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.

Alen Palander

During my undergraduate studies in Urban Design at the University of Waterloo, my burgeoning passion for photography was kindled. As I began to take my photography career more seriously, I recognized the power of social media as a platform to disseminate my work to a wider audience. With time, my photography gained a substantial following, thereby generating various opportunities for me to expand my skillset and expertise in the creative domain. Read more>>

Marques Cook

I came up with the concept riding around the city of Memphis. I just seen all the thing Memphis had to offer and decide to create a page that showcased Memphisculture, entertainment options, and restaurant options throughout the city. Read more>>

Jamaul Smith

Betty D’Minx in its infacy back in 2007 was a thought that took two different brand names to perfect. It was such an eye opening revelation going from 2-D like images and transforming that into a 3-D space. I being the brand Creative Director had to make a transformation from being an artist to a business owner. I am not just selling art. I am selling a lifestyle through the art. I am selling products with the artwork on it. I am selling products that I want to see, things I want to wear. Read more>>

Marissa Phifer

I started my publishing company in the year of 2020. As everyone knows, the pandemic threw a monkey wrench in everyones plans. However, I took this time to pour back into myself and learn something new. This time also made me realize there were some things lying dormant inside of me. Untapped gifts have a way of opening up once you sit with yourself long enough. Read more>>

Nathan Duncan

I came up with the idea to do something I REALLY ENJOY which is cooking! I wanted to turn it into a business because I felt and still feel that we could be in a niche all by ourselves and create something for people that they would enjoy! I was at a point in my working career where i did not like my job and felt I had more to offer than my job at the time, working in an assembly plant. Read more>>

Akiala I

I was a young girl searching for my family, that I had lost in the busy crowd of a fair, when I was approached by an elderly hobbling man. He was wearing one roller skate and a helmet with attached flashing objects on it and a clown nose. In his hands was a neatly wound ball of yarn, he gently began to unwind it and offered me the beginning of the string. I looked around confused and nervous, yet when I looked at this man I could see in his eyes that he had a divine plan that all others ignored and rejected, he needed a brave soul to volunteer. I became that brave soul. I accepted and took the yarn. Read more>>

Amanda Piepgras

When I began training in martial arts I saw that there were many benefits to it besides fitness and self defense. My anxiety decreased, my health improved, I made lifelong friends who offered positive support, and I gained confidence in myself. As a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), I thought it would be fun to pass those benefits along to a population that is often overlooked, kids with special needs. Read more>>

Massiel Kurwahn

I’m originally from Honduras. I moved to Florida November, 2019 with my adorable Boston Terrier name Bowie. On April 2020 I met my now boyfriend Ean . He felt in love of Bowie immediately. Read more>>

Danielle Hurme

The idea for The Modern Dog Company came about in 2017 not too long after I had just gotten my dog, Stella. I had a difficult time finding trendy dog accessories at reasonable prices. The only options seemed to be seemingly unattractive pet store items or nice-looking boutique pieces that really broke the bank. I wanted to create something that had the premium look & quality without the premium price. Read more>>

Laura Sanno

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an artist and maker. It began with drawing every evening on the legal pads my father brought home for me and watching my mother work magic at her sewing machine. Dad and I visited the museums in nearby Manhattan and Mom taught me how to sew and knit. They both encouraged me when I left for college to study fine art and art history. Read more>>

Corrie Williams

I have dreamt of having my own artisan shop, often with a bakery, for years. I had been running my own research and evaluation consulting business since 2015, and while there were many aspects of the work I enjoyed, I kept feeling unfulfilled. I wanted the work I was doing to feel JOY-full and authentic to who I was. Read more>>

Stephanie Reiman

Nate and I always had a “for fun” dream of opening a coffee shop, but it wasn’t really on the radar. With my design work and his touring schedule we figured if we ever were to open something up, it would be in the distant future. One afternoon, Nate was out at lunch with a couple of close friends, and he was mentioning how cool it would be if Nelson Drum Shop had a small coffee setup in the corner for those of us who liked to go hang there. Read more>> 

