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.
Richard Merrill
The idea for Richard Merrill Consulting was born from a deep-seated passion for the spa industry and a burning desire to make a lasting impact. As I reflect on my journey, I’m transported back to the pivotal moments that shaped this vision. Picture this: a bustling spa, filled with talented professionals pouring their hearts into their work. Yet, beneath the surface, I saw a troubling pattern. Many of these dedicated individuals were struggling – financially strained, overworked, and often feeling undervalued. It was a stark contrast to the serene environments they created for their clients. Read more>>
Baiyinah Brookins
Mystics and Sages began as a gift. My father returned from a trip to West Africa and gifted me a small crescent-shaped sterling silver necklace encircled with glass beads. That single piece of jewelry sparked my curiosity and led me on a journey of discovery. I immersed myself in learning about the Tuareg people—their history, culture, and the rich tradition of silversmithing that they’ve upheld for multiple generations. Tuareg artisans are widely recognized as the original silversmiths of the African continent, primarily residing in the Sahel region, including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Libya. Their craftsmanship is deeply intertwined with their distinctive culture. What initially captivated me, though, was the mythology, folklore, geometric motifs, and archaic symbolism embedded in their jewelry. Each piece tells a story, and the artistry reflects a legacy that stretches across generations. Read more>>
Kimberly O’neal
The idea for my business was born during one of those quiet moments of reflection that come in the middle of chaos. I was in the thick of new motherhood with my oldest, a three-month-old baby, juggling sleepless nights, endless diaper changes, and the emotional whirlwind of adjusting to life as a stay-at-home mom. My husband was incredibly supportive, but even with his help, I felt the weight of losing a part of myself—the ambitious, goal-driven woman I’d always been. One afternoon, while scrolling through social media during nap time, I came across countless stories of moms like me, wanting to stay home with their little ones but also yearning for a sense of purpose outside of diapers and bottles. They were searching for ways to contribute financially, feel valued, and connect with the world beyond their four walls. It struck me: why should we have to choose between being present for our kids and fulfilling our personal and professional goals? Read more>>
Carla Kemp
My daughters and I come from a long line of educators and we understand the importance of representation in toys at play. We know the power that feeling seen, valued and celebrated hold for children’s feelings of self-image and self-worth and we are committed to bringing up the children in our family and in our sphere of influence in an atmosphere of greatness. With that being said, one day at Christmastime, I was looking for a a fashion doll that my oldest grand daughter, who was 9 at the time, could identify with – one that truly reflected her beauty, her deep melanin skin and her gorgeous locs. I wanted her and her sisters and cousin to all have dolls that celebrated their natural features, dolls they could look at indivually and say “She’s just like me”. But as I searched I was dismayed to find that none even close to what I searched for were sold in stores. There were no dolls with locs and no dolls with the rich skin tone I wanted Tori and my littles to see and celebrate. That realization broke my heart but it also ignited a fire in me. I knew I couldn’t be the only one searching for this. I imagined there were countless parents, grand parents and caregivers looking for the same for their children. That’s when the desire to take matters into my own hands was born. Read more>>
Legasse Remon
In 2019, millions of people we’re signing up for social media platforms at an alarming rate, and companies sought to capitalize on marketing tactics to promote their brands. Many of my peers in high school were using Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook in high school. But how did companies actually make money from keeping us on the app? I asked. In 11th grade, I read a research paper my AP Computer Science teacher showed us about “AI” and how it can turn text into images and video. This fascinated me, I wondered how I could combine the two ideas of AI and social media to create a new method for companies to use instead of simple advertisements. In 2021, AI became more publicized and the use of artificial agents allowed for video creation and product marketing to be more efficient than ever. This idea spiraled into the term “artificial creators” and “content automation” which are psuedo-branches of social media marketing. Notably, tech researchers and entrepreneurs caught on and we helped coin the invention of artificial people and artificial content, created for the sole purpose of consumption through marketing. Instead of companies relying on real people to create content, hiring a production team, managers, budgeting, etc., a computer could create videos which artificially generated people from a prompt inside their desired production advertisement. This endeavor and idea lasted years until becoming replicated and revolutionized in 2022 when it spurred into action. This unique approach saved companies time, money, and automated the production of advertisements. Since then, I have sold off this business and moved into a life in content creation. Read more>>
