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.

Rich Lyke

After more than 20 years in the event industry, I had seen firsthand the challenges event planners faced when trying to find rental services that matched the high standards of their clients. Whether it was for luxury brands like Montblanc, Louis Vuitton, or top-tier venues, the available options often fell short in terms of customization and quality. I knew there was a significant gap in the market for rental services that could offer unique, custom pieces to elevate events. Around that time, I met Artur, who had over 7 years of experience in crafting custom furniture. We quickly realized we shared the same vision for the event industry—creating something truly special by blending his craftsmanship with my understanding of what event planners needed. That’s when we decided to partner up and launch Vogue Rentals. Read more>>

Minka Djurasevic

The idea for my creative services business was born out of a lifelong love for art and design, combined with a deep curiosity about what makes brands resonate with people. Growing up, I was always drawn to visuals—how a logo could evoke trust or how a color palette could make something feel luxurious or approachable. The defining moment for me came during my early days as an art director when I worked on projects that showcased the transformative power of cohesive branding. One particular project, a rebrand for a local community organization, solidified my passion. Witnessing their excitement when the new identity connected with their audience was deeply rewarding. Read more>>

Gina Daley

Honestly our business concept was born out of a need. The typical mainstream fitness industry excludes anyone that has previous injuries, doesn’t fit into the typical “fitness” aesthetic, wants to feel safe, beginners, seniors, people in different sized bodies, and on and on. In addition to not actually being accessible to the folks who really need it, most gyms and health centers scratch the surface at helping people actually change. I’ve been a “root cause” hobbyist since I was a teen, and once I started training, I saw the glaring holes in the advice that was being given. So, I used my knowledge of root causes of pain and illness, and created a system that walks any and every body step by step towards feeling better in their body. Read more>>

Mike Jigande

The idea for my creative services business came about almost by accident, but in the best way possible. As a model, music producer, and UGC creator, I was already juggling multiple creative worlds, and it hit me one day: why not combine all of these passions into something that could help brands tell their stories more authentically? It wasn’t like I woke up and thought, “I’m going to change the world with some epic Instagram content or TikTok content although, let’s be real, that would be cool. Read more>>

Lexi Janis

My Journey to Founding Amore Influence Backstory: I was balancing a full-time corporate role in influencer and media relations at a public relations agency while also running my personal brand on Instagram (@lexandthecity____). By day, I was mastering the intricacies of influencer marketing for world-renowned brands like Toyota, Impossible Foods, Danone, Groupon, and Lexus. By night, I was building my own presence as an influencer, taking on brand partnerships of my own and forging connections with other creators who saw me as both a peer and a resource. Read more>>

Priscila Pantosin

Peachy Esthetics started because of my own struggle with acne. I have been dealing with acne since I was 16. As a teen and young adult, I was always struggling to find the correct skincare and treatments for my acne prone sensitive skin. During this time, I was so self conscious about my skin and would use makeup and my hair to cover my face. In my early 20s, my Australian friend, Jessica, suggested I try Korean skincare and I was astonished by how effective it was. I loved that K-beauty took a more holistic approach to skincare and put an emphasis on barrier care and deeply hydrating the skin. Once I incorporated K-beauty into my routine, my skin completely turned around. It went from red, itchy, and inflamed to soft, hydrated, and I was able to achieve the coveted “glass skin look”. Read more>>

Sara Margulis

The idea for Honeyfund came from the combination of personal need and a little bit of serendipity. In 2005, my then-fiancé and I were planning our wedding and, like many couples today, we already lived together in a home full of housewares. What we really needed was not more stuff, but to get away from the stress of our high-pressure jobs. We dreamed of going as far away as we could – and Fiji came to mind. We quickly learned it was half way around the globe and expensive to get to, especially after paying for our own wedding. Read more>>

Richard Porche

My name is Richard Porche, CEO/Founder of Righteous People Worldwide Academy Sports. I grew up in New Orleans LA and at a very young age I experienced a lot of trauma. Gangs, drugs, and violence seemed to consume my entire life bringing about depression, confusion, anger, and identity crisis. I pushed my self through high school and College fighting against my past! In 2016 I started to Coach high school sports, but year in and year out I would ignore my past trauma trying to change the life of young men and women never feeling fulfilled. Fast forward to 2020 I began working as a PE teacher at a social economic disadvantage Elementary School. Read more>>

