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.

Austin Keith

Time freedom is a major factor when it comes to building a new career. Before Photography I worked as a professional barber is Los Angeles. Even though I was ready for a transition, having stable work and flexibility is what allowed me to take steps forward with photography. Barbering afforded me my first camera, a schedule I could manipulate, conversations with interesting people to spark inspiration, access to models so I could practice photography skills, and a stable income while I learned the business side of being a photographer. Read more>>

Dylan Peterson

Simple – I was in the army for 16 years and held some very important positions and had to make difficult decisions leading soldiers in life and death situations . Been responsible for millions of dollars. One of the most important thing growing through the ranks in the military to become a great leader you need to be a good follower. Going into my last year in the army I got severely hurt in ranger school ( broke my hip) which ended my career and medically forced to retire . I had a very imprecise resume to find a job in which I did very quick but realized working for someone became difficult because my standards were so high ! So I took the chance and started scorpion asphalt and concrete and just believed in my mission to be successful! Read more>>

Sofie Whitfield

It all started with an estate sale in 2021. My husband brought home an LED light therapy mask as a surprise gift, though at first, I had no idea what it was – a Halloween prop? Some strange gadget? But a quick Google search revealed it was an advanced LED mask, and I learned about the incredible benefits of LED therapy for skin. Dealing with acne and combination skin myself, I was eager to try it. Soon, I saw dramatic changes: my acne diminished, scars faded, and even my fine lines softened. I was hooked! But as I continued using it, the mask’s limitations became clear – it was bulky, needed to stay plugged in, and sometimes glitched. With a new baby and limited time, it just wasn’t practical anymore. Read more>>

Izi Chinchay

It’s Is all about taking consistent baby steps daily. Over and over again, no matter how I felt about it just taking steps in the right direction not perfect steps not fancy steps just steps in the right direction. Coming up with a legitimate plan to replace my income from corporate so that I could escape the 9 to 5 and build something I was proud of. Read more>>

Eric Tjahyadi

Our restaurant is a labor of love. The initial idea of creating our space was born out of Chef Erwin’s (my brother and business partner) desire to really stretch his creative skills and return back into cooking foods we grew up with. We were operating a taco business for a few years and were running out of steam in terms of motivation and inspiration, this business was intended to be the answer to jumpstart our passion again. And that it did. Read more>>

Denise Vigil

I first discovered Body Sculpting after a workout class when another girl shared her results with me. She was thrilled with her new look after the treatment, and I was unaware that such options were available. A few years later, I stumbled upon a small beauty spa offering these services. I scheduled a few sessions and was impressed with the results. These treatments have not only boosted my confidence but have also aided in maintaining consistency with my diet and exercise routine. I discovered several training programs that instruct on how to administer these treatments to others and how to establish a small business centered on these services. Read more>>

Jonathan Gordon

Going into business for myself was always going to be my path, but the actual story unfolded differently than I would have anticipated if you had asked me about my goals more than a decade ago. After my first business closed due to Hurricane Sandy (that’s a much, much longer and more involved story for another time), I went back to school for Interior Design. I expected that I would do what most of the students did – study, get an internship, graduate, and get a job. Of course, reality works out differently than expectations. I did study and work hard in my classes, but I was unable to get an internship, a part time job, or even an unpaid gig fetching coffee for designers. Nobody wanted me, I didn’t “look the part” of a designer. Read more>>

Borui Jiang

When an idea first comes to me, there’s this spark—a feeling that something new could actually happen. That spark is everything; it fills me with hope and passion. I can see the potential right away, and I want to dive in. My process usually starts with small, experimental samples. For example, if I want to test the contrast between two materials, I’ll start by using just a tiny piece of each. This is my way of exploring: I see how these materials interact, if they work together the way I envisioned, and how much I need to achieve the effect I’m after. Sometimes, the results surprise me; things might not go exactly as I planned, and that leads me to problem-solve. I explore solutions, think about alternative approaches, and let myself learn from any obstacles. Read more>>

Anastasiia Shulha

My journey to starting a business began long before it actually launched. I knew from the age of 15 that I wanted to create something of my own, but it took a long path to make it happen. I’m from Ukraine, and everything started on the day the war began. For the first month, my family and I lived outside the city due to heavy shelling; it was safer there, but I knew that living this way was unsustainable. One day, I was offered the opportunity to study in France, and that’s where my story began, along with my first attempts at building a business. France was an important stage of my growth, where I began to explore yoga and its impact on mental and physical well-being. But I realized I needed to move forward, and when the opportunity arose, I relocated to America. Read more>>

Josh Fertel

I was diagnosed with a malignant Thymoma tumor in April of 2021. I was going to be housebound for 2 months after my surgery on 6/15/21. I didn’t want to waste the time and wanted to learn something new. Something on the healthcare field. Being too old to go to medical school, I wanted to learn about the business side of a medical practice. So I took a class on insurance billing. After my two months was up, I wanted to see what I could do with what I learned. So I formed a corporation, built a website and started networking. Three and a half years later, we have 6 US employees and 7 overseas. We service 30+ practices across 6 states Read more>>

Vasheti Quiros

Imagine leading a nonprofit that feels like a dream come true—then suddenly, everything changes. That was my reality in September 2018 when a routine vision test uncovered a brain tumor the size of a grapefruit. Within two weeks, I was preparing for surgery, leaving behind ambitious fundraising goals and projects. The surgery was just the beginning. As I faced months of intensive recovery, I found myself rethinking everything, from my health to my life’s purpose. I knew that if I wanted to thrive, not just survive, a profound change was necessary. Read more>>