Courtney Allen
I became very politically involved around 2015. Right when I was old enough to begin to understand how important it was to engulf yourself in what was/is happening around you. I dove HEAD FIRST into all of these various podcasts hosted by people who were THERE and boots on the ground- Dan Bongino, Mike Adams, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk, Ben Shaprio .. listening to what they had to say and what they brought to the table became an OBSESSION. My husband and I traveled the country following a presidential candidates campaign trail. I remember one event specifically in Ohio, he and I attended outside of Cincinnati. I had friends and family texting and calling about the attendance at this location. They had asked because they said local news stations was showing ‘people leaving’ this event – claiming there were only a couple hundred people at the event. After our LIVE FaceTime they personally witnessed an arena FULL of supporters. Mainstream media was wrong. My husband and I enjoyed the HOURS LONG event and took to heart what was said. The next morning once again mainstream media was incorrect. Spinning facts and words. Cutting video and splicing interviews to fit their agenda. Not at all – what I had personally witnessed. THAT made me LIVID. People depended on MSM to tell the news, the truth about what was going on and they just WEREN’T. It was THEN I decided that I needed to do what I could to bring FACTS front and center. Occasionally Id share on social media what was happening, an interesting story I covered, events attended ect. Then election 2020 happened and I went nuclear. (Actually oddly enough – 4 YEARS AGO TO THE DATE 12/2/2020) I started my podcast – THE PATRIOT STRONG PODCAST. Read more>>
Krysta Solomon
Krysta Rene Photography started after I received my first professional camera back in 2018. My father-in-law was a talented, well-known photographer in my area and when he sadly passed from a terrible illness, I was gifted the most precious gift. I began to teach myself the basics and continue to grow in education. What was merely a hobby, blossomed into a well built clientele with returning customers and new clients each month. So many emotions come with this profession for me. I am proud to continue to carry my father-in-laws camera and continue his passion. I am in love with what I do on a professional and personal level. I knew after the first few months of photographing others what I wanted to take it full time. It’s a passion. Read more>>
Charlotte Welch
I was deep in the world of fashion—styling NYFW, selecting fabrics, and crafting pieces that turned heads for all the right reasons. I lived and breathed style, obsessed with creating designs and looks that were both bold and timeless. But as anyone in the fashion industry will tell you, inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. For me, it came from a problem I didn’t even know I shared with so many others: the need for a solution that blended practicality with style. It all started when I was working different contracts between studios, celebrities, and tech companies. Picture this: I am waking up every day to do something different, I’m running from set to set, or from a celebrities hotel room to a creative direction meeting in an office. I always had a gorgeous handbag I’d designed—perfect for every setting but filled with so many things for my work. I wanted something discreet to store my cannabis essentials, something that didn’t scream its purpose but still complemented my aesthetic. Something that would be available for when I got a break or had a moment, but didn’t shout that I was a cannabis user. Read more>>
Brandy Jackson
The idea really started off as a joke! I have been vegan since 2021 and I was deeply disappointed with the dessert availability. Desserts were lacking in variety and when I was able to find a sweet treat outside of a cookie or a slice of cake, it was expensive and disappointing. I jokingly one day said, “I should start a vegan dessert company!” I played around with the idea a little and a good sister friend of mine said, you should name it Vegan Luxury Desserts… and so it began! I created the company & created my first dessert, the cinnamon roll and it was a hit! I tried to veer away from it to focus on other desserts but the cinnamon rolls were so popular that I put Vegan Luxury Desserts on hold and created 313 Cinnamon Rolls! Read more>>
Byron-gabriel Proutt
The way I started my production company, which builds on the same entrepreneurial spirit that has fueled my other companies. This new initiative comes in response to a roadblock I encountered in my efforts to make a meaningful impact on the community. I remain deeply committed to advancing work around Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity, not only within the community but also on a broader scale. I personally believe that education and mutual understanding are essential to creating positive change. I am dedicated to fostering environments where people can come together to learn about each other, celebrate our differences, and find common ground. In my view, the journey of learning should never stop, and I aim to lead by example in this ongoing pursuit of growth and connection. Read more>>
Brianna Lucero
