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.
Minju Witte
The journey from idea to execution for becoming an etiquette trainer and starting Empower Etiquette began in the quiet hours of the pandemic lockdown. Like many, I found myself reflecting on what really mattered—how we connect with each other and navigate the challenges of our time. I realized that there was a great need for people to connect through civility, respect, and benevolent honesty, especially in a time when negativity and divisiveness were taking a toll on our well-being. Being a university professor teaching piano and being a performing artist had been a significant part of my life for a long time. Aside from my love for sharing music as a professor and a performer, it was the “people” aspect of teaching and performing that I greatly enjoyed. I began to think seriously about how I could teach and speak about human relationships—how we connect with and treat one another. At the time, I was a full-time piano professor, but I kept returning to the idea of focusing on etiquette to improve communication and interactions. Read more>>
Joseph Collins
After finishing french culinary school in 2011 and working a few jobs on and off. We started in 2012 in memphis, tn but had to stop due to some life issues. After regrouping and doing private chef gigs and traveling for a few years on the road managing Rap artist Project Pat and also being his private chef. I am back home off the road to be with my kids more and We started Collins Family Food n BBQ again in 2017. From there we only had a meduim size bbq grill trailer and started selling smoked turkey legs on the corner in the Raleigh area of memphis, rain sleet , snow, building business and clients in the area. pressing through hard times, crime, slow business days. We kept cooking and building until soon we had lines in the parking lot and people driving from all over to try our famous turkey legs. Fast forward to 2019 we manage to build a food truck and as we opened up at the end of 2019 COVID hit and the worst year ever to date 2020 came and almost closed us down and slowed everything down. but we continued push and keep building and going out to sell and in May 2022 God told me it was time to move to a new place and we landed here in villa rica GA. Read more>>
Kris Mcmenamin
Filmmaking is a big process with a ton of steps before you ever get in-front of a camera. It all started with an idea that over the course of 6 months blossomed into a script, while working with some of the team on another project I had started to write and develop the script for Misfits. Through the process of draft, revision, rewrite, and again revision a great script was created with heart, humor, drama, and real characters. We got feedback from others in the industry and people who will be the audience one day as moved to solidified the majority of the script. It’s never really done till the filming part is done if I am being honest. The next part becomes a whirlwind, we started putting up our casting notices, reviewing audition tapes, scouting locations, and finding partners both financially as well as strategically to bring this script to reality. We found amazing crew and cast members to form the Misfits team who are bringing their passion, talents, also their equipment that are vital to a successful project. We looked for ways to bring in the the most talented cast and crew with the tools both physical and talents that we could to make a film that has the quality of a million dollar production that is ready to be shown on streaming giants for a tenth of that in real budget. Finding those cost savings in free locations, people willing to make this their passion project, and all those million little things that make something great is a lot of work, but a amazing culmination that is really that old age about the sum of it’s parts. Read more>>
Ricko Clark
The Beginning: It all started with my passion for music and sound. My brother and I began making music in my mom’s garage. We couldn’t wait to get home after school to create, using multiple cassette tapes to layer different sounds. Back then, we didn’t have the luxury of digital tools—no Pro Tools, just pure creativity and determination. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for the process of building something from the ground up, which still drives me today. The idea for Jazzi Musiq Productions was born from that love for both production and engineering. From Idea to Action: Once I had the idea, the first step was learning everything I could about running a studio. I already had experience as a producer and engineer, but running a full-fledged studio was a different challenge. I began researching studio setups, equipment, and acoustics. I invested countless hours in understanding the technical side—how to create the right environment for artists, not just sonically, but atmospherically. Read more>>
Thomas Bille
The restaurant concept of belly of the Beast started in early 2015. I was a sous chef at the JW Marriott/Ritz-Carlton at LA Live, in Los Angeles, CA. I was working crazy hours (80 hours weekly) and told myself if I was going to be working this hard, I should be doing it for myself. The original concept was going to be a food truck. The food truck scene had really taken off in the city and I wanted to capitalize on its popularity. I came up with the name after yelling it out during service when I would expo busy nights (500 covers). I thought to myself, that’s a good name for a restaurant. I talked about the concept to a colleague, and we brainstormed. We wrote out a menu, business plan, and I filed the LLC. The concept never came to fruition due to financial reasons and I took on another job as an Executive Sous Chef for a prominent restaurant in Los Angeles. Read more>>
Tomfrey Smith Jr.
