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.
Emily Deutschman
When I launched Curly Girl Boutique in January 2019, I was mostly e-commerce, but you’d find me spending my weekends doing pop-up shops at local wineries and breweries or hosting an open house in my basement boutique in my home. I grew to love to the one-on-one connections with women, and not only helping them discover fun, fashionable pieces, but also teaching them how to wear them. Read more>>
Samantha Eastburn
I grew up in Arizona on a lake wakeboarding and skiing since I was a little girl. I have always been drawn to the water, being on it has always been so therapeutic to me. I also have always been obsessed with dogs, begging my parents for my own pet since grade school. During college I knew I wanted to eventually obtain a job in San Diego working on the water so when I moved out here are you got a job at San Diego de adventures learning how to run their business as well as teaching people how to paddle board and taking one out on JetSki tours. Read more>>
Tigra Soleil.
My many years of experience as a river guide are what inspired my product, Helpful Handle. My coworkers, clients, and myself had lost many water bottles due to the extreme stations that rafting can be. Years of travel and hiking also proved how cumbersome the top attachments points are on water bottles can be; having the center of balance at the top crates a lot of awkward ‘bottle swing’. So, I combined tools I commonly use in my guide profession in a unique way and I invented Helpful Handle. Read more>>
Allen Wilson
Growing up, I had always landed myself in to advanced art classes throughout middle and high school. Lighting, colors and textures came fairly easy to me, or at least made sense due to growing up in an upholstery shop my Grand Mother and Father ran out of her home. I alway joke about how my body chemistry changes when. I walk in to a fabric shop and its so true, my imagination runs wild and i just want to fashion and style people to take phots or direct in film. Read more>>
Megan Gregory
Starting The Culinary Nest, LLC. over 6 years ago was truly the most unexpected, yet organic, journey that has occurred in my life. In all candidness, it began from a place of loss and feeling lost. My background is in retail management with a Bachelor’s Degree in Textile & Apparel studies. I served the retail community for 8 years, but found myself wanting more balance and freedom in my life. Read more>>
Mwanje Thompson
Music and audio production has been something that I have loved doing since high school. In college at MSOE, some of my classmates who wanted to record songs or spoken word would come to my dorm and have me produce for them. During that time, I wanted to start a record label, Optimistic Soundz, where I would help create music that didn’t sound like what was on the radio. Read more>>
Tierra Thorne
I came up with the idea for Blanket and Board sitting on my porch. I’m pretty sure it was a rainy and dreary day. After being quarantined for the previous month, I spent a lot of time working from home. Before the pandemic, I was working at an elementary school conducting trauma therapy with children and families who had experienced significant trauma. It was hard to keep the families engaged, and being housed in the school eliminated one of the many barriers to accessing therapy services. Read more>>
Mollie Lacher.
I lost my dad in 2012 and my brother in law in 2017 and in both experiences, there was so much that needed to happen after they died. How do we close out the bank accounts? Whose name is on the credit cards? What do we do about their online accounts? How do we get the cars sold and transferred. It’s a lot of time-consuming and burdensome tasks that all seemed to fall on the surviving family-who is grieving and often times has no energy to deal with these tasks. Read more>>
Bryant Banados
Since a very young age, I never really could pinpoint any specific job title or any type of career that I wanted. I always knew that I wanted to do something special and meaningful but it took me 43 years to find out what that was. I was always somewhat of a limit pusher/rebel if you will. My parents migrated from Chile. My father was in construction and architecture and my mother was a Spanish Teacher. Read more>>
Lindsey Radoff
I’m Lindsey Radoff, and I’m a mom to two little ones, Sienna (7) and Austin (4), and the proud owner of Thoughtfully Hooded, a collection of boys clothing that all have snappable, swappable and easily detachable hoods. The idea for Thoughtfully Hooded came to me when Austin was 3 months old. I would get him dressed in his cute little hoodies, and yet every time I would put him in his car seat, I felt like there was so much fabric behind his head that it would push his head forward and I didn’t like it. Read more>>
Dr. Juliette Nelson
NURILENS really came out of my growing love for unique eyewear and needing cost-effective eyeglass solutions. I worked in South Korea almost 10 years ago. During my time there, I discovered that I could get a pair of prescription eyeglasses at an exponentially lower price than in the U.S. I also was able to create a collection of unique styles in different shapes and colors that allowed me to express myself. Read more>>
Zachary Pierce
