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.

Oliver Parody

So it all started when I thought I would buy a sailboat and take two years off of work and then go back. I envisioned a life a sailing in the Bahamas and around the world in those two years. But this was 2019 and 2020, along with the sailboat I purchased, had something different planned. Instead of the two weeks it thought it would take to get the boat on the water it took two years! The same two years I decided to take off of work and “relax’…. Ha. Read more>>

Natalya

I’m originally from Russia, where for a long time there were strong cultural superstitions — newborns weren’t shown to anyone until they were 40 days old. So the very idea of developing this type of photography seemed almost crazy — but not to me. By 2009, I already had extensive experience as a professional photographer, though not yet in newborn photography. I started diving deeper into this field, but back then, there was virtually no accessible information available, so I had to figure out most things on my own. Read more>>

Heather Weseman

Starting my photography business was both exciting and overwhelming. I didn’t go to school for photography, but I’ve always loved capturing moments through a lens. In the beginning, I felt incredibly insecure, unsure if I had what it took to make this passion into something real. But my husband was my biggest cheerleader—he constantly encouraged me to keep going, to believe in the gift God had placed in me. Read more>>

Jonathan Rodriguez

The process of starting my residential pool business began with researching local neighborhoods to understand the demand for regular pool maintenance. I created a business plan focused on reliable, high-quality service for homeowners, set competitive pricing, and identified the most effective marketing strategies to reach local residents. After registering the business and securing the proper licenses and insurance, I invested in professional-grade cleaning equipment and completed training to ensure top-tier service. I then focused on building trust with homeowners through consistent communication, punctual service, and attention to detail, which helped grow the business through referrals and positive reviews. Read more>>

Larissa

Larissa Nazareno is the CEO/Founder of a successful marketing/noble event coordinating/public relations/image and branding consultant/ web development business called “Luxe and Company,” established in 2014. Larissa was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. (DUVAL) and ignited her skills and talent for her love for her city. She started working part time as VP of Business Marketing and wrote music articles for celebrity artists & dj’s for a magazine called “Duval Urban Metro.” My 1st official published music article was on legendary asian sensation Rob Campman formerly known as “Southstar” – 1 half of Orlando’s hip hop duo “Smilez & Southstar.” Read more>>

Valrie Alexander

The idea for Power Beauty Unlimited didn’t come from a business plan—it came from my own reflection. I started losing my hair at 15. I wasn’t diagnosed; like many others, I did my best to hide it. Growing up in a home full of long, beautiful hair, mine always felt like it wasn’t enough. My father, doing his best as a single parent, took me to get a Jerry curl, hoping it would help with manageability—but it only worsened things. Attending an all-white Catholic school made it even harder. I was different, and I was bullied for it. I carried the shame and confusion of hair loss in silence. Read more>>

Mosik Rhymes

I had left a previous situation in the music industry in 2016, and had moved country (to Norway) in 2017. I was there for all of 2018 and found that I couldn’t stop the actual act of making music. In 2019 I met a keyboard player from upstate New York, who had learned to play in the Gospel Church. We ended up making an album with no samples, and all analog equipment. Read more>>

Asha Kabirou

Turning an idea into reality takes persistence and grit. Halaqah Tingz began with a simple yet powerful moment—a Ramadan Iftar held in the living room of one of our sisters. During that gathering, one theme deeply resonated with us: the lack of a welcoming space to learn about Islam in a way that felt warm and congenial. That heartfelt conversation sparked what has now become Halaqah Tingz. Read more>>

Tia White

The idea for Sun Moon Rising Gems wasn’t something I planned, it came to me during a really difficult chapter of my life. I had recently lost a job at a jewelry store due to a toxic work environment, and honestly, I felt lost. I knew I loved jewelry, but I was emotionally drained and unsure of my next step. That’s when I leaned deeper into my spiritual journey. Crystals, meditation, and energy healing became part of my daily life, not just as practices, but as survival tools. Read more>>

Ken Pivak

There is no real formula to figuring out one’s artistic journey, especially as a business. As a commercial photographer working since the early 80’s, my career began with a degree from the School of Visual Arts, SVA, in NYC. I’m a Bronx kid… raised out of the concrete of the city. I was a graffiti artist, and a bit of a delinquent. All my friends are 911 heros, now retired cops and firemen. I witnessed a lot of things as a kid, and somehow that way of being, and observing, and at a young age, started to photograph my surroundings. Yearbook photographer, to editor and actually winning a national award with the best HS yearbook cover design in 1978 with Hunter publishing. My life as a photographer seemed to be the right path. Read more>>

Christopher Noxon

I started making paintings seriously after a big shift in my own life. I had recently moved out of LA to the small mountain town of Ojai and was dealing with the aftermath of a divorce and the sudden death of my eldest son. Read more>>