It all started with a simple realization—I wanted to combine my love for nature with my entrepreneurial drive. Growing up in Riverdale, I was surrounded by the beauty of green spaces, and I had always been fascinated by the way a well-designed garden could transform a place. I’d daydream about how I could create those kinds of transformations myself, but I didn’t know where to start. The idea really started taking shape in 2020 when I was spending more time at home during the pandemic. Like so many people, I found solace in tending to my own yard. I started to see the real potential in landscape design—how it could enhance not only the look of a space but also the way people experienced it. That’s when the seed was planted for Atlanta Best Gardens. But dreaming about a business and starting one are two different things. I had to break it down step by step. The first thing I did was lean on my degree in Business Administration. I understood the theory behind running a business, but I needed a solid plan tailored to the landscape design industry. So, I spent the next few months researching the market—figuring out who my competition was, what types of services were in demand, and where I could carve out my niche. Read more>>
Tony Lewis
T. Bernard ENT was originally birth as a small prayer group (Zions Remnant Prayer Revival Crusade) for young adults who are Intercessors, Prophets and Spiritual people maturing in Ministry as well as the Marketplace. I launched the group officially in 2014. After prayerful consideration, I started to rebrand in 2019 to appeal to an audience of all people but it was at the height of the pandemic, I knew I had to pivot again. Churches and Assemblies retreated to holding Christian Faith based worship gatherings virtually. So I started to do the same. This process was not easy to conform to because I enjoy being in the company of good people, but due to the spiking numbers of covid 19 I felt it would be a wise decision to disband. Sporadically, I’d get on either one of my social media sites and have normal dialogue. And out of nowhere, those online would ask ‘Prophet can you pray for this/that?’ Or ‘Prophet what is Holy Spirit saying surrounding current events?’. And I would converse and prophesy as needed for hours. And from there, I started building my digital platforms. Read more>>
Donna Bliss
My great job with a corporate communications company came to an end as they were going out of business. With a young child at home I did not know my next steps. My husband said, “Start an event planning company!” With his help I structured Bliss Event Concepts and had clients within a few weeks. Being able to spend more time with my kid was a joy, and building a company keep me challenged and on my toes. One of my first projects was a huge event on an estate in Barrington for 500 guests. We brought in talent like Frankie Valli, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, the Spinners and Drifter’s. I have never been so tired in my life, all the events were a huge success. Bliss Event Concepts was launched and has been running for over 30 years. I have also blossomed into Development work for non-profits and love doing good in the world. My art career is also a major part of my life, that also brings me joy. Read more>>
Sarah Wakeman
The creation of my company began around 2021 while I was working for a small, family-owned business. I started hosting small events and handling marketing for the company. At the same time, I launched my own jewelry business and attended vendor events across the city. I loved connecting with other business owners, networking at these events, and gaining a deeper understanding of how small business owners achieve their goals, often while juggling full-time jobs. In 2023, I began working with KARMA Community Market, a local artisan boutique in Blue Springs, MO. The owners had the space, and I had the network, allowing us to form a wonderful partnership. Together, we hosted events and DIY maker activities, which was an incredible experience. The owners shared my vision and gave me the freedom to implement new ideas, which helped me grow significantly in marketing, social media, and event planning. Their mentorship was invaluable, leading to both personal and professional development. Read more>>
Candace Hulsizer
You never know when a dream will have the nerve to come true. To push itself into reality so that it’s no longer this ethereal, virtual thing but a live, tangible creature that you can touch. For me, it happened after a conversation with my little brother. He was over for dinner with my husband and me, sitting in front of a plate of taco fixins when he said, “I think it’s great that you’re doing your dream job.” I just remember jolting awake at the comment, hearing myself saying that, no, being the director of education at a local non-profit wasn’t my dream job. I enjoyed interacting with our refugee community and was proud of the work I’d been doing to open a preschool. This would provide a quality early childhood education, not only for the refugee population but for the community at large. Important work? Sure. But my dream? Nah… We moved on with dinner and caught up on life, but I couldn’t shake the conversation. The next day, over lunch with my work bestie I told her about what had happened. She asked what I’d do, if I could do anything. What WAS my dream job? Without hesitation, I answered that my lifelong, childhood dream was to open a bookshop. Over Funyuns and the Lord’s chicken, we sketched, we planned and we dreamed together. When I got home that night, I told my husband about my lunchtime musings. His simple response: What do we need to do? Read more>>
