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.

Tamar Fowler

Born out of a shared passion for cigars, we recognized the growing demand for cigar experiences, from newcomers to seasoned aficionados, in recent years. After considering the overhead costs of a traditional brick-and-mortar location—we decided to take a more innovative approach. In 2023, His and Herz LLC, doing business as STX Mobile Cigar Lounge, was established as a mobile solution to meet the needs of the modern cigar enthusiast. Read more>>

Shayla Moore

I always wanted to be a business owner but at times it did seem so far fetched. After graduating from Cosmetology school I ran into so many young black women in business which increased my desire to have my own. What I would say to anybody in my shoes or wanting to start a business please don’t lose that hunger. While being in business for yourself is hard , it’s the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do for yourself. You owe it to yourself to try. Make that step to move the idea to reality with discipline and dedication. Never give up or forget the “Why” on why you started in the first place. Read more>>

Kristin Marquet

After being laid off from my corporate consulting job, I remember the day the idea hit me during a late-night brainstorm session at my favorite local coffee shop. I was scribbling on a napkin about how brands missed that authentic, human touch, and something just clicked. The next day, I dove into research, scouring the market to see what was already out there and talking to a few trusted peers about my vision. Their excitement was contagious, and it confirmed that there was a real need for a more genuine approach to brand storytelling. Read more>>

Jennifer Martin

When I started Reset Your Nest, I knew that I had a passion for home organization and making phones functional and beautiful place to live that invited peace and calm. I didn’t know exactly what that would look like, I initially thought that my services would include staging homes in preparation for listing and simple home styling projects. Though I am not very tech savvy, I figured out how to set up the website on my own, a friend gifted me a photo shoot so that I could have some beautiful pictures taken of organization in my own home as examples of my work, I paid $7 to Fiverr to create a logo and my girlfriends helped come up with the name Reset Your Nest. Within a few weeks, I was up and running and announcing to the world that I was now a professional home organizer. Read more>>

Nile Fortner

I’ve always been obsessed with stories. Whether it’s the latest local news, a blockbuster movie, a binge-worthy TV series, or a captivating book, I’ve always been drawn to the way stories are told and how they connect with audiences. From the structure of a great narrative to its impact on marketing and branding, storytelling has always been my passion. Read more>>

Malorie Evens

I had always loved growing things since I was a little girl. Whether flowers or food, the immense excitement that came from growing something was the same. And anyone who has ever had a productive garden is probably familiar with the joy of sharing pieces of it with others–sharing flower seeds with a friend, or leaving a paper bag of fresh tomatoes when you have far too many to consume on your own–it’s truly special. Read more>>

Candice Young

The journey to founding Trek Relief didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a backpack, a sense of adventure, and a desire to make a difference.

After graduating from college, I spent years backpacking through Southeast Asia, funding my travels by working as a Fisheries Observer on commercial fishing boats in Alaska. It was an unconventional lifestyle, but one that fueled my love for exploration, connection, and new experiences. Read more>>

Camila Franco

This idea was born 6 years ago, with zero experience nor guidance on how to execute, it was in the back of my mind for 5 years. I thought it was just an idea but never envisioned it bringing it to life. I graduated college and got a corporate job in finance. I was there for 3 years until I was unexpectedly terminated. During these years, I would always daydream and even built a pinterest board. But i never verbally shared this with anyone. I got a canva account and designed a quick and low quality logo after researching for days on what I would call my “someday” acai shop. My termination was my little push, I started focusing and doing a bit more research. I ended up enrolling in a 10-week business plan course, before the end of this course I signed a lease to our first store front. I had very minimal savings and funding, but I knew I would find a way. Read more>>

Devin Epps

Primetime Hospitality Group officially started in the Winter of 2023 as a way for athletes and sports executives to efficiently source private chefs for various needs. Still, the seeds for this business were planted well before any food hit the fire. Basketball has always been a huge part of my life, and the idea began during my collegiate career at the University of South Alabama to make some extra money in the off-season. At the time, there was no NIL for college athletes, and the budget for non-scholarship players, such as myself, was only for the necessities! Read more>>

Deepika Gopalakrishnan

With a shortage of masks, PPE, and a lack of effective disinfection systems in place, the hospitals in India were facing a massive challenge. COVID was rapidly spreading in hospitals, and 14% of all COVID patients were healthcare workers. Being very close to the problem since my father is a healthcare professional, I really wanted to contribute and use my skills as a designer to solve a real world problem. If not me, who? If not now, when? I found other engineers and designers who shared my vision and started collaborating with them. Read more>>

Bogdana Velykodna

For me, the process begins with a clear vision in my mind of how I want to photograph the subject. I take into account the person’s style and features, which guide my decisions on whether the photoshoot should be indoors or outdoors, vibrant or more minimalist in tone. I’ve curated albums on Instagram and Pinterest filled with images that inspire me, so once I have a client, I scroll through my saved collections to find ideas that align with their personality and the purpose of the shoot. Read more>>

Adriana Grassi-mosley

The concept for our business arose organically from our current jobs and volunteer work up to this point.

I am a professional dog trainer with a deep passion for dogs. I have worked with several shelters and non-profit organizations to improve the lives of these animals. It’s through this work that I met my partner, Sandice Thrasher.

Sandice has consistently done amazing things in the community, helping dogs get adopted and raising funds for those in need. We quickly became friends, bonding over our shared passion for canine welfare. Read more>>

Cynthia Martinez & Jeanette Miranda

Cynthia and Jeanette’s story began through the power of social media—a simple connection that led to something much bigger than they ever imagined. Jeanette had invited Cynthia to be a guest on her podcast, Rooted in Her, where they instantly clicked over their shared passion for empowering women. That’s when Cynthia shared her vision for Taboo Talks: Latina Edition—a platform where Latinas could have raw, real, and unfiltered conversations about the things that often go unspoken in our culture. Read more>>

Lauren Green

I got my first customer at a 420-friendly pop-up in Las Vegas. As I was explaining my product and its uses to people passing by my booth, I nearly caused a traffic jam—I was one of the first tables near the entrance! Then, a 420 party bus pulled up to the event, and just like that, I completely sold out of my THC-infused edible panties. Read more>>