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.

Ryan Jackson

The terms “Infinite” and “Creations” literally mean just that. There are infinite ways for us to build and grow your business. We have the skill sets as our “Creators”, as we call them, are always willing to guide you and ease your workload. They will show you infinite ways to brand, build, and market your empire! Read more>>

Nadiya Zhurba

I came up with the idea of creating Ukrainian online school in 2020, when everybody had a big challenge of lack of communication because of COVID. I’m originally from Ukraine, moved to Austin TX 6 years ago and I always did my best in preserving Ukrainian language for my kids in English speaking environment. So when my kids could’n meet their Ukrainian speaking friends I decided to organize online meetings for them. Read more>>

Dustin Ross

It was late 2007 in New York and I was hustling as a freelance photographer and working as a digital editor at a photo agency. A friend and I decided to start StudioBooth as a side project fusing high end fashion photography equipment with event photography to create the first high end open air photo booth concept. Read more>>

Gabriel Abrego

Abrego began as a side project back in 2010 that I did when I had free time before or after work. I would build pieces of furniture out of scrap wood for small areas in my apartment like a coffee table, side table, console – very basic stuff. After working for other companies for years, I really started to see the ins and outs of how to run a business, what I did and didn’t like from each one and really honed in on my skills. In 2017, Read more>>

Taran OBrien

My sister wanted a unique bouquet for her wedding. So I created a bouquet of hand sewn fabric flowers, adorned with pearl and crystal brooches. After receiving such positive feedback, I decided to try my hand at custom requests and listed photo examples on Etsy. From bouquets, we’ve grown to add signage and laser products for weddings and events. Read more>>

M. Nikki Reed

I am a writer and content creator. I enjoy creating stories that highlight diverse groups and inspire others. Fall 2020 I was in a new environment and dealing with a new normal, yet I still wanted to continue my creative goals and I remembered a project I previous started. Read more>>

Nakia Poole

I’ve always wanted to be a creative. The best way for me to express myself was through art. It was the only way I felt alive. And then I thought “I could do this forever! I can make this feeling bigger than me”, and then my business was born. God is my source for everything I do, so I am very grateful for the gifts he installed in me. Fast forward to 2023 and I’m seeing the impact I’ve had on my client and my students lives, but I never take credit for their hard work and their decision to choose themselves. Read more>>

Bebe Beau

I have wanted to open and operate a Bridal Boutique since childhood. I didnt know anything about the industry prior to getting started, so its been a learning curve. However, I truly love what I do! Read more>>

Andrea Burks

Healing Through Vulnerability was formed during a personal mental health crisis. The idea of Healing Through Vulnerability came with the desire to break the stigma of mental illness because stigmas were something I was constantly dealing with and were driving the narrative that all individuals that suffer from Mental Illness are “crazy” or psycho instead of someone who copes with life’s challenges differently. Read more>>

Larry Crockett

Thank you for this amazing opportunity; The most amazing part of creating Lorraine’s Premium BBQ Sauce is from the amazing woman in my life wanting the best for me. I’ve always been very close to my mother; Read more>>

Keyla Haynes

My business was always focused on catering to those with natural hair. In 2018, I decided I wanted to niche down and specialize in working with those who wear their curls in their natural state. I needed some education on how to get a better understanding on working with curls and how to cut the hair in its natural state without having to straighten. I have taken a class with Cut it Kinky where I learn how to cater to tight curl clients and Devacurl I learned how to cater to the loose curl and wavy hair curlies. Read more>>

Nikki L May

How I came up with my business name as a Pastry Chef? Well, while I was attending my online classes at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, one of my classmates suggested the name Cake Slayer for me. On our student page there was a section where we as culinary students were allowed to post pictures & info about ourselves to share with our classmates. Read more>>

Anthony Cahusac

This story doesn’t start with me, but with my life long friend Matthew; he started his own media company and that made me think about photography in a different way. Before his company was created, I looked at photography as a cool hobby and not the business it could become. Read more>>

Tangela Babb

While navigating through my college years I was able to land a position at the local boys and girls club. During this time, I was able to assist, empower, provide a safe place, mentor, and advocate for our youth. It was amazing to see how many adolescent teen girls were so comfortable with having open, vulnerable conversations with me. Those young ladies I am often still in contact with today. Read more>>

Tiana Benjamin

This may sound crazy but I love social media. I know a lot of people struggle with their connection to it but for me personally I’ve just always had a genuine appreciation for an organized platform to express myself and connect with not only people I know but people all around the world. I know this may also sounds crazy but I love people, I love connecting, engaging and just being social in general. Read more>>