Kimberly Williams
Sitting in a leather wing back office chair smelling the pine from the 100 year old wood flooring and paneling, I felt underwhelmed. I look outside my window daily to see the passersby miserably waltzing across the campus grounds. They seemed to have grown too familiar with the place and appeared to robotically move from building to building almost regretting each step. This day I had seen enough. I quietly whispered to myself, “God, please don’t let me be like them. I don’t want this to be the end.” What I saw in them, I didn’t want for myself, being stuck or complacent because money doesn’t ensure the fulfillment of purpose. The first step to going from idea to execution was simple, I made a decision to change my current circumstances. I went home that night thinking about all the experiences I’ve had in my life up to this point. It almost seemed unfair to be so cozy, comfortable and privileged. My experiences were also navigational tools for someone in similar situations, and they wouldn’t find their way if I was stuck behind this desk. I made a list of all I’ve overcome, mapped out the value it brings me as a leader to have had these experiences, and finally inventoried the skills and talents I bring into the corporate sector. Once I had a legitimate road-map, I allowed it to lead me to my new normal career: entrepreneurship. Read more>>
Anthony Hicks
This is actually where I am right now. This business venture had been an idea for quite some time and the LLC structure was already in place, but I had a full-time job, so the business only did occasional side contract flying. When the full-time job went away (the aircraft owners sold the aircraft), my primary income was now also from contract work. I get plenty of opportunities from the flying side of the business, so my recent focus has been on the educational side through the storm chase trips. I intend for the primary client for these trips to be Veterans. One of the issues I struggled with from my service is that the change to civilian life leaves a void with respect to adrenaline. I think that this is true for many Veterans. My storm chase trips are meant to be a bit more participatory rather than tourism-based. Preparing for a storm chase has some similarities to preparing for battle. Other clientele would be anybody who is truly interested in learning about severe weather and ultimately becoming a trained storm spotter. Perhaps my largest barrier towards getting these tours operating smoothly will be getting that word out (marketing). The initial chase (Beta Test) is set for May! Read more>>
Asia Banyaga
I started by purchasing a sewing machine and a sewing kit. I learned how to sew by attending a sewing machine class at Joann’s and learning the rest from YouTube tutorials. I practiced with all thrifted materials in the beginning. There’s a thrift store in Long Beach where you can buy a “mystery bag” of donated clothes for pretty cheap. I’d take these thrifted garments and practice reworking them into pieces I’d actually wear. I experimented a lot with thrifted clothing before I actually tried to make something from scratch. After about a year of reworking thrifted clothing for myself, I started making clothing from scratch for my friends. I’d ask for them to give me ideas for outfits they’d want, take their measurements and start sketching designs. Then I’d go to the Fashion District in Downtown LA to buy the fabric and I’d find basic patterns on Etsy then make adjustments to the patterns to fit my design. Once I had the pattern, I’d cut the fabric and follow the assembling instructions. I continued making custom outfits for my friends and I’d post my work on my Instagram. Over time more people noticed my work and started reaching out to me to make clothes for them. It came to a point where I decided I needed to make this hobby of mine into a business. Read more>>
Ms. Kash
I’ve always had a passion for music since I was a kid. Performing on stage in high school is what sparked my interest in taking it a step further. After graduating, it was a matter of finding a recording studio. I recorded my first mixtape song and decided to perform at an open mic show at Club 6 in San Francisco. The rest is pretty much history lol. That performance solidified for me that this is what I’m supposed to be doing. Read more>>
Vynique Moon
So back in early 2020, I was scrolling on instagram and on my explore page, I was seeing people make these beautiful clothes with crochet and knit. I had a lot of yarn already because I braid it into my hair as a protective style, so I thought it would be cool to learn to crochet so I could start making my own clothes. So I went out and got some crochet hooks and started watching tutorials on youtube. And then the world went into lockdown and while I was finishing up grad school at the time, I didn’t have anything else to do but focus on crochet. I was getting good feedback on the stuff I was making because I was posting it online, so I decided to make some of the stuff available to purchase and things kind of took off from there as I got better and learned to make more things. I first started selling on Depop, so I didn’t have to fuss with shipping or tax or anything like that, which was helpful. I still have some things on Depop, but I now post my art on my own website! I made sure to do research on the logistics before I debuted my website. I’m still figuring out the website design element of it, but it’s been going fairly smoothly. I am still working on marketing to a wider audience, but since I’m the only person working at my business, it’s a lot to juggle everything. Read more>>