Eryn LaPlant

It’s funny, I cannot actually pinpoint the exact moment I have an idea. There is always this moment of sun shining through the clouds in my brain and angels sing, telling me I have this great idea for a story. For example, I was working on a historical fiction years ago and happened to take a break and go to this little town where Man of Steel was filmed. Once there, I was struck with the idea of what would happen if an actor dressed in his superhero costume suddenly came across a crime. Read more>>

Violette Remington

I was an especially imaginative child—I believed wholeheartedly in fairy tales and magic. I was endlessly gullible in the best way, eager to believe in wonder and in people. I think a part of me always wanted the world to feel enchanted. By the time I turned twenty, grief had become a defining part of my story. Between 2020 and 2023, I went through a stretch of deep loss—attending more celebrations of life than I ever expected to in my early twenties. The whimsy I had once lived in started to slip away, and for a while, life felt stark and colorless without it. Read more>>

Danielle Resia

I was Lead Designer for a startup brand. Former friend from Fashion School recommended her. I took a chance and realized quickly this doesn’t feel right; it wasn’t the right fit. My partner had no fashion experience which was fine because she had me. Then it went to her husband and son trying to actually tell a designer with knowledge what was what I felt outnumbered and belittled daily. I know setting up an operation wouldn’t be easy but this battle was personal. lol I said enough. Why build someone else empire and I can build my own. I was resourceful and loved design and textiles. I had to find the inner peace and strength to go on this entrepreneurial journey. Read more>>

Elle Schwab

I was one week away from starting maternity leave with my second child when everything shifted. I already knew I wouldn’t have access to paid leave, but I was surprised to learn that my short-term disability coverage would be significantly less than I’d anticipated—at a time when I had been committed to the same company for six years. As my leave wrapped up and I reached out to coordinate my return, it became clear that my role—and the structure around it—had changed. The team dynamic was different, the office location had shifted, and the logistics of two kids in daycare just didn’t add up. I realized I’d be spending more to work full-time than I’d be bringing in. Read more>>

Anna Socolofsky

I hatched the idea for my business after writing my own wedding ceremony in 2020. It was such a joyful, meaningful process, and I knew mine was not the last love story I wanted to tell!
At the time, though, I was still teaching middle school, and it was the middle of the pandemic. Plus, I had never owned a business before, so I had a lot to learn.

I became a mom in 2021, and very quickly realized that I wouldn’t be able to go back to work as a teacher, like I had originally planned. My world got ripped out from under me– I had no income, suddenly, and was experiencing PTSD and PPAD due to the traumatic nature of my childbirth experience. It was one of those moments in life where you realize you have nothing left to lose. So day after day, while I held or bounced my baby to sleep, I’d pull up the notes app on my phone and jot down the ideas I had for how to bring Ecstatic Ceremonies to life. Read more>>

Walter Aleksic

Having an idea for a business and actually building one are two very different things. Something we learned early on. Once we filed for our LLC and started pouring in time, money, and effort, everything began to feel real. And just yesterday, when we received our first shipment of jars, that idea officially became something we could hold in our hands. Read more>>

Stephanie Mueller

BeautyOp was needed in Iowa. As a passionate hair and makeup artist that specializes in Wedding hair and makeup I knew the demand for professionalism in this part of the industry. After witnessing multiple artists in the industry “claiming” they could offer these services and failing miserably …. I knew I had to try to bridge the gap. I created Beautyop to offer like minded and talented artists a platform to show our community the difference between artists that specialized in this profession. I always tell people you would not spend $6k on your pictures for your wedding and then let someone offer you beauty services that “think they could probably do that”. Read more>>

Dr. Amita Shah

At the time, I was teaching Child and Adolescent Development at San Jose State and had years of experience as an elementary school teacher and curriculum designer. But that summer, something changed. There was a noticeable shift in my community—parents were worried. With the rise in school shootings and growing concerns about children’s mental health, they started asking for support. They wanted their kids to learn emotional intelligence—skills they weren’t getting in school. Read more>>

Sierra Parker

My journey began with a deep passion for empowering women, fashion, and helping others achieve their dreams. In 2018, I launched my first business, “Queening in MY Purpose,” a nonprofit organization. The idea stemmed from identifying the needs of women in the community, discussing them with my best friend, and taking decisive action. This year, we proudly celebrate seven years of serving women and the community of San Antonio. Read more>>

Diana Williams

The idea for my coaching business was born from a place of purpose—and a deep awareness of a gap. After writing my book, The Transformational Leader’s Guide, I started receiving messages, questions, and calls from people across different organizations—some new leaders, some aspiring, and even seasoned professionals. They all shared one thing in common: a desire to lead, but a lack of clarity on how to do it with intention, confidence, and lasting impact. I realized quickly that many of them didn’t just need a guide—they needed a coach. They didn’t know the steps to take to position themselves at the leadership table or the personal transformation required to stay there with influence. They hadn’t yet grasped that leading well wasn’t just about skill—it was about self-awareness, emotional intelligence, purpose alignment, and spiritual maturity. Read more>>

