Starting a business or creative project is scary for many reasons, but one that is often overlooked is the anxiety related to whether this is really “the one.” To some, this isn’t a valid consideration while to others this is the only consideration. Some argue that what you work on, along with who you work with are the two most pivotal decisions you’ll make and so we’ve asked folks to tell us about how they came up with their ideas and how they knew this idea was the one.

Candy Whip

In the depths of lockdown, we were bubbled together, not seeing anyone else. We didn’t have a lot to do, we didn’t wanna do puzzles, knit sweaters, or start a sourdough. Gabby has a masters of applied science in electrical engineering specializing in music technology, and had always wanted to learn music production. Our friend Grant let us use his Ableton license, and Gabby began learning the software. After many nights spent at home on her computer, Jane began to feel left out, asking for more time together. Gabby, who was passionate about spending time on her new hobby, sought out advice from a friend who suggested getting Jane involved. Read more>>

Irene Haastrup

The idea for The Link was born during my university days in Leicester, UK—a city widely known for its party scene. I realised that aside from parties and the occasional ACS (African Caribbean Society) events, there weren’t many opportunities for people to meet and connect in meaningful ways. This sparked the concept of The Link: a community-focused initiative designed to make networking fun and engaging, rather than the usual intimidating speed networking sessions or stiff drinks-in-a-room meetups that require you to navigate social dynamics on your own. From its inception in March 2018 through to our last event in November 2019, The Link brought people together in unique ways, making networking enjoyable and memorable—until the pandemic put all plans on pause. Read more>>

Vladimer Botsvadze

The story of how I came up with the idea for my business is rooted in a moment of realization that completely shifted the course of my career. It was 2014, and I attended a practical conference in Dubai that focused on emerging trends in business, marketing, and technology. What struck me the most during that event wasn’t just the content—it was the realization of how powerful personal branding had become, especially in the digital age. I had always been passionate about marketing, but the concept of building a personal brand as a strategic tool for growth was an epiphany for me. I could see immediately that this wasn’t only about self-promotion; it was also about creating meaningful connections, establishing credibility, and positioning oneself as a thought leader in a rapidly evolving digital world. Read more>>

Betsy Mendel

I always knew I had a book inside me. I wanted to help people on their journey to living their best life. I knew I had so much to share. I was in Atlanta for an extended stay to be with my then 91-year old mother (93 now!) Every day I would take a 6am sculpt yoga class and then go sit at my favorite coffee cafe to write. I say the book actually wrote itself. The words and ideas just flowed through me onto the paper. (I am old school – I write with pen and paper before I put it on my computer:) After experiencing my own deep struggles—battling depression, an eating disorder, and exercise addiction—I emerged with a profound story of the steps to stay in the game and thrive. My journey from hopelessness to empowerment forms the foundation of this amazingly awesome book, designed to help others transform their lives. Read more>>

Hannah Venema

It was during the tail end of lockdown, 2020, and I had just been cleared to go back to my accounting desk job after about 6 months of being able to work on our home projects and landscaping. I had felt so free and fulfilled by all the remodeling I was FINALLY able to finish up after they had been dragged out over months (and some years) now given the time, that I was subconsciously formulating a new design for my future without me even realizing it. I decided that no matter what, I wasn’t going back into my previous work environment due to the toxicity it fueled in my life, and that I needed to choose another route. At first, I thought I would try finding a low pressure/low pay job until I found something that made me happy, but every job interview I went into changed into an on the spot managerial position that I hadn’t applied for and I wasn’t wanting to go back into retail to that extent again.  Read more>>

Kyla Cook

The idea for Closed Spaces Inc. was born out of a profound personal journey that deeply impacted my perspective on mental health and the creative arts. I found myself spending 11 days at the Region IV Mental Health Facility of DeSoto County while awaiting an evaluation. Those days were challenging, to say the least, and they became a catalyst for change in my life. During my time there, I documented my experiences through poetry and spoken word. Writing became my refuge—a way to process the unsettling conditions I was witnessing and experiencing. The facility, intended to be a place of healing, often felt more like a confinement. Patients were treated more like inmates, enduring poor lodging conditions and lacking proper hygiene products. The environment was far from therapeutic, especially for someone grappling with major panic disorder, anxiety, and depression. The broken cameras in the suicide watch cells were a stark reminder of the neglect present. Read more>>