Zay The Don
It all started with a vision—a dream of creating a platform to put Baltimore on the map and shine a light on the people who truly deserve it. I believed in the idea before anything else, and that belief was the spark. At first, it was just me, writing articles on the internet, highlighting people and issues that needed attention in the city. I was committed to giving Baltimore a voice, and each article was a step in that direction. As my audience grew, so did my ambition. I wanted to create something bigger, to reach more people, but I wasn’t sure how to get there. That’s when a turning point came—out of nowhere, a well-known figure in the city named Tru reached out. I had never met him, but he saw my work and offered me an opportunity to join his company, Tru Relations, as a journalist. That moment was pivotal. Working with Tru Relations allowed me to hone my skills as a journalist and expand my platform to have a greater impact. I learned to navigate the media world, build connections, and most importantly, stay true to my mission of highlighting urban culture. From those early steps of believing in myself, to writing and getting noticed, I’ve grown an influential platform that continues to shine a positive light on the urban culture Read more>>
Kassandra Mendez
In 2021, I began my journey into nails by purchasing a few nail supplies and practicing on myself. I gradually built my skills, I was even practicing on my coworkers to improve my skills. As I gained confidence I took my first client, I was so nervous but also so proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone. That marked the start of my professional experience. Now in 2024 I have improved my craft & am constantly working to perfect my skills. Read more>>
Neena Perez
The spark to empower women has been burning inside me for over 20 years, though I didn’t always recognize it as a business idea. I began as a Christian leader, guiding and coaching women in their faith. Back then, it was all about helping them navigate life’s challenges, but I had no idea this path would evolve into the mission-driven coaching business I lead today. In 2018, I wrote my autobiography, and that was a turning point. As women reached out, telling me how much my story helped them heal and find courage, I realized that I had the potential to create a bigger impact. The idea of turning my passion into a business began to take root. But I was also nervous. Could I really do this? The imposter syndrome crept in—who was I to think I could guide others to transformation? Those feelings of doubt followed me into the next steps, but I knew I couldn’t let them hold me back. Read more>>
Bobby Dunn
So back when I was making electric skateboards and creating a movement around that way before Lime and Bird were a thing. I realize that one thing I needed to do was teach people how to skateboard. I lived in SF and that is where most of our initial customers were. So I reached out to some friends and asked them if they had or knew about any parking lots that I could rent or used to teach people. One of my friends got back to me and he has a developer and I don’t have that but I have a building at one of the intersections in town that is going to get down, but you can have it for a year and then it’s month-to-month. He said I could tear the walls out and make it into an indoor skate park. I was very excited for this idea. However, the other people on my team could not see my vision due to the fact the building was going to get torn out, so I decided to take the risk because the rent was probably one of the best real estate deals of the century in San Francisco, I signed the lease and had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I knew I could make enough money every month for the rent. I signed lease and got on a plane to go to SXSW for two weeks. Well there, I was looking at the floor plan of my new office space and said to myself that this layout is perfect for a coworking space. Wework was probably about five years old at that time so I knew it was kind of a thing. Read more>>
Ruoyue Wang
I started my journey as a commercial and film producer with a clear idea and passion, but I knew that turning it into a business required groundwork. I began by researching the industry from a business perspective, speaking to professionals, and studying market trends to understand the production landscape. Networking became crucial early on—I attended industry events and built relationships with potential collaborators and clients. Financial planning was one of the biggest challenges, as I had to determine start-up costs, create a budget, and mostly bootstrap the business. Once the financials were set, I handled the legal aspects like registering the business and securing insurance, while simultaneously developing the brand identity—logo, website, and marketing materials. Securing my first client came through leveraging my network and pitching relentlessly, and with each project completed, my credibility and portfolio grew. From there, I focused on optimizing operations, hiring a small team, and refining our niche in the industry. While the process wasn’t linear, each step—from research to securing clients—paved the way for launching my business and evolving it with every new project. Read more>>
