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.

Drew T. Jackson

When I began my business, I started out with a bang! I immediately found success in onboarding clients to my executive coaching and leadership training business. I continued to dream big and believe that everything would come together because I wanted it; unfortunately, that is not how it works. In executing on building a business, you inevitably run into walls. This was something that I experienced early on, and it was a painful experience. Fortunately, I had access to an international business and leadership expert from whom I could reach out and receive mentorship. I will share a portion of our conversation in the following few paragraphs. Read more>>

Katie Curtis

In college, I wasn’t sure what to major in. I remembered always having my camera on me through adolescence and I’d directed many videos with my sisters and cousins, so I had decided, ‘What the heck? I’ll do video’. Now, I didn’t end up graduating with a degree in videography; however, since I had started it, word got around. It was the dawning of video as marketing in the mainstream and my dad’s business was on the cutting edge. So he and his entrepreneur friends would use my beginner services over the next few years while I worked in my dad’s construction business. Read more>>

Jasmen Rogers

After working at a place where I felt underappreciated and not paid enough for the value I brought to the organization, working for myself felt like a “this could be cool” type of goal. It felt like an amazing opportunity to set my own schedule, define how much my time was worth, and create a space to uplift and center other Black women. But because owning a business is so risky, it also felt like something for later in life. I kept telling myself, “when I get more stable, I’ll do that one day…” Read more>>

Dr Jeannita Bussle

Many people have aspirations to write a book, however, they have no idea where to begin. I have had countless people approach me asking for advice on where to start and my answer is always the same. I tell them to “just start writing.” You have to literally grab a notebook (or laptop) and put the pen to paper. Start brainstorming ideas. With my two books and my doctoral treatise, my process remained the same. I knew what I wanted to cover and I methodically wrote on each subject matter and/or period of my life. Read more>>

Lisa Garness Mallory

Colorado native, I became a professional nature, wildlife, and fine art photographer. I love nature and wildlife so my main subjects are related to them. In 2009 I decided to combine my photography with fine art. So I created my process of using wood carving tools and an engraver to hand etch on my photography. To start I began experimenting with various objects such as sewing needles and macrame T pins to scratch off the ink in various places on my photos. I wanted to create more, depth, light, texture, and a 3D effect. I was pleased with the results but I found the needles and pins had a potential of injury. So I started using wood carving tools whick work well. And I found that a jewelry engraver was also excellent. Both are the main tools I use now. Read more>>

Mari Brown

Idea to execution went from vision to paper, and then to reality within 3 months. Generally speaking, it takes much longer for most business ideas to go from vision to reality. I think excitement about this new endeavor was my main driving factor. Within one month of creation of idea, an online platform was built via Shopify. A simple Google search helped to identify domestic, international, and local vendors. The online store was mostly marketed via word of mouth and social media and pages were created for Route 12. Read more>>

Tara Konitshek

Every business starts with a great idea. The reality is that it will remain an idea until it is actually executed which is often a struggle or even stopping point for many. What most people don’t realize until they actually start is the amount of work involved; the discipline, consistency, and sacrifice that is required to not only execute an idea but to continue to grow and thrive. It is also important to learn to not let the opinions of others impact your decision to start as often times I’ve learned they can heavily weigh on you and hold you back from pursuing your ideas or dreams. Read more>>

EVitta Hobbs

My ideal became executed as a business owner in the Fitness, Health, and Wellness industry as I was currently teaching, performing, and instructing. I was a Director at a local dance studio, a choreographer for high school and college performance teams, and a fitness instructor at (2) two local gyms. As I grew older, I decided to use both of my crafts to promote fitness, health, and wellness. This ideal didn’t come overnight, more like (7) seven years. First, I wanted to continue to gain followers and clients. Secondly, I continue to educate myself on the business aspect and what it would take to become a business owner. Read more>>

Latoya Jones

My story begins when one day I wanted chocolate covered strawberries, so I decided I would make my own. I had no clue as to what I was doing because I had never tried it before. So, I tried it and they didn’t come out all pretty as I expected but I posted a picture to Facebook and of course people thought they were pretty but they really weren’t because my drizzle was horrible. People started to inquire after I made another batch and with that batch I added decorations. From there it kind of just took off. People actually started to order. I started to execute and as time went on my work got better. I started to try other things such as chocolate covered Oreos and rice krispies treats. So, here I am today still at it and that’s how Shamanda’s Treats was birthed Read more>>

Briana Brown

My co-founder Natalie Costa e Sa and I met at a Sparez Bowling in Broward County for the first time in June 2018. It was the first event to kick off our family’s Family Reunion. Natalie was my cousin’s girlfriend (now wife) and we were chatting about Miami since I had recently relocated, and our new jobs. Natalie and I discovered that we were both working or pursuing technical degrees and we found ourselves encouraging each other in our fields since representation was painfully low. Read more>>