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.

Albert Lozano

The birth of HTXRugger is a story decades in the making. It’s the realization of a vision that has percolated through time, incubating in a desire to create something extraordinary. Read more>>

Tracy Simmons

The idea for FāVS News emerged from both passion and necessity. As a religion reporter, I’ve always felt drawn to covering faith and spirituality in our communities. Read more>>

Abigail Johnston

My passion for photography ignited when I was ten years old. I fell in love with taking photos of my everyday experiences and the people in my life. I pursued a degree in photojournalism and eventually got my BFA in Studio Art, with a focus on photography. Read more>>

Chelsea James

Creeksouth Farms officially began in 2019. However, the idea of starting a small farm and producing quality food began over 10 years ago. After learning about the farming industry’s unsustainable growing practices, i.e., monocultures, chemical fertilizers, GMOs, pesticides, and more, we built a small vegetable garden in the backyard of our rental home. Read more>>

Mireya Zellner

I started this endeavor in 2021. During my Sophomore year at Emerson, I was looking at my closet and suddenly became aware that I had way too many clothes that I never wore, yet I was bored with everything I had. Read more>>

Andrea Brady

I served on our local school board for 12 years. During that time, I saw many young people who, despite having pursued post-secondary education, did not have the skills to present themselves as professionally as they could. Read more>>

Grace Lager

I’d been in the education/coaching industry for a couple of decades. I was feeling that I had accomplished what I’d set out to in my role as a College Professor but knew that I still had a passion for helping people improve their communication, especially their public speaking. Read more>>

Jeremy Perkins

Southern Barbecue Boys was born from the desire to be able to have a seat at the table with those who are in charge of local barbecue events in my area. In South Florida, there is not a huge BBQ scene especially for traditional southern barbecue. Read more>>

Lupita Gutierrez

Segundo Acto In LIfe came from my own need for a personal growth community that reflected who I am and where I am in life. I began sharing my life lessons and personal growth content six years ago through my first blog, Better You Space. Read more>>

Hilary & Mark Lee

When we are feeling disconnected from our own true natures, we become sick. Deep inside there is a gnawing feeling that something isn’t quite right, that we are not quite ‘ourselves, but it’s hard to put our finger on precisely what is the issue. Read more>>

Rodney Germain

For as far back as I can recall, I’ve been immersed in the world of delectable cuisine. Throughout my teenage years, I eagerly embraced every role in the kitchen. Read more>>

Shawn Woolery

I started this company without even knowing that there was a market problem. I had a 1930s Spanish Revival home and the previous owner ripped out the original windows and replaced them with vinyl. It looked terrible – they didn’t fit the house at all. Read more>>

LaTange Baker

I started out in 2019 making color and chemical free body scrubz just for my family to help with excema and dry skin. As time went on I gave them for gifts and let my friends test them out. Read more>>

Shawntay Gray

During a trip to Panama City Beach, I happened upon a selfie museum; I can’t recall the name. I know what a selfie is, I know what a museum is but what is it when they are combined? When I walked in, it was a great space filled with over the top props and backgrounds! Read more>>

Miranda Millican

My business started as a solo therapy practice. When I started, I did not have a specific niche. Since I was new to private practice, I was taking just about any referral I could find. Read more>>

Cicely Simon

Two things that have kept me going in life have been the love to read and write. I’m an only child, so once I had to come in from playing or hanging out with friends, I had to entertain myself. My source of entertainment was books. Read more>>

Victoria England

There is a photograph of me at age 4 on Christmas morning in 1980. I am holding a Boxed Set of Bonnie Bell Colognes, with a big surprised look on my face! Read more>>

Elisa Roush

My personal wellness journey began more than 3 decades ago when my then Mother-In-Law gifted me a cookbook that explained Whole Foods and the differences between white/wheat flour, good/bad fats etc etc…. Read more>>

Fayth Jefferson

The Fivee was founded by my late brother, a well-known community leader, social entrepreneur, and activist Bishop Omar Jahwar. The FIVEE was based on one of the core principles from his high-five model, social interaction andwas the last extension of my brother’s legacy that he developed before his passing. Read more>>

Jessica Hoch

The original inspiration for Moxie Malas was when I was teaching yoga. I had been a yoga teacher for about 7 years watching so many students of the practice find healing, transformation, empowerment and peace, but there were still so many who wouldn’t come to the yoga mat for a number of reasons. Read more>>

Suanay Hernandez

The idea of UndrBelly was born after multiple rejections and failures. I’ve started food blogs and social media accounts that don’t go anywhere because getting a following is time-consuming and exhausting. Read more>>

Morgan Clay

The idea for The Cabana Club was born out of a terrible beach day with my husband. We live 20 minutes from some of the best beaches in America but never enjoy them. Read more>>

Josiah Candelaria

Coming from athletics and my passion for delicious tasting food I always seem to gravitate towards local food trucks in my city of Orlando Fl. On a trip back home to Puerto Rico I ran into my first ever açaí bowl and I was completely blown away by the dish. Read more>>

Laura Castle

I was going to a lot of festivals and concerts and really wanted to get a handmade tie-dye in my size, but I am an extra large and I had a lot of problems finding anything even just in an extra large! Read more>>

Liz Philpot

In my earlier years, I found myself immersed in the world of competitive ice dancing, where the pressure surrounding food choices was a constant stressor. Read more>>

Lisa Karandat Alexa Monahan

We both spent our previous careers in the Natural Health industry, Lisa on the manufacturer side and Alexa on the retailer side. In 2019 we had both come to the moment where we were ready to leave those careers behind, but felt and still feel a deep passion for natural and sustainable living. Read more>>

Meagan Connley

I feel like the idea of this business was planted in my soul before I ever had the conscious thought to actually start a business. Most of my life I lived in survival mode. Read more>>

Jamie Murphy

Hi ☺️ My name is Jamie Murphy and I’ve been a nurse for 34 years OM IV Hydration & Wellness Center is my business and my passion💗 2 years ago my daughter became very ill. She has a rare syndrome called Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. Read more>>

Shawntel Piper

With more than 15 years of passion and energy spent in fitness and health, it was only right that I combine my love for health knowledge and tea. As a certified Health Coach it is my job to share what I know to help people meet their health goals. Read more>>

Mike Basch

For videography After college I didn’t have much direction. My family was set to go on a trip to Italy (which was a big deal for us) so I got super interested in creating a film of our vacation as a way to remember the adventure. Read more>>

Sheinia Morgan

When it comes to my career branches in the beauty and skincare industry, Being an esthetics is one of the most exciting, flexible, and lucrative you can pick and is one of those careers that has a meaningful purpose, much like the rest of cosmetology. Read more>>

Jay RECKLESS

My brother and sister died a month apart from each other two years ago and I lost myself after that. Read more>>

Brandi Robertson

How I came up with this business idea was that, I had been working with kids for over 25 years and I started working in my local city as a preschool teacher. Read more>>

Destinee Le’Angel

In 2019 I started off doing braids. At first, I was just doing my hair, and practicing on myself, then I started taking clients when I got back home from college. I discovered it was something that I loved doing and decided to continue doing it full-time. Read more>>