Deidra Harwell
The idea for HCS Consulting started with a desire to help people take control of their financial health, particularly when it came to credit. I had been thinking about this for months, and eventually, I decided to execute the idea with one client—who happened to be my best friend. That first experience gave me the confidence to push forward, and word began to spread about the credit and financial consulting I was offering. As I gained more clients, I refined my services, helping individuals rebuild their credit and improve their overall financial outlook. But the journey didn’t stop there. Three years later, I saw another opportunity to help businesses, especially non-profit organizations, with their operations and compliance. These organizations often face unique challenges with regulations and efficiency, and I knew I could bring value to that space as well. So, I expanded HCS Consulting to include operational and compliance consulting. Read more>>
Faith Lamere
After leaving the Mental Health Field, I wanted to take time to spend with my Boys. At that time, I just had my son Weston and had my 2.5-year-old, Trayson at home. I always wanted to be a present mom and always available for my family. Loving every minute of being at home with my littles, in the back of my mind, I kept wanting to help financially (as if being a stay-at-home mom wasn’t busy enough). I just wanted to contribute somewhere, whether it was extra savings, play money, or vacation money. So began my serial entrepreneur phase. Read more>>
Carson Etnyre
I got my first camera when I was 12 and started to make gaming videos and funny skits. Getting into to high school I started working at a ski lift and got caught up in school and work. Earlier this year I wanted to take more pictures of me and my friends and was gifted an old camera to use. using this camera got me back into photography like when I was younger. I started to focus more on composition and lighting. Learning the ins and outs of the industry I got more and more passionate about it. After a while my friends were telling me that I should start a business. I got a newer better camera and started testing it out. It was so much better and gave me confidence to pursue this dream. The name comes from my middle name Forty. After deciding on the name and area to focus on me and my friend officially started the business and the rest is history. Read more>>
Arina Sprynz
In a world where opinions are abundant, my clients value the depth and originality of mine, choosing to invest in it for their brand’s visual and narrative direction. This trust fuels our journey together, shaping distinguished brands and crafting compelling visual narratives that resonate deeply and stand out in competitive markets. When I started EME Branding, I was in a fortunate position. I already had a solid base of clients and people who resonated with my vision, thanks to years of networking and experience in the creative industry. What truly allowed me to launch my business was this trust in my approach to branding and digital marketing. From the beginning, it was clear that my clients valued my opinion, respected my extensive knowledge, and recognized my hunger for innovation. Read more>>
Zhanerke Koilybayeva
I want to say that it’s not as easy as it looks. But I also want to say that it’s easy because you don’t pay attention to how hard it is because you love doing it. And you stay up all night just to work on your screen, on your film. You get to hang out and work with creative people. And it’s amazing because you guys share your work, you give appreciation, your appreciation. You become competitive in a good way. So you do what you love, and it becomes your whole life. And you don’t have to, but you do it never again. And you become a happier person. And what you do makes you happy, and you become happy because you can do what you want. It’s called: I can do whatever I want. Read more>>
Angela Culliver
Wow where do I start? First I have to say that my passion for sports, especially basketball goes back to a very tender age of about 9 years old. I have done everything from playing since 9 to coaching, refereeing, owning semi professional teams to now being a commissioner of 2 leagues and co-owning a sports management company with multiple teams under it’s umbrella! In 2016 I was approached by my younger brother whom I began coaching when he was only 9 years old. Very coincidental of our ages 😂 He stated he was playing for a local professional team and asked me to come watch him play. I was taken aback because I had no idea such a team existed in our city, so of course I went to support him. While watching I realized that something more needed to be done and took a very personal interest in this team. I spoke with the owner at halftime and explained what I thought about it and asked to schedule a meeting to talk. We met about 2 weeks later, mostly impart to me wanting to research the league and other successful teams. I explained to him what I felt I had to offer and made a deal to become part owner of that organization. After we completed a contractual agreement, I dug in deep to the changes that needed to take place. I began to implement a new structure. Rebranding, new logo and uniforms were all to follow with collaboration between myself and the original owner. Read more>>