As many of us did in the early days of the pandemic, we spent a lot of time on YouTube. Down the rabbit hole went until we landes on soapmaking videos. One of our favorite content creators, Katie Carson of Royalty Soaps, recommended a soapmaking kit for beginners. We ordered one and got to work! Our first batch was delightful and we were eager to try more. After many more batches we had an abundance of soaps and decided to list them on an Etsy shop. Read more>>
Jessica Baltzersen
As a former agency copywriter, I’ve had my fair share of writing for brands that used unethical practices to create and sell their product. And I was the one writing the words to move people closer to them. I felt like an accomplice. Guilty by association. I realized that I no longer wanted to write for brands whose mission I didn’t believe in. Mass consumerism and overproduction have caused major destruction to our planet and its wildlife. And I wasn’t cool with that. Read more>>
Rickieha Patrick
My idea was literally an accident. 2 days before a scheduled brand photo shoot, I got this weird idea to get an apron made . Now initially I scheduled a photo session for headshots only, so when I had the thought of an apron I started praying. I asked God “Is this your idea, if so what name do I use?” I heard “Get Prepped”! I was extremely shocked because I had a podcast in the works so I thought. The young lady made the apron and I took my pictures. Weeks later I finally had the idea and yelled “Get Prepped with Kieha meal prep service”. Read more>>
Matthew Haddix
About 3 years ago I was shopping in a mall and I was looking for mens products that I could find to help me take care of myself for the upcoming week. I decided that I was going to change my life and take care of my physical health as well as my mental health due to the fact that I was working alot. During this time I was struggling with a skincare routine, grooming routine and keeping my skin as well as hair conditioned in a way that doesn’t hurt me in long run. Read more>>
Laquita Parks
In February 2020, after four trips to the Mayo Clinic, the doctor looked at me and said, “while you are not dying, you are suffering!” I honestly did not even hear the diagnosis, all I heard was “while you are not dying, you are suffering!” The last four months had been tremendously long and very difficult. While going through months of labs and medical test, I had people reaching out to me for help to publish their stories. Read more>>
Diana Gbeklui-Robertson
I love Africa and wanted to bring that richness to Canada with a touch of creativity and so i started a small online business January 2022. I initially ordedered a handcrafted bag, but realized it didnt meet my expectation as i wouldnt be able to carry things inside without it fallen – it was not practical. I requested the vendor to fix it and was told it can not be done. Read more>>
Jamaal Clinton.
I came up with the idea of making and crafting custom shoes about 20+years ago. My mother, sister and I have always bonded over fashion. Growing up my sister often designed clothing and I would design footwear. We were two young children who had an interest in fashion. Everything changed when I was fifteen years of old. We lost our mother to a terrible illness. Nothing was the same, I shut down completely and fashion became too painful. Read more>>
Jesse Abbott
It’s interesting, I never really imagined working in the art and design world until I actually found myself there. I began in studio art early and floated between mediums for years before discovering my passion for well branded products and businesses. Read more>>
Jacob Feuerman
At the time I was looking to meet and network with other people who shared the passion for overlanding and backcountry travel while I was living in the San Fernando Valley. I had been told by many people that were running organizations that did meet ups that no one in the valley wanted to meet up and it couldn’t be successful. Read more>>
Michelle Holt.
For the last few years I have been building a custom home while working full time at the college where I got my business undergrad and graduate degrees. While in school I wrote countless business plans. This forced me into really deciding what it was I wanted to do after graduation. Read more>>
Faith Baker
Our Story: In 2018, my husband and I, in agreeance, began the process of having our youngest son evaluated for Autism. After receiving a diagnosis of mild to moderate Autism, it shocked my core. I became angry, sad, and very emotional, all signs of depression. I never felt this way, and it frightens me. At that moment, I knew I needed to break free from these emotions and regain control. A simple thought and an action resulted in chopping off my hair. I went from relaxed shoulder-length hair to a low afro with a faded side. And it felt good! I felt energized! Read more>>
Thata Cinelli
Since I start my business of Party Design & Decoration in the USA, I look for a place where people can have their parties in a place that looks like “at home” without the stress of having it “at home”. But a place where they can invite a small group of people to celebrate and gather on any occasion, bringing their own beverage and food, having help from a Personal Consultant to guide them on what they may need, and helping with details like how to display their food and beverage, how to set up a table, etc. with elegance and freshness. Read more>>
Bep.
