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.

 Jigalodeon Official

Jigalodeon was actually something one of my closest friends said to me as a joke and I fell in love immediately! Just like my nickname Jiggy, my close friends have major influence on my brand. Currently Jigalodeon is me, myself, and I. I do not sell products (yet), I more so have services. I am a fashion model, runway, print, commercial, as well as editorial. In addition, I am a social media influencer and have credentials in Fashion Merchandising and Social Media Management. Read more>>

Keri Bougie

SoChok Skinlove all began at the very beginning of 2021. Upon researching anti-aging skincare for myself, I began reading several Korean beauty books and was immediately drawn to their philosophy of healthy, cared-for skin. Simultaneously, I was looking for some clean skincare for my four younger children (all elementary aged).  Read more>>

Barbara Gerdeman

Creative Liberties was an idea that was born in the broom closet sized office my friend (and now business partner) Elizabeth Goodwill and I shared for many years at the Art Center Sarasota. It was a relationship that was either destined to fail or succeed. Happily for us, it was a success story, and we became great friends. In between doing our day-to-day work, we also had many discussions about possible businesses we could create together. We knew we worked together well and envisioned that someday we could have a creative business of our own. Read more>>

Leah Jordan

At 29 I decided to pack up my two young boys, our little scotty dog, everything we own and leave our hometown of Buffalo Ny to move out west to Denver, Colorado. I had visited my sister in Denver and was in love with the mountains and rivers of this sunny state. Business was so progressive, I would go back home after a visit and gush about how the roads were paved in gold and the sky was so blue like a Wylie E Coyote cartoon. When we arrived to live in Denver, I quickly had a rude awakening and learned that if I wanted to be able to afford to stay here that I better hustle. Read more>>

VAR540 Entertainment

As a collective, we all agreed that our top priority was to invest into Self-O.N.E. & record his 2nd album “No Trophies For Second”. Each song title created for the album was written on our infamous whiteboard and had to pass a rigorous grading process. Every song selected for the project had to exceed expectations. Early in the process, we decided to release a song & music video to test the temperature of his audience. Finding out his audience had a strong women presence, we figured the 1st single “Telly” should be the record we introduce to the public. Read more>>

Chesma McCoy

Chesma McCoy is an aspiring Author of OVERCOMER, (English and Spanish), BIG Girls Don’t Cry Story and Coloring Book, The Founder of Pastors’ Closet, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Christian LIFE Coach in Holistic Health and CEO/Owner of Kingdom Lifestyle N Apparel, LLC. Read more>>

Amel Kilic

I remember staying up until 6am the same day I had the idea to start GenTech Marketing working on developing the website and the business. So many people I know have ideas but a very few of them execute on it. I think that it is important to do it as soon as the idea comes to your head. Read more>>

Amy Jaramillo

I’ve toyed with the idea of starting my own HR Consulting company for years before I decided to execute. I think what was holding me back was that I had to first overcome my inner doubts. There is a level of imposters syndrome that occurs during this process. Can I actually do this? Do I have enough experience? Where do I even start? Who’s my target market? Read more>>

Khiari McAlpin-Knox

Before becoming a daycare owner, I was a school teacher for 7 years. I taught Pre-K in LaGrange, GA, 2nd grade in Auburn, Al, and 1st grade in Charlotte, NC. I attended Auburn University where I received my bachelors and masters in Elementary Education. During both undergrad and grad school, I worked part time at a daycare which is where I found my true passion for working with young children. Read more>>

Kevin Lewis (Aka Kfresh)

The idea for my business came after I saw the value in building something that gave others value and how useful it would be in having it cohesive with my passions. My business really started once I was situated in music, fashion, and digital art. I had taken the first step on this journey years before, when I had launched the “Kfresh” brand in order to find success in a saturated industry; to be uniquely known and regarded as in a league of my own with ambitious behavior. Read more>>

Rose Gaspard

I’ve wanted to be a writer for most of my life. I am a storyteller at heart. One of my earliest memories was staying up late telling my sister stories to help her sleep. A few years ago I found myself at an impasse. I decided to throw caution to the wind and follow my dreams. I wrote my first manuscript. I had a close friend beta read for me. Read more>>

Erica King

Going from an idea to execution can be mentally exhausting if you don’t have a solid plan in place. When I first started, I wrote down all my ideas. I followed Stephen Covey’s 4DX method. I began with the end in mind and created my W.O.W ( wildly important goal) then I created my X to Y, then for each goal, I created a LEAD measure, ( the bet) and I said, if I complete these three lead measures consistently, it will have an effect on my overall goal. So I followed that process over and over and I measured my success weekly. I also make my goals obtainable and realistic, which helps me with obtaining them easier. Read more>>

Renee Grant

I started my beauty business with a Mobile Boutique. I transformed a 12X6 trailer into a mini store on wheels. That business was called “So Glam Pretty” Mobile Boutique. I sold mainly accessories, makeup, bling, hats, sunglasses, and some beauty products. I participated in many vendor events throughout South Florida. It was very successful. But I wanted bigger and better for myself, so I decided to open an actual brick and mortar store. Read more>>

