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.

Trisha Will

I always wanted to be a fashion designer, but through many personal obstacles, that dream was deferred for many, many years. When I finally had the opportunity to pursue a career as a designer, I worked so hard that I burned myself out and lost the passion for it. I was juggling way too many things- from being a mom of 3 little children, to being a Designer-In-Residence at the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator while designing and producing my line, it was all too much for me to handle at once. Read more>>

Darian Washington

I started this business because my baby loves oatmeal. I was just looking for a quick and easy way to nourish him. Initially, I had intended for this to be a side hustle, just something I could do on the weekends that would bring extra money for fancy family vacations, and a nicer car. But shortly after applying for my LLC, I was laid off from my cushy corporate job, and two weeks later I found my husband in our home with another woman and immediately put him out. I was in an existential crisis, and acutely depressed, pushed out of control and now free falling into darkness. Read more>>

Kene Onuorah

The data says 2/3 of all American men will deal with significant hair loss by the age of 35. That’s nearly 50 Million men. Many of them will deal with anxiety, lack of confidence, embarrassment even depression along their hair loss journey. And it can happen to anyone, including me, Kene Onuorah CEO/Founder of Comme Homme – a tech-enabled personal care injecting confidence into the hair loss journey. Read more>>

Rhakim Todman.

Replace question with “What do you hope your legacy will be?” Legacy for me is about creating an impact. I hope that my legacy will be to advocate for the respect of engineers. Often engineers do not get the respect or credit that they truly deserve. In my own small way, I started to include my tag “Celeb press da button” as an engineer and it has really taken off. The tag was voiced by a good friend of mine, Anita Maduro. Usually, tags are used by producers. Read more>>

Chaney Widmer

Mix & Match Design Company evolved organically out of a long-held desire to pursue a career in the creative world. The story begins in 2012 when was working in healthcare. I was placed at a brand new clinic that was still getting off the ground, so I found I had a lot of spare time on my hands. There was a limited amount of “real” work to do at my desk and I decided to start writing an interior design and DIY blog as a hobby. Read more>>

Whitney McGruder

Every author asks themselves “Is this story/manuscript something that I MUST share with the world?” It’s not just uploading a PDF to Amazon and calling it a day. It means you’re transforming a hobby into a small business. As a kid, I wanted to be an author. I’m not even sure why but I certainly made it a part of my identity since middle school. I even met my now-husband because we bonded over our shared desires to be teen authors. Read more>>

Angelina Lawton

The idea behind what is now Sportsdigita came from my experience working for the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning as the SVP, Corporate Communications. I was in charge of everything and anything with the Lightning logo on it and there were so many inefficiencies in our process. From outdated, underwhelming PowerPoints to sellers using the wrong logo in their pitches, I knew there had to be a better way for teams to streamline sales processes and impress with our presentations. Sports is an industry built on sexy assets, live action, and competition – I needed a way to emulate that in our Lightning Pitch Decks. Read more>>

Brittany Gandy

Growing up I have always had a strong interest and passion for the human body. Learning about why things happen, understanding how all of our functions and systems work, the effects of specific training techniques on our body, how nutrition ties in with exercise, are just a few of the thoughts and questions I was always curious about. That is why I went on to study the human body in greater detail. Graduating from Adrian College with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Exercise Science and then completing my Master’s of Science degree at Eastern Michigan University in Exercise Physiology, Read more>>

Hannah Pham

This company was born when my daughter died. On November 29, 2020, Camellia Noelle was born sleeping. She weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces, and had full lips and an even fuller head of dark, wavy hair; she was absolutely beautiful. She died suddenly and unexpectedly at 34 weeks to a placental abruption. Camellia was our third child, our only daughter, and we were utterly devastated. Read more>>

Sam Fink

Dance photography may seem like an incredibly niche service to offer, especially in a smaller city like St. Louis. I believed this myself when I first moved here from Chicago a couple years ago. I thought that by doing all sorts of portrait photography, I would have more success, but it was actually the opposite. Once I started honing in on my unique position to help dancers take jaw-dropping photos that are 100% catered to their own skillset, talent, and interests, that’s when people really started to take notice of the work I was doing. Read more>>

Janelle King

I started out serving as a life coach to women, helping them uncover their purpose and channel it into meaningful work. Many of these women came to me as a result of being in toxic and non-inclusive work environments or work environments with poor leadership, where they felt stalled or stifled and unable to use their passions and gifts at work. At the time, I could relate to them as I was part-time in my business and working at a job I didn’t enjoy. However, one day during my quiet time, I stumbled across a Scripture that informed me of the way I believe God intended us to experience work, “There’s nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. Read more>>

Que Burns

I’ve been passionate about aesthetics my entire life. I really think it’s hereditary to some degree. I come from two parents who were really in tune with how they presented themselves in and out of the public’s eye. I can remember my father having the most organized sock drawer you could imagine. He had these little plastic sock locks. Read more>>

