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.
Hannah Picchi
The Mimi Louise brand was named after both of my grandmothers. They’ve inspired this brand through their feminine beauty, strong faith, & love for others. At Mimi Louise you’ll find clean beauty + skincare products for your everyday routines with a dose of love! I began my journey in the beauty industry over 6 years ago! I started my first business at the age of 24 which specliazed in sunless tanning products. Over the years, I’ve worked with a clean beauty lab to develop, & perfect, a bronzing face serum that doesn’t clog pores. I noticed that there weren’t any sunless tanning products in the beauty market that were catering to people with acne, & senstive skin. My mission is to bridge the gap between sunless tanning, & non-comedogenic skincare! I’m also a licensed esthetician, & offer custom bespoke facials tailored to my clients unique skincare needs. Whether they’re struggling with acne, seeking anti-aging solutions, or craving a pampering facial, I help my clients achieve the beautiful glowing skin that they deserve! Read more>>
Derek Demun
Growing up I was an extremely active kid in the actin sports world. From surfing to snowboarding to skateboarding, I did it all. During my high school years I dedicated myself to becoming the best surfer I possibly could and that was shown as I was named my high school surf captain for the Surf team at my local high school Huntington Beach High. Once I hit senior year thou my life was taking a different avenue as I started to dedicate all of my time to snowboarding. Once I graduated high school I decided that I did not want to drive to the ski resort anymore so I moved from the ocean to the mountains of southern Colorado. Specifically Telluride ski resort where I worked on the mountain and lived at the base of the resort where I turned my goal of not driving to the resort into having a lift chair in my back yard. Read more>>
Patrick Leclerc
I have been writing since i was a child just naturally but was to shy to share with anyone until i had a car accident that left me pretty severely injured. At this point the desperation made me share 3 of my poems online ( almost thinking i was not going to make it through the night). The next day to my big surprise tons of messages were starting to come to me from all corners of the web asking where people could find more of my work.. This allowed me to focus my energy on creating my website and sharing more and more. Until someone asked if they could help me in sharing my messages with the publication of a book. I was at this point conceived, my messages was met to be shared with the world and it proved to be right! My book Art Changes Lives took life in itself and continues to transform lives through hope and love. Read more>>
Marina Micanovic
The idea for my business first took root when I began my journey in fashion design back in Serbia. Even as I moved to New York, I remained in the same industry, constantly evolving. But it was during the COVID pandemic that I launched my brand, UniUkiyo. Currently, this brand focuses on creating unique and authentically designed bags that are multifunctional, offering versatility in how they can be worn. That’s how my business in the U.S. truly began. Every design, every bag I create, comes straight from my heart. I often describe it as a gift, something instinctual. The ideas for my designs come to me in a flash, and the creative process becomes about refining the details, thinking about functionality, quality, and craftsmanship. But the essence of each design comes from a place that feels intuitive, almost second nature. Read more>>
Audrey Withers
All three of us were trying to come up with an idea we were passionate about, we all had the problem of affordable jewelry tarnishing. We couldn’t stand the fact that you had to spent $50 plus dollars on decent quality bracelets that wouldn’t turn within the first week. So we came up with 119 jewelry, tarnishing resistant and affordable jewelry. Read more>>
Sarah Coppola
It took over 25 years of work to realize what I wanted to do with my life that would soften the struggle of the “starving” artist life but still allow time for making art, and help other artists in the process. I have been an artist for my entire life but I’ve always loved organization as well. I’ve worked various jobs throughout my life in and around the arts, but often in an operations capacity and always working for someone else and wanting more. After a particularly brutal 4 years as operations manager in a biotech startup, I realized that my love of organization and my involvement in different financial roles in a variety of small businesses set me up perfectly to go out on my own as a bookkeeper. Thus Indigo Bookkeeping (to tie in with my art business, Indigo Arts) was born in early 2024. Read more>>
Christina Rizzo
Ever since I was a child, my mom and I have always loved candy, trying new flavors, shapes, or brands we haven’t had before was always so exciting and fun. Candy is something simple that can provide so much joy. I always thought what a dream it would be to have a candy shop, finding and sourcing candy you can’t get at the grocery store or gas station, creating themed mixes, or allowing customers to create their own, When Covid hit a lot of local (Pittsburgh) candy stores with pick n’ mix options had closed and never reopened. In Feb 2024 I really started thinking, if I’m so sad about the lack of local candy shops are other people? Is now the time for me to start my own candy shop? How do I start? Where will I get the candy? Read more>>
Joe Celano
The idea for Barcela Distribution emerged from my extensive experience in licensing and production, where I recognized a critical gap in how European brands were entering the U.S. market. Over the years, I’ve worked with numerous European fashion and lifestyle brands, managing everything from initial concept development to the final delivery of goods. The challenge I saw repeatedly was that while these brands excelled at creating high-quality, innovative products, they struggled with the nuances of expanding into the highly competitive U.S. market. Read more>>