So Hadokoa actually came to being during the pandemic. I’d been a full time cosplayer and barista for awhile and with the nation shutting down I needed something to occupy my time and support me. It all started off with me making thousands (yes thousands) of face masks to donate to hospitals and doctors offices. I moved on to giving them to my neighborhood and eventually selling them online. Read more>>
DeAndre Johnson
This is a great but simple story. I was coming back from my second deployment and freshly divorced. My post deployment ritual is to go to Waffle House with my friends for my first meal. We were there and my friend said that every time me and my podcast cohost get together, the best stories are told. So he basically told us we should have a podcast. Me being home after years of being away from family because of college, military, and government work decided to stay home for a bit. That boredom led to me actually starting the podcast. That eventually branched off into the business I have today. Read more>>
Taylor Velasco
Death Rattle Co. started off as a very small pin business. I was 20 years old and had just moved to Colorado and was very big in the music festival scene. Hat pins were HUGE when I got to Colorado, I would go to Red Rocks an walk the “lots” and see people selling handmade jewelry, art, pins, and all sorts of things..it inspired me. Read more>>
Myla Davey.
Cherry Gardens was born from my memories of childhood nostalgia, combined with my love of comfy clothing (I don’t wear anything that doesn’t feel good on my body!) The name of the brand comes from the Kingston, Jamaica neighbourhood my family and I lived in for a period when I was young, and each of the pieces are named after a person, place or thing from my life. Read more>>
Carly Turman
I came up with the idea baking my own dog treats when my pup Tracy having allergic reaction and getting sick to store bought treats, just looking at the ingredients there is not one or two healthy ingredients in them it was just fillers and lot of preservatives in them. I knew then I don’t want my pup have any more junk and I know a lot of people don’t want keep feeding their pups unhealthy treats to their dogs, with my culinary background, Read more>>
Imani Bascom
Growing up I always knew I wanted to own businesses, this is just one of the many ideas I thought of. In 2021 I opened my first online business, “Her Body Shoppe”. It was a beauty/personal care shop. I would order my ingredients and materials to make and sell whipped body butters, lip glosses, lip oils, and lip scrubs. It meant a lot to me at the time because I was in a shelter, but due to personal reasons I sort of let it die. Read more>>
Ashley James
In order to grow one must heal and overcome what has tried to destroy them. Pain has a way of transforming you exactly into who you’re supposed to be, It’s not until the smoke clears that we realize everything truly happens for a reason. Without Traumatic life events that caused years of Mental/Behavioral problems my clothing brand wouldn’t exist. During my undergrad years at Clark Atlanta University I realized my true passion in life was to help individuals who struggled with mental/behavioral issues identify how to address those issues without causing harm to themselves or their loved ones. Read more>>
Yonique Watkins
The idea of my business first came about with my passion to encourage others with the word of God. I love to share God’s goodness through my experiences in hope that I will help others overcome similar challenges. God’s Words 2 Me started as a simple blog website in 2016. My blog was initially based on how I overcame obstacles and how the word of God from the Bible spoke to me and my circumstances. Read more>>
Jessica Lee
About 4 years ago I was having a hard time finding jewelry that I wanted to wear that was unique and represented my edginess so I started making it for myself. In 2020 I had a bit of a rough pregnancy with my second daughter so I had to sit a lot and anyone that knows me knows I’m not good at that. To pass the time I start creating different earrings and learning different techniques which lead to starting a collection. Read more>>
Breena Shelby
A little while before the quarantine that shook the world went into full effect, the younger member of our duo, Brea, threw the random idea of making soap into the ether. This wasn’t too absurd an idea, being we’ve always picked up hobbies every few years. Read more>>
Andres Avello
A few years ago I was the middle of a move from house to apartment. In the chaos of packing, I realized that my beloved paddle boards and kayaks were going to have to be left behind. Crushed that my paddle boarding routine would be soon coming to an end, Read more>>
Rochelle Davis
KEMARO is actually my middle name and I founded the brand in 2021 out of a desire to overcome corporate inequality faced by BIPOC migrant women. As a BIPOC migrant woman, the corporate disparity I experienced was blatant, despite being adequately qualified. Read more>>
Skye Ostreicher.
