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.

Sarah Choi

I believe that skincare should be authentic, simple and impactful.

With a heartfelt dedication for 27 years of experience, every ingredient was rigorously verified to ensure the highest standard of clean beauty. This passion for excellence birthed IMEAN, with the dream of providing a fundamental skincare solution to the US, Korea and Europe. Read more>>

Mickey Alan Kravitz

Well, I’ve been a musician since the age of 14 and I grew up being in glam rock bands so as you know, Hair is a big part of it. I have been cursed or blessed however, you wanna look at it with people asking me who I am what band are you in or what do you do my whole life. 2012 all of a sudden people started asking are you a musician or hairdresser and that would happen two or three times a day so I started thinking about that and came up with an idea to start a product line I’ve always been the kind of person that mixes products together to get a better hold or a better this or that so I figured this is a no-brainer. Read more>>

Wendy Uribe

We all have a gift, and I’m just now discovering who God created me to be. First and foremost, I want to honor my spiritual parents at SpiritLife Church. It was through their prayers that a spark was ignited in me—a sudden urge to design, paint, and dream up new business ideas. One day, I attended a vision board event with ReignxRevolution, and it was a life-changing experience. On my board, I placed a picture of New York and a runway design, believing in faith that it would one day come to pass. And when I tell you it manifested—God is truly great. His promises are yes and amen. Read more>>

Colby Clites

I’ve always loved graphic design—not just making things look cool, but figuring out how design can solve real problems and drive sales. What’s always been exciting to me is how versatile the creative industry is. Every brand, in every space, needs good design to stand out, but they all still have unique needs and challenges to overcome. Read more>>

Daniel Bucci

In 2016, Shawn Flaherty – one of my co-founders in Splash City Golf – worked at a non-profit on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor called Living Classrooms. As a fundraiser, Shawn organized an event where participants hit wooden spheres with a golf club at a row boat anchored in the harbor. I (Daniel Bucci) had a meeting with Shawn a few days later on an unrelated topic, and we began talking about his fundraiser event. At the time I was a strategy consultant and had a client in the live events industry. I had the idea that we could turn this concept into a for-profit business, and Shawn and I partnered up on the concept. Read more>>

Muhammad Jalloh

In 2017 as an Undergraduate Graphic Design Communication Design major in Pratt Institute who also did freelance work on commission I quickly understood the impact graphic design can have on my life and the lives around me. Throughout my four years I’ve been fortunate enough to develop branding identity for small businesses and entrepreneurs which demonstrated to me that graphic design is a vehicle for changing the lives of those who utilize and interact with it. While being able to harness this ability through assisting others in their journeys I was inspired to do the same for myself in the form of streetwear clothing which had been another passion of mine since my time as a High School student at Medgar Evers College Preparatory School. Read more>>

Helen Karadjian

I started Pampered Bee after the birth of my first child. As a new mom, I struggled to find products that were truly safe for my daughter’s eczema and sensitive skin. Every “clean” product I tried made things worse. That’s when I realized the baby care space was missing truly clean, organic options. I knew I had to create the solution myself. After years of research and testing, we became the first to launch a USDA Certified Organic Body Lotion made with food-grade ingredients. Seeing repeat customers and hearing from grateful parents confirmed I was on the right path—creating something meaningful for families like mine. Read more>>

Jacqueline Boatwright

My business ventures were birthed during one of the most trying and emotionally intense periods of my life. My youngest son suffered a tragic injury at daycare when he was just 14 months old. In the aftermath, I made the decision to care for him at home full-time. As any mother would, I was determined to protect him from further harm in every way possible. Read more>>

Gerald Dickerson

“I was working in banking at the time, and all I really wanted was that classic, buttery movie theater popcorn—but at home. It sounds simple, but I couldn’t find anything that truly hit the spot. So I started digging online, researching how to recreate that perfect flavor. I got curious, experimented a bit, and started making it myself. One day, I brought a batch to work just as a snack, and before I knew it, my coworkers were asking for some too. That’s when it clicked—maybe I was onto something more than just a craving.” Read more>>

Ta’Marvis Thompson

I’ve always had a deep love for the craft, art, and community of barbering. For me, it’s more than just a profession it’s about making a positive impact on people’s lives. A simple conversation, a fresh cut, and a genuine interaction can change the direction of someone’s day. My motto has always been, “Impact The World With Greatness”, and that’s exactly what I strive to do with every cut. Read more>>