My husband and I have always valued creating a home that feels cozy, inviting, and beautiful. From the beginning of our relationship, candles have been a part of that, filling our spaces with warmth and ambiance. Over time, however, we became more mindful of our environmental impact and started exploring ways to live more sustainably. That’s when we discovered just how wasteful the candle industry can be. More than 35 million candles end up in landfills each year, and even among those labeled recyclable, only 8% are successfully recycled. This realization concerned us, and we felt compelled to seek a better solution. During our research, we stumbled upon bioplastics, specifically algae-based materials being used to create biodegradable plastics. Inspired by this innovation, we began experimenting with algae to create a truly sustainable candle vessel. After months of testing and refining, we developed a unique vessel made from algae that not only safely burns candles but is also fully compostable after use. Read more>>
Jennifer Octavien
The story of Spirit of Iteru began during a transformative period in my life in 2020. Amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, I felt a deep calling to connect more meaningfully with myself and others. Drawing on my creative background as a makeup artist and business owner, I wanted to create something that combined artistry with purpose. “Iteru,” meaning “river” in ancient Egyptian, symbolizes flow, vitality, and limitless possibilities—the perfect reflection of my vision. I imagined custom intentional jewelry and holistic tools that weren’t just beautiful but also deeply meaningful. These pieces would serve as wearable energy and tools for empowerment, healing, and creativity. Read more>>
Hayli Howard
I think in a world where it is so easy to open our phones and compare to the next person, I really wanted to create an environment where we are encouraging and pushing each other to level up but in a healthy manner. ADWH is an environment of patience and skill technique while also being encouraging and uplifting. I want you to leave class, lessons or intensives feeling seen and loved. Read more>>
Makenzie Mathison
The concept behind Captured by Kenz, Inc. came to me somewhat unexpectedly. Photography and videography have always been passions of mine, but it never occurred to me that I could turn them into a career. Growing up, I was encouraged by my parents to pursue whatever path I desired, yet I chose finance, despite knowing it wasn’t my true calling. It wasn’t until I reached a breaking point in April—when I made the decision to leave my corporate job without a backup plan—that I felt a sense of clarity and knew I had made the right choice. I wasn’t afraid or regretful; instead, I felt a newfound sense of freedom and possibility. Read more>>
A.m. Harte
I always wanted to be a published author for as long as I can remember. When I was around 7 or 8 years old, my grandma told me, “Maybe you’ll be an author one day.” I was excited. I didn’t know what an author was but grandma said it, and I lit up. So, I asked her what an author was and after she explained, the whole concept set into my mind for the rest of my life: I would one day publish books. Significant time went by before I actually took my writing seriously. During my high school years, I wrote stories and poems all the time with my best friend. Our creativity was superpowered whenever we were together and we spent hours every day building worlds, characters, and stories. I completed my first full-length fantasy novel manuscript in Grade 11. It has never seen the light of day, but I’m proud of it because it was the first time I finished a long-form story from start to finish. Read more>>
Tyler Rowland
The idea for Hivey came from a blend of personal experiences that shaped my understanding of the challenges faced by small businesses. Back in 2017, I was a taproom manager, juggling the chaotic process of scheduling food trucks, musicians and trivia. It was frustrating to see how outdated and inefficient the system was—managing schedules through spreadsheets, texts, and calls. I could see the pain points on both sides: taprooms struggling to fill spots and food trucks scrambling to secure consistent business. I thought, *there has to be a better way to do this.* Read more>>
Melissa Lynn Spence
I came up with the concept of “GoWithMelissa.com” about a year after losing my show MissyFit Sports due to Covid shutting down sports and the rest of the world. I needed to figure out what would be my next step forward. That’s when the creation of this website distribution platform, The PAMPERED RESIDENT came about. Finding people to talk to about this company, I found myself in networking meetings all the time, speaking with all types of business owners. When anyone asked me, “What do I do”, it felt like a loaded question. At 42 I’ve traveled and lived in many states and other countries with lots of experience in random business fields. That’s when I realized there needs to be a site for me as my own business that shows people my portfolio. Shortly after, the slogan “A portfolio of ways to help your family and business and lifestyles flourish” came about. Read more>>
Matt Schofield
Clay & Sprouts was born from two of our biggest passions: sustainability and plants. My wife, Courtney, and I have always been avid thrifters, and we’re also plant enthusiasts who can never resist adding a new green friend to our collection. It all started one afternoon when we came across a set of charming tea cups at a local thrift store. We thought, “These would make such cute little planters.” That spark of inspiration quickly turned into action – we potted some of our plants in those tea cups, and the result was even better than we imagined. From there, we started experimenting, pushing the boundaries of what a “planter” could be. Cookie jars, teapots, vintage coffee pots – anything with character became fair game. Each vessel had its own story, and pairing them with the perfect plant felt like creating something truly one-of-a-kind. Read more>>