Jodie Snyder

As a society, we are exhausted and overwhelmed. We try to regain balance in our lives, but soon find out we need more support than we thought. I certainly felt this way ten years ago when I asked myself the question: What would it feel like to be back to my original state of health? So I built the thing I longed for. Read more>>

Julie Wilson

I have dedicated my career to collaborating with thought leaders, voiceover actors, and authors, bringing their ideas to life and shaping their stories into impactful audiobooks. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been in the recording studio, working closely with clients to refine their stories. During the pandemic, I felt deeply isolated from the creative process and the personal connection that comes with in-person collaboration. As my corporate career evolved, I found myself increasingly focused on innovation and business growth, which left less time for one-on-one client work—a part of my career I truly missed. Read more>>

Seth Whaland

The truth is, I mostly copied an idea I already knew worked. When I lived in Philadelphia I worked for a moving company that hired artists and musicians. I was a musician myself, and working with like minded, creative people was really fun. I also loved the physical aspect of the work. When I moved back to Austin, TX I already knew a ton of musicians who needed flexible, well paying jobs. There wasn’t a similar local moving company, so I saw a niche that needed to be filler. We’re going into our 9th year, and still going strong. We have a great crew of movers who are also doing really cool stuff outside of their day job. Read more>>

Zeloszelos Marchandt

I’m the kind of person who’s constantly inspired by the world around me. Interesting stories are all around us, we simply have to choose to tune into what’s around us and look deeper. It’s a creative cosmos I live in 24-7 and I’m not going to lie sometimes I wonder how good the ideas are which for years was making a giant block in my happiness and progress as a person, as an artist and business owner. There’s history with me second guessing myself and I’ve used that as a method validate who I am and what I know I want to do. There’s a myth that to be confident means someone is never doubting themselves and I don’t believe that. Read more>>

Andrea Parker

Hi, I’m Andrea Parker Keynote Speaker, Conscious Leadership Coach, Co-founder of FunX and Co-Host of WTF: Where’s the Fun? Podcast. I help business leaders get out of their heads and into their hearts, to bring more joy into their personal lives and businesses. With over a decade of experience working as a police detective I took the leap and started my own business coaching multi-million dollar business leaders, transformational speakers, holistic doctors, professional athletes, and Emmy-award-winning producers. Read more>>

Sierra Driscoll

I launched this magazine with the belief that fostering connections among wedding vendors is vital to the success of our industry and to the overall experience we provide to couples on one of the most important days of their lives. The wedding industry thrives on collaboration, creativity, and trust, and building strong relationships within this community ensures that we continue to grow together. Meaningful partnerships not only enhance our businesses but also elevate the level of service we offer, creating truly unforgettable celebrations for our clients. Read more>>

Andrew Stagikas

I have worked in restaurants my entire working life. Being Greek I’m inclined to try some Greek food or a gyro when I see the chance and most of the time it’s a miss. So I wanted to serve food that was important to me and my heritage.. Read more>>

Dr. De’sondra Mcswain

Most people ask how did you come up with the idea to become a chiropractor because its not common to become a chiropractor. I graduated with a bachelors degree in Exercise Science from The University of Southern Mississippi after graduation I continue to go to school to be a registered dietitian. During my senior year of dietetic school, I cried because I knew I didn’t want to work in the hospital under anyone. I wanted to own my own business and help the community in fitness and nutrition. I prayed asking God how did he want me to serve his people. God came to me in a dream, and told me to become a chiropractor. Initially, I was shocked and terrified because I didn’t know anything about chiropractic. I knew this would work because God showed me glimpses of the school that I would attend. Read more>>

Nylah Davis

1. I came up with the idea because it was something I personally needed. 2020 was my graduation year from college—the same year the world shut down. The department for the job I had been looking forward to joining closed, and I moved back home to Southern California with my family. Instantly, everything I had worked toward after college felt like it had shifted.With my friends spread across the country, I felt like I was missing out on my Living Single or Girlfriends coming-of-age moment—the adventures that shape you and help you grow. If I couldn’t live it, I figured I could write it. I started drafting a short story about a café where a group of young Black adults navigated life and had transformative adventures. Read more>>