DAVID BERGMAN

After nearly 30 years protecting investors from corporate wrongdoers as a securities fraud attorney, I retired to the role of late life full-time Dad, getting involved in the community and improving my daughters’ K-5 school helping to run the PTA. When I saw the community cornerstone, Goody’s, listed for sale, it was fate. At a minimum, I knew my young girls would be proud of me as owner of the local ice cream stores. Joking aside, it instantly struck me as the ideal encore career, and the ultimate way to further embed my family in the community where I knew I would raise my children. I knew I had no experience in manufacturing or in retail, so I asked my fellow PTA colleague, mark, to partner with me, to run the stores and factory, so that I could build a business to bring the world’s best local ice cream and candy shoppe to the rest of America. Read more>>

Julie Alvarado Onekanda

Tell us the story of how you came up with the idea for your business? Paint the picture for us so we really understand the context, circumstances, the emotions, etc. Walk us through how you knew this was a worthwhile endeavor – talk to us about the logic of why you felt this would work? Were you solving a problem that no one else was solving? Were you offering a unique approach or what about this idea got you most excited? Read more>>

TiChari Dillon

Back in 2022, I was working at a warehouse and was selling food. I been having a desire to become an entrepreneur because I rather be my own boss than to listen to someone else’s commands for 8-10 hours. Selling food was cool but it wasn’t consistent, so I did some research on what other hobbies I should look into that I can turn it into a business. After that I came across “candle making business”, which is rare to see candle making companies. Especially black owned candle businesses in Indianapolis. So I decided to take a leap and try making candles. It definitely took about a good 2-3 weeks to understand the behaviors of candles and what wax to use. Read more>>

Marie Appel

Groundwork DFW was born while I was running political campaigns. I saw that we had so many eager & highly-trained individuals who worked hard during campaign season, but then we had to let go during the non-campaign months. There had to be something useful we could do with them that could both keep them employed and add value to the community. Read more>>

Sarah Centrella

(feel free to trim down) I first had the idea for VIVIAMO in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, when I noticed a huge shift in my coaching clients. Before that, most of my private and group coaching clients were women—entrepreneurs, creatives, individuals looking to manifest big life changes. But suddenly, the majority of my new clients were corporate professionals—many of them executives—who were seeking the same personal development tools I’d been teaching for years, but now to help them navigate the pressures of their work environments. Read more>>

Dawn Pace Blasingame

Well. My husband became critically/terminally ill. Having to navigate the medical and insurance community by myself, I learned along the way the ins and outs. I was frustrated a lot and getting nowhere. I took so many notes, talked to so many people, and realized there were thousands or more just like me. Thrust into the role of being a caregiver while still doing our thing. Like being a full -time worker, a sports mom, involved in children’s activities, church, community events. All that. Now having to fit in another “full time” job on top of that. With little help and no pay. I was so frustrated. Read more>>

Karina Estrada

The story of how our bilingual preschool came to be is one of passion, dedication, and a shared dream. As two certified teachers, Nelly Garcia and I, Karina Estrada, both born and raised in Mexico, we’ve had the privilege of living and working in the United States for over 20 years. Read more>>

Paul Cimins

It was summer of 2007 and I had shoulder surgery and was limited what I could do at the time causing me to have time to think. I thought about several support group meetings and how helpful they were .But also realized it was very time consuming and not practical having to get a baby sitter for your suit child becomes a real challenge. I just started reading about what podcast was as there were not many .So the idea strikes me why not talk about issues of rising a child with autism and talk about hope topics and tell stores of overcoming the challenges of autism. So that is where the idea came from. I had a good friend Yoav Sasson a musician help me setup recoding for our first episodes and it was born and name it Hopesavestheday which are powerful words that mean a lot to me. Read more>>

Stephanie LaFlora

Moxie was born out of lived experience—the kind that forces you to see the gaps in the system and do something about them.

