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.
Lynn Harris
The story REALLY begins on one chilly night in 1985, on a Jewish youth group overnight ski trip in New Hampshire, where a bunch of dudes borrowed a bunch of girls’ nightgowns and somehow found a bunch of grapefruits and did a sloppy random and probably hilarious drag skit that brought the HOUSE down, and I have resented Adam Sandler ever since. It’s really not personal, but he was one of them, and I — even being a leading “funny one” — knew that even the funniest girls could NEVER just get up there unrehearsed and dumb like that and CRUSH. Not that WE couldn’t — but even I, at 15, knew that the AUDIENCE would never be so fawning and forgiving and just laugh. People just didn’t see girls that way. We were the audience, not the act. Read more>>
Renaldo Valentine
When I worked for one of the largest 501(c)3 companies in Dallas, I learned a ton about giving back while promoting a brand and serving a purpose. My culture and birthplace are Trinidad and Tobago, a small island off of Venezuela in the Caribbean. It has a well-educated population, the best food in the Caribbean, an oil and gas industry, and the land of Soca, Calypso, Carnival, Steelpan, and doubles. They have incredible stories about its creation, existence, and extremely potent effects. The piece of culture I chose for this endeavor was Soca. Soca is a dance and celebration music that was created in the 1970s by Lord Shorty-I. The use of instruments from Africa and India combined to create an infectious rhythm that makes you dance and feel happy. Lord Shorty-I stepped away from the more contemporary informative Calypso music in an effort to bring people of African and Indian descent together in the country. The music has transcended borders, and the entire Caribbean now has a form of Soca music. Read more>>
Sara Shipp
Well, I have wanted to bring this dream to life for almost 2 decades. Opening a high-quality wedding dress studio in Ventura sounds like a perfect idea! Given the area’s unique aesthetic and the fact that local brides may currently need to travel to far away cities for an elevated bridal shopping experience, a studio offering exceptional gowns and personalized service could fill a clear gap. My dad’s sudden passing made me realize how precious and fleeting life can be. I am motivated to pursue this dream, seizing every opportunity, knowing that we can’t predict when our lives might change drastically. My mom’s generous support and Justin’s encouragement have been crucial in launching lemons & Lace. I am determined to make the most of this moment and not look back with regrets. Read more>>
Jose Chavez
The idea for the little plant shop came a from a sudden interest in plants. I bought a snake plant and the rest is history. At the time the idea started brewing in my head I was working as a cosmetologist, although i loved what I was doing. I loved my plants a little more. When COVID hit I started to notice the sudden interest in plants. We had a few nurseries in town, but not an actual house plant shop. It started from a small pop up at Shade cafe in Richland, Washington. The tremendous support we received from the local plant community (yes that’s a thing lol) was more than I could’ve ever imagined. After our first pop up I started to get invites to more. I was booked them every weekend, and still doing hair during the week. Although it did become overwhelming at times, I managed to balance both out as we started to gain more attention from everybody, even non plant lovers. Soon after We decided it was time to establish our roots in town. A few weeks later we found our brick and mortar for the little plant shop. Now Almost 4 years later, it was the best decision we ever made. Read more>>
Nirvana Leal
The idea for my business came from a combination of market observation and the desire to create something meaningful. When I arrived in the United States, I noticed a significant demand for reliable, high-quality services in the cleaning industry, particularly among the American audience. While many companies offered services, few truly met the expectations of excellence and personalization that clients were seeking. I saw this as an opportunity to provide something different. In the beginning, I started small, focusing on delivering exceptional service to each client and building a reputation based on trust and outstanding results. As positive feedback grew, I realized I could expand my offerings beyond basic cleaning and provide a wide range of solutions, such as carpet cleaning, pressure washing, handyman services, and more, all with a focus on quality and attention to detail. Read more>>
Unique Demorcy
I came up with the idea from TikTok, which still amazes me. I started sharing my journey of working from home as a nurse. My most viewed is currently sitting at 40k views, and it’s a video of me introducing myself and sharing what I do as a clinical review nurse. My DMs were flooded with many questions from nurses, sharing their stories and asking for advice to help them land WFH jobs. I knew something was there because so many nurses were unaware of this untapped side of nursing. I decided to start my business, Scrubs to Pivot, to help and bring awareness to all the possibilities of what is possible with a nursing degree. Read more>>
Shakir Seagers