Sri Divel
The Culinary CMO started with a spark—a realization that restaurants, which pour their heart and soul into every dish, were struggling to tell their stories in a way that truly resonated with their audience. I had spent over two decades in the restaurant industry, living the grind, and I knew how marketing often became an afterthought for restaurant owners who were already stretched thin. That’s when the idea hit me: I could be the bridge between their passion and the audience they wanted to reach. The vision always was: a marketing firm tailored specifically to the unique needs of restaurants, one that operated with the same heart and hustle that owners do. The first step was to define exactly what the Culinary CMO would offer. I wanted to ensure that my background as a classically trained chef, sommelier, and former owner/operator was at the forefront, so I set out to create a business that operated with an operator’s heart—understanding the late nights, the long hours, and the passion that restaurant owners live every day. Read more>>
Alpha Koroma
My entrepreneurial journey began with a simple spark of an idea. By nurturing that initial thought with relentless focus and continuous learning, I transformed it into a tangible vision. Through meticulous market research, industry analysis and experience. I identified the unique needs and desires of my target audience, this is where the thought of “OTMxHoodRock” is birthed. I saw a void where talent that needed help telling their story weren’t able to effectively. This understanding became the cornerstone of my business strategy. With unwavering determination and a commitment to excellence, I built a solid foundation for growth. By establishing a clear entity (OTM HoodRock LLC), I laid the groundwork for scalability and future expansion. Every day, I strived to deepen my knowledge and stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring my clients and business remain competitive and relevant.” Read more>>
Deandre West
I was working as a supervisor in a corporate healthcare role for years, and I began to get professionally frustrated. Simultaneously, my wife, twin girls, and I moved into out 1st home, and the front lawn was horrible! I started pulling from what I learned working with my uncle in lawn care during the summers to bring my lawn back to life. After ridding the lawn of the weeds, I went through reseeding and fertilization techniques until a neighbor asked me how much I would charge to cut, hedge trim and blow. I gave them my price of $40 for the front and the back, not knowing any better, then took my push mower from the pawn shop and electric hedge trimmer and blower to go to work. The client was so happy they asked me to come back in 2 weeks. I came in and told my wife “I think West Lawn Care just started!” My wife, Brittany, would confirm that since high school I said that I wanted to work for myself by the time I was 35, even though I didn’t know what that path would look like. Fast forward to 2017 and I start doing more lawns from the neighborhood on weekends and create a Facebook and Instagram page for the business. Read more>>
Gabrielle Williams
I actually started when I was in High School. My mother is an Interior Designer and while I was in High School she would take me with her to her client’s homes and shopping so I was exposed early in life but that is not the direction life took me. I went to school to become a surgical tech, worked in healthcare for about 10 years before I became burnt out (after COVID). During COVID I was able to spend more time in my creativity and I started my own Furniture Refinishing company and I did pretty well for about 3 years but I did not know to really run a business so, I ended up taking a break, for a year or so. This break gave me the opportunity to really figure what it is that I wanted to do, not something that would just make money but something I could see myself really enjoying. I never thought designing and decorating was a job, let alone a career I could actually earn a living from because it was always something I just did. I would randomly redecorate rooms in my own home and in my friends’ homes because I enjoyed it and they loved the results. One day, a light switch went off and I decided I was going to go back to school for something I actually enjoyed, Interior Design. Read more>>
Diamond Aminyti
As a creative I create so many ideas in my mind so it’s important to write things down that I want to execute. Following the business plan and keeping faith in God helped my dreams come to life. To start any business you must figure out your audience, find your signature, and how you can solve their problems. Entrepreneurial is trial and error, you’ll learn as you grow and my individual challenges helped me become the hair boss I am today. Read more>>
Kim Davis