Andre Pascual

Having worked in agency and in-house, and in start-ups and publicly traded companies, I saw how many creative service agencies were growing too broad in their offerings. With generative AI also supplementing these services, a lot of what’s being published and created has lost its soul. As a digital marketer of 12+ years, I was frustrated when I spent days to weeks onboarding a creative agency, but once the contract was signed, we received sub-par work that didn’t speak to our brand. Read more>>

Hassan Zayat

I have been around construction since I could walk, as my father and brother worked in the field as electricians. I would occasionally shadow my father on smaller carpentry projects he undertook, and I believe that’s where my passion really intensified. Being able to construct something beautiful out of hundreds of precisely-cut pieces of wood was rewarding, both emotionally and financially. Read more>>

Stacy Russo

My journey with Survive and Thrive began during one of the most challenging periods of my life. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 39 after finding a lump high on my chest. Determined to be there to watch my daughter grow up, I spent that year fighting my way through a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation which I finished just 2 days before turning 40. I was able to balance work, family and treatment by focusing on my health – what I ate, how well I slept, exercise I was able to do, medication I was taking and how it all made me feel. After having some reactions to medication, I looked at what I was tracking and was able to identify the culprit in what I was eating. Read more>>

Ann Marlin

The concept of Broadway Collective was born out of the need of more office space for our real estate investment company ELEVATION. We grew our team which meant we needed to find a new home for our company. I am a realtor so set out in Aug 2021 to find space. We love Englewood and the Broadway corridor as it is such an eclectic and up & coming area. I saw what now is our current building and fell in love with the mid-mod feel and its floor to ceiling windows. I also knew it was meant to be as the original metal signage read the ‘Martin Building’ and our last name is Marlin so with one quick fix, the building would be wholly ours! Read more>>

Delphine Francois

I currently work in two professions daily: tour guide and photographer. In both cases, the city of Detroit has been my source of inspiration. I arrived in Michigan as an expatriate in 2013, and my first visit to the city of Detroit was a shock. I struggled to understand how a city with such a glorious past could be so damaged and seemingly abandoned by all. I then wandered through it, street by street, with my camera slung over my shoulder to capture and preserve my discoveries. I wanted both to understand and to bear witness. Read more>>

Nisha Noel

It all started as just a side hustle for me. I was balancing a variety of things—selling clothing, hair, even making holiday baskets—while also selling plates. But as I started to focus more on one thing, everything began to come into sharper focus, and I realized my true purpose in life: serving others. The idea came to me as a beautiful vision that gradually took shape in my mind, and eventually, it became a reality. This time, I knew it was different. I felt that this vision was meant to be, something I was truly called to do. As I continued to practice and refine my skills, I saw progress in each and every client I worked with, and it confirmed for me that I was on the right path. Read more>>

Rani Rai

In 2018 my only son left for college and I became what is called an Empty Nester. Although I was a civil servant and was fully employed, I was struggling to understand how to deal with all the free time on my hands. My son kept me so busy for 18yrs at that very moment I struggled how to handle the emotions of not being in a parental role. In addition, my mother living less than 5 miles away had lost her husband to Colon Cancer and too was struggling being home alone as a newly retired widow. Read more>>

Sabrina Alton

I came up with the idea of becoming a financial coach for women after listening to Ramit Sethi’s podcast, ‘I Will Teach You to be Rich’ (now called Money for Couples), and watching his Netflix show. As a stay-at-home mom, podcasts are my lifeline to the broader world. I had been listening to Ramit’s podcast for over a year and was drawn to his message of how psychology informs our money decisions. I could see this reflected in my own life, but it wasn’t a message I had heard before in the personal finance space. After watching Ramit’s Netflix show, the lightbulb went off, and I thought, ‘This is what I want to do. I want to help women with their money by helping them understand their psychology and money history.’ Read more>>

Paula Diaz

I became a Virtual Assistant 11 years ago when I was eight months pregnant with my second child. It was a blessing for me, as I had decided to become an entrepreneur three years earlier, after becoming a mother for the first time. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my newborn with a nanny while I returned to the corporate world, so I chose to stay home and start my own company. Read more>>

 

 

 

 

 

