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.

Mahnaz Khaliqi

The idea for Green Apple Cleaning came from a personal struggle with allergies that had plagued me for years. One late evening, I was watching an infomercial for a Shark steam machine, and something clicked. I purchased the machine and cleaned my entire home with it—mattress, carpets, couches, everything. The results were transformative: the air felt different, and for the first time in years, I could breathe easily, free of allergies. I realized I had been polluting my home with toxic chemicals that were likely exacerbating my health issues. That moment marked a turning point; I immediately stopped using traditional cleaning products and embraced steam cleaning as a safe, effective alternative. Read more>>

Reneille Velez

I grew up in a home where celebrations were at the heart of everything. As a Filipino family, we didn’t just host events—we brought people together in a way that made every person feel seen and celebrated. Whether it was birthdays, holidays, or spontaneous gatherings, there was always a reason to open our doors and create unforgettable moments. That deep-rooted love for hospitality and community became the foundation for my business. Read more>>

Abigail Guziewicz

Velvet Moon began with a simple question on a summer day in 2021 as I sat journaling. Journaling has always helped me find clarity, and that day I was preparing for a big move from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles for a year of service. The values of simple living and second chances were on my mind.

Simple living isn’t just about having less; it’s about intentionality, connection, and creating space for what matters. It’s about stripping away excess so that what remains is truly valuable. And second chances? They remind me that nothing and no one is beyond renewal. That transformation is possible—not just for people, but for everything around us, including the objects we so often discard. Read more>>

Shannon Brownlee

When we first started working together, my cofounder and I were still in college, in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Having made the switch to fully virtual classes and social interactions, we felt like connecting with our peers and gauging how our friends were feeling became harder. Thus sparked the idea to build technology to foster human connection and emotional communication in digital spaces. Read more>>

Yazmine Taylor

The journey of LusciousbyYazmine started from a deep-rooted passion for hair. Growing up in Brooklyn with my Honduran and Garifuna roots, I was always drawn to the beauty of hair and how it could be a form of self-expression. I loved doing my own hair, always experimenting with braids and natural hairstyles. My mother saw my passion early on and started buying me Black dolls so I could practice. I would spend hours braiding, twisting, and styling their hair, perfecting every detail. Read more>> 

Julian Rios

United Rivers is a luxury lifestyle denim brand founded by my Brother Camilo Rios (@Riocam) and my self in 2016. The brand modernizes the traditional American western lifestyle through superior tailoring and craftsmanship. 

We were born in Colombia, and very much inspired by our childhood upbringings with American movies and spaghetti westerns. After moving to America from Medellin during our youth, we ventured into the world of luxury fashion. Our surname, “Rios,” translates to “Rivers” in Spanish, which influenced the brand’s name. We created our personal lifestyle to iconic western denim shirts, blending our heritage with our passion for western aesthetics. Read more>>

Morgan Tuilovoni

My husband Joseph and I have been in youth ministry for the past 10 years. Something we would continually to see in youth students was regardless of where they went to school (private or public) the common theme was they were incredibly influenced by their peers and what culture was telling them. We saw students as amazing as they were, lacked the confidence to go against the grain and stand up for what was right for fear of not fitting in. Read more>>

Katie Hingle

After a 30 year career in high tech, I “retired” and decided to do something I fully enjoyed in high school and college. I work at a cute fine jewelry store in my small walkable town in the Bay Area. Over time, two themes emerged for me that then conspired with a personal experience I had had.

First, I could see how hard it is to run a small business in a small town, competing with online stores, trying to find new clients, on a slim margin. I noticed that the owner had a lot of connections with the owners of the other boutiques, restaurants, spas in town. And this was a recurring concern of the owners. Read more>>

Angela Correll

I came up with the idea for My Plant Therapist because I wanted to help others enjoy houseplants and gardening as much as I have for the last 30 years. I was already helping my family, friends and massage clients help troubleshoot plant issues and educating them about their plants and gardens so I thought – I would LOVE to go to people’s houses and help them with their plants! Immediately I got excited about the idea!!! I knew I was on the right track because every person I told about the idea, told me how much help that would be! To have a garden coach work along side them and teach them about their individual plants and environment- would save so much time, money and frustration. Read more>>

Josh Cafasso

My path to starting Knova wasn’t planned. It was a messy, unexpected journey. My decade in hospitality, from places like The BroAdmoor and Garden of the Gods, taught me the power of understanding people, anticipating their needs, and crafting experiences. I learned how storytelling could transform a simple moment into something special. Becoming a Sommelier, while intense and rewarding, also showed me the limitations of that career path for my family. After leaving hospitality, I struggled to find my footing. I had several job offers that fell through, leaving me feeling lost and uncertain about my future. Read more>>