Geoffrey Evans

So, the idea of creating my own design business started on the campus of Florida A&M University (FAMU). FAMU was thriving with talent; from influencers and content creators to music producers, photographers, and directors. There was always someone with an idea that needed to be brought to life. I always carried my laptop around the campus, designing flyers in between campus. Read more>>

Kimberly Pangaro

I used to be a Realtor and I loved it, absolutely loved it! The income was phenomenal and getting to meet so many new people was great! Then the pandemic hit and my state shut down everything. As that was happening, I caught this funny little cold which no medication seemed to get rid of. Read more>>

Lisa Hansen

My sister is a 2 time breast cancer survivor and when she had to buy medical skin care it was so expensive. I wanted my products to be all natural with no chemical, or little at all. My products work extremely well for cancer and deep skin issues and because I work out of my home I’m able to keep prices at at affordable rate. The products I make are all natural soaps, liquid soap, creams, deodorants, salt scrubs, bath bombs, and lip balms. These products help cancer patients and people with skin issues like eczema and psoriasis. Read more>>

Becky Rickett

Becky kicked off her career as a popular on-air personality for “Loveline” in Billings, Montana, as well as doing some voice-over work. However, after experiencing the allure of California, she took on a production manager role at Thump Records, a record label focused on low-rider classic cars with killer bass. Becky was responsible for coordinating daily new releases of CDs, cassettes, and vinyl distributed by Universal Music. Read more>>

Dr. Amelia Reigstad, PhD

At the beginning of the pandemic, I was in my 13th year as a university professor, I turned 40, finished my doctorate degree and then decided I no longer wanted to teach anymore. Ha! – What was I going to do with my life? I was fortunate that prior to the pandemic, I was speaking across North America at different conferences and events sharing details of my PhD study on gender differences in communication styles and their influence on the workplace – essentially how men and women communicate differently. Read more>>

MellowMan

During the initial wave of the pandemic here in the U.S. many of us were in shock at how our society suddenly shutdown within days and with many deaths people begin to become more isolated and depressed. During this time I was one of those as well but with my Christian faith God gave me the idea to do something opposite of what was happening…show LIFE. That’s exactly what got me started filming various walk tours was to show life and I attempt to capture that no matter what I film. Read more>>

Alex Dry

I started working on DripDry in 2019 when I saw a disconnection in the swimsuit industry with accessorizing swimwear styles. This was the start of my a mission to create a new style that has not been created which introduces a trendy versatile design that can resonate with all women. Read more>>

Maliyah Harris

I always had a passion for creating my own things and selling them. I remember when I was little I would draw things and sell them to my classmates for like a dollar or five so when I got older, I realized I could actually create my own business while doing things I love like making jewelry, so I went for it and I did it. Read more>>

Kendall Lauren

Deciding to become a photographer for myself was a little more unique compared to the typical reason most go into photography. I was professionally modeling for a few years, and loved it. I loved learning about angles, location, lights, outfit styles, hair choices, makeup- all about how each of these areas can be essential to an amazing photo. Read more>>

Arielle Zorger

Let me bring you back to where it all began. I’m currently living in Washington DC, working full time in a job I no longer felt passionate about, became a first time mom struggling with Post Partpartum Depression + Anxiety and knew it was time to do something in my life that is just ME and something that actually made me feel happy inside + out. Read more>>

Micquetia Mitchell

I had just delivered my 2nd daughter and my husband and I agreed for me not to go back to work. So I had to do something and thought about selling baked items around the holiday season. My husband stated turn it into a business and do it year round. We were successful as a sweet treats business for the first half of the year. Then my husband wanted to explore BBQ as a vendor at local markets. We gave it a try and the business took off. We have BBQ and Sweet Treats Read more>>

Alekka Sweeney

When I lived in Chicago I owned a pastry school for a decade-I eventually sold it and said I was NEVER going to own my own business again. I moved to Pittsburgh because I was hired to be an pastry instructor at a culinary school. I was also hired to teach at William’s Sonoma and a few other local cooking schools. Then Covid happened and I lost all those jobs in 24 hours. Read more>>

Sara Gifford

I grew up knowing that voting was important. My parents used to take us to the polls with them when they voted. Of course that wasn’t difficult as our local polling place was inside my public elementary school. I had practiced the habit of being a regular voter since pre-school, of course only legally casting my first vote after I turned 18. Read more>>

Madison Howell

Maddy’s Juice Bar My dad grew up in Jamaica, living off the land where he grew his own fruits and veggies and raised animals. He worked hard and enjoyed climbing trees to eat loads of mangoes. We always have fresh fruits in our house and we eat a lot of mango! It my favorite! Read more>>

