One of the challenges we’ve seen to true equality of opportunity is that schools and books often can’t (or choose not) offer access to one of the most equalizing resources – first hand stories of how successful entrepreneurs made their ideas a reality. If you grew up in a family or community that had many successful entrepreneurs you may have been lucky to hear many conversations and stories about starting and executing on an idea, but there are millions of people across the country who haven’t had the same advantage and so our hope here is to create a space where those stories can be told in a more public forum for the benefit of any and every aspiring entrepreneur.
Jeri Horne
My start to dog training started many years ago with a dog named Nyx. Nyx was a very complex dog for me at that time. He had many struggles that made living with him very difficult. However, it was this complex dog that helped me to grow into the trainer I am today. Our training journey lead me to one of my first mentors at the time. Through years of dedication and adjusting my lifestyle I was able to show up for my dog in ways he needed. He needed a leader, someone he could trust, in addition to the endless love I had for him as my pet. Read more>>
Jen Fischer
If I’m being honest, Numbers by Jen started as a favor to my sister. She’s a creative pro who needed her books organized for the 2020 tax season, and I’m a numbers whiz whose idea of a good time was curling up with a glass of wine and a spreadsheet in the evenings while my husband watched football. (True story. And I still love it!) Read more>>
Shanthi Ramakrishna
Taara Projects started as what I thought would only be a small, one-time project in my senior year of high school. At the time, the project consisted of me designing a pair of pants on the plane ride to Bangalore, India, employing a local tailor to sew around 50 pairs of these pants, carrying them all back home in my suitcase, and selling them to my friends in Orlando, Florida. All of the proceeds were donated to NGOs I’d worked with closely. I did not know at the time that this project would turn into a venture I was committed to growing indefinitely. Read more>>
Demetria Battle
The inspiration behind the creation of Kymari Naturals was my daughter. As an infant she was one of those bald little girls that wore headbands forever and I wanted to find something that was not too harsh that would help stimulate her hair growth. I had previously sold my own hair growth oils when I was a licensed hair braider, but there was something about getting up with Kymari in the middle of the night that got my wheels turning. Read more>>
Tyler Armstrong
So i actually started the business because I wanted to become a real estate investor. I wanted to be able to go in look at properties and determine what repairs needed to be made to homes to help calculate budgets, numbers for said projects. So I thought what better way to gain this knowledge than to become a home inspector. So i went to class, started the business became licensed and then this thing flew off the handle. I called everyone and let them know my new venture. Read more>>
Tina Allen
For nine years I worked in corporate America for AT&T. At year 4 I became so frustrated with my job, I wanted to quit! As a child I was always very much into beauty but I never really saw it as a career. I would always say that I wanted to open a full-service spa. Read more>>
Patricia Barnes
As a author the process of idea to execution is transformational with time. My new book is in the making. It’s a collection of several unpublished blog posts that I wrote years ago. I decided to make it a book in 2021 and added more information. I keep changing the title. I’m happy this year the book will officially be published. Read more>>
Alexandria Blomstrom
Alex Blom Creates was born out of my passion for creating and spreading positivity during the first quarantine of 2020. As a sophomore at Penn State University, I was sent home and was looking for something to focus my energy on. That’s when I discovered the Cricut my brother and I had gifted to our mom the previous Christmas and decided to try my hand at making shirts. I loved the idea of taking a phrase or concept and turning it into something tangible that people could wear and carry with them, spreading a message throughout the day. Read more>>
Laura Vitale
I’ve always been into photography. I picked up my first camera in 2004 at 15 years old. It remained a hobby of mine, as I was super critical and doubtful of myself, but I always knew that I wanted to be a professional photographer in some capacity. Read more>>
Abby Sarabia
I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. A small midwest city in northwest Ohio. No one has ever made the parallel between creativity and this city. But it’s not that we didn’t have creative individuals. Our creative individuals needed access social, educational, and networking resources to keep creating. The realization of this broke my heart. I was a musician. I am a musician, and this reality hit me all too well. Read more>>
Johnna Rossbach
In 2018, my future business partner and I were dreaming at our corporate jobs about starting our business. We wanted to create something that sparked joy — both for ourselves but for our customers. We were brainstorming over drinks and Megan said “what about cocktails?” In that moment, we both knew that was something we could be passionate about. Read more>>
Zak Selwaeh
Going back to 2019, I was at a standstill in my career. I was a Marketing Major at NC State, and while I was proficient at a lot of the things they were teaching, I just wasn’t “wowed” with the projected career path. I wanted to do something unique, something where I could connect deeply with people. Read more>>
Lindsey Tenhunfeld
In 2018 I purchased a Candle Making Kit from Amazon. I love candles and always spent way too much money at Bath & Body Works so I thought, “I can make my own, right? Save a bit of money?” Right around that time I enrolled in a Masters program and things picked up with my full-time job. Read more>>
Sheryl Cota
I was working as a Marketing Manager for a manufacturing company for 3 years. As their business slowed down, I found myself being laid off. Unemployed. Read more>>
Princess Veasley