Aya Mana

The idea for Aya Mana was born from my own desire to break free from the constraints of the traditional fashion industry. I had a background as a software engineer, where I spent years working in a corporate environment. But over time, I started feeling burnt out, and I realized I wanted to do something that connected more deeply with my passions. Sewing became my escape—a way to express myself creatively and find a sense of joy and purpose outside of work. Read more>>

M’lynn Suwinski

In November of 2022 I was visiting my family in Salt Lake City, Utah. I had just over one month left of my Bachelors degree, graduating from a University in Utah online while living in Portland, Oregon. I hadn’t quite broken into the mural scene (what I wanted to do) and was chatting with my grandma about ways I could avoid being shackled to a nine-to-five job right out of college. Like many, the idea of a nine-to-five office job leaves me sick to my stomach and motivates me to run the in the complete opposite direction. She suggested a paint night, seeing as she and my grandpa had just attended one the month prior. Read more>>

Elizabeth Brumfield

The idea for Sun + Soul came to us while we (co-founders Elizabeth Brumfield + Sarah Creech) were in Tulum, Mexico plopped on the beach after a sweaty bike ride and missing our yoga class. We chatted about how nice it was to explore with another gal—there is immense power in sisterhood. Sarah is a fierce, hilarious blonde that teaches HIIT + Flow classes and has a passion for nutrition + wellness ooze from every conversation. I (EJ) love offering slow yoga classes, sound healing ceremonies and spiritual work. We’re quite different, but our friendship works. We started chatting about getting older; how moment’s like this—sweaty, but happy from a failed adventure with your friend on the beach—are hard to find, and how important it is for women to keep these moments in their lives…as we often don’t. Read more>>

Beth Nettles

In 2018, my then 5 year old son fractured his femur on Thanksgiving day jumping to catch a football. He had a plate and screws put into his tiny leg and was unable to walk for a couple of months. During this time, we had a trip planned to go snow skiing with family in Taos, NM. I knew I wouldn’t get much skiing in but we needed a get away, so we decided to take the trip. However, this one almost did us in. It started when we arrived in the airport parking garage. We got our sons out of the car. Put the oldest in the wheelchair. I grabbed the luggage. My husband grabbed the 2 car seats each weighing 19 lbs. We looked at each other and realized we didn’t have any hands available to push the wheelchair. So we told our 2 year old he was going to have to get our 5 year old into the airport. Read more>>

Moira Sedgwick

It all started with a feeling—a craving for spaces that felt both intentional and inviting, designed not just for passing through but for truly sinking in. I had spent years immersed in hospitality, events, and design, curating experiences that made people feel something. But when it came to short-term rentals, I noticed a gap: plenty of beautiful homes, plenty of well-run businesses, but rarely both under one roof. Read more>>

Jj Brawley

The idea for The Heart Centered Being was born out of my own transformational journey—one that took me from chaos to clarity, from disconnection to deep presence. It wasn’t just a business idea; it was a calling, a natural evolution of everything I had experienced and learned.

For years, I searched for a path that integrated the depth of Tantra, the wisdom of Eastern philosophy, and the practical tools of Western psychology I had studied, and grown to love. My own struggles with relationships, masculinity, and self-awareness led me to immerse myself in Tantra, men’s work, shadow integration, and healing modalities like Kundalini Yoga and Nonviolent Communication. Through this, I witnessed not only my personal growth but also the gaps in the way men were being guided in their journeys. Read more>>

Sierra Walker

It all started with a desire for something more. I was stuck in a cycle of dead-end, low-paying jobs. I worked long hours, feeling unfulfilled, and was constantly stressed about my financial situation. I knew I wanted something more, something that gave me flexibility and control over my future. I had always been passionate about helping people, and I had a knack for organization and detail-oriented tasks. I realized I could put these skills to use in a way that could also give me the freedom I craved. Read more>>

Ishmael Ngu

In 2011, while in college, I woke up one morning feeling exceptionally good about myself and the day ahead. This was despite facing a whirlwind of challenges. I had just moved alone from Africa to the United States and was living in Arkadelphia, Arkansas—an unfamiliar place that felt like the middle of nowhere. I was struggling to afford tuition, navigating cultural differences, and confronting the very real possibility of being forced to leave school and return to Africa due to financial constraints. Read more>>

Agnieszka Spieszny

My Polish papercraft business (handmade paper folk ornaments) began when I started volunteering as an English tutor to newly arrived refugees through Miry’s List in 2017 (I heard about them on KCRW). I got paired up with Arezo, a refugee from Afghanistan. After a couple of years of regular lessons and playdates with her then three-year-old son, she expressed the need to work, but had very limited options since she couldn’t speak English, had a toddler to care for, and couldn’t drive. Read more>>

Saverio

My journey into this unique business started with a love for the water. Growing up in Long Beach, California, I spent much of my childhood surfing, sailing, paddling, and rowing. There’s something about being on the water that has a calming effect and it’s hard not to smile when you’re surrounded by the peace and beauty of nature. Read more>>

Denise Brown

After graduating with a degree in English, I began writing for trade publications, including magazines that covered the retail baking and convenience store industries. Because no one read what I wrote, I decided freelance writing might open more doors for me to write about interesting, informative topics.

