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.

Natasa Zoubouridis

I always wanted to write, but I fell into producing TV instead. My last big production was the first ever late-night comedy show in Chicago on WGN-TV called “Man of the People with Pat Tomasulo”. Read more>>

Anna Jay

As an undergraduate at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, I was required to take various courses to fulfill my degree requirements, some of which were enjoyable, some of which were not (looking at you, micro-economics). Read more>>

María Isabel Dabrowski

I’ve never lived by the ocean. In fact, I’ve almost always lived far from the ocean – México City, México; Warsaw, Poland; Chicago, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri. Read more>>

Julia Klebanov

My professional story begins with deep trauma and chronic illness. I began to develop symptoms at puberty: daily migraines that caused me to miss a lot of school, depression, fatigue, rashes covering my body, difficult periods, chronic widespread pain, and many more health symptoms. Read more>>

Kailey Garcia

One evening I was sitting in my simmering, hot bath as I reached to grab my very common, commercial bar of soap that I’ve used my entire life. Read more>>

Dr. Tashena Briggs

I am a first-generation college student. I proudly come from a single mother and was raised in Markham, IL. College was the next step after high school but navigating the college-going process was difficult for my family. Read more>>

Katherine Papatheodore

My business already started, and I didn’t even know it! As a multi-passionate grad student, I found myself stuck in a pinch. I was going to school for clinical mental health counseling and needed some extra cash to keep me afloat while I worked my way through the program. Read more>>

MacKenzie Joyner

I always loved makeup but never knew I ever would take it serious. My idea really just fell into place as I did more and more clients. Read more>>

Courtney Smith

Cristina’s Curls was created to help my daughter, Cristina. When Cristina was born, she suffered from severe eczema and cradle cap. We took her to the best doctors and searched high and low for solutions. Read more>>

HILLARY NAVARRETTE

Since I was a little girl, I wanted to always create my own skin care line. I became a holistic esthetician at a very young age. Started my journey learning everything I could about the skin before formulating Lau Botanicals. Read more>>

Cody Hamilton

We were living in Austin, TX working in the advertising industry and felt an urge to do something different and more connected with community. Read more>>

La’Stephanie Brandon

The Genesis of creaLAtive: Crafting a Vision into Reality In Memphis, TN, where creativity and innovation converge, the seeds of creaLAtive were sown. It was a crisp autumn evening when the idea first struck, a eureka moment born from a blend of frustration and ambition. Read more>>

Salvador Meave

Our world has become extremely divided and fragmented. “Colors Unite Us” Soiree and Fashion Show – Connecting People Through the Colors Of Fashion, is a call for unity! Read more>>

Ivory Johnson

Being a hairstylist came natural to me as a child I could remember cutting my Barbies hair in different styles and using Markers to color their hair, vibrant colors. Read more>>

Minke Richardson

Witnessing the journey of Kroykorn Gourmet Popkorn, crafted by my 10-year-old son Kroy, has been nothing short of remarkable. Read more>>

Lauren Ibinger

I have been in the Restaurant industry for most of my career. I went to culinary school and graduated with Bachelors in Culinary Management. Read more>>

Joe Johnson

Let’s go back to about 2004/2005. I was a college student at the time and I was working as a valet driver at a hospital. Everyday I would see one of the janitors of the hospital who was an older gentleman and he would tell me each time “You’re so good at this.  Read more>>

Alicia Canizares

Wow, I really started in this world of events only as an MC in 2013 when a former colleague from the local radio station where I worked invited me to do this work for an event of hers. Read more>>

Nicole Reilly

The idea for Dear Hayden was born deep in the newborn phase with my second child, Julien. I loved shopping for and dressing both him and my daughter and was drawn to adorable knit outfits like overalls, Read more>>

Meredyth Ring

The inspiration for my business was largely shaped by my experience working in Corporate America. I found it to be so ironic that while I worked diligently to effect positive change for employees, I wasn’t reaping any of the benefits myself. Read more>>

Yudu Gray Jr

I started out as a producer/engineer intern, wanting to learn how to make a living with music. I have always loved making music and playing the keys. Read more>>

Paul Farmer

I have liked making custom apparel since I was 15 years old. I started getting into it when I use to play airsoft with my friends. Read more>>

Andrew Carrier

I started out making knives in 2018. At the time I had ten years of experience in skilled trades, I loved working with metal. My mental health was in ruin because I worked seven days a week and I needed a hobby. Read more>>

Kim Brown

Everyone that knows me knows that I lost my mother and grandmother to cancer. However, specifically, my mother. I lost my mother to breast cancer when I was 17. Read more>>

Pooja Arshanapally

I figured out this service by accident. I started in social media marketing but felt stuck because I wanted to focus on a specific market. I love reading, so I began working with authors and realized they could do much more with their books than just relying on sales to determine the success of the book. Read more>>

Angela Abshier

Sail to Shelter is the result of clashing passions. I was working in sustainable fashion when I started offshore racing and was introduced to sails. I am a self professed textile junkie. Read more>>

Joelle Paban

In 2009, my journey into the world of professional development took an unexpected turn when, as a new parent, I received an offer from my former boss to join her at a new company. Read more>>

Momo Akashi

I draw inspiration from two sources. One is musicals and plays written by other writers. While I enjoy these works, I also analyze them by breaking down the story to understand how each character’s emotions evolve and what triggers those changes.  Read more>>

Bethany Smiley

My business idea derived from grow up spending the weekends with my grandmother and helping her prepare for church on Saturday nights. Read more>>

Yulieth Giraldo

The idea for my wedding & event planning business was born from a combination of passion, personal experience and a pivotal moment that me realize my true calling. Read more>>

Jordan Foley

I started Let’s Chow as a response to the death of a friend of mine, who was a Navy Veteran. He was working to start a food delivery business when he ran into challenges with the business itself and the costs and ultimately died by suicide. Read more>>

Shannon McFaul

From a young age, I was captivated by the arts, growing up in an environment that nurtured my creative talents. As I wrapped up high school, my artistic direction was still taking shape. Read more>>

Christie Val

Back in college I had long beautiful blonde hair and me and my sorority sisters would be called the Blondtourage when we walked into a room. Read more>>

Tavaris Gary

In 2009, the birth of my first child inspired me to want to capture lasting memories of his childhood. With my newly purchased camera, I began to enjoy the beauty of what I was capturing. Read more>>

Mike Stoveken

After more than two decades at the helm of my own motorcycle dealership nestled in Colorado’s mountainous terrain, I embarked on a well-earned retirement. Read more>>

Mitchelle Handley

I have always had a business mindset, but I didn’t put it into action until 2021. During the Covid pandemic, I opened my Facebook page and started posting recipes. Read more>>

Niara Carnes

From as early as I could remember, I always had a love for photography. My first shoot ever was over 10 years ago with my little sister for her birthday, shot with my iPhone 6 at the time. Read more>>

Nick Rogers

When I was initially coming up with the idea for Dirty Haggard Audio, I was working at an audio analyzer manufacturer with both electronics and music production schooling in my history. Read more>>

La Constelación

A friend who owns a high-end designer clothing rental offered me to collaborate on a project, suggesting the creation of a theatrical capsule within his brand. Read more>>