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.

David Bishop

I suffered a spinal cord injury in May of 2016. Nothing prepares you for that. After weeks in ICU and then months in an acute rehabilitation hospital it was time to go home. Read more>>

Matthew Anglen

I was going through a rough time. I had a hard time finding the positive in things so I started doodling. Over time these doodles became more focused. I wanted to create something that radiated confidence in one’s self. Read more>>

Dania Brissett

Growing up with Caribbean parents, the idea of entrepreneurship wasn’t actively promoted in my household. Education and securing a stable job were the priorities instilled in me from a young age. Read more>>

Leat Regwan

When our kids were little, my husband and I would read to them every night. My husband, Sol, would make up stories that the kids wanted to hear over and over. Read more>>

Owen Odigie

The idea for Opulence Entertainment and “Osa’s Vantage” was born out of a challenging period in my life. In March 2020, I was laid off due to the pandemic, which left me at a crossroads. Read more>>

Carey Rose O’Connell

After over 20 years in the corporate environment, I could not deny my entrepreneurial spirit any longer. In 2011 I began working with a business mentor and about a thousand ideas and by 2017 I had curated the type of business I wanted to create and became an independent brand marketing consultant. Read more>>

Paden Sickles

I was inspired to start SickFit based on my personal experiences during my time in the military as an Army Engineer. Throughout my service, I was constantly on my feet, participating in grueling 12-mile ruck marches and other demanding activities. Read more>>

Ayo Jeremiah

Funny but true story! Back in 8th grade, my class was asked to think about what we wanted to be when we grew up. I was totally clueless at that point. In my cultural circle, the only esteemed and high paying careers were doctors, lawyers, accountants, or engineers. Read more>>

Earl Monkou

The initial idea came from my mother, who suggested selling granola. At first, I was hesitant and filled with questions, but I decided to give it a try. Read more>>

William Denson

I was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia, surrounded by a wonderful support system of parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. Read more>>

Heather Stewart

My first career was the traditional sort that people were told was the thing to do. I got a university degree in finance and then obtained my CPA – CA designation. Read more>>

Paolo Andino

I started baking cookies in NYC about 20 years ago. As a new actor in the city you’re always working a side hustle and I was seeing all the cookie places pop up but they all were missing something. Read more>>

Larry & Laia

I, Larry, moved to Jacksonville in November 2023 for a real estate position. The move was delayed multiple times, but through perseverance, I finally made it. Read more>>

Melissa Williams

During the pandemic I spent more time exploring my personal beliefs and interests which led me to revisit my life long love of astrology and study it more deeply. I honestly was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude! Read more>>

Shari Nickens

Shari Dionne was started by Will Nickens Jr. and Shari Dionne. The brand story started out as a love story. Will and Shari began dating in January of 2018. Read more>>

La Manda Davis

The idea of my first book SURPRISE IT’S JUST PEE!, was inspired from the love of my cat, Tangerine. One day, I came home and discovered Tangerine just peed on my bed again! Read more>>

Marut Manorat

Do you believe in destiny? I have never known that I will become what I am today. I was a music teacher, playing flute in the orchestra in Thailand my whole life. Read more>>

Vickie Marchand

The idea for NY2CA emerged during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. My husband, Terry Twigg (known by most as Twigg), and I found ourselves separated by circumstances—he was in Benicia, staying at our Airbnb home, while I remained in Oakland. Read more>>

Asheton Reid

I founded RockerBelles with a focus on fashion and clothing, drawing inspiration from my love for music, rock and roll, and the local music scene. Read more>>

Jill Wright

I started my coaching business quite organically, based on my own lived experience. After the announcement of yet another extension to daycare closures during the early days of the pandemic, I hit my rock bottom. Read more>>

Jessica Tucker

I’m going to pivot into an idea and business I created outside of JTucker Consulting. The Genesis of SWAGGAS The idea for SWAGGAS was born from a personal experience that profoundly impacted me.  Read more>>

Mary Ransom

I was working for a Mental Health agency completing their billing. The owner of that company set up a meeting with me and another young lady that already had her billing company. Read more>>

Matt & Holly Sams

A Laser Engraving Business is not something my wife, Holly and I thought we would begin after owning and operating another company for the past 25 years. Read more>>

Olivia Carpenter

I started making cookies as a freshman in high school as a campaign strategy to become Class President, a role I held for three years. Read more>>

Claire Bennett and Jonathan Haupt

We’re always grateful for new opportunities to share DAYLO’s origin story and to talk about our roles as mentors to DAYLO’s student leaders. Read more>>

Tatum Immenschuh

Throughout my time of esthetics school, I had learned and taken on so much all I wanted to do was take clients. After every client I had taken in my treatment rooms, just seeing how extremely happy they were after their service(s) it genuinely made me happy. Read more>>

Krissy Teskera

My ride or die – Rafa and I are passionate motorcyclists. Rafa has been riding for over 20 years and I started 4 years ago but dedicating all my free time to seat time. Read more>>

Dayana Contreras

During the pregnancy of my second son, I found myself on a roller coaster of emotional and physical pain. I had given up on myself and my needs, both emotionally and financially, to be there for others. Read more>>

Glenn Becker

I was a finish carpenter for 35 years. During the last few years of that career, I started making gifts for family and friends to give out for Christmas and birthday presents. Read more>>

Gabriela Nassar

Hipline Dance and Fitness studio was founded on the need for a community movement space that offered women (fast forward we now serve non-binary, trans and gender-expansive bodies) something more than just a dance floor and typical boutique studio experience. Read more>>

Ostarè Dubois

The genesis of my creative services business stemmed from a profound personal journey marked by intensive medical treatments and surviving major car accidents. Read more>>

Tony Kayyod

In 2004, after a rewarding long career in the automotive industry, it was time for me to follow my entrepreneurial dreams. Thought hard & long about marketable experiences and skill sets, and launched a consulting team helping clients improve their business processes and expand their global presence. Read more>>

Lynda Oniah

It all started one sunny summer afternoon. I was shopping for a new pair of jeans, an experience that had always been more of a chore than a delight. Read more>>

Hamed Cisse

FREEMIND US was founded in the summer of 2014 after a trip to Paris inspired me. I was struck by how people dressed and, more importantly, their confidence in expressing their unique styles. Read more>>

Myron Walker

My journey with Link Car Care started with a very personal pain point and frustration. Like many busy professionals, I found the process of getting my car detailed and properly cleaned to be a major inconvenience. Read more>>