Mary Smith

Malysia Designs was previously Craftythingsz LLC. We recently completed rebranding. Designing, decorating and making things pretty is in my DNA. When I was younger, I used to go home shopping with my mother, I would help her to decorate. I remember we did her entire living room in wallpaper and I telling my age? lol. I loved it so much that I couldn’t wait until I purchased my first home. Which I did at the sweet age of 20 years old. Most of my friends were in college but I worked because I had a one year-old to take care of. Read more>>

Oscar Rodriguez, MD, CEO GTO Cigars

I was born in the industry in Santiago Dominican Republic, my family’s passion and tradition is just this, Cultivating and elaborating aged Tobacco into wonderful Cigars to be enjoyed by all. I am the 4th generation Owner and blender of our distinguished Tabacalera of more than 100 years of service to our family, community and worldwide consumers who are passionate and serious about how they spend there valuable time and what they smoke. Read more>>

Jeff Law David Nong

At Kai Wagyu, every cut is premium, and every bite special. It only takes one bite—to get a taste into the world of wagyu beef and embark on a dining experience unlike any you’ve had before. We import A5 Wagyu beef from Japan and ship directly to the customers home to enjoy a luxurious food experience in the comfort of their own home. We also just opened a premium butcher shop in Costa Mesa, CA with all types of A5 Wagyu cuts. We also supply restaurants, butcher shops and private chefs around the country! Read more>>

Burma Naylor

It all started in a reawakening in Baja in December of 2019. It was the year I turned 40 and on a long overdue family vacation. I had others handle my business and turned my phone off for six days. No calls, no email, no texting, no photos. It allowed me to reconnect with all that is and all that I am. Read more>>

Jessi Atkocaitis

Why are there so many ingredients I don’t recognize — and can’t pronounce — in my luxury hair care products? And what are all of these mystery ingredients actually doing to my scalp and hair health? I was a hairstylist for more than 20 years, was determined to find out the answers to those questions, both for myself and my clients, many of whom were struggling with hair loss, dry hair, and frizz and finding that conventional hair products were doing nothing to help. Read more>>

Jesse Perez-Chenge

White Rabbit Coffee’s existence is thanks to a collective of ideas developed by a group of 5 of us lifelong friends (Jeronimo Sotelo, Jefferson Vance, Andres Loya Estrada, Allen Gonzales, Jesse Perez-Chenge). We all loved the idea of working together in hopes of becoming business owners. The idea at first was to create a bike cart and serve coffee. Read more>>

Emily Adams

I inspired to be a singer songwriter sense the age of 12 after listening to Bob Dylan. Read more>>

Jessie Yarborough

Parlour Seven was founded out of slight desperation, coupled with a gut feeling that what I was about to embark upon really would work out. Covid presented numerous challenges and emotions for many people — myself included. When salons and spas were shut down across the country, it really put things into perspective. In such a short amount of time I found myself unemployed and wondering how I was going to generate an income, when applying for corporate jobs wasn’t working out in my favor. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Swan

My background is in early childhood education and development. As a teacher I came to the unsettling realization that when I become a parent there would be very few childcare centers I would be comfortable sending my child to and even fewer that I could afford. As my husband (now co-owner) and I struggled through the concept of the importance of early childhood education but the lack of options for school with developmentally appropriate teaching techniques, Read more>>

Joshua Neumann

I was in another career and loved it for 10 years. The beginning of the 11th year, I fell out of love with it and knew it was time for a change. Sitting on my couch one evening, I was thinking about what I would want to do and I looked down at my hand and was twirling a lip balm and thought to myself: “I’ve always loved lip balm and I’ve never found one that I thought worked that well.” Read more>>

Laticia “Action” Jackson

It is said that behind every great business there’s an impactful story. I don’t know if this is true. The only thing I can tell you is that my story can only be told by me. It’s a story of personal struggle, pain, self-discovery, and true freedom that lead to the creation of N-powered Coaching Academy. The Birth of N-Powered Coaching Academy There are numerous reasons for creating N-Powered Coaching Academy, but the main reason for creating our brand is based on my desire to see women emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically free. Read more>>

Brian Mendes

I was a professional drummer for 25+ years and was getting tired of learning so many tunes and being on the road. I started making drum gear review videos on YouTube in 2018-19. My wife and I bought a house at the end of 2019 and I built a studio in it, not even 3 weeks later after finishing it, the pandemic happened. At this point, I continued to make drum gear reviews but knew this wasn’t going to pay the bills and it was my sister-in-law that pointed my videos are really good and I should look into doing wedding videography because it pays well. Read more>>