In the bustling borough of the Bronx, the seeds of Theory 9 Incorporated were sown. The year was 2021, and the world was grappling with the aftermath of a global pandemic. Communities, especially those in underserved areas like the Bronx and Manhattan, were struggling with heightened food insecurity, disrupted education, and a general sense of uncertainty about the future. Amidst this turmoil, me and a group of passionate friends from the community, driven by a shared vision of creating a better future for our community, came together. Read more>>
Emily Diver
It started with an idea to bring more awareness to the health implications affecting our Military, Law Enforcement and First Responders. Many of my friends are involved in these professions. I watched too many of our bravest pass away from professional health related issues. I wanted to help and see what we as a community could do to help alleviate the health issues related that their profession brings. My first introduction to this specialized field was a calendar that I wanted to do that involved Military, Law Enforcement and First Responders. We were full steam ahead…..then COVID hit. We were unable to finish the calendar due to lack of funding. I decided I wasn’t going to let a virus hinder my efforts so I organized my first beard competition in 2020. We raised just over $2500 for POP, the Prostate On-Site Project, which helped educate men on the importance of Prostate Exams. Read more>>
Lindsey Anderson
I was working at a Real Estate Coaching company on the marketing team there. A lot of my coworkers had started their own side hustles doing graphic design, coaching sports teams, etc. They all really encouraged me to find something I enjoy doing and start doing it as a side business to make some extra money. I began looking for small businesses that needed social media help and spreading the word and ironically found that a lot of realtors needed help! I started working with one agent out of Texas originally, then slowly took on more clients and grew. I did take some clients that weren’t in real estate to start, but I quickly found a social strategy that worked well for real estate agents so I began seeking out realtors. From working at the real estate coaching company, I had a lot of knowledge about the real estate industry, how realtors become successful, and how to market realtors. It was really the perfect blend of knowledge from that role and my combined marketing experience from jobs prior that really allowed me to better service realtors. I originally started my business with no intention to grow it into a full time job, but as we kept growing, I became super passionate about it and wanted to not only help realtors across the US, but also provide a flexible working environment for marketers. Read more>>
Staci Hicks
I started my journey on Bookstagram. (Naptime_Bound) I created friendships and relationships with authors & book lovers. I was on a date with my husband, explaining to him that there was no place to support indie authors and he encouraged me to look into how I could make that happen. I have a huge passion for indie authors and romance is my jam. This is where the idea blossomed. I opened my business in April of 2024 and have been doing pop up book events since. As of January 2025, I will now have a Brick and Mortar! It will be a cozy location for readers and authors to meet, hangout and enjoy romance books. Read more>>
Jordan Preece
The idea for my business came to me during one of the most uncertain times in my life. I’d spent 10 years in the corporate world, working hard at a job that felt steady and safe—until it wasn’t. Two weeks before the world shut down from COVID, I was let go during a mass layoff. At first, I felt completely lost. But as I sat with that loss, I realized something bigger: we all experience losses—jobs, people, and even those little everyday moments we don’t think about until they’re gone. It hit me how important it is to hold onto the now. Read more>>
Caroline Brown
Caroline Leary is a brand nearly four decades in the making, rooted in a lifelong passion for sewing and design. I can’t recall a time when sewing wasn’t a part of my life. As a child, I helped my mother create ballet and school costumes, and as I grew older, I began making my own prom and formal dresses. By high school, I was selling party dresses at a small bridal shop. Sewing was my creative outlet, a way to express the over-the-top, shiny side of my personality. However, for many years, it remained a hobby rather than a career path. Read more>>
Cornelius Lewis
The idea for KORCO™️ PLUMBING didn’t come to me overnight—it was born out of years of experience in the plumbing trade and a growing realization that I could make a difference. While there were many positives in the industry, I also encountered situations where I felt caught between doing what was right for the customer and what was expected by management. Read more>>
Kirsten Halik
The lightbulb moment for Crowned Athletics struck during an ordinary drive home from my corporate job at the time. I had spent years immersed in fitness, but something about the aggressively athletic styles dominating the market always felt at odds with my own aesthetic. I wanted something different—something elegant, feminine, and empowering. Read more>>
Blayke Dewalt
