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.

Tina Djenge

In early 2021, those who followed the financial markets observed a big movement of retail investors leveraging social platforms like Reddit, Twitter, Stocktwits, etc to influence stock prices – think Gamestop, AMC, etc. Read more>>

Saamiya Seraj

After finishing my PhD in Civil Engineering, I worked in the construction industry for five years. During that time, I noticed that many of my peers, especially young professionals, were unhappy at their job. Read more>>

Amber Daniels

I was sitting at my favorite brewery in Jacksonville, Florida. At the time, I was the community engagement coordinator for Jacksonville Dance Theatre (JDT), a non profit modern dance company. Read more>>

Gunel Krishnan

While working on my MBA in Healthcare in 2017, I realized that Minnesotan Azerbaijanis didn’t have community recognition nor a platform. Read more>>

Rachel Kove

When I became a mother at 27 years old, it was a very isolating experience. Being a Mom was hard, but I didn’t feel I had a right to talk about it. Read more>>

Marsha Harris

When people ask me how I got started with Dope Pieces, I always start off by saying, “I was born this way.” Growing up what others would deem weird or corky pieces of fabric and fashion is what stood out to me. Read more>>

AZ Yeamen

In 2009, I faced the daunting task of closing down my franchise location after investing a decade of my life into it. It was a moment of reckoning. With the weight of starting anew bearing down on me, I found myself searching for a new purpose. Read more>>

Cierra Cobb

The Care Bear Foundation likely originated from a shared passion and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals impacted by incarceration. Read more>>

Matthew Pineda

The idea for Moose.la, both a marketing agency and an alter ego, stemmed from a lifetime of overcoming challenges and embracing the spirit of resilience. Read more>>

Ahyun Jeon

When I was young, I went to kindergarten in the United States for one year and six months. At that time, I started kindergarten without even knowing the alphabet. Read more>>

Kelsey Cheyne

My co-founder and friend Rachele and I first came up with the idea to create our own wedding invitation / stationery business, when her sister, being a long time owner of a wedding makeup and hair business in the GTA was thinking about doing invitations on the side. Read more>>

Yvonne Elmasri

It was durning Covid and I knew a few people close to me who had lost relatives or friends. I started to notice a big decline in human connections and a vast amount of depression and isolation. Read more>>

Novi Paluch

My story and idea why I open my own Business , it was a great idea behind. First at all I love helping people , I moved to Buffalo way far from Indonesia, 2008, I former a Trader at Indonesian Stock Exchange, And I see Buffalo is very Multicultural. Read more>>

Barbara Richter

Given my upbringing, it would have been surprising if I ventured into any field other than writing. I grew up in a small town in central Massachusetts, where my home was filled with books. Read more>>

Fa Afiune

Tell us the story of how you came up with the idea for your business. Paint the picture for us so that we really understand the context, the circumstances, the emotions, etc. Read more>>

Jaycee Gibbs

In 2021, I founded Eastern NC Seamoss with a strong motivation to transform my body into a healthier and more vibrant version of myself. Seeking to improve my physical appearance, boost my overall well-being, and feel more energized, I made the decision to adopt a pescatarian diet, focusing on seafood and plant-based foods. Read more>>

Colleen Flaherty

I came up with the idea for MotherRuckersNC while listening to Andy Frisella’s The Real AF podcast (the founder of 1st Phorm and 75 Hard) featuring the founder of GORUCK, Jason McCarthy. Read more>>

Litedra Burgess

The idea of creating a salon that specializes in natural hair care was birthed from personal experiences. At the age of 18, I had a desire to see what my true identity was. Read more>>

Tiara Gray- Akintunde

My idea to launch a self care brand came about midway through 2020. I had just gotten out of a toxic relationship, lost my job due to the pandemic and was going through my own mental health struggles after birthing my stillborn son just a few months earlier. Read more>>

Madisyn Scribner

After spending many years in the hospitality industry, my business partner and I decided to open a wine bar and bottle shop that would focus on sustainability. Read more>>

Amanda DuBois

Several years ago, I wrote a series of books related to basic legal rights and responsibilities, and I ended up teaching the content to a group of people that had been in prison. Read more>>

Alexandria Smith

The idea for Mom, Wife, Worship Life stemmed from my own profound journey as a mother and wife navigating the complexities of living with a chronic mental illness. Read more>>