I wasn’t supposed to make it. As a Black woman startup founder in tech, the odds were stacked against me. Raising venture capital was an uphill battle, breaking into the industry felt like forcing my way through locked doors, and yet—I did it. Read more>>

Molly Reed

As a young, inspired post grad living in NYC getting a job in fashion made sense. I knew part of my calling had to do with beauty and so I set my sights on Ralph Lauren. I worked my way up to an internship in their RLX dept. where I quickly learned the inner workings of corporate America. It was in that environment I found myself asking the question; why are women so ruthless behind your back? Are all corporate jobs designed to pit women against one another? How can I build a career and build a life, are these two things mutually exclusive? My mind was anxious. Yet I had a peace knowing God was the captain of my ship. Read more>>

Karen Rivero

It all started about five years ago, during my time at Universidad Iberoamericana in Tijuana. Thanks to my academic program, I had the opportunity to intern at a binational marketing agency, where I confirmed my passion for digital strategy and the creativity involved in this world. Being situated in the dynamic region of Tijuana/San Diego opened my eyes to the unique opportunities of this cross-border market—especially with the growing medical tourism industry in what is known as the most transited border in the world. Read more>>

River Barry

As a child, I was naturally outgoing and highly imaginative. I was introduced to the world of magic at the age of five, during a difficult time when my parents were going through a divorce. Whenever I encountered a water fountain, I would imagine it to be a wishing well. I would ask my mother for a penny with my birth year on it, though she likely gave me any random penny she had on hand. My wish was always the same: to have the magical ability to reunite my parents. Unfortunately, that wish never came true. Read more>>

Mariah Kee

I found my home in the keto community in 2020. I was at my heaviest weight and was recently diagnosed with PCOS that was accompanied along with insulin resistance that made loosing and even maintaining weight extremely difficult. It felt as though every step I took forward somehow put me two steps behind. I was in a vicious cycle of trying to become healthy all the while my body was fighting against me. I had heard of the keto diet and decided to give it a try and it turned out to be the greatest decision I’ve ever made. Read more>>

Victor Aragon

Gil Noreiga and Victor Aragon met while working at a calendar shop in 2013.. While working, they would come up with ideas of ways to share their love of geek culture to others, be it YouTube videos or comic books. The two men were also going to be dads and were excited about sharing these geeky fandoms with their kids. One morning, Gil texted the word “Fandads” to Victor, and he responded, “What is ‘Fandads’?” Gil stated that since they both were “fanboys” but were now going to have kids, they should start a blog called “Fandads”. Read more>>

Jon Mann

I went to college for botany and biology, HSU 2014! I graduated and was looking for a job but couldn’t find anything I was passionate for. I came across a soil testing company which unfortunately was not hiring, but I persuaded the owners Joanna and Sarah to take me in a free, unpaid intern. Within 3 months they had hired me on and the vibe was great. Learning cool ways to test soil nutrients and pest identification was my daily life. At some point I noticed the instruments we used has stickers listed with an offset. A measurement offset is a correction factor to add with your measured data. This bugged me and I found ways to remove the offset and adjust each device. This was my first round of calibrations and I became in the in lab expert with calibrations. Read more>>

Caleena Karstens

I became a Reiki practitioner in March of 2021 at just the right time in my life. It helped me come back to life when I did not know I was mostly dead inside. I got fired from my corporate job in May of 2021, a blessing in disguise and was able to start following my passion. I did a lot of random jobs over the years as I got certified as a health and life coach and eventually added massage therapy. Having all three aspects helps heal the body, mind and spirit. We hold trauma and stress in our bodies in a way that hurts us if we do not learn to let it go. When you bring together energy healing (reiki), getting the mind right (coaching) and releasing the soft tissue (massage), the full body can finally perform at its optimal level. My goal is to be a “safe space for transformation” so anyone and everyone can learn to be their best selves. Read more>>

Geanetta Shaw

The idea for Genie Sweetness came straight outta the sound system culture, the studios, and the real-life hustle of Caribbean creatives trying to make their mark. I’ve been putting in the work since I was a teen, planning events, promoting artists, and living the music. As everything moved online, I started noticing a real gap—there were so many talented people in Reggae and Dancehall who had the skills and the music, but they didn’t know how to navigate the digital world. That’s when I knew I had something valuable to offer on a wider scale. Genie Sweetness became my way of blending cultural knowledge with digital strategy. I had already been building buzz online before it was trendy—running interactive shows, pushing mixtapes, helping artists reach international fans. Read more>>