Sheldon Eakins

I never planned to be an entrepreneur. In fact, I thought I was running away from it by becoming a teacher. I grew up in a household in which my dad had a private investigator business. I decided as a kid, that wasn’t the life I wanted to have. Fast forward, I became a teacher and eventually made my way into school leadership (principal). Read more>>

Sammari Lee

My idea for my business began with my personal journey of healing my depression and anxiety. I started studying, practicing meditation and yoga. I noticed when I incorporated these practices in my life daily, it reduced my anxiety. My mindset transformed and I became more confident and empower within myself. Read more>>

Patrina King

It wasn’t my idea. Starting Curl Ministry was not my idea. I was just a woman on a search for products that would aid me on my journey to experience the natural hair of my dreams. The idea to begin creating organic products from scratch was birth from a need that was not being fulfilled by the current market of organic products available to Black women. I was given a relaxer at 4 years of age. Read more>>

Kimberly Anastasia

I have always been enthralled by creative photography, whether it was a fine art series or an editorial piece. Throughout my teen years, I loved to collect and peruse magazines because I was always inspired by what they contained. I took this inspiration and began trying to implement my own ideas in the same way, asking my friends to model concepts for me based on things like mythology or music that we liked. I felt that it gave me purpose, being able to bring visions like that to fruition, but I couldn’t yet see how to turn that into a viable career. Read more>>

Abby & Alex Milan

A few years ago while planning our wedding, we had a difficult time finding the perfect gifts for our wedding guests. Willinglee sparked from the idea that we could make the lives of engaged couples—and gift-givers of all sorts—a little easier. Read more>>

Melissa Lagowski

In 1999, I was serving as the Executive Director for a nonprofit that I dearly loved! I was responsible for 24 events, 12 newsletters, 8 committees and 225 members. What I was doing really lit me up, but as a staff of one, I got burned out, and in 2002, I left that position. Read more>>

Cara D’Orazio

I started my business, C.G.M. Fitness, Inc., at the start of the Covid 19 pandemic. At the time I was running to various gyms (including Equinox), teaching 15 classes per week, and going to client’s homes to train them 1:1. I was sometimes driving 90+ miles per day. When gyms closed, I started teaching the group classes online as well as my 1:1’s. I realized there was a true need for this! Read more>>

Chad Logan

On our free time, my wife & I love to venture out on the open roads riding our chopper & classic ratrod. While in our travels we always stop at establishments with outdoor seating to enjoy live music, dining, beverages & for me… a nice cigar I bring along for our trips. As we were sitting on the patio enjoying the band & some drinks at a local eatery I realized I had forgotten to pack my stogie and we said to one another …”You know, there is no place to buy cigars. Read more>>

Ayana Campbell Smith

Personal finance and financial literacy has long been a major interest of mine. In 2019, I was looking for something to devote my time to as a creative outlet outside of my 9-5. One day I got a random spark of inspiration and started a list of money topics I thought would be worth sharing with others. Read more>>

Nate McClellan

My whole life I have always been a fan of health and nutrition and would always be reading books about it. But while it was a passion of mine I originally got my degree in electronics engineering. Even while in marathon condition I constantly had restless leg syndrom since my 20’s which I determined was due to inflammation. This discovery lead me to eat healthier and take a deeper look into anti-inflammitory foods. Read more>>

Kaneeka Moore

So I initially graduated with my degree in healthcare for Surgical Technology. Long story short, I HATED it lol. I have always been a fan of fashion, jewelry, and nails. Unfortunately there is absolutely none of those things allowed in the operating room. So when I moved here to Texas from Chicago I followed one of my passions which is nails. Read more>>

Latina Nickelson

In 2016, I became the primary caregiver for 2 children diagnosed with autism. It was extremely difficult as I navigated the system to find resources and support. People were either not helpful or continued to tell me that my aspirations for them were unreasonable. Read more>>