Amanda Yarbrough

A little back story about me, my husband and I had our first child at just 17 years old and I dropped out of school in the 11th grade. I went to cosmetology school at the advice of my mom and began down the path that would change my life forever. I started out as a licensed cosmetologist performing all services in a salon where I learned the art of sugaring, an all natural waxing alternative that is typically less painful, longer lasting and great for all skin types. Read more>>

Jennifer Meza

I had been doing a ton of graduation sessions for students at UNT and TWU but it wasn’t something I enjoyed doing, don’t get me wrong I loved being able to capture important milestones in someones life but I realized early on doing grad sessions just wasn’t for me. I was photographing at the same locations and it started to get repetitive. It wasn’t until a friend of a friend reached out to me to ask if I could photograph their small wedding for just an hour or two. Read more>>

Dorlene Pierre

The idea of me owning my own swimwear brand started when I was dancing for the NHL Florida Panthers in 2013. I initially wanted to do themed bikinis based on the sports team, at the time there was someone else doing the same exact concept and broke into that market before I did. I’ll be honest I was extremely discouraged and just took a step back to think what I really wanted to do. Read more>>

Shatonna Nelson

I originally began working towards a career in healthcare. Actually that is the bulk of my educational background. I always thought being a physician was my ultimate goal but it turned out to be a career in all things strategy and television respectively. Read more>>

Lady Trenette Wilson

In 2009, I had the vision to build an association of etiquette professionals who would help teach etiquette in urban communities. After researching and getting certified, I realized other agencies were not catering to urban communities. As a result, many were not getting the professional, social, and personal development they needed to be successful. My mission was clear, so, I began by writing a curriculum and building a website. Read more>>

Zion Bethel

I’m 24 years old & an entrepreneur with two businesses. I have always wanted to start my own business since I was young, but it was always a good idea that felt like an impossibility for me. At 22, my older brother, Santiago, ran his own business for a few years, & challenged me to finally take all my good ideas & actually put the rubber to the road. Read more>>

Gabriel Rovick

F4D Studio has been in business for 15 years. We have building a team of creatives to develop our business and bring our ideas to life. We started in a studio in the Rino Creative district and in the past 3 years have moved our offices to Golden Colorado. Upon moving offices the pandemic arrived. Me and the F4D Studio team worked hard to establish ourselves in the community of Golden by offering services to industries in need during the pandemic. We also Partnered with the Foothills art center to be their creative video partner in the Town of Golden. Read more>>

Chassity Felix

In May 2020, I was going through a rough patch and really needed money to feed my family. At this time I was only baking for my family and a few friends, but I wasn’t charging for my services because the thought of becoming a small business owner was just a dream. Read more>>

Klenny Mujica

My passion for baking began in my beautiful country Venezuela, I love baking for my children and my husband, they are my best judges.Due to the harsh situation in my country in 2015 I started making cakes and desserts to celebrate my children’s birthdays and I had very good reviews from my relatives so I kept doing it and I could never stop. Read more>>

MUTHA EARTH

Truthfully I say with any business do something you truly love, because getting revenue sometimes is a challenge. I am still doing everything out of my pocket. I know that GOD gave me this dream and vision for a reason.. This is where faith, commitment and determination comes in. I had a huge following from 2018-2020 at the time 443k followers on Instagram that eventually got hacked and deleted, Yes I was very upset and hurt it took me 4 years to grow that massive following.Do you know how it feels to feel like you have lost everything you worked so hard in. Read more>>

Milo Tarighi

It started with an idea to create a Physical Therapy App that would allow me, as a physical therapist, to reach and help more patients than I ever could as a traditional clinician. From the patient perspective, I met a patient that had a similar idea to improve the quality of their own experience with physical therapy. We began discussing this idea over a coffee, then began meeting regularly for over a year to brainstorm, develop, and plan the launch of this idea – ReBalance. Then Covid struck. Like the rest of the world, our meetings turned into remote meetings riddled with uncertainty. Read more>>

Jarvis Minton

I have a background in marketing from college and when I picked up the camera I found that there was a problem. The problem is an amateur photographer doesn’t have any clients, so to fix that problem, I start a marketing company with the idea to hire myself when the company needs media whether in Photography or Video. I didn’t start with t at first it was a long grind just to get to the point I am right now. Read more>>

Jacki Rosen

I was the owner of a thriving retail business that I loved dearly until I picked up my first paint brush and really knew the meaning of loving what you do. I was hooked. All of a sudden I didn’t want to focus on retail and all that entailed but wanted to express myself in a way I’ve never been able to before. Within 30 days time I sold my store and embarked on a “feel the fear and do it anyway” adventure. I moved into my very first studio with three months rent borrowed to see if I could make a go of being a professional artist and I haven’t looked back since. wake up happy and go to bed happy and fulfilled. Read more>>

Charles Bridges

I actually spent about 5 years making knives as a hobby before I made the leap to becoming a business. I had a few years of finding my talents and teaching myself what the balance of beauty and function really was. It all started when I watched a gentleman at a renaissance fair working a blacksmithing stall. He made it look so effortless. Read more>>

Tyler Boivin

Looking back, I can vividly see myself sitting in my second-grade classroom writing a story. It was moments before my teacher spoke to my soul, telling me she knew I would be an author one day. From that moment on, I set my sights on fulfilling this dream. As an adult, I took this idea and decided it was time to execute. I honed my skills, practiced, and took on random jobs to develop my craft and grow my knowledge of it. Read more>>