Jon Vought

I first had the idea for starting Rescue 1 CBD out of desperation. As a full time firefighter, I had foot surgery that left me unable to do my job for over six months. I was using prescription opiates to deal with the pain and I had some dependency on them which means when I stopped taking them, my sleep was wrecked. Read more>>

Jennifer Roberts

The late educator Rita Pierson said, “Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” I agree wholeheartedly and am committed to loving, seeing and hearing my scholars every day, Read more>>

Taylor Pritchard

It was March 2019. I was playing college soccer at Sam Houston State when I got injured going into my senior year. As a result, I became medically ineligible and found myself going through a sort of midlife crisis, unsure of what to do with my life. All of my friends were still playing soccer, and my soccer journey ended so abruptly that I didn’t know how to fill my time. So, I started working at a boutique in College Station because I love clothes and thought it would be fun. Read more>>

The journey to creating Squash the Beef began in 2017, after a life-altering period for both Chef Kurtis Williams and me. We had just experienced the devastating loss of Kurtis’ mother and were also facing his own health challenges. Searching for ways to improve our well-being, we watched the documentary What the Health and began researching the benefits of a plant-based diet. We were amazed to learn that conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol—issues that disproportionately affect our community—could potentially be reversed or managed through dietary changes. That realization sparked a decision: we had to give plant-based living a try. Read more>>

Paul Marsh

I fought this opportunity to become a wedding officiant, kicking and screaming. But the universe held me down and gave me nuggies until I surrendered and embraced the opportunity. Now it’s my primary income stream. Really!?! This is an enlightening story about how our calling can find us once we have accumulated the life experiences we need to bring our true gifts to light. It may be unseen and right under your nose. Read more>>

Sonal Bhatia

When I was a young girl growing up in Mexico, I often felt different. I came from a different culture, spoke a different language, and saw the world through a unique lens. While being different sometimes led to pain and exclusion, it also sparked something deep within me—a passion for creating equity, particularly in healthcare. This drive took root early in my life, fueled by the influence of my grandfather, a healer who practiced Ayurveda. I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of compassion and care, and I was inspired by how healing could transcend just the physical realm to encompass the whole person. Read more>>

Daniel Williams

It all started with my kids. Anyone who has children knows that they have a way of leaving things everywhere, from toys to crumbs, and sometimes it felt like I was constantly cleaning up after them. I’d find myself spending hours tidying up the house, and one day, as I was scrubbing down the driveway after another mess, I had this “aha” moment. I thought, Why not turn this frustration into something positive? Read more>>

JuLee Brand

I created W. Brand Publishing in 2018, but the seed had been planted when I was very young. Before I could read, I’d carry books around because I liked not only the brilliant cover designs but was intrigued by how words looked. My love of reading and design fueled my desire to become a graphic designer. Read more>>

Jasmin Williams

The idea for in Perennial was born from one of the most challenging times in my life. In 2021, I was struggling with depression and found myself in a dark place, feeling overwhelmed and disconnected. I decided to seek therapy, and during one of my sessions, my therapist suggested journaling as a way to process my emotions. At first, I was hesitant, unsure of how something so simple could help. But as I began to write, I realized how powerful it was to pour my thoughts and feelings onto the page without judgment. It became a safe space where I could be vulnerable, reflect, and begin to heal. Read more>>

Kerri Rush

The idea for my business came from a place of desperation, hope, and a fierce determination to heal my mom. In 1996, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 colon, liver, and lymph node cancer. The doctors gave us very little hope, but something inside of me refused to accept that this was the end of her story. I began researching anything that could strengthen her immune system and support her body’s healing. That’s when I discovered wheatgrass. Read more>>

Lucie Thome

As a French mom raising my kids in the U.S., I quickly noticed something: feeding babies here comes with a surprising amount of pressure. There’s no shortage of content, but most of it makes feeding feel like a series of high-stakes decisions. You’re expected to pick a lane, purées or baby-led weaning, homemade or store-bought, and stick with it. Read more>>

Alisa Olieinikova

I’ve always been 100% committed to a healthy lifestyle, but one challenge kept nagging at me—I wanted to enjoy something sweet without the guilt or negative health effects. I know from personal experience how frustrating it is not to have the option to eat something truly healthy without harming your body. Most brands today are focused on long shelf life rather than the health of their consumers, packing products with preservatives, artificial ingredients, and hidden sugars. I knew there had to be a better way. Read more>>