Rachael Okogie

My husband and I started our photo booth business in Atlanta, GA, driven by a blend of personal experience, observation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Read more>>

Ashley Lavin

The shelter where we adopted our most recent dog from put adorable bandanas on each of their adoptable pups in their social media posts. Read more>>

Nafkot Gebeyehu

I am also a co-founder of an art studio called Studio-11. The world hit pause in 2020, and Addis Ababa wasn’t spared. Unable to pursue our creative endeavors my partner Zion and I met as we started working at Opian, a health-tech company.  Read more>>

Heidi Hess

Without really knowing it, I began the idea of The Hess Press as I was shopping for my own wedding invitations as a 2023 bride. I loved the designs I came across but found myself finding aspects I would tweak or change. Read more>>

Ashay Javadekar

It’s really a very simple answer. You need to know what you are not. If you don’t know that, you need to work towards finding that answer as soon as possible. Read more>>

Rachel Wynn

I came up with the concept for Thee MakeUp Room, about 2 years ago when I returned back to Cincinnati after living in Atlanta for a few months. Read more>>

Ashley Dailey

My husband and I had struggled with infertility for years and eventually made our way to being able to do a cycle of IVF (that’s another story in itself) By the grace of God, we became pregnant with healthy twin boys, and we named them Kameron and Kai. Read more>>

Larry Darling

During Covid lockdown, like everyone else, I had some extra time on my hands. I’d previously had a different idea for a food truck, so I started off making some pickles and hot sauces. Read more>>

Jordan Thompson

Growing up, I always had a deep love for music. However, I never mustered the courage to join the school band or learn to play an instrument during my high school years. Read more>>

Jen Guss

I’ve been a part of the maker’s scene, in St. Louis, for more than 2 decades. As a kid, I always enjoyed making crafts and teaching myself new skills. Read more>>

Vanessa Ortiz

I’ve been a stay at home mom since 2019. I really struggled with anxiety and depression after having a stillbirth in 2018, and after i had my second son in 2019 i couldn’t bring myself to work again, and i always knew i just never did good working for people so i wasn’t sure where my career path would bring me when the time came that all my kids were in school. Read more>>

Ana Núñez

Being an entrepreneur wasn’t in my plans, and if I was told I’d own a curly hair brand I would’ve laughed. I grew up hating my curly hair. Read more>>

David Brandon Thomeczek

In my early professional years, I had a different career trajectory, I studied Air Traffic Control. After a few years keeping airplanes separated; I knew that was not where my passions lay, I craved an opportunity for creativity, to express my vision of a more beautiful world. Read more>>

Lamna Ravindran

My name is Lamna, and I run a home bakery in Austin, Texas. I am a full-time baker, initially inspired to bake for my kids and husband, who have a sweet tooth. Read more>>

Shyreen Lowe

The idea for “The Cozy Cozy Cardigan” came from a tattered grey cardigan I wore to work as a nanny. The cardigan was a source of comfort for many infants when feeding or putting them to sleep. Read more>>

Monique Fisher

My most recently released novel is entitled, “Hot for Teacher.” It’s a Black centered rom-com where the main female character, Latrice Richardson is someone who never does anything reckless. Read more>>

Brian Solari

I had taken some business courses specifically with the WISE group and the first step to bringing an idea to a business is to survey to find out if your product has demand. Read more>>

Susie Vybiral

I am a big believer in doing ALL the things. I am a speaker, I have a band, Salubrious Fox, I’m an officiant, I have an honorary doctorate, and I am a published writer. Read more>>

Lara Mahler

I got engaged in 2014 and spent 15 months immersed in the New York City wedding planning vortex. At the time I was working full time as a program coordinator at a private progressive school in the West Village and dancing and performing professionally. Read more>>

Debora Nascimento

I started my journey as a pottery instructor when I was 22, I had the opportunity to teach at a studio in Miami that I really admired. Read more>>

Kellie Clark

In August of 2020, amidst of the pandemic, Erin (my sister and co-owner of Cedar + Sage Rentals) had her wedding. The venue was mostly DIY– couples are responsible for bringing in the food, drinks, décor, and tableware. Read more>>

Sara Haller

In late 2019 my husband and I felt compelled to start a business. My husband worked in tech at the time and I had a background in social media marketing. Read more>>

Jenn Duenez

It’s funny you ask. I actually changed the name of my business going on two years ago for a basic reason of name recognition. Read more>>