Kelsey Lynn

I’ve ALWAYS loved keeping my hands busy. I often ponder if it’s a distraction for my busy brain. I’m a lover of old things. I love old buildings. I love pondering on the history before me. I first remember seeing stained glass in the old churches I would attend as a child. Throughout the day you get a different experience based on how the light is shining through. It’s special. And much like the sunset you just can’t capture it’s true beauty on film. I don’t think I really imagined myself as a stained glass artist until I became an adult. I was an active potter and I happened to meet someone organically who had interest in the craft. Read more>>

Dona McKenzie

Chocolate Rose began with the idea of wanting to inspire positivity. I’ve always had a love for accessories and felt happy when wearing unique pieces. I wanted others to feel the same-so in 2013, it felt natural to start a business creating jewelry with a meaning, specifically beaded jewelry. This was exciting, tapping into my creative side. Also a little nerving because you are being vulnerable. I knew creating and making jewelry with a meaning was worthwhile because of the joy that is felt when someone is inspired, uplifted or self-empowered by one of your creations. That is a purposeful feeling, Read more>>

Stacey Daniels

I had a dream job. One that any professional in my field would give up their life for. I was in sunny Florida, close to the beach and at a world renowned sports academy. My responsibilities included training the worlds young best athletes in multiple sports and professional athletes ranging from the NFL, NBA, Tennis, Major League Baseball, Soccer and the Under 17 Mens National Soccer Team. The experience that I received was invaluable and one that an individual looking to be an expert in this field could only dream of. So you are probably in suspense wondering where I was working. Read more>>

Jehu Leconte

I have spent a long time dealing with homelessness through my own experience growing up in Haiti. And again, while working as a shelter director after receiving my master’s in management and leadership. From my position as a shelter director, I felt helpless as I watched thousands of families pass through the shelter without making much progress. It was a heartbreaking circle, and I could do nothing about it but keep them comfortable whenever they returned to shelters. Read more>>

Kiran Raibagi

An Idea or a passion can change your mind. Its was a very slow and organic start. It was purely for fun and to take my own pictures, deep down may be I wanted to be a model- loved being in front of the camera. Not knowing if I am truly talented or just a girl with camera. I had no idea what I was doing or had a vision for the same. Only when I did do to community collage in Bellevue, the professor there was one of my biggest motivator. She loved my work/projects we did, and she said- Read more>>

Skye Lingenfelter

One of the most compelling reasons for the birth of Smells Like Crime, Co. (“SLC”) can be summarized as follows: we are our own target audience. Let me explain: Kinley and I are sisters, and we are as similar as we are different. We’re seven years apart in age, but we look alike. We’re both creators, visionaries, and artists, but I’m a lawyer and she’s a designer. We both have poodle-mix dogs, but mine is black and hers is blonde. We’re both enneagram 3s, but I’m an ISTJ and she’s an ENFP. We’re both passionate about arguing, being right, and fashion. It’s a match parent-made in heaven. Read more>>

Ebony Bailey

My business was built out of one of my personal life’s most trying and frustrating times. I was going through some unexpected issues, and a friend gave me a devotional to read. As I read the devotional, I immediately connected with the book as I read every word on the pages. It gave me the strength and perspective I needed to get through each challenging day and reminded me that seasons change and that what I was experiencing had an expiration date. Read more>>

Alexis O Mendez

Since my childhood I grew up surrounded by an artistic and musical family. I remember being younger and always helping around the house painting and loving to paint my room with creative colors and styles. I also do music and i’m a singer, so art has been always around me. On 2005 I studied vocal performance at Nyack, New York and came back to my original country on 2008 due to a heart Illness. No longer after that I met who is my wife now and got married on March of 2011. Due to the corruption and many obstacles of our country we moved out on 2013 and established ourselves in Orlando FL. Read more>>

Samantha Buder

I’ve always loved and collected perfume. I grew up loving all things makeup and beauty, and the way a scent can instantly bring back memories is so interesting to me. I had an idea to open up a retail store for perfume, home fragrance, and body care, but I didn’t know where to start. I knew I didn’t have much expertise or authority working with fragrance, other than collecting a few over the years, so I decided to start a social media page while I became more educated on the topic. Read more>>

Savannah Larson.

Back in 2016, I had just finished high school and like most people at 18 I really had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. Then my dad, Todd Larson, who had had a successful crown molding business for many years, suggested I start a business installing professional grade frames on bathroom mirrors. He had seen the gap in the market when some of his customers would ask for a simple, decorative trim for their bathroom mirror. He would oblige, using pieces of baseboard, chair rail, or crown molding and glue them to the mirror. Read more>>

Morgane Bonnin

My daugther is born in december 2019. I was suppose to go back at work first week of March 2020. But covid happen, daycare close, and it’s start to be the mess. At this time i was Manager on a french bakery and my husband was pastry chef over-here. We was looking to find a solution to keep our small one safe. We deciding it will be better for me to leave my job and stay home with Romy. Read more>>

Juan Rodriguez.