The idea for Perfect Pout Skincare came from a deeply personal journey. As a teenager, I was diagnosed with PCOS, a condition that brought its share of physical and emotional challenges. During this time, I was introduced to Arnica as a natural remedy to manage bruising, inflammation, and general wellness. It became a trusted ally in my health journey, and I saw firsthand how effective it was at reducing swelling and supporting healing. Read more>>
Julie Christiansen
I had the opportunity to participate in Leadership Frederick County several years ago and was given the nickname Hippy Viking by one of the facilitators. With a nod to my Danish heritage and tough Human Resources leadership style, and a mix of my tree-hugging, passion for the outdoors – Hippy Viking was fitting and destined to become a brand! Read more>>
Elvira Merz
Traveling through the World and Latin American countries provided me with ample inspiration. I was lucky to immerse myself in the art of handcrafting, particularly in the shoe industry, as I’ve always valued beautiful yet comfortable footwear. Most of the shoes I encountered in stores were either stylish but uncomfortable or comfortable but lacking in style. I often thought, “Surely, it can’t be that difficult to create shoes that women truly want!” Indeed, I discovered that most shoe designers for women were men who never wore the shoes or understood how they felt in them. Read more>>
Melissa Treuman
They say we teach best what we most need to learn. That sentiment is at the core of how and why I became a leadership coach. After working for years in the nonprofit sector, I found myself deeply passionate about the work, but I kept encountering the same challenges across different organizations—struggling cultures, distrust, burnout, poor communication, and the list went on. What frustrated me most was that despite the fact that these cultures were often problematic, the people working in these organizations were among the kindest, most passionate, and hardest-working individuals you could ever meet. Read more>>
Arely Valadez
Brows have always been a passion of mine. I’ve always believed that they hold the power to transform not only a person’s face but also their confidence. I’ve spent years admiring the artistry behind creating the perfect brow, and it’s always been something I noticed first about people. One day, I came across a microblading class, and it felt like a lightbulb moment. I had always loved working with brows, but the idea of using this innovative technique to help others feel beautiful resonated deeply with me. Microblading is more than just a cosmetic procedure it’s a way to restore confidence and give someone a fresh perspective on how they see themselves. Read more>>
Jessica Hubbard
It’s sort of a cliche in the photography world, but my story is like a lot of other female photographers in the industry. I began to seriously pick up my camera and learn it backwards and forwards when I had my first baby. There is a need for a quick, but worthy sidenote here and a huge shoutout to my parents because I have always had a camera in my hand and I have always had a sentimental soul. I’m no stranger to people telling me that I was born in the wrong decade. My parents gave me a hot pink Barbie camera that I took everywhere with me and they paid for endless rolls of film and developing. They truly encouraged my love of photos. Read more>>
Samantha Puckett
Photography is something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. The reason it’s been so important to me is because of my childhood which was not so great. I my family didn’t have many photographs to reminisce on. The push for me was having children of my own. I was a stay at home mom after my second child was born and I promised myself I would document my childrens lives as much as possible. After learning and taking courses to better myself I thought this is something I could do and actually help bring in an income for my family. It has been so rewarding. I continue to learn every day. I’m hoping to create enough clients where I can quit my full time job as medical assistant to persue my dreams of being a full time creative. Read more>>
Natasha Dyer
When I started my compost business in 2021, I had already been working in the solid waste management field as a municipal recycling program manager for almost a decade, focusing specifically on keeping organic waste—such as food scraps and yard trimmings—out of landfills. Keeping organic waste out of landfills is critical because, when it decomposes in such environments, it accelerates the production of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to climate change. Read more>>
Federica Grieci
Since I was young I’ve been curious about the world and its wonderful secrets. I’ve always liked traveling and visiting new places, so I decided and tried with all my efforts to transform my passion in my job. After studying Tourism at the University, I decided to move to USA as an au pair and, there, I understood that that was my way. Read more>>
Chelsea Stone
Dedicated Healthcare was born out of frustration and a deep sense of responsibility. When I moved from Seattle to San Diego, I struggled to find a company that aligned with my values. Time and time again, I witnessed the gaps that left so many people and their families feeling unseen, unheard, and undervalued.