I spent most of my career working in New York government relations, as a lobbyist, political consultant and on political campaigns. After serving as regional director on the Mike Bloomberg presidential campaign, which ended on March 4, 2020…. COVID shut down New York on March 13, 2020… so I was suddenly unemployed and locked inside. Not having anything else to do, I turned to Instagram, and contacted my friends in elected office, asking them to join me on Zoom for a 10-minute recorded interview I’d post on Instagram for a show I started called, “Life Before the Virus,” to document how their lives and jobs were changing in real time in March and April of 2020 throughout New York. Read more>>
Kiera Gardner
Wow! Where do we begin? We always love to tell our funny story of how Blend of Soul was created and our WHY, so we hope you enjoy! Our journey began by visiting a local food hall in our community and noticing that there were limited healthy food options. It was a beautiful sunny day in Raleigh, NC, and we were riding down I-40 listening to BOSS by Beyonce and Jay-Z when Margo and I came up with the idea of creating our own freshly squeezed cold-pressed juices. Read more>>
Alexandria Hood
Initially I came up with my product and company, Bus Bum, as a product for just myself. I have been taking public transit in the Los Angeles area for more than 10 years now. While riding home on the metro one day from brunch with a friend, I noticed that I had sat in something wet. Now, you’re probably wondering, why would I sit in a seat that was wet. The LA transit has fabric seats, so I could not see that the seat was wet. Gross right. Read more>>
Lutunji Abram, MA
Lutunji’s Palate is a social enterprise built with purpose; fortified with love. Read more>>
Tor Smith
Throughout my adult life, I’ve always been drawn to nostalgia (my love of the 70s & 80s, pop culture, old horror movie posters, wrestling) and people have always complimented me on my personal style. When I started really exploring the world of thrifting and vintage finding, and began accumulating awesome finds, it just felt natural to open up my own shop that leaned into all of those interests of mine. I was at a point in my life where professionally, in my 9-5, I felt lost, and unsatisfied, and just yearned for more of a creative outlet. Read more>>
Monica Monroe
I tell you the truth. I never would’ve thought i would have my own business. It all started when this pandemic happened. I was trying to find natural ways to keep my immune system built up. So, I did my research & its been a very good business this far. Then, I started crafting soon after making healthy products. I love what I do & the people who are benefiting from it. Read more>>
Mary and Curt Marshall
For more than 30 years I created jams and jellies I made for friends and family. It was a hobby I enjoyed while working full-time as a Publicist for the Marketing Dept. at Shaw Air Force Base. Over the years we started getting more and more orders, especially during the holiday season. It was fun for me, but I never really thought about it being a business even after I retired. In fact, just the opposite was true. I wanted it to remain a hobby, something I did for fun. Fast forward to 2020, COVID shutdowns and my husband retiring in late 2020. One evening in early 2022, Read more>>
Ian Moore.
Being from New Jersey, I loved Italian ice but I had a difficult time finding it here in Atlanta. With the rise of the Atlanta Water Boyz I knew that Italian ice push carts could be a solution. Working with my Morehouse brothers we created Glaciers Italian Ice an alternative to the Water Boyz. The company was founded to serve the community not only delicious Italian ice but also as a way to keep our youth safe, educated and employed. Read more>>
Giacomo Lazzano
About 10 years ago as soon as I arrived in the United States precisely in Atlanta for the first time in my life I looked around and saw that I could feel good in this city as long as I could share and build something that didn’t help I think too much about Sicily the place where I am born, exactly Palermo a large metropolis and capital of Sicily. it was difficult in the early years not to smell the perfumes, but above all to be away from parents, siblings and friends, Read more>>
Debi Fideli-Robinson
Ever been caught up in a storm? The wind is blowing so hard the tree limbs are bending. The rain is coming down so hard and fast the wipers don’t give any relief to see the road. You slow down to try to see where you’re going but can’t see. That’s the type of life storm I was in. It was like I was planning a trip to Italy when I was pregnant. I studied the language, the culture and planned my daily routines. However, when the baby was born, I landed in an unknown place. Like my plane took a very wrong turn when I learned my first child was born without part of her brain and would possibly never walk, talk or do anything for herself. Read more>>
Ricardo Gonzalez-Jurado.
I always wanted to live in the country and I found this amazing property that I immediately connected with. Then I wanted to always help others and I thought I can do it through yoga. The three philosophies that drive me come from the Ubuntu philosophy of central Africa, “I am because we are”, From Dr. Maya Angelou, “If you get give, if you learn teach”, and the Confucious philosophy, “If your plan is for one year, plant rice, for 10 years plant trees, and for 100 years, educate children.” Read more>>
Marcus Piña.
I’ve been in the creative field as a designer then creative director since 1996, with a focus on digital UX, design systems, and leadership. During that time I’ve always had some sort of side hustle. For 20 years I co-owned an art gallery, and for more years than that have been a musician. Currently I’m head of creative at argodesign, a global product strategy and experience design agency, based in Austin. I manage teams, do business development, provide oversight on programs, and still do some creative directoring. Read more>>