Mo Kills
let me take you back to my second year of college 2011. I got a refund check and I was thinking to my self how could I use some of this money in order to stretch it or invest it into something that will continue to pay me. At the time I had an older brother who was doing tattoos. So the thought of a tattoo machine came to me. Growing up I just assumed the supplies needed for tattooing would be super expensive because of the prices that artist were charging. To my surprise you could get an entire tattoo kit on eBay for a little under $200 bucks. I dove right in. Purchased the kit and when it arrived I watched the video it came with and read the manual along with what I remember learning from my brother. I started tattooing myself. Read more>>
Karly Baptista
The idea for my business really began to take shape during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others, I found myself reevaluating my priorities during that time. One day, my friend Kimber reached out and asked if I could train her. It was such a natural request, and I thought, “Why not?” Soon after, my church friend and even my esthetician expressed interest in training with me as well. It started with just a few people, but quickly grew, as word-of-mouth spread. That’s when I realized there was a real need for personalized, mindful fitness coaching, especially in such a challenging and uncertain time. Read more>>
Jordan Smith
After graduating college in the summer of 2019, I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey by launching a business focused on developing 3D renderings for homes. Recognizing a significant gap in the market, I saw that while 3D rendering is a growing field, it’s often overlooked in architectural schooling, resulting in a scarcity of skilled artists. Many rendering professionals work overseas, which can lead to communication challenges and difficulties in capturing architectural nuances. By being domestic and having a Master’s degree in architecture, I was positioned to offer a service that conveys the intricacies of design accurately and with effective communication. Read more>>
Amanda Faye Lacson
When I first got married, my new mother-in-law wanted to share the stories behind family heirlooms in her and her mother’s home. She had three kids, all boys. As the first daughter in the family, I felt the weight of responsibility to care for her collection, photograph the heirlooms, record the stories so we could pass them down to future generations. I researched the family genealogy in earnest, Alsatian and Norwegian lines that set down roots in America in the 1800s. Read more>>
Justin Frost
Growing up, I always had a deep passion for high-end fashion and sustainability, and I knew I wanted to build my own company one day. I worked in corporate marketing for five years before the pandemic struck in 2020. When it hit, I was eventually laid off from my corporate job. With limited opportunities to reenter the corporate world during that time, I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own business, Frostytch. The name stems from my childhood nickname, “Frosty,” combined with “Stitch,” reflecting my love for design. It’s pronounced Frost-Stitch. While starting out was nerve-wracking, my strong background in marketing gave me the foundation I needed to begin building my brand. Read more>>
Jacquelynn Cotten
My brand is called Spiritual Support System. I’ve personally been on a spiritual journey for what feels like my entire life. As someone who had a rough upbringing, was exposed to domestic violence, addiction, & so on — I have always felt very passionate about overcoming my circumstances, environment, & living a fulfilling life. Already a creative agency owner, mom, wife, writer, singer-songwriter, mental health advocate, & podcast host, I wanted something more. In 2020, the father of my first child died. It left me deeply wounded & even more curious about spirituality so I dove deeper. I began tuning into my gifts & decided to just let the Universe guide me down the path I was meant to go. Then one day, I had this thought land while I was in the shower minding my own business. It was ‘Spiritual Support System’ & I got full body chills even in the midst of the steamy shower. Read more>>
Marlo Flanagan
Being in the performing arts can be difficult. What’s easy is to get lost and not know where to turn. At the beginning of my career journey, I put in a lot of time and hard work into finding my way. I was also lucky enough to cross paths with seasoned voiceover professionals who guided me through the ins and outs of the business. I realize not everyone is as fortunate. Over the years, I noticed that many of my peers felt lost or overwhelmed, even after completing classes or producing demo reels. They were often left feeling uncertain about how to navigate the voiceover world or apply what they’d learned. Too many were previously trained using a cookie-cutter approach, which encouraged blending in rather than standing out. Read more>>
Austin Mitchell
The reason that I wanted to create Purposefull Productions a podcast recording studio, is because God put it on my heart to help people produce media content that impacted the world in a positive way. I believed it can be hard for people to take the risk and step of faith to start a podcast. My studio helps people to eliminate the excuses as of why they can’t start one. We make it affordable, have the equipment, and will help you along the way with the process. It gets me excited to know I can help other produce podcast that will be a light to the world. Read more>>
Kiara Smothers
