing meditations, or exercising. Once I get that lightbulb moment I try to find the nearest pen(cil) & paper or phone to text the raw thought to myself. Second, I put my phone on my “editing” do not disturb & restrict certain apps on my devices to prevent any distractions. Thirdly, whenever I finally have time to, I sit down with a notebook or sticky notes(for physical jotting) & my iPhone or iPad(for digital jotting) & give myself an hour or two to brain dump, research, goal time frames so I don’t sit on the idea for too long, & list any details for future inquiring individuals. Lastly, I breathe in & out say Thank you Lord, asé & tend to my fruition. Read more>>