I have a background in graphic design and did relevant internships in college. I graduated when finding a job wasn’t easy and had started a photography business so I ran with that. As that continued to grow, I opened an Etsy shop selling Purdue prints that I had designed under their Crafters Licensing Program. That continued to grow. Our local library has an incredible maker space, so I signed up to learn how to use the laser engraving machine. I turned my prints into magnets and ornaments and started making more items. As that grew, I purchased my own laser. It came with a sample of leather, so I started tinkering, visiting local leather shops and learning how to dye leather. I completely fell in love with being able to take my graphic design skills and manufacture my own items. It was a learning process and one that I continue to learn and grow from, but I love having my hands in all aspects of running a business. Read more>>
Jordan Cundiff & Jw Martin Jordan Cundiff & Jw Martin
In the summer of 2021, Jordan Cundiff and JW Martin reconnected when Jordan visited their hometown for an event he was organizing. JW was running a headwear brand and providing custom embroidery services, and the two discussed the successes and challenges he was facing. During the conversation, Jordan convinced JW to explore the possibility of relocating to Nashville, where Jordan was operating his artist management and booking agency. The city’s business-friendly environment and the demand for custom headwear were key factors. JW visited Nashville the following week and immediately recognized the advantages of living there. Inspired by their conversation, they decided to change direction and establish a new business together, Nashville Custom Hats, which would be dedicated to manufacturing custom headwear for artists, brands, sports teams, and businesses. Over the next few months, Jordan and JW collaborated remotely via phone and computer, and in April 2022, JW made the move to Nashville to launch the new venture. Read more>>
Gretna Davis
Travel had always been a passion of mine. The allure of new places, the thrill of exploring different cultures, and the joy of tasting exotic cuisines were all things that filled my daydreams. But there was one problem—I didn’t want to go alone. The idea of wandering foreign streets, dining at charming cafes, or taking in breathtaking views without someone to share those moments with felt incomplete. It wasn’t just about the destinations; it was about the connections, the shared laughter, and the memories that would last a lifetime. I started to wonder if others felt the same. Perhaps there were people out there, just like me, who had the same wanderlust but hesitated to venture out alone. People who longed for an adventure but didn’t want to embark on it solo. That’s when the idea struck me—why not create a way for people like us to travel together? Read more>>
Matt & Jessica Cramer
Going from Idea to Execution: How We Launched Matt Cramer Photography Our journey from idea to execution was a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and a lot of late nights, but it’s a story of two passionate people that wanted to create their own business. A few years after our son was born in 2009, Matt and I both felt a shift. He was in media sales, and I was an executive in the fashion industry, but we craved more flexibility, more time with our son, and the chance to create a life that truly belonged to us. One evening, after Matt had left a job he wasn’t passionate about, we sat down and asked each other the big question: “What are we going to do? Should we start a photography business? Can we really make this happen?” Matt had always had a passion for photography, and I had a background in business and marketing—it just felt like the right move. I told Matt, “I think this is our next step. You are going to be a photographer”. I guess I kind of told him! I just knew it was time for his creative talents to be truly recognized! Read more>>
Michelle Schmidt
I’ve always been passionate about travel. When I met my husband, we made a plan to travel the world together. With backgrounds in marketing, starting a travel blog was a great way to “marry” our talents. Pun totally intended! We set out to get photos and videos of every destination we visited and created a massive drop box folder with all of our experiences. Once out website was up, we started putting in the real work – remembering and writing about all of our experiences. Read more>>
Aasiya Muslim
From Dream to Reality: The Journey of Launching My Restaurant It all started with a spark of inspiration during a birthday celebration in September 2019. A friend of mine, who owned a restaurant, often allowed chefs to host pop-up events. For my birthday, I decided to showcase my culinary skills over a three-day event. The weekend was a resounding success, and I was approached about the possibility of partnering to open a restaurant. Although that partnership didn’t materialize, my passion and desire to open my own restaurant only grew stronger. It became my sole mission. Just a month later, on October 10, 2019, I, along with my business partners at the time, signed a lease on a space. This marked the beginning of an 18-month journey filled with challenges and triumphs. The process of transforming an idea into a full-scale restaurant was anything but smooth. We faced numerous setbacks, including being scammed by the architect we hired and losing thousands of dollars to dishonest restaurant consultants. These issues delayed our opening by several months, forcing us to pay rent on a space that wasn’t yet operational. Read more>>
Lindsey Aiello