For years, I didn’t know which direction the Holy Spirit would guide me in, so I followed as I saw fit. I started out as an educator, working for childcare centers, nonprofits, brick and mortars to virtual and now as a business owner who created HERstory! Yoga has become my mental health tool since 2018. Once in the classes, I would notice I was either the only Black person in the studio or one of the only ones, with no Black instructor present. I was just a student for 5 years and nothing changed. I knew that my love for Yoga was growing because it helped me heal in so many ways, through multitudes of trauma I have endured. At this moment in time, I was not aware of it, but I was healing my body through asanas (yoga poses). Read more>>
Craig Higgins
My book ‘Artichoke Stars and Chicken Fried Shark’ began as a COVID-era, Christmas break attempt at generating a new story. In the original tale, a teen boy goes out to the beach and discovers this artichoke-like alien creature that, when he brings it home, turns into a girl. I got about two thousand words into this concept when a couple things occurred to me. One, it was a dumb idea. Two, it was a dumb idea worth developing into a manuscript. Gradually I began to add elements that made the story what it became – the setting is the same small Mississippi town I spent time in as a young teen; the time period was 1980, right on the cusp of a period of what for America then was tremendous upheaval politically and culturally; and the cultural milieu around our hero Mickey Finley is very religious in context. Once I set the time and place, it was a simpler matter to include all the elements of what I’ve branded Deep Fried Cosmic Weirdness: alien invasions; body horror; and angsty teen romance. Read more>>
Meghan Blohm
The Story Behind Nolia Florals The idea for Nolia Florals really evolved from my childhood experiences. Growing up on Long Island, New York – I was surrounded by nature’s beauty between lots of greenery and endless coastal land. I was driving distance to beautiful beaches and flourishing flower farms. However, I was still under an hour from the energy of New York City and all it entailed. Additional, my love for creating inviting tablescapes stems from my mom. She has an incredible talent for creating stunning floral arrangements and table designs. Every celebration whether it was a birthday party, holiday dinner, or friends and family get together was inviting and extremely welcoming thanks to her creative touch. Those moments left a lasting impression on me, showing me how flowers could elevate any occasion and bring joy to people. It also taught me the importance of bringing the people you love together. I was also fortunate enough that my mother is a female entrepreneur who taught me that skies is the limit when it comes to owning your own business. She has empowered me every step of the way from childhood to small business owner. Read more>>
Naoko Tamada
I hate complaining. I believe that any problem can be solved, and I enjoy coming up with ideas and implementing them. When I was running a beauty salon for 27 years, I was always excited to solve customers’ hair problems. After seeing my mother suffer from thinning hair and feel embarrassed after wearing a wig for over 10 years, I created a shampoo that improved her hair and made her hair grow so much that she no longer needed to wear a wig. At the age of 45, I had a child, run a business, lived with a mother with Alzheimer’s disease, and created a lotion to rejuvenate my tired, sagging face. I want to be excited all the time. I want to always stay positive. I don’t want to be surrounded by people who only complain every day, there is a solution to every problem. That’s where my business idea comes from. Today, I would like to introduce a natural shampoo that can be used even by people with sensitive skin, such as my mother who wore a wig for over 10 years, but now her hair has grown and she no longer needs to wear a wig. Read more>>
Toby Gilbert
Growing up on a 5 acre homestead farm on the eastern shore of Maryland, I was constantly outside tending to the garden and our animals. I was at my Mom’s heals every time she’d be cooking. This connection to food and nature made me gravitate towards cooking. After cooking through high school and college, I moved to Puerto Rico, where I met a chef who invited me to New York. The following years were spent as sous chef around the Delmarva area with a very formative stage at two of Sean Brock’s restaurants, Husk and McCrady’s. In 2016, I found my self as Sous Chef to Hari Cameron, at Amuse in Rehoboth Beach, where I focused on fermentation, and learned modernist techniques. Read more>>
Macie Melander
After my second son was born I was tired of boutiques and stores in general not having many boy options so I decided to teach myself to sew. I realized many boy moms felt the way I did so I decided to start my own small business and start creating clothing items that everybody could use! Read more>>
Patricia Franklin
Hello my name is Patricia Franklin and I am the founder, face and writing professional behind Franklin Freelance Writing Consulting. The vision for Franklin Freelance Writing Consulting came about in 2020 when I was a stay at home mom with my son. I was in graduate school at the time and wanted to make some extra funds towards the household. I have a supportive spouse he wanted to ensure that I enjoyed our second child and pursued my dream degree as a graduate student. Read more>>
Lashawn Hill
The idea for XClusive Shades, sunglass & eyewear business came to me while I was reflecting back to my childhood in 2022. I was the girl who had to wear glasses, and the options were slim and always nerdy looking. Wearing my glasses never made me feel confident, but I literally HAD to wear them. I’ve always had a love for fashion and accessories, and eyewear just spoke to me. I thought to myself, “Why can’t there be more variety for people like me who want to make a statement but don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars?” Read more>>
Ily Torres