To ensure I had a revenue stream as I built up my freelance clients, I took a job managing a congregate meal site in Lambertville, N.J., a small town along the Delaware River. We served a hot lunch meal to older adults in the community and delivered Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors in Hunterdon county. I loved working with these older adults. I also began receiving calls from their adult children who wanted assurance their parents were managing okay. Read more>>

Carly Williams

I designed and trademarked my Human Beans logo in 1998 to represent the universality and oneness of our human race to overcome racism. Originally, I used the logo on coffee mugs filled with seven colors and flavors of gourmet jellybeans to be used for corporate diversity training events.

With a $10,000 investment, I researched candy manufacturers and flavor companies to create an assortment of equally delicious candies: black/blackberry, brown/chocolate, red/cinnamon raspberry, tan/butter pecan, yellow/banana pudding, pink/pink grapefruit, and white/almond coconut, the goal being that none of them, especially black jellybeans, would end up at the bottom of the bowl, as was joked about and nationally reported and quoted by a Texaco corporate executive that year. Read more>>

Janel And Tori Barden And Villanueva

Starting my own business has always been a dream of mine—it was always the end goal I had in mind. It wasn’t just about owning a business—it was about building something that had purpose, passion, and a genuine impact.

I believe everything happens for a reason, and when the opportunity to launch LuxeHaus came about, it felt like the perfect time to bring that vision to life. All the experiences and lessons I had learned over the years, along with my desire to create something meaningful, naturally led me to this point. It was always a goal I was working toward, and the journey to get here was driven by that long-term vision of starting something that I could be truly proud of Read more>>

Levern Currie

I didn’t initially set out to revolutionize drive-thrus, but sometimes, a simple moment of awareness can change everything. As someone with a background in human-computer interaction, human-computer interfaces, and assistive technology, I’ve always been drawn to solving problems that make everyday life easier. But this one? It wasn’t even on my radar—until one day, I stopped and asked myself: How do Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people order at a drive-thru? Read more>>

Brittany Taborn

Honestly, this is really my divine purpose from God. I became rooted in his wisdom, grace, and faith, then developed gratitude that gave me the ability to really steward the gifts within me and cultivate the physical talents. I love what I do! I love giving people counsel and advice to help them not only advance but actually transform rather mentally and emotionally rather it’s lifestyle and or business, or spiritually I truly enjoy this passion of helping people become renewed in their true self, identity and purpose. Read more>>

Alexia Kestellic

After studying makeup, I began to see a gap in the industry. A lot of women were tired of heavy, overdone makeup and wanted a more natural, elevated look something that made them feel like themselves, just better. I saw an opportunity to combine two things I loved: art and authenticity. I wanted to bring a fresh take on French makeup, which was always known for its elegance, but make it more modern and approachable. That’s when I created the ‘Modern Californian French’ style a hybrid of French sophistication with California’s laid-back, natural beauty. It felt like the perfect fusion of what I loved and what people were looking for. Read more>>

Dia Bondi

This is the story of how I saw the idea that became my first book which is a cornerstone of my speaking business.

For years I was helping my clients lowball themselves and I didn’t even know I was doing it, until I went to Auctioneering School- just as a little adventure; something fun to learn. I turned that fun little adventure into an impact hobby and started fundraising auctioneering for non profits in my community. Read more>>

Shannon Houchin

Life was throwing punches. My dad was battling lung cancer, my marriage was disintegrating, and I was waking up every day feeling like I’d been hit by a truck made of regret and exhaustion. I needed something—anything—that made me happy. I needed something that made everyone around me happy, because I was a walking storm cloud. Read more>>

Kizzy Hammonds Stanley Frenchie

We were undecided in what we wanted to do business wise but we knew we wanted to create something positive that would also generate another stream of income. After throwing a few ideas out, we decided to produce graphic t-shirts with something personal that described us both. We came up with “Hood Nerd” as the brand name but couldn’t quite figure out what we wanted the image to look like. One of our friends helped capture the logo that we use today from a sketch we drew up while out having a drink and throwing darts. The logo that we agreed upon is connected to us both because it is our faces blended together. Read more>>