Business With Princess started as a Vision or, some may say, an idea. I was completing my internship with My Daily Bread Meal Prep and found myself bringing structure to the backends of the business. My best friend, who owns the company, suggested that I start doing this for entrepreneurs because I was able to come in and help make the process more streamlined. Read more>>
Kathryn Decker
My co-founder Mollie Hughes and I met while completing our EMBA online during the pandemic. We were working on a project and were interested in addressing problems faced by businesses and consumers in the sustainability space. One of the problems that we both faced was how to align our purchasing decisions with our beliefs and values. Read more>>
Zachary Geraci
After over 15 years in the cleaning industry, I left because it was full of turnover. And when I left, the people who were left to do the work were treated poorly—and so were their buildings, their occupants, and the facility managers who hired them. Read more>>
Doug McDonald
Surprisingly to me the podcast that I created when I first began barely resembled the podcast that I had been envisioning while preparing and planning to launch the show. Originally MVAMO podcast was meant to be entirely centered on comedy. I had several local comedians and actors I had planned on working with to create sketches and I had already discussed splitting the rent with a band I knew to use their practice space as my recording studio. Read more>>
JeMarcus Caldwell
If someone was to ask me if I thought I would be here right now with my own photography & videography business about 4 years ago I would completely tell them no. It all just happened so fast. I started off by making a small graduation video for my sister that included family members from all over back in 2021 to ending up having a business that’s being talked about in different states. Read more>>
Phresh Visuals
Before actually becoming a filmmaker and starting my own business I developed a love and passion for cinematography from watching films as a child such as “ Do The Right Thing, House Party, The Wood, and Halloween” to name a few. This love and passion eventually grew which led me to purchase my first camera which was an old-school Nikon that I had purchased from a pawn shop in Richmond Virginia for around $50-80 dollars. Read more>>
Chef Chianti
In 2014 started off selling plates to people in Corporate America and locals which lead to big catering gigs. While working 2 full time jobs in the restaurant industry i still found time to be a Entrepreneur. I’ve always been a great cook, i use to cook meals for my friends and family so its always been in my DNA to provide good vibes and life changing meals. Read more>>
Lou Dahl
Deciding to turn my business into a full-time job was a hard decision. I’d gone to school for illustration and animation, but never enjoyed the establishments where one was supposed to land afterwards. Read more>>
Nic Burnette
living on the beach in Florida gave me the opportunity to see such amazing sunrises every morning, an idea that turned into a part-time business. Read more>>
Christian “Kindafye” Robinson
There is a tradition that we have in my family. The tradition is to come up with a new business idea every year. The year was 2019, and I had just turned 16. Being an Atlanta-based entertainer like my mother was connected to the entertainment industry as a performer, I wanted to build a group of supporters away from the stage this year. Read more>>
Kellie Finch
I’m a wedding and lifestyle photographer in Maryland, I’ve been in business for over 10 years so to say I’m not new to this would be a slight understatement. I come from a family of serial entrepreneurs so being in business for myself comes naturally. That being said I’ve had my photography studio locally for about 2 years and to be quite honestly, my clients and I simply outgrew the space. I would often become un inspired and lacked the motivation which eventually lead to burn out. Read more>>
Pasqualé Domain
When I began creating it initially was writing that caught my attention.. Modeling commenced slightly after retuning to my hometown, preparing for my next move. Once I moved to Atlanta Georgia my acting began approximately 6 months after I arrived. Each experience propelled me further in the direction of which part of the industry I wanted to enter first. Read more>>
Danielle Centofanti-Davidson
To start, I’ll mention that entrepreneurship, owning your own business, and doing things with your hands was not a foreign concept growing up – it runs in my family. My grandparents moved to Westchester, New York from Italy and built their own home, when something broke or needed doing, you did it yourself, my mom ran her own travel agency when I was a child, and now she and my dad run a manufacturing business together, called LiteMirror, based in Irvington, NY. Read more>>
Kenneth Tisdale
Well, for me, it all began a few years ago when I began to really delve into watching Marvel Movies. They were such great cinematic pieces. Even up to this day, I view them largely as a work of art. From the writing, to the directing, all the way down to the assistance on staff. They all came together to make something extraordinary. Read more>>
Safa Batniji
There was a point when I first moved to Baltimore that I realized I really really love to cook. I had been thinking about what I was leaving behind in Florida, where I grew up, and what I was gonna do next. Read more>>
Jessica Burge
Many people looking to open their own cat/pet cafe reach out and ask about how to start. Honestly opening a cat cafe is the same as starting most any business. You need to have a rock solid plan, which a business plan can help lay out, financing, and you must understand and meet city licensing requirements. Read more>>
Sofia Aguilar
I guess you could say I started my business by first being my own client. I had been using social media as a creative outlet since I was a teenager and even had some brand collaborations under my belt before I turned 20. But the real test of my digital marketing skills came when I started my own dance business. I used my social media accounts to showcase my skills, create buzz around my service offerings and acquire clients. Read more>>
Cassie Kuenzler