Anneliese Kridle, Cristina Chiappini And Grace Tellers

As young women in our twenties, we all found ourselves in different stages of life. Anneliese had recently started graduate school, Cristina had just moved back to California from New York and was beginning her marketing career, and Grace was a couple of years into her full-time job as a graphic designer. Although we all knew each other from middle and high school, we started to realize the difficulty of forming new friendships as young adults and the lack of unique experiences available to us in Orange County. We were all stuck in our daily routines, making it hard to go out and meet people and try new things. We found that this gap in our lives was not uncommon to other twenty-somethings, which is what drove us to start Orange County Social Club. We wanted to create a space specifically for building friendships, especially at a time in our lives when we were all in such different stages but still yearning for those new connections and experiences. Read more>>

Tanarra Schneider

When I look back at what I am the most proud of, in my almost 30 years in design roles, isn’t a product or service. It’s the teams that I’ve led. The cultures that I’ve helped create or the moments where I’ve been a life raft as a leader when the cultural waters have been toxic. After being laid off from my last role amidst another acquisition – I knew I couldn’t just go back to ‘making more things’ or patching more holes in moth ridden company cultures. Read more>>

Benjamin Burke

About eight years ago, I had moved into a communal creative space of 30 people and after a year we got served with eviction notices as the owners were going to sell and the place would be demolished for condos. We residents decided to raise the money to buy the place instead and I realized we needed a website and a video — to tell the story of this special place for fundraising. I realized that I knew how to do that, having spent 15 years in the performing arts telling stories from a stage. I had to go to India for a project at this time so I went and wrote the copy for the site while I traveled. Read more>>

Sarah Hodge

The vision for Aura Theory came from one of those “life works in mysterious ways” moments. Back in 2017, I was living my best life in Austin, TX, working for a yoga company that was all about connection and wellness (very on-brand for Austin, right?). One day, I had the chance to hire an aura photographer for an event. It seemed like a cool idea at the time—but little did I know, it was about to flip my whole world upside down (in the best way). Read more>>

Brian Scipione

As everyone knows food and wine go together. In fact, they evolved and grew together like siblings. It’s heard to imagine a nice Italian meal without a glass of Chianti. So the idea of bringing together a vineyard and farm makes perfect sense and of course it has been done before. However, our unique twists is that one owner is a Master Farmer and the other is a Master Sommelier. This means we bring an unparalled level of passion and practical know-how to the project. Read more>>

Brian Damor

I’ve always been a creative person. As a kid, there were two things I loved doing; making music, and drawing. I would draw original characters as often as I could. I had such a fascination with creating my own characters just to see how creative I could be. As I got older, the former over took the latter. I would eventually fall out of passion of making music and found myself back into drawing. Around quarantine, my wife started a blog detailing events in her life which I helped create a character for her. I would soon find myself working on her character more and more, which inevitably led to me creating my character. From there, I figured “why not just create a comic series between the two characters?”. That’s when Brain of Brian started. Read more>>

Nicole Seguin

It’s always hard to say when an idea is born. Personal Brand Photography already existed when I started a few years ago. But the idea of visibility and transformation in this field is still new! My passion for photographing women in business grew from a thousand quiet moments of watching women either apologize for being seen, or forcing their way into the spotlight – only to be torn down. Growing up, I witnessed the same patterns I see today: women being reminded that their appearance mattered more than their voice, being told they were either too quiet or too loud. Never just right. Never simply themselves. These early observations showed me how women were quietly separated from their authentic self-expression. Read more>>

Sarah Marzella

As a teacher, I often felt overwhelmed by the challenge of meeting the diverse needs of my students. Despite working in a well-resourced district with curriculum guides, practice books, and manipulatives, it quickly became clear that these tools were generic and didn’t address the unique realities of my classroom. They weren’t created by educators who truly understood the day-to-day challenges we faced. Read more>>

Chris Hill

We have spent the last 10 or so years travelling, while eating and learning all about pizza. From Portland, Oregon to Sorrento, Italy, and everywhere in between, we have dedicated our time to become educated in what makes really great pizza. In speaking to and meeting some of the leading experts and Pizzaiolos in the industry, they all agree on one thing: Pizza must be made with the finest and freshest ingredients, by people who simply care. Read more>>