Charla Daniel
The idea for my business started with a love for baking that’s been with me for years. I’ve always enjoyed creating unique baked goods, but it wasn’t until I started taking cake decorating classes that I really began to explore my creative side in the kitchen. I loved pushing the boundaries of traditional baking, but one challenge I constantly ran into was the cake pop—specifically, keeping the cake on the stick. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to get it to work the way I envisioned. After several attempts and a lot of frustration, I decided to scrap the stick altogether. Instead, I started experimenting with dipping the cake balls directly without the stick—and that’s when I found my solution. The cake balls were not only easier to manage, but they also held together perfectly, offering a smooth and uniform coating that made them look as great as they tasted. From there, I started making them for my friends and family, and I couldn’t get enough of their reactions. They loved them! They were fun, delicious, and different from the typical baked goods they’d had before. Read more>>
Madeeha Siddiqi
Thank you so much for this opportunity and it is such a joy to share my story with you all. The idea for Goat in a Coat – Your Ramadan Companion came to life through my desire to foster community and connection for my two sweet and curious little ones. I treasure the traditions my family had growing up, and now, as a parent, I find it deeply rewarding to continue those traditions while creating new ones that make our children proud of their heritage. With my kids being just 6 and 4 years old at the time, I realized they were too young to fast but old enough to feel the excitement and desire to participate in Ramadan—the Muslim holy month of fasting. As a family that loves celebrating all holidays and having cherished the Elf on the Shelf tradition for many years, I envisioned a similar concept for Ramadan that emphasized kindness and good deeds. The vision for Goat in a Coat began to take shape: a whimsical goat, an animal culturally significant in Islam, guiding children through a journey of good deeds during Ramadan. This idea combined storytelling, play, and cultural learning to create an engaging and meaningful experience for young children. Read more>>
Sarah O’hop
For a couple years, I was making hand lettered wooden signs and selling them as a side hustle. That happened to be around the time that Cricuts became popular, but I didn’t want to move into that space – I wanted to have offer a completely handmade product untouched by digital technology. The problem with that was my competition could sell their products at a much lower price point than I could, since the signs I was making took much more time. So, early in the summer of 2020, I invested in my first scroll saw, hoping to differentiate my work from the stencil and vinyl artists that were becoming so popular. Read more>>
Erica Cobb
Comeback.TV Presents was birthed organically through necessity. In June of 2016 I resigned from my job as a morning radio host, a career I had built for 16 years. It was a response to the ever changing landscape of the terrestrial radio space. I decided that I would focus on building my brand as a content creator, under “Comeback: with Erica Cobb,” producing everything myself. Exactly a year later, I booked a job as a host on the national daytime talk show, “Daily Blast Live,” while I LOVED this position I, again, felt the same gut feeling that broadcast media was yet another ever changing landscape and felt compelled to continue to create content outside of broadcast media. So I leveraged my position as a national talkshow host to access bigger name interviews, red carpet coverage and live audience shows under the “Comeback: with Erica Cobb” brand. This leverage created a need for production professionals. This growth started off with a dependable editor, then came the need for a field team, producers and over the years it developed into a full service production team. Read more>>
John Wetter
Since a young age, I’ve always been fascinated with financial markets and investing. The markets have been a part of my daily routine for years now. However, over the years, I’ve noticed a systematic issue related to the intersection of media and markets—traditional financial press is biased. According to a study by Marina Niessner at Yale University, “a news story is approximately 22% more likely to be covered if it is negative.” This is because a study by Outbrain found that “headlines with negative superlatives (e.g., ‘never,’ ‘worst,’ ‘stop’) had a 63% higher click-through rate than those with positive or neutral language.” Read more>>
Melvin Dillon