Preferences was shown to my friend group as a homemade game, ripping up pieces of paper and creating it ourselves. For months we played it at gatherings, staying up all night laughing until we cried. After multiple times of playing, I had an opportunity to introduce it to my family. It was Thanksgiving of ’21, and we were looking for an easy game that we could all play. After some brainstorming, Preferences popped into my head and we got to making it. Each of us wrote down the funniest things we could think of and threw all the pieces together. After hours of playing, my family fell in love, and I went to bed that night with my mind racing. I knew I had to turn Preferences into a real product. The next morning I shared my idea with the family and everyone jumped in with ideas. My cousin shared an idea of needing to include a notepad (that I later turned into a whiteboard) so that people couldn’t change their ranking and cheat. I thought about including whiteboard cards, along with pre-set ones, so that people can make their own cards and tailor the game to the group they are playing with. Everyone’s excitement and love for the game was fuel to the fire that was already brewing from the night before. After the holiday weekend, my family left, and I got to work. Read more>>
Ebony Green
Back in 2020 I had an idea to start a coaching business for speech language pathologists in business. I remember search for “SLP Business Coaches” in google and Instagram and only one person came up. That’s when I knew there was a gap in the market and I needed to fill that gap. That night I remember going to sleep and literally having a dream about my coaching business. I wasn’t sure who my audience was going to be yet, but I knew that I would be helping people become successful. Then one day I won a big government contract with a school district and this contract allowed my business to stay afloat during the pandemic. That is when I had a lightbulb moment and decided to teach other speech language pathologists how to diversify their business revenue streams through government contracts. That weekend, my first masterclass, The School Contracting Masterclass was born. Today, I’ve helped hundreds of speech language pathologists learn the process of obtaining contracts with school districts and my clients have received contracts with school districts totaling in the millions. Read more>>
Rowan Bathurst
Since I was 16, I always worked to support my art practice. As you know, painting can be a pricy investment so I often worked 2-3 jobs at once. I had every job in the books: waitressing, working at a salon, framing, nannying, line cook and so on. Once I graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art, I started to work with Charm City Cakes as a sculpture artist. This propelled me into more creativity and focus outside of that job and into my own practice. I started to create more and more work, and landed a few small mural gigs. Once I realized that the income from my art practice was as sustainable as my full time 9-5, I made the decision to quit and pursue my career in painting. It was honestly a very scary shift, to not have the safety net of a secure and reliable job position. But having support from friends and my partner, who is also a full time artist, gave me reassurance that if I just keep moving forward, things will start to happen. Read more>>
Kelsey Davis
Kelsey Davis Photography isn’t just a business—it’s a reflection of myself. For years, I was known among friends and family as the one who always had a camera or phone in hand, capturing the little moments that others overlooked. My ability to see beauty in the everyday set me apart, and I quickly became known for my authentic, emotional images. But my journey to becoming the face of my own photography brand didn’t happen overnight. It started as a dream—a passion that tugged at me even while working in a corporate role that, while I love, it wasn’t my passion. Photography had always been my creative outlet, but I knew it could be more. I realized that to make my mark, I had to take a leap of faith. With my natural talent and eye for detail, I began offering portrait sessions in my spare time. Clients immediately connected with my relaxed and personal approach. I made every session more than just a photo shoot; it was an experience. I took time to understand my clients, making them feel comfortable and celebrated. The authentic moments I captured were a direct reflection of how I saw the world. Read more>>
Sierra Williams
I just Did it! Honestly I know that sound cliche but I was in a situation where the earning potentials were endless and yet it wasn’t a happy situation. I was under bad leadership and decided enough is enough . I asked my self how hard could it be really ? I decided one day I was going to leave that situation. The very next day I went and got my finger printing done. Within the next few days I created my LLC and structured my business. Within a month I had a ready made business I spent next few months promoting and building my team. Through all of my excitement I was super nervous. What if I don’t do well,? Did I make the right decision? Right before the tax season started my team doubled in size. We had a really successful season and my company paid out 1 million dollars in refunds. Here it is the season is coming around again and I’m more nervous and excited than I was the first time. Read more>>