This idea really came about in the days leading up to my wedding. I was a covid bride so my wedding was pushed back to 2023 and I asked a family member to follow me around just shooting video on my phone. I love posting stories so I wanted content for that. They nicely declined and I was bummed but the show went on. A couple of weeks later I saw this thing called “Wedding content creator” and a light bulb went off. I am a big believer that the universe plants ideas in our head for a reason. I was pregnant with my second baby at the time and I told my husband that after I had him I was going to dive in head first and that is exactly what I did. I didn’t know if I was going to succeed or fail, but the wonderful part about being a serial entrepreneur is that you are no longer that scared to take the leap. I have an amazing support system in my husband and family that believes in me so much it leaves me no option than to believe in myself. Read more>>
Danny Morrison
Back in my hometown of Bakersfield, California, I noticed there was a dearth of Black-owned Businesses getting attention. Yes, we had an abundance of wonderful businesses that had perennial ties to the city, but advertising and marketing was too expensive for them to get the word out. So I took it upon myself to start a campaign. For us… BY US. I coined it my “Bolster Black Bakersfield” Campaign and charged businesses a minimal fee for a high-quality and TV ready commercial that highlighted the greatness of their respective business and brand. And it TOOK OFF. So much so, I was invited to come down to Los Angeles along with my TV/Radio experience to “bolster” the Black-owned Businesses here in LA. Such a blessing. Read more>>
Todd Wolfson
The idea for Golden Knights Sports Camp came to me as I reflected on my own childhood, where sports played a pivotal role in my development. I grew up in an era when kids were always outside, meeting new friends and learning life skills through games and sports. I saw the gradual shift in recent years, with more kids staying indoors, absorbed by screens and technology, and I wanted to help bring back that sense of community and outdoor play. It wasn’t just about athletics; it was about creating a space where kids could bond, grow, and enjoy the simple joys of summer. As I looked around La Cañada, I realized that many local programs had become overly competitive or focused on specialization. I wanted to fill the gap for families seeking a fun, inclusive, and relaxed environment where all kids could thrive. Read more>>
Melissa S. Harkin
The story of “What If”—my debut novel and book one in my series—came to me during a dark time, reflecting on the “what ifs” of my life after experiencing heartbreak and violence. I wanted to write a story that offered hope—a journey of love and recovery after trauma. I drew inspiration from my own experiences and from strong women I met throughout my life and while working with the U.S. Army. The logic behind pursuing “What If” was deeply personal: I knew that sharing this story of rebuilding and finding happiness again could resonate with many who have faced similar struggles. It was a story I had to tell for myself and for others. Read more>>
Bernadette Capozzi
The idea for TWIST came to me during a time when I realized how challenging it can be for couples (and friends) to break out of routine and find fresh, exciting ways to spend time together. Planning date nights and adventures was something I always enjoyed, but I saw how stressful it could be for others—juggling time, creativity, and making each experience feel special. I wanted to solve this problem by offering something different: a way to bring spontaneity, adventure, and mystery into relationships without the stress of planning. That’s how TWIST was born—a fun, stress-free way to enjoy unique date night experiences that keep the excitement alive. Read more>>
Ananya Nagendra
After losing my mom to cancer, I made it a personal goal of mine to help others in situations similar to hers. However, it’s very hard for people under 18 to get involved in helping cancer patients. Through lots of thinking, I realized that letters can truly brighten someone’s day and give them hope to keep fighting. Also, receiving a letter is so uncommon nowadays, and I wanted bring the power of handwritten letters back. Letters of Light was formed in 2023 to tackle isolation amongst cancer patients and empower them through treatment. Read more>>
Nicole Clanahan
Corey and I always dreamed of owning a business within our community. We have two school aged children, and we were really looking to solidify their roots. With my background in bookkeeping and project management, and Corey’s in big-box retail management, we figured the best way to do this while also offering something of value to our town was by opening a store that offered access to reasonably priced, local and environmentally friendly goods, year round- something bigger towns with more access to stores often take for granted. The concept took many forms since we opened our doors in February 2023. What at first was mostly an package free/low-waste bulk model sort of evolved into a local farm stand eco store with an emphasis on quality, affordability, and the ability to bring and refill a container from home. To this date, the knowledge that we’re gently nudging our community towards more mindful choices has been our biggest motivating factor. We love getting to know our community on the level of fulfilling basic needs and supporting small farms and artisans simultaneously. Read more>>
Sydney Petro
Wedding Melodies started back in 2018. I have been singing at weddings since I was 13 years old, but the scale of the business started after I started getting booked for multiple weddings in one year. 2018 was our biggest year we ever had we have a total of 18 weddings from the month of June to November. I knew from this rising year, that singing at weddings could turn in to something big. With just graduating with a Marketing Degree from Saint Francis University that spring, I knew I could use my knowledge to make this business sore. My music teacher and pianist/organist, Evonne Yazetich-Homway, had played a big role of who I am as a singer today. She has taught me more skills with my voice than I can imagine. Read more>>