Shannon Riley

Honestly, I never set out to start a business. I just knew I wanted to be part of something bigger—something creative, something meaningful. I wanted to be an artist, and more than that, I wanted to find a community where I could belong. That’s how I found myself at Building 180—not the company, but the actual hangar on Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay. Read more>>

Bianca Banks

I used to say that I am my biggest obstacle because I would sit and sit and sit in my thoughts about imagining what I know I wanted my life to look like, but I would almost give up in the process. I then had to learn to separate my thoughts from the work and just create a map to the goal and execute it….as the famous slogan goes NIKE:JUST DO IT. I think this execution style also plays into my creative side, because it is about creating the narrative in which you want to live…What does it look like? what is the vision? actually imagine yourself in your vision. Wha will my life look like in 5 years.? etc.. Read more>>

Yanill Hicks

After Birth, xo. LLC was a vision I was born with and the younger me would be so proud. I didn’t have the business name until March 2025, but this line of work is exactly what I’ve always enjoyed and volunteered myself for when it came to family, friends or someone in need. I went into the social work field as a professional, and soon after the birth of my daughter I found myself in the fourth trimester, needed exactly what I always extended— postpartum care. So I took a leap of faith and began training, working on building my community, serving and networking. The idea always existed for me but the execution happened when I experienced motherhood for the first time. Read more>>

Jemini Powell

I knew I always wanted to be a stunt actress/ athlete but it wasn’t exactly a “conventional job” according to my family who preferred me to have a normal job.
But I knew what I wanted so I decided to fully commit. I bought mats off amazon and began training relentlessly in parkour and movement. I would train at my parents house, on their cars — they were not overly excited about this — anywhere I could in order to teach myself all the skills i needed to learn. Read more>>

Matthew Jacob Whitman

I’ve been painting since I was 10 years old. It’s Sunday morning. The smell of Dad’s Dunkin’ and Mom’s French toast blankets the house—both stimulating and calm. Flipping channels unknowingly, I was about to discover someone who would set me on a trajectory, landing me in Brooklyn as a working artist and writer some 16 years later. Read more>>

Kelly Carlin

I grew up working in a bakery. I loved it, everything came naturally to me in that environment. I was there for almost 19 years, really honing my craft. Eventually I was getting sick more often. I had heard about celiac disease and a gluten free diet years before, after researching everything I could about the disease I had checked all the symptoms from childhood through adulthood. Within two weeks on my gluten free diet I felt like a completely different person. I kept wondering how I lived like I did before. Removing the gluten from my everyday diet made me much more sensitive when I ingested gluten. Read more>>

Marcy Kraft

The initial idea of Your Legacy Files started with my mom, Jeanne Majerle Haben, during the early days of the pandemic. I still remember when she first told me about this project she was working on in the days of quarantine. There was this quiet urgency in her voice. The pandemic had brought so much uncertainty, and like many people, she was thinking, “What if something happens to me?” Would my kids know where to find all of the details of my life? But it wasn’t fear that drove her—it was love. She wasn’t panicking, that’s not her personality. She was preparing. Read more>>

Kristina Thames

It didn’t start with a big plan. I was in culinary school already, juggling a chaotic schedule, flour-covered uniforms and trying to beat the heat in the kitchen each day. But somewhere between cake decorating and burning my fingerprints off on hot sheet pans, I started thinking *what if I didn’t just work in a kitchen for someone but what if I had something of my own?  Read more>>

Flenord Baker

Having a clear Vision, we proceeded to develop and define the Mission.
The Mission was defined, refactored, and refined to: Provide State of the Art (SOTA) Tech Education that prepares kids to positively contribute to the world now and in the future.

After exhaustive research we determined that Coding, Robotics, AI, Gaming (CRAIG) would allow us to accomplish our Mission. Read more>>

Henry Sedgwick

The last 6 years of my life was spent analysing data for finance companies. That’s a long time to spend doing something you’re not passionate about, but at the very least I learnt a lot about what I ‘don’t’ want out of career. So I quit, and went off travelling to go and figure out the rest. Read more>>

Ashley Norton

I didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a photographer, but in many ways, it feels like photography found me right when I needed it most.
Back in 2017, my life was full in other ways. I was working in the nonprofit world as a grant writer, helping organizations tell their stories and connect with their communities. It was meaningful work, but I found myself craving a creative outlet that was more personal and hands-on. Photography started as a side interest, something I picked up simply because it felt life-giving. Read more>>