Erika Ellsworth

I have been in and out of the vendor business for almost 20 years. I started my very first event in 2006 participating in a local farmers market. I hung up my hat in vending and went to a different career aspect for a while. But when Covid came around, my aunt wanted to do a Market and asked me to go with her because she was nervous. So I joined her at a market in Imperial Beach. I realized how much I missed it and I was at that market for almost a year and a half every week. While I was at the market, I made friends with the other vendors. One day they were all talking about how they wished for a Sunday market and looked at me and said Erika go make one. I laughed and said yeah OK let me figure out how to do this haha. But I wasn’t serious about it and didn’t know where to start. However, the idea was stuck in my head…and it would not leave. Fast-forward to a couple months later and I had opening date and a location for my market. I thank those vendor friends (whom I am still friends with) for helping me get started with the idea. Without them telling me to do it as a joke, I never would have started what I have now. Read more>>

Hugo Acevedo

One day, I was riding the train on my way home from a show in DTLA and suddenly saw something that caught my eye. I immediately recognized the style of hand embroidery, it was the kind I’d seen many times before on different pieces while I was growing up in Oaxaca, Mex. It was a familiar sight, yet it felt somehow out of place. The piece was a pair of canvas high-top tennis shoes from a trendy US brand. The person wearing them wasn’t a Latino, which piqued my interest even more. I assumed by looking at the amount of work and detail it had that this piece was either a commission, part of a series, or a collection created at a studio somewhere in Mexico. Read more>>

Abbey Dufoe

I moved to Baltimore in 2021 and started playing on local teams. Through that, I started meeting women who lived in Baltimore and the surrounding areas. I started noticing a gap – there are teams in other metro areas of the DMV and Baltimore, but not in the city! That’s how Charm City Crush was born. I wanted to create a competitive team where people from Charm City could show their pride for this amazing place. Earlier this year, I grabbed a few of my friends who live in the city and they were happy to join a team if I started one – so the Charm City Crush was born! We are a C level women’s ice hockey team established in 2024 in Baltimore City that plays in the MAWHL league. I’ve been playing hockey for 18 years, and I love the sense of community it brings. I’m happy to bring a women’s C team back to Baltimore! Read more>>

Chris Montana

Back in high school, I started thinking about what it meant to own a business. I didn’t know what kind of business it would be, but I knew one thing: the idea that all business owners were selfish or greedy didn’t sit right with me. I believed a business could be both successful and a force for good in its community. That idea stuck with me for years. In 2013, I decided to take the leap and start a distillery. At its heart, Du Nord has never been just about making great spirits; it’s more about making a space where community could thrive and ensuring the craft alcohol world looked more like the people who drink it. From day one, we’ve believed that businesses can be a force for good, and we’ve worked to diversify the industry and remove barriers for others. Read more>>

Jazlana Gerber

I started off my adult career as an intern for Funk Flex and Hot 97 along with working for Newark Police Department. I was majoring in Journalism/Media Studies & Criminal Justice at Rutgers-Newark. I secured two good jobs in both of my chosen fields- which is often very rare. Since High School, I always worked waitressing and catering jobs for a company in my area. The bartender used to teach me how to bartend so he could sneak out for smoke breaks. Long story short, I became a pretty popular bartender- landing jobs at all of the major clubs, bars, restaurants and lounges between New Jersey & New York. Read more>>

Jennifer Wakefield

My journey into dog photography has been a mix of career evolution, personal passion, and a lot of unexpected moments along the way. I started as a photographer in 2003, working in high-volume studios, primarily focused on children. My strength was in portrait sales, which led me to train others in that area. It was rewarding, but also very “cookie-cutter” work. After traveling throughout Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to help set up new studios and train staff, I eventually opened my own brick-and-mortar studio, specializing in newborns and children. Read more>>