When Covid-19 hit Houston, and we were all switched to the online environment, I started noticing how online classes were a struggle and decreased opportunities for students to complete community service hours and help the community. Meanwhile, elementary and middle school students showed a high level of distraction in classes and decreased material retention. I started brainstorming how to put both cases together and help the community. Read more>>

Etheldreda Esomba

Since I could remember I knew that I wouldn’t be someone that would limit myself or my capacitates to a singular/linear career. It was always a variation of “I want to be an astronaut and a librarian and an author and and and…”. So needless to say it was a no-brainer that when I decided to officiate my brand as a company back in 2019 that I would include my photography, wardrobe styling and everything in-between. Read more>>

Chanel Hamilton

Coming up with Coyote Brand U.S. was completely trial and error. I knew I wanted to start working for myself, so I gave myself a timeline… and just did it. This seems very simple, but it was not. After failing to launch a few times, I told myself; “Just do what you’ve been doing forever”, which was creating skincare and home goods. The brand launched itself, besides the “sympathy sales” from friends and family, the public supported my products. The orders started flowing in, clients kept returning, and referrals continued. Read more>>

Amianadet Melendez

Making and planning events have been one of my passion since a young age. I use to draw sketch of my birthday parties, design the looks and planing every single detail. I have been doing it for more than 20 years…everyone ask me for help then to get the party started! Family, friend, coworkers they all come to me too seek my help and always got comments like you should do it as Business or you are really good at it…but for me was just a hobby…something that I love to do. I made it for my own 15 birthday party and for every job party, for my church activities. Then the pandemic hit us. Read more>>

Bridgette Rooks.

After more than 20 years of working in the wonderful world of retail, I finally broke out. With a dream and a vision, I wanted the chance to live my life on purpose and become my own boss. One day it just hit me and I took a leap of faith. I knew it was time to stop running in circles. It was time to stop working for other people. It was time to focus on my dream of being my own boss. I am now CEO of my own company, Cre8tive Vibes, which provides solutions to help aspiring entrepreneurs mentally and Cre8tively prepare to launch their own businesses. Read more>>

Mary Lemmer

When I was a teenager I started a business – a gelato business (that is still operating today, Iorio Gelato). Along with this business I had school, college applications, multiple sports, and life to manage, and this juggling continued into college when I, not only went to school, I got involved in leadership capacities in student organizations, conducted independent research, worked multiple jobs, and actually attended classes and studied a lot. Basically my life at this time could be summed up as “a lot going on.” When I graduated college I continued to build my gelato business, while also working at a venture capital firm and teaching fitness classes. Read more>>

Zainah Okay

I have always created my own drinks for myself or my friends, whether it was alcoholic or just fresh squeezed lemonade. Everyone has always enjoyed them as well. Back in 2020, I was focused on my skincare line I was pushing called “SeventhHeaven”. I was overwhelmed with it as much as I enjoyed doing the whipped sheas and lip glosses, I was losing my passion for it. I did my first pop up that year and I made a big gallon of fresh squeezed mango lemonade to sell. I sold more lemonade than I sold my actual products. Read more>>

Tom Regal

I’ve always liked leading people and helping them accomplish tasks and goals that seem insurmountable. That’s what initially drew me to the sport of triathlon – how do you swim, then bike, then run varying distances one right after the other? It’s a process flow that requires a calm mind and discipline. I had wholly embraced the triathlon lifestyle of healthy eating, dedicated training and even co-captained a corporate team that grew to 300 members. Read more>>

Arielle Nelson

In 2019 I seen a post where a young women was eating cereal in a “cereal restaurant” and I was thinking Ike, this looks cool, where is this and What is this?! After researching for hours on Ig and Google, I found out it was called a Cereal Bar and apparently it was common throughout the world. I knew this was definitely something I needed to introduce to Cincinnati. Instantly, I started to reminisce about waking up super early on Saturday morning, eating my favorite bowl of cereal, and watching Saturday morning cartoons for hours! Read more>>

Joselyn Johnson

My first “adult job” was with our local public housing authority in the property managment office. I was young and up until that moment I thought I wanted to own a poetry lounge. I wanted to have special events that would bring people together. My time at this job changed everything! I helped the team with an annual community day where we had resources, radio stations, kids activities and more on the property. The staff pulled the grill out and cooked until everyone was served. Read more>>

Johntina Simmons

So I’m going to tell you a little bit about all my businesses that I have first Jlashae Locs I started doing lots around 14 years ago after I got my hair locd I started doing family and friends here which then turned into a business. Jlashaecreations Handmade Crochet Designs got started by me teaching myself how to crochet after being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and trying to find ways to cope with depression and anxiety. I found that I really like crochet and I really like creating new things so I decided to take my crochet designs to a whole nother level. Read more>>