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.

Adrian Montoya

Austin, TX is known for its entrepreneurial culture, diverse economy, and most importantly pickleball. Living in Austin, TX as a young professional after college I noticed this very quickly and loved everything about it. Read more>>

Celestine Fabros

Euflora was born on my apartment balcony in Point Loma. It started as a humble hobby where I created succulent arrangements for friends using inherited materials from a previous web design client, Zadie’s Succulents. Read more>>

Francisco Marrone

Veg’ Origins’ history goes back almost 20 years, when I came to this wonderful country in search of new beginnings and a better future. Read more>>

Allie Guiang

Since I was little, I’ve always thrived when surrounded by others – whether it was sports, math team, or my college sorority – my energy battery is always recharged by community experiences. Read more>>

Missy Sunseri

My brother passing away inspired me to enter the mental health field in college and hats when I switched from business to psychology. Read more>>

Randy and Amy

Our son, Jay, asked Randy to help him take the pieces he could find of his toy and make it work. The toy was one that Jay had saved his money for. Read more>>

Jacob Barfield

Originally I wanted to be a carpenter. I planned on starting my own woodworking business. But when I went out to California to learn about glasswork from my stepdad in the hopes of being able to combine glasswork with woodwork I decided to change my career path and pursue glass fulltime since I enjoyed working with it so much. Read more>>

Brecca Hipwell

REKO is a Finnish term meaning fair consumption. While it wasn’t an original idea, Tia was the first to bring REKO to the states. Read more>>

Imani Dorsey

The idea for Black Girl Blessed was born from a merging of personal passion, family legacy, and a profound desire to empower women of color. Growing up in the vibrant D.C., Maryland, and Virginia metro area, my childhood was shaped by the strong, beautiful women in my family. Read more>>

Taishi Ligon

I spent 22 years in healthcare as a dental practice administrator as well as the director of a dental assisting program at a technical college, and I did enjoy my job. Read more>>

Lucki Malloy

In 2013 I started my journey as a lifestyle photographer the day I was gifted a canon rebel camera for Christmas from my Dad. I was inspired to capture more of those every day moments of my daughters childhood. Read more>>

Scott Colosimo

The story of LAND’s inception begins with my deep-rooted love for bikes, cars, and the thrill of speed—a passion that has coursed through my veins since my childhood, inspired by an upbringing immersed in the creative processes of cooking, baking, and art. Read more>>

OneLove Young

I had just gotten my license suspended and wrongfully accused of a DUI in 2020. Spent the night in Jail and the following weeks was God pouring into me a vision for everything I was doing up to that point. Read more>>

Todd Patterson

I started martial arts at just five years old, and it was something I instantly fell in love with. I began teaching as an assistant instructor between the ages of 13-16 and quickly realized how much I loved helping others reach their fitness and self-defense goals. Read more>>

Karin Srisilpanand

I used to subscribe to lifestyle and home decor subscription boxes but found myself sorely disappointed in the quality and value of the products I received. Read more>>

Javanna Kimberly

Before starting a coaching brand, I owned a kids boutique but I never understood the concept of a brand or branding. Within 3 years, I was changing the direction of my boutique over and over again from kids to women apparel. Read more>>

Laurie Love

In 2007 I worked at a home decorating store where I grew to love decorating for our customers. After having worked there for 5 years, I attended an outdoor wedding in my hometown that I fell in love with. Read more>>

Danielle Cochran

XX Fitness was actually born out of necessity, but it ended up being an ideal business for me to run in San Diego and has been for six and a half years. I left a negative work experiece and wanted to create something more positive for myself and other gym-goers. Read more>>

Cameron Martin

The idea for path and purpose came to me actually, as a result of my spiritual awakening. Before I created my business, I was a high school business teacher. Read more>>

Ava Byrd

During her time studying fashion design at FIDM-Los Angeles, I immersed herself in the world of fashion, honing my craft through hands-on experience working backstage at prestigious events such as New York Fashion Week and various coast-to-coast fashion shows as a skilled dresser. Read more>>

Maclaine West

Supper is the most important part of the day in my family. We disconnect from the world, and come together to share an amazing meal, conversation and one another’s company. Read more>>

Lauren Wesson

I was laid off from my job at the time with no warning and wanted to test things out that I could do without having a job. I started doing cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries and they turned out good so it all started from there. Read more>>

MK Hennigan

In the Curious Kitchen started in December of 2019 as a lifestyle blog to showcase my love of food, travel and family recipes. When I lost my corporate job in 2020 it became a brand that celebrate the recipes of my family. Read more>>

Reuel-Azriel Le Flore

I came up with Robere Chretien when I was in college. Attending Wheaton College in Norton, MA. It started out as just me jotting down some parts of my adventures for an English class essay. Read more>>

Kyng Curry

Power of Blackness was created from a void I felt was missing in my community. A clothing brand that represented us in a positive light. Yet also inspiring and empowering us to be our best selves. Read more>>

Lawrence King

My journey towards creating Trilla G ENT began when I was 16 at Davidson College. I was selected to join the July Experience, a 3-week summer program at Davidson that brought high school students from all over the world to experience college life. Read more>>

Tiara Rivard

What inspired me to start my business TutuAmore was my love for fashion my children and wanting to be my own boss, and better example to my children. Read more>>

Kassaundra Baal

Love this question – and opportunity to share! Originally, I pursued the thrilling world of events because I was passionate about creating meaningful experiences that left guests feeling excited, celebrated and impressed. Read more>>

Jacqueline Baron

The story of FELOH: For Everyone’s Love of Hair + Beauty originated in 2009 at the University of Pennsylvania in the Fisher Hassenfeld dormitory. Read more>>

Nicole Palermo

I have always loved the art of makeup and creating my own products. It wasn’t just makeup it was how it made people feel. I am self taught and have always been very creative. Read more>>

Sinister Star

Hello, my name is Trent, I have always had this artistry in my blood at a young age. I was definitely inspired by my mom when she showed me one of her art projects from when she went to school. Read more>>

Derek Gothmann

For the last 12 years I have been a maintenance supervisor for several apartment complexes. As a maintenance supervisor, hiring cleaners who are both affordable and who provide quality service has been an obstacle. Read more>>

Vergie Arandid

– I READ ABOUT A SIMILAR CONCEPT IN A SOUTHWEST AIRLINE MAGAZINE. THE STORY HIGHLIGHTED A SOBER BAR IN AUSTIN, TX CALLED SANS BAR. THE FOUNDER HELD POP UPS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND TWO IN DUPONT CIRCLE IN WASHINGTON, DC. Read more>>

Tina Contogenis

After being in the entertainment business for most of my life, I had an idea of how I wanted representation to look like and feel like. Read more>>

Tiffany & James Tomac

This business was a long sought out dream of mine (Tiffany) but needed its own way of fruiting. My husband James, supported me and aided in the creation of it but it came to mind with the vision of my Son, who passed back in ‘15 at 2 years old. Read more>>