Jonquil Mccray

SOME DAYS I SAY TO MYSELF THAT MY ANCESTORS LIVE THROUGH MY HANDS AND I KNOW THAT’S TRUE. I’M NOT SURE WHEN I STARTED BRAIDING I JUST KNOW IT’S A SKILL I’VE ALWAYS HAD. AT AGE 11 I HAD REAL INTEREST IN BRAIDING TO THE SCALP AND INTRICATE STYLES SO, MY FIRST COUSIN ON MY DAD’S SIDE TAUGHT ME. I CAUGHT ON QUICKLY, ALL IT TOOK WAS ONE WEEKEND OUT AT MY DAD’S. I HAVE 6 OTHER SIBLINGS AND WE’VE ALL HAD A LOT OF HAIR GROWING UP. MY MOM TOOK US TO MY AUNT’S SALONS FOR HOLIDAYS AND BIRTHDAYS, SO, WE LEARNED HOW TO BRAID EACHOTHERS HAIR IN BETWEEN TIME. IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD GROWING UP EVERYBODY WHO WAS ANYBODY KNEW HOW TO BRAID. BY THE TIME I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL I WAS DOING ALL THE TRENDY BRAID STYLES ON MY OWN HAIR. TO MAKE MONEY IN COLLEGE I BRAIDED OUT OF MY DORM, ONLY CHARGING $50 A HEAD, JUST BECAUSE I WAS EAGER TO GET BETTER. AFTER HAVING A CHILD AT 19 I HAD TO NARROW IN ON WHAT SKILLS I DID HAVE. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN GOOD WITH CHILDREN AND HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM , I’M A PEOPLE’S PERSON AND I’M GOOD AT STYLING HAIR. SO I WENT FROM SALON TO SALON UNTIL I DISCOVERED I WAS READY TO BE MY OWN BOSS. Read more>>

Mary Samek

My first aura photograph changed my life and I knew I wanted to do the same for others. I traveled to Sedona, Arizona in 2017 with my husband, Krystian, to have our auras photographed as this was the closest Kirlian film photographer to us at that time. After my life altering experience, I knew I had to bring this camera to Arkansas with hopes to not only offer people a beautiful color film portrait of themselves but to also offer them introspection, validation, and insight into their lives. What I came to find out is how much I want to share aura photography with the rest of the world. Read more>>

Mado-sue Dembele

Believe it or not, the spark for my business journey ignited during my college years, around 2011-2012. I can almost close my eyes and feel the vibrancy of those days as if it were yesterday. Picture this: walking the historic yard of Howard University, the number one HBCU in the country. It was a transformative time for me—embracing independence, discovering and owning my feminine energy, and crafting my unique sense of style through fashion and beauty. This was more than just a period of self-exploration; it was where I found my voice. I remember my close friends constantly asking, “Who does your lashes?” “Where do you get your hair extensions?” “How do you style your outfits?” It became clear that people were naturally drawn to my aesthetic and my perspective on beauty and fashion. That’s when I realized I had a unique and valuable voice in the beauty space. Read more>>

Francine Bethune

Raised in Jamaica, West Indies, I grew accustomed to utilizing natural herbs and remedies from an early age. It wasn’t until later after moving to the U.S. and after dealing with some health and skin issues from the use of chemical hair relaxers that I took a serious interest in holistic health and healing. I went to a naturopath after my regular Doctor could not figure out what was going on with me and they tested me and found I had 17 chemicals in my body. I figured this was probably due to all the cheap beauty care products I was using including hair relaxers, the food and water I was consuming and cleaning products. Read more>>