Kaylan Fox

Being a business owner wasn’t always in my plan. I was awarded my business once I graduated from Clark Atlanta University, and the first instinct I had for my business was to create a production company. I had a mixture of emotions to figure whether or not a production company was going to make sense, but given the fact that I was an upcoming producer with various creative endeavors in the works, it made sense, so I took the leap. I have been loving the experience ever since, and though it wasn’t in my plan, it was definitely meant for me to take this journey since it is driven with passion. Read more>>

Mark Hill

Coming up with my business was not something I thought about. It just happened. I started installing starlights in cars back in 2021. I seen a YouTube video of someone installing them. I always been good with my hands and knew how to work on cars so I figured this would be easy. I installed them on my car then a couple of my friends cars. I was still working a job so I would install on my off days. Starting out I didn’t get a lot of clientele or make a lot of money. So I keep pushing trying to grow the business. I worked out of my apartment till I found a garage in an apartment complex. Read more>>

Jonathan Mitchell

I first asked myself what type of photography I want to offer. Do I want to do weddings? Shoots for music artists? Portraits in studio? There’s just so many niches to dive into when it comes to photography and I wanted to not stretch myself thin by offering EVERYTHING. I asked so many people for advice and I remember just praying and thinking and realizing if I’m able to have a subject and a backdrop, I could add in necessary lighting and edits to make it come even more to life. At the time I was only 20 years old. So in my head it’s like if this fails I have enough time to try something else anyways you know. Read more>>

Mel Mcmahon

The idea for IndianaOwned.com didn’t come to me in a single “aha” moment—it was born out of a rather simple question that revealed a major gap in the marketplace. I’ve always believed in the power of local businesses. They create jobs, keep money in the community, and add character to the places we call home. But time and time again, I saw Indiana business owners struggling to compete with national chains and online giants. Read more>>

Mariya Madej

From a very young age, I had an undeniable passion for the beauty industry. Growing up, I would often find myself fascinated by the transformative power of beauty—how it could elevate not only appearances but also confidence and self-esteem. This passion stayed with me as I grew older, shaping my aspirations and fueling my dreams.

Traveling became another cornerstone of my life. Exploring different countries and immersing myself in diverse cultures taught me so much about people, their unique beauty practices, and the skillsets they valued. These experiences broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of what beauty truly means. It’s more than skin-deep; it’s about feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. Read more>>

Stefani Faye

Nearly every weekend, two of my closest girlfriends and I would set out to explore Arizona. We hiked Mount Humphrey’s, the tallest peak in Arizona, paddleboarded Saguaro lake on the full moon, and ventured into small towns just to see what was out there. These adventures weren’t just about the scenery; they were about connection. We realized how important it was to have strong, supportive women in our lives, women who lift each other up, encourage new experiences, and remind you of your own strength. Read more>>

Kenyetta Garrett-russell

The idea to create a microschool was born out of a deep understanding of the struggles families face when trying to find the right educational fit for their children—especially those with diverse learning needs. Throughout my career as an educator, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of students and families, and no matter my role, I have always been an advocate for equitable and inclusive education. Read more>>

Monica Aragon

In 2019, I lost my dad, and the grief was overwhelming. During that time, my plants became a source of comfort and healing for me. Caring for them, watching them grow—it gave me a sense of peace and connection when I needed it most.

Fast forward to 2020, when the world turned upside down. I was working on the front lines at a grocery store, witnessing firsthand the fear, sadness, and loneliness that came with the pandemic. People were panic-buying, emotions were high, and I felt this deep urge to bring some light into the darkness. Read more>>

Lisa And Suzanne Peasley

We didn’t actually conceptualize the idea of taking old liquor and wine bottles and turning them into candles. That was the idea of the original owner who we worked with in law enforcement. She was injured on the job and was looking for something to do with her time and came up with the idea. We watched in awe from the sidelines for years as she perfected the craft and grew her business. When she was ready to move on to new endeavors, we had the opportunity to try our hand at it. In the 4 years that we have owned the business, we have learned so much about cutting glass, manufacturing candles, and trying our hardest to save thousands of bottles from the landfills. Read more>>

Niya Thomas

Glims of Tranquility was actually my saving grace from God. I was on a path of darkness, searching for my light; something to bring positivity and joy. On that search I found the elements “passion & peace”. Passion: ”A strong and barely controllable emotion”, peace: “Freedom of disturbance, tranquility”. I combined the two and it led me the brightest flame I’ve ever seen… Homemade aromatherapy candles made with passion & peace! I literally feel tranquility while making candles, and candle making quickly became one of my biggest passions! Read more>>