When I started Soul Step Records, I think it was great that I was unaware of what I did not know. That really helped me be able to dream a bit bigger than I might have done if I had some previous experience in that line of work. I was able to truly be able to dial into what exactly I wanted to do and just dream it up. I wanted to build a record label that went against the grain, to disrupt a bit. I wanted a label that really focused on the artists first and to put out music to help artists push their careers forward. For many emerging artists they are consistently battling what they want to do, and what they have finances for. Soul Step Records was a great way for me to invest into my passions around vinyl records and supporting independent artists. Having a vinyl record can truly legitimize artists and give them (without any cost to them!) give them some incredible merchandise to take out on tour and help them grow their careers. Read more>>
Angelo Ednacot
From what began as a childhood dream, I always felt I had a rooted aspiration for being a creative. Whether it was taking art classes in elementary school or observing the movies I viewed with my family as a kid, there was that sense of imagination that came with it. I grew my passion for artistry as time went on, while also building my admiration for the sport of basketball. Fast forward to my first semester of community college, I wanted to venture out and explore this side further. This assured choice led to purchasing a second-hand DSLR camera. There was a slight period after learning the fundamentals of operating a camera where I transitioned my outlook to a more serious approach. Along envisioning as to how I could potentially bridge creative production and basketball, a small spark fueled the start of my journey. Read more>>
Leigh Sterrett
I started my journey in the health and wellness industry in 2002 as a personal trainer. Although I enjoyed a successful and fulfilling 21 year career, I felt like there was something else I was supposed to be doing. Physical movement and some form of resistance training is imperative for your health so my thoughts on the importance of that have in no way changed! I just felt a nudge to expand into some other aspect of helping others live a healthy and vibrant life. I just wasn’t sure what that something was. Covid hit and not only did it take a toll on our physical health, but also on our mental health. Seeing the decline in mental health among all age groups, especially our young people is what inspired me to transition my business from one of physical fitness to mental fitness. In addition, I started my own meditation practice a couple of years ago and found it to be life changing! This is coming from someone who never had interest in meditation! I thought it was woo woo and wasn’t going to waste my time with it. However, I knew it played a role in stress management, so decided to develop a more open mind and explore it. This was one of my better decisions in life! Meditation has helped me tremendously when it comes to handling stress and viewing the world through a different set of lens. Read more>>
Kelsey Nevell
After working together for a number of wedding companies that focused on booking a high volume weddings, my co-founders and I wanted to create something a little more personal. We are all drawn to authentic, candid moments and true to life (but better than you remember it) editing. We wanted to create an end product that feels true to the couple and not an overly posed magazine couple while giving each client a more personal experience. We have a very small team and only book one wedding per day. So when a couple books with us, they are getting our full attention and know exactly who they will be working with in the shooting and editing process. Read more>>
Adriana, Angelina And Jessica
I started my small business, Adria Rose Creative, as a local candle company and began attending markets as a vendor. I’ve always been really into event planning and had some experience with it in the past, so it felt natural to explore that side of things. At one of the markets I attended, I met Angelina and Jessica, who own Desert Embers, another candle company in the area. We instantly hit it off! We had such a good time connecting, talking, and sharing ideas. A few months later, I came up with the idea to start my own market. I wanted it to be a way to bring the small business community together and showcase all the amazing talent in our area. Read more>>
Loreal Lacey
With almost 10 years in the death care industry , 7 as a Licensed Funeral Director I’ve served and encountered countless families who had loss a loved one without a clue of where they would get the funds for a funeral. Families would call on the community, church, friends and family to help cover the cost and after having to delay services or discount services so that they’re affordable, I decided that I had had enough . Pre arrangements and life insurance are both ways to guarantee that at the time of your passing your family will have the necessary financial security to celebrate your life . Yet so many families would say they couldn’t afford it . Your car is insured, your home is insured, why not insure your life ? I decided I wanted to share the information I knew and help families get out of the mindset that your life wasn’t worth securing. I then made it my mission to educate and give back to the communities I served to prevent as many fish fry’s and go funds me’s as possible. Stepping out on faith , I created Finally By Faith Nonprofit Organization. Read more>>
Edward Jones
Levi J. Bespoke Consulting came to me very recently if I am to be completely honest. A few months ago I got laid off for the second time this year, and after meeting with a few colleagues they encouraged me to branch on my own. After doing some discovery and research in the areas I know I could help businesses and individuals thrive, the idea was born. Read more>>