Have you ever had a great idea? I mean, an idea that you really could envision going somewhere? Admittedly, I’ve had at least a few of them….but, those ideas didn’t go anywhere as I didn’t ACT on them. Candles have always brought me joy; I love the light they create & the feeling they yield: warmth, inspiration, a feeling of welcome & connection… Read more>>
Courtney Hensley
It’s a strange and scary sensation to suddenly realize the path you want to take in life. I remember the day I decided to “go for it” and start working in the fashion industry. I was pretty content with my life. I had a good paying job, a great schedule, a nice home, and for the most part it was already living the ‘American dream” but I kept feeling like something was missing. I had all of this creative flow stored within that was waiting to be born and I felt that it was time to open a new chapter in my life. Read more>>
Jessica Washburn
I fell in love with chocolate about 6 or 7 years ago. I became super interested in chocolate itself—where and how it’s grown and processed, the chocolate industry, the chemistry of chocolate, the craft chocolate movement in America and throughout the world. Read more>>
Kimberly Matthews
Every time a good idea comes to my mind it happens right before I go to sleep. As I’m in bed relaxing, clearing my mind, BOOM, there is an idea. That’s exactly what happened with Holy Rollie Pastry Shop. The concept came to me at night, as I was laying in bed. The difference between Holy Rollie and the previous thoughts is I actually put action to this idea. Read more>>
Tanya Simpson
The Situationship started as a blog that I’d spend some time on, but no real commitment to. I was stuck on where to take it, but something told me to buy the domain in 2011 for the site and just sit on the idea until I knew for sure which way to go. I was in a relationship at the time and the ideas the person was giving me weren’t aligning with my vision for the brand, so I sat on it even more. Read more>>
Sarah Blessinger
It wasn’t until a third friend of mine said “Hey, Sarah – you’re really organized. Would you mind helping on my wedding day to make sure everything gets set up and goes smoothly?” that I even realized “wedding planning” is a real job and people got paid money to do this for a living! Read more>>
Miracle Skin
It was mid February pre-pandemic that I told my nephew I would make him something to help his little feet. Eczema took over his little toes and heels making them crack and bleed. Milan was only 5 at the time and he loved going outside and playing with his big brother. Read more>>
Mason Gates
As a young individual in the 21st Century, I often times find myself plagued by the stigma that comes with the label of a “Gen-Z’er” Read more>>
Megan Powell
During quarantine in 2020, like most people I found myself with some extra free time. I have always enjoyed making handmade cards for friends and family and one day while making a birthday card for a friend I thought ‘I wonder if I can sell these?’. I took the idea and ran with it. Read more>>
Victoria Jones
For years I’ve had this idea, more like a mission to create opportunities and to add value to others. I write down EVERY idea and passion that comes to mind. It’s like the full picture comes in pieces like a puzzle in a box. I write it down and I create vision boards. I’ve had a couple of unsuccessful ventures in the past that were quite discouraging but everything in life is a lesson learned. And I continued to write down every idea that came to my mind. Read more>>
Kamaria Warren
January 16, 2017 is our actual launch date but the idea actually started December 2016 as we relaxed during our off time from school in North Carolina at my mother’s house/Kamaria’s grandmother. Read more>>
Jacob Teague
When I started hub city graphics, we originally started because I have background experience as a graphic designer and I wanted a creative outlet that would allow me to take care of my family, as well as provide for the needs of my family. So I started turning my art into prints, stickers, tumblers, and whatever else I could create. One of the designs I had got really popular, and we started to need to produce a sticker in mass quantities. Read more>>
Taylor Broughton
Isn’t it funny how we begin looking for another job while we are at work? Well, that’s how it happened to me. As I was working my first job as a student worker at 17 years old at the Board of Education, I became curious about a t-shirt kit that I seen at the store, which eventually became my side hustle in 2013 and has literally changed my life. Read more>>
Luisana Paiva-Briceño
For over twenty years, I have been dedicated to teaching languages at multiple levels, focusing on young adults and professionals who wish to learn or improve their Spanish. Read more>>
Joi Leah
I wanted to be in radio and entertainment, so I started my media company. I knew a lot about radio from being on IBNX radio show “The Conscious Party”. I learned so much being a part of that media company. Being at IBNX radio, I learned about working in a studio and working with Mutiple show coordinators. Read more>>
Sandy Rutherford
When one of my children developed some serious health issues, I left my highly successful corporate career. I wanted to find something to do to work from home that would allow me to be available and flexible to support my daughter’s health journey. I had numerous entrepreneurial ideas, both on my own and with others, that I acted upon and expected success to come easily. That was all I was used to. Read more>>
Tanysha Russell
It all stated with a wild concept that I could walk away from my very secure career. My daughter was 2 at the time and taking her to daycare took a toll on both me and her. I couldn’t take leaving her with complete strangers. I also rekindled my love for makeup at the time, So I would sit at my desk and paint my face to keep my mind off of things. Read more>>
Dameon “Bagg$$” Broussard
Early 2020 I bought the basic equipment needed to record music (laptop, interface and microphone). Got my DBA (08/18/2020) for my brand “Bagglyfe Mafia”. Getting started I was clueless on the business aspect of the business. Put a mixtape together and put it out. No marketing/promo team. Tried to build a team but it didn’t work out due to everybody wanting to be the star instead of everyone on the team having the same vision and goals. Read more>>