Coming up with an idea for a business or creative project can feel exhilarating. Inspiration for a new idea can come from so many places and we’ve asked some great folks from the community to share their stories of how they came up with their ideas.

 

Lina Hagstrom

The story of my company Sunday Child Entertainment is personal, yet universal. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to have my own production company, but I’ve always believed that the foundation of any business should be a solid idea. I didn’t want to just start a company – I wanted to build something with purpose. Sunday Child Entertainment grew out of two passions: telling stories that matter and preserving the moments that define us. The production house side of the business focuses on creating indie comedies and dramas for global audiences. I’ve always felt there’s an appetite for movies about heroes who don’t wear capes – stories rooted in everyday lives, where the struggles, triumphs, and relationships feel real. There’s something transformative about watching a story on screen and thinking, “That could be me” or “I know someone like that.” These are the kinds of films I want to bring to life – cinematic experiences that feel intimate but resonate universally and take the viewer on an emotional journey. Read more>>

David Armstrong

I had been helping a friend start a business from the ground up and got bit by the homebrewing bug. With an increasing interest in craft beer, my friend had suggested I open a shop. So I began to develop a plan to open a Craft Beer store, which then developed into a Wine/Beer/Cigar Shop. At the time (2008) there was not a boutique bottle shop in High Point and only a few in the Triad area, so I thought I could meet this need! We opened in 2009 and expanded our space and products, adding wine in 2010. Fast forward to 2014 after another expansion in our shopping center, Wine became a big focus for us. With a unique selection of products our shop filled a niche in our community of bringing in smaller production beer and wine to an ever growing customer base. Read more>>

Jital Pancholi

The idea for Oncore Physical Therapy wasn’t something I had planned for years. In fact, I never imagined I would be a business owner. But sometimes, purpose calls you in unexpected ways. I’ve always been deeply passionate about healthcare, but I knew I wanted to focus on an area that’s often overlooked—pelvic health. This is a field that’s shrouded in stigma and silence, even though it impacts people’s lives in profound ways. I’ve seen how issues like bladder control, bowel dysfunction, pain, and pelvic pressure can erode a person’s confidence, relationships, and overall quality of life. These are problems that people often endure quietly, feeling embarrassed or ashamed to seek help. I knew that had to change. Read more>>

Gina VanTimmeren

I was in college studying Fashion Merchandising and Design when I had the opportunity to do an internship in London. During my time there, I discovered charming boutiques for the very first time. I was captivated by the concept—each store was thoughtfully curated, offering a unique and intimate shopping experience. It sparked something in me. Many of the boutiques I visited had a higher price point, but I envisioned bringing this idea back home with a more accessible, moderate price range. Over 20 years ago, there weren’t many (if any) boutiques in our area, and downtown Grand Rapids was just beginning its revitalization. After graduating, I saw the perfect opportunity to bring my concept to life. Read more>>

Becca Locke

When I started in real estate during the 2005/2006 boom, it seemed like everyone was jumping into the industry. Financing was easy to secure, and homes were selling quickly. At the time, I was a self-employed musician who had struggled to buy my first home. Watching others qualify effortlessly for multiple properties was eye-opening, and as a parent of young children, I realized I needed a more secure future. I made the leap into real estate, determined to create a foundation for retirement and build a portfolio of investment properties. Read more>>

Lashay Mitchell

The world has changed dramatically since my childhood, with advancements in technology, robotics in healthcare, and the influence of social media. Embracing change is a positive thing; it signifies growth. As a budding entrepreneur from Kansas City, Missouri, I believe that More Lashay’s is on its way to becoming a household name. The change I mentioned earlier is part of my journey, and it feels wonderful. In 2017, doctors warned that I might not live to see days like these. Despite enduring countless needles, tubes, ICU stays, and 18 major surgeries, I remained focused on my purpose and what God had in store for me. Read more>>

Sara Connell

I wanted to be a writer for most of my life. I filled dozens of journals with poetry, drawings and short stories. I read obsessively. I waited for the day a teacher would take me aside and tell me I was destined to be a writer the way it happened in the books I read and movies I watched. That never happened. I believed I needed someone to give me permission to pursue my dream and when I didn’t get it, I went to University and then took a job in advertising. I entered the marketing field at the height of the Me Too era. As a single woman supporting myself, I felt trapped and the trauma and stress took me into a full blown physical and mental health crisis. I began to feel like I would die if I kept going to that office. On a particularly awful day where I’d been assaulted at a work event, I was flying back to Chicago from Boston and I “randomly” grabbed a book in the airport bookstore. Read more>>

Meghan Wolfgram

The idea for SwiftPaws came from my love for pets and a realization that there weren’t enough accessible ways for dogs to get both mental and physical enrichment. Back in 2011, I discovered the sport of lure coursing and immediately saw how much dogs loved it. It brought out their natural instincts in a way that was fun and engaging, but the equipment was expensive and events where you could participate in the sport were hard to find—especially in Florida, where I lived. Read more>>

Araceli Soriano

Towards the end of 2016 I started having unexplained symptoms pop-up. They were affecting my everyday life, and my quality of life was impacted. I went to the Dr., and they gave me medications, which subsided the symptoms. But in the spring of 2017, all the symptoms’ times 100 showed up in what seemed like overnight. Waking up bent over in excruciating pain and crying over it because I couldn’t get out of bed, made me call off of work. Over the course of 2 weeks I was in the ER three different times and would leave the ER without an answer to my problem and only with a referral to see a specialist. The next day wasn’t as pretty. It took a few days to get another appointment into the Dr. and then the pains were too much I asked for a week of vacation. Everyone thought I was truly going on vacation. Instead, I was dosed off and high on pills that the days seemed to blend in and mirror one another. My week was up, and I was back at work and 10 pounds lighter. This was the beginning of hell. Read more>>