Cat Coley

The idea for my business wasn’t a big aha moment. It grew out of a season of survival, desperation, reflection, and ultimately, transformation. I was at rock bottom—financially, emotionally, and spiritually. I had lost almost everything, but one thing remained: my story. It wasn’t a story I was proud to share—quite the opposite, in fact. It wasn’t polished or exciting, but it was mine, and deep down, I knew it held power. At first, sharing my story felt vulnerable—terrifying, if I’m being honest. Initially, I shared it for cathartic reasons, not with the intention of starting a business. But something incredible happened when I did. People listened. They truly connected. They saw themselves in my struggles, appreciated my openness in talking about things most people hide, and found hope in my resilience. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just telling my story; I was giving others permission to embrace their own. Read more>>

Valerie Settles

In 2018 I found a local winery that offered classes. I found something that I enjoyed doing and continued to hone my craft over the years. In 2020 opened Rosemond Vineyards, LLC. Read more>>

Emilyn Wilkinson, Cecilia Lokhorst

While I, Cecilia was studying in Granada, Spain, Emilyn came to join me for the summer. I had been there for 7 months already and exclusively drinking a local wine beverage called tinto de verano, or “wine of the summer”. This sangria-like cocktail had become a staple of my experience living in Spain. When Emilyn joined me, we ordered the drink every day, lunch and dinner. Our obsession led to us making the drink ourselves while in the bathroom of a club because they did not carry it at the bar. Read more>>

Yana Tornoe

As a product manager at a SaaS company, I was constantly facing the same issue—an overwhelming silo between the product development team and the commercial teams. We all had a common goal: build great products and serve our customers well. But no matter how aligned we tried to be, there was always this massive barrier when it came to information sharing. The product team was busy building, and the sales and support teams were often left in the dark about new features or product updates. The result? A lot of redundant questions, confusion, and wasted time. Read more>>

Sara Walls

I started my private therapy practice in 2021. From the beginning, I have really enjoyed the business side of owning a practice, learning more, and talking with folks about these things. That is rare in the therapy world, and so I quickly became a go to among friends and colleagues for business questions. I’d had it in the back of my mind that I should consider offering this as a paid service, and had folks tell me that as well. In March of this year, I got an opportunity to run a workshop on business finances for my fellow members of the PractiSage Therapist Collective. I was so nervous, dreaded it, but knew it would be a good opportunity to practice putting myself out there. I am an anxiety therapist, so I decided to practice what I preach and go toward the things that scared me. Well, as it turned out, I loved every minute of it! I felt so energized after the call, and that’s how I really knew I needed to pursue this. I invested in a bookkeeping course and pursued some certifications. I really enjoyed learning more about accounting, kept going deeper, and started offering services to colleagues. Read more>>

Laura Walker

I do art with emotion and meaning. I have always been pulled to art that has a story or provokes an emotional response in me. That connection to my viewer is my inspiration in making art. As I made my art that expressed my soul, other people appreciated it and started buying it. This is while I was teaching art classes as my regular job. I started doing art festivals along with teaching. It was so thrilling to connect with people through my art that I leaned into doing the festivals. Eventually the art festivals replaced my teaching income and I was able to let the art classes go. Now I travel the country doing the best art festivals and selling my art online. I still focus on connecting emotionally with my viewers and telling stories with my art. Read more>>

Lidia Que Mendoza

The first time I became a business owner, I was just 15. I was obsessed with dance, choreographing routines, and teaching others. It was my passion, and I loved it. But life, as it often does, took me in unexpected directions. I got married, had my daughter, and over time, I found myself in a relationship where my then-husband wasn’t very supportive of my dreams. After eight years, I made the tough decision to close up shop and put that part of myself on pause. For years, though, that creative spark never really went away. I still craved the joy of doing something artistic, and it lingered in the back of my mind. After I left that relationship and life began to settle a bit, I decided to explore the idea of becoming a business owner again. I tried a little bit of everything—from glass etching to oil painting—and had so much fun with it, but nothing really stuck. It felt like I was still searching for that one thing that truly felt like me. Then came COVID. I got the first three variants, and my body’s response was severe. Read more>>