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.

Daniel and Juan Pablo Saavedra

The Bolivian brothers Daniel and Juan Pablo started TORO FITNESS in August 2015 in Seneca Park, Louisville KY. The main idea of the gym was to encourage the Latin community to live a much healthier, stronger, and more active life. Read more>>

AY Young

The idea for the Battery Tour emerged from my passion for music and a desire to address global issues. The Battery Tour’s unique approach of blending music with activism was something I hadn’t seen before. Read more>>

Dr. Kacey Warren and Rebecca Olson

Kacey: We went out to dinner with our spouses one evening. I had just transitioned to a new job as an Instructional Designer– a person who designs curriculum for educational and/or professional settings– building out primarily soft skills courses for an edtech startup. Read more>>

Gigi Stoll

In 2020, when Covid plagued the city, I was isolated in my apartment, unable to engage in the service work that sustained my life in New York. I thought about my dear friend, photographer Flo Fox, 77, stuck at home in Chelsea. Read more>>

Daphne Eastmond

I’ve spent my natural hair journey feeling excluded from mainstream beauty brands for not addressing the needs of my 3b/c curls. As a young adult, I desperately searched for the “it” brand that featured someone with hair like mine that I could buy into and proudly display on my bathroom counter – but it didn’t exist. Read more>>

Dave Ludwig

I have been creating since I can remember. Music, art, business plans, you name it I like exploring. I was a musician most of my youth, playing guitar in numerous bands across Michigan and Ohio. Read more>>

Erin Hoang

Gigi, my sister and business partner, and I were touring the space that is now First Sip Cafe with our other sister, who originally wanted to open a vegan Vietnamese restaurant there. Read more>>

Angela Allen

I started painting out of need. I had a large studio apartment outside of Washington, DC and I needed to fill the wall space. I had always been creative and loved aesthetics – both fashion and interiors, but I had no intentions of pursing it as a business to sustain my livelihood. Read more>>

Dominique Binns

I found Modo together with my business partner, Mon, after meeting her on a South African entrepreneur app. We had similar backgrounds in owning agencies but were both drawn to offering solutions to clients who wanted to DIY their own marketing and branding. Read more>>

Dr. Freda K. Johnson

Before sharing about the idea for my business, I need to give you and your readers some background on two events that were the reason for forming my business. Read more>>

Shayna Meikle

Ive owned a roller derby league and a roller skate shop for 10 years. When the pandemic hit the roller derby came to a screeching halt, however roller skating took off! Everyone wanted to skate in 2020 and it went viral. Read more>>

Crystal Williams

The idea for Payce Entertainment came from a blend of personal history, family inspiration, and a deep-seated love for entertaining. The name itself is a testament to my two sons, Payton, who is 14, and Jace, who is 4. Read more>>

Aleisha Stingley

I started my business at the beginning of the pandemic mostly out of boredom but I also saw how people’s jobs were being affected and I knew I wanted a back up plan. Ever since I was little I’ve been obsessed with having the latest electronics. Read more>>

Chantalle Rizzo

I stumbled unexpectedly into photography. It all began with a friend’s tough divorce and a spur-of-the-moment decision to treat herself to a boudoir and portrait session. Seeing her glow with newfound confidence sparked something in me. I knew instantly, this is what I want to do. Read more>>

Jolin Polasek

It was 2015, and I had been living in New York City for three years. I knew I didn’t want to be an actor anymore, but I didn’t know what my next big career move was going to be. Read more>>

Reajine Sanders

Growing in this industry, there were a lot of opportunities I came across where I needed help or vice versa got the help and knew that others needed those certain gems as well. Read more>>

Trista McCoy

This idea came about during time spent working within the podiatry side of the industry. There are so many nail technicians that specialize in providing manicure nail services only. Read more>>

John Henken

In June of 2019 I was pushed into retirement roughly 2 years ahead of my plan. Then COVID hit. I had a 29 year history as a Designer/Creative Director in the Tradeshow Exhibit industry, helping major brands market their products and services. Read more>>

DAVID GARCIA

While in my early 20’s working retail home furnishings, I had much free time to explore my artistic backround. I had always had a keen interest in the arts from Artists such as Frida Khalo, Edward Gorey, Salvador Dali. Read more>>

Nichola Lester

I grew up eating charcuterie, though I didn’t know at the time that was what it was called. It’s commonly eaten in Britain and Europe where I grew up in the 80s and 90s traveling to visit my Mum’s family and friends. Read more>>

PAULETTE ROLLE-ALESNIK

“I invest in people over profit!” – Read more>>

Vanessa Stofenmacher

As humans, we often seek connection and meaning in the things we wear and surround ourselves with. For me, creating Silent Opus was about infusing modern jewelry with a sense of soul. Read more>>

Alejandra Chahwan

So, before we jump into specific questions about my business. I want give you some details about me and my story. I’m a lawyer and also I was a politician from Venezuela, since I was 10 years old, I used to create beautiful accessories for women. Read more>>

Allison Vaughan

The journey of SoulFully Vegan didn’t just begin with a single idea; it was a culmination of my lifelong passion for food, coupled with a pivotal moment in my personal journey. Read more>>

Tim Spicer

During the pandemic, along with the rest of the world, I was binging a ton of television shows! One show in particular was Tiny Homes on HGTV. By learning more about the efficacy of said individual dwellings, the idea of Container Communities was birthed. Read more>>

Agnes Wolfe

I started a podcast in 2022 focused on mental health. My entire life, I have struggled with mental health issues. Generally, it was slight depression related to my infertility, chronic illnesses, and other stressors we all encounter. Read more>>

RITA GILES

I always brought desserts to any family function…From holiday dinners to card parties. The first item I ever created (and ever sold) were my Cheesecake Brownies. That was my regular (successful bake) and I would often bring. Read more>>

David S. Ferranti

I have been pastoring for 35 years During Covid while many thing were shut down I went to local businesses and told them that I could help develop their leaders for their company create up better work environment, where people didn’t have to go to work. They wanted to go back to work. Read more>>

Jasmine Jenkins

In 2019, I was an assistant director for Daycare and that was the year that Covid happened. Covid made us have to shut the daycare down and I was left with no other options so I decided to go to school and get my license to become an Esthetician. Read more>>

Dalia and Tony Morcos

My wife and I worked and lived overseas for over 13 years. I was an electrical engineer and she was an international school registrar. When we returned to the Saint Petersburg to retire, we found ourselves buying and exchanging many Amazon orders, standing in line for many minutes at the local The UPS Store to complete our returns. Read more>>

Jamie Lopez

As the founder of Empower Her Mind Nonprofit organization for women and women entrepreneurs, the idea for this business stemmed from a personal journey of empowerment and growth, as well as being inspired by my mother’s role as a community leader. Read more>>

Stella Millender

I originally started with ping makeup in 8th grade. My signature was the way I highlight my clients which is where the name Glows came from. I eventually expanded my business to being a nail tech 3-4 years later as I was graduating high school. Read more>>

Dawn Rose

Being a Black woman in America is hard and I didn’t come into that realization until I attended Howard University. I grew up in a mixed environment where being Black was not cool so I always tried to be someone else. Read more>>