Reuben Levinsohn
After founding and exiting several businesses, I discovered my true passion: working with early-stage, innovative founders through our venture studio and advisory firm. Together, we help turn big ideas into market-ready solutions, supporting and funding startups from their earliest spark of ideation all the way to a successful exit. Read more>>
Jon Dean
The idea for my contrast therapy studio emerged from the recognition of a growing need for holistic approaches to health and wellness. I noticed how modern lifestyles often neglected the balance of physical, mental, and emotional health. The transformative effects of practices like sauna therapy, cold plunges, and red light therapy, envisioning a space where people could access these tools in one place to rejuvenate, recover, and improve their overall well-being felt necessary. Read more>>
Nathan Granner
I am an Opera Singer as my main career path. It’s not something one just chooses, it is usually a funnel of sorts. Starting as a child, I loved singing. I loved my kindergarten and first grade songs we learned at school. My father sang in the church choir, so I would hang out in the sanctuary listening to them while I played under the pews. I could hear his voice over the baritone section. I don’t remember what his voice sounds like anymore, but for a long time his sound rang in my ears, as a kind of talisman. Read more>>
April Finch
The idea of The Barefoot Monkey came to fruition during Covid and after many trips traveling all over India with my family. Before I first stepped foot in India in 2015 the food, the authors and the idea of India were already in my bloodstream. When we first got off the plane to the sights, smells and horns of India I knew it wasn’t my last visit. When we returned to the southern region the following year I was still in awe of India but after my families third trip they said that you’re on your own now. So I kept going back with friends until Covid struck, the urge to return was still there and I thought how can i justify returning back to India. This is one reason that The Barefoot Monkey was started so that I could go back to India plus it gave me the creative outlet that I needed with my girls going off to college for the first time. Read more>>
Melissa Sanchez
I started making chocolate by simply melting a block of Cacao, some Cacao butter, and adding other ingredients like almonds, honey, mushroom powder, maca, etc. I wanted to make myself something healthy and not too sweet with processed sugars or preservatives to enjoy and help me throughout my menstrual cycle. It was my go to treat and was helping me stay in a good mood, have more energy, and I was cramping less. I was inspired to share it with my family members during the holidays..I thought great, here’s something healthy & delicious..plus, who doesn’t love chocolate?! Read more>>
Gary Little
My career has graced with me a unique medley of experiences around digital media, luxury, music, sports and finance. While experiencing each industry I was always everyone’s swiss army knife. I’m a chronic researcher, love to listen, and I taught myself many skills after college. Read more>>
Matthew (chefmatt) Stockard
I first started cooking with cannabis in 1994: I didn’t decide to pursue it as a business until 2014 after moving back from Overseas running Restaurants for a big hotel chain. I stated catering a lot of cannabis events and seen the why people loved my infused sauces. Read more>>
Moyatu Ebba
LipMama began during the very beginning of COVID-19. I was considered an essential worker which meant I was unable to work from home and had to wear masks for hours. I began to notice the irritation of my lips from the masks from not being able to apply the lip care that I would usually wear all the time which would get stuck to and ruin the masks. After being frustrated with the lack the constant irritation, I decided to make a lip scrub and lip balm that would not only heal my lips but would also moisturize them under the masks. I began to talk about how helpful it was for me around my workplace which led to my coworkers asking me to make it for them along with lip oils and glosses as the mask protocol lessened. With feedback of my coworkers and friends, I then took the step in putting a name to the products with the help of my daughter, LipMama by Moyatu. 5 years later, I have added more to the brand with different products like body oils and body butters to cater to self care and everyday lifestyle. Read more>>
Maria Corina Azpurua
The idea for Carmarí Active came about during the pandemic, when life had slowed down and many of us were left to find ways to stay motivated at home. With gyms closed, working out at home became one of the few outlets for both physical and mental health. To keep myself motivated, I decided to treat myself to some new activewear. But I didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg on the well-known fitness brands. Read more>>
Ekaterina Dzyuba
The idea for my business was born from a personal experience that left a lasting impression on me. During my first visit to the USA at 15, I stepped into a nail salon near my school in New York. It was one of those typical spots found in every plaza, and what I encountered shocked me. Despite the technician’s best efforts, the result was far from the quality I expected. Read more>>
Rebekka Eliza
My name is Rebekka Eliza and I am a fashion and beauty photographer. I was working as a designer in fashion for several years. For in jobs positions and later on as a freelancer. Until one of my clients asked me to help out with the shoot. They could not find a photographer that would match their brand concept and aesthetics. After several shoots which did not turn out as they were looking for, I told them I could give it a try. So I rented a camera (seriously no idea how things worked), found a studio and asked a befriended model. We shot the collection that day and since then I knew photography was what I loved and was meant to be doing. Read more>>
La Chelle Dickenson
My business is a product of my personal journey. As a professional dancer for many years and the owner of an online boutique for the past five years, I’ve experienced the challenges of balancing creative passion with sustainable business practices. For a long time, my boutique was just a hobby with no scalability. While pursuing dance and running my boutique, I also worked for a nonprofit, where I saw firsthand how an organization’s passion didn’t always translate into effective support or numbers. These experiences planted the seed for CBL Consulting. Read more>>
Matthew Frazier
Passport Destination started as an intersection of my passion for storytelling, my love for travel, and my deep desire to connect people with cultures and experiences around the world. Growing up in Memphis, my parents owned a African-American theatre company called Blues City Cultural Center. From an early age, I was immersed in the arts and storytelling, learning how narratives could bring people together and inspire change. At the same time, I found myself drawn to documenting life with my camera, whether it was skateboarding in the streets or capturing the vibrant culture around me. Read more>>
Monica Kim
The idea for SourDog started with our dog Ziggy. When my family and I adopted him, we quickly found out he is a picky eater with also a sensitive stomach. Conventional treats/food were making him either vomit and have inconsistent poop. Around the same time, I had been baking sourdough bread every week – a hobby I picked up during the height of Covid – and always had extra sourdough starter in my kitchen. Read more>>