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.

Bryant Schur

During the early days of the pandemic, I happened to have a case of COVID-19. I began losing my sense of smell and heard that smelling essential oils every day could help repair my olfactory senses, so I purchased some essential oils to try this out. Read more>>

Rosemary Roman

In April 2018 we were celebrating a 60th birthday and we put up a backdrop and balloons with flowers the whole shebang and our sister in law says “why don’t you guys do this as a business, you’re really good at it?” Read more>>

Matt Morgan

Earlier in my career, I moved around a lot for work. I think at one point I lived in 11 different cities over a 10 year span. Each time I moved, I had to make new friends, and the easiest way for me to do so was to join a local gym that already had a close community. Read more>>

Antoinette Hudson

It all started when I found out my cousin was pregnant with her first child which was very exciting. Being that I am such a “Mama Bear” I jumped right in with emotional and informational support. Read more>>

Michele Frigon

What is now “DesignerLink” was evolved from a small group of Interior Designers that would meet Bi Monthly as a support group. But in March of 2020 (COVID) everything changed. Read more>>

Imani Craig

Epic Cons was born because it connected the 9 person team. Each of the “Epic Girls” met while attending a fandom convention. Conventions and events hold a special place in the teams’ hearts due to where it led them. Read more>>

Deme Jackson

The idea for The Lotus Club (TLC) emerged from a deeply personal journey marked by challenges and triumphs. As someone who has navigated the complexities of societal challenges firsthand, I understand the struggles Black women face in their personal and professional lives. Read more>>

Eva Davidova

Cardaõm was born from a deep passion for cooking with herbs and spices, driven by a desire to share this love with our friends and community. Having studied herbalism, Ayurveda, and holistic health, I experienced firsthand the healing power of herbs and spices in addressing various ailments. Read more>>

Michelle Miles

How did I come up with the idea of starting “A Chelle of A Dessert”. Well in 2022 I was laid off of my nursing job and it was going to be months before my new assignment started. Read more>>

Ernest Moss

The idea for my business sprang from a deep-seated passion to empower the youth and guide them toward a successful future. It all started one evening as I was reflecting on my journey and the challenges I faced growing up. Read more>>

Cat Perez Marianna Di Regolo

Famm was born out of two personal pain points: 1) Not having an easy and efficient way to find gender-affirming apparel brands to shop from ( I shopped from the same 4 brands for years) Read more>>

Chanda Hopkins

I accidentally fell into the arts business. I was living in Staten Island and was completely broke and needed money. My roommate said “Why don’t you sell those things you make.” Read more>>

Chauntell Roberts

The birth of Elevated Training Solutions began during my last year of teaching abroad in 2018, marking my 15th year in the classroom. While uncertain if it would be my final year, I was already contemplating my return home. Read more>>

Kelly Miao

I started out in the fall of 2019 in NYC under the name “Chi Desserts”, which meant “eat desserts” in mandarin. However, that didn’t really catch on because every one thought it read “chai” desserts and asked if I sold chai. Read more>>

Cynthia Height

I didn’t set out to be a personal branding coach or strategist, it just kind of happened, like all good things in my life. I had this overwhelming urge to help female entrepreneurs to come out of hiding, to increase their visibility, to get their message out there, and to be bold in the pursuits of their business. Read more>>

Joe Nyahay

The idea behind my business came about after noticing the overwhelming amount of individuals who are selling products and services online. Many times, they use a quick template or a cheap website builder to showcase their offerings, and this ultimately leads to poor conversions, leaving tons of money on the table. Read more>>

Mawril Gray

I was a stay at home mom having a chit chat with a good friend in my dining room of my apartment one day, and I mentioned to her I need to find something to do to make a little money and take up some of my free time. Read more>>

Cristina Munoz

Three years ago, if you had told me I’d be a business owner today, I would’ve thought you were crazy! I’ve always valued stability and security until recently. Read more>>

Sara Church

When I was pregnant with my first child, I started being more health concious. As I went on a hunt for natural skincare products to use on myself and my growing family I couldnt find anything that had simple ingredients that I could understand. Read more>>

Bethany Shipley

I understood the potential of working with someone, but I struggled to find a suitable label to convey it to the world. How can the concept of “coaching individuals to comprehending and utilizing their unique talents to contribute to the world around them” be effectively communicated in a concise, easily comprehensible term? Read more>>

Nanci Goldberg

I was an Art teacher in the Fox Chapel Area School District for 32 years. Sharpsburg is a part of that district and I always loved Sharpsburg. It would bother me that kids from the neighborhood didn’t think it was a safe or amazing place to be from. Read more>>

Cyndi Brec

here are several reasons why I wrote The Therans Series—writing was a dream that burned within me, and I loved watching Callie, the main character’s life, unfold before my eyes. Read more>>

Shakhya Singleton

I came up with the idea of owning my own cleaning business in June of 2023. Let me take you back so that you can understand the driving force behind the birth of Clean Scene. I remember it like it was yesterday. Read more>>

Maritza Abreu

Pisqueya is a first generation, woman-owned, Latinx-American Food Company. A premium line of sauces and seasonings that celebrates Latin culture and traditions. Read more>>

Maria Sanft

Baking is my outlet. In fact it always has been , I love seeing people’s faces when they take a bite out one of my creations , the kitchen is where I find my zen , my me time if you will. Read more>>

Courtney Struchen

When it came to deciding the name for my photography, it came down to feeling like my last name is as unique as I feel my perspective can be. If someone is having a hard time with the pronunciation, it is STREW-SHIN; like the front of your leg! Read more>>

Delaine Richards

Rodney and Delaine Richards have been working with talent for over 16 years starting with their very own child. At D & R Management, we empower you to be the best you can be. We work with models, actor/actress, singers and dancers. Read more>>

Christine Wallace

Our gallery founders wanted to take a piece of the coop mentality a – group of people who have come together to pool resources, share in decision-making and governance – but pair it with consignment opportunities for artists not desirous of business ownership. Read more>>

Heather Willensky

My son was born right before the pandemic started, and around that time I knew I needed a career change. I got really into fermentation when he was small – I started an instagram page devoted to sourdough baking, pickling and preserving, Read more>>

Sherell Shedrick

God gave me the idea for my business. I asked God what was next for me. One day He answered and told me to start my business. Read more>>

Sara Diaz

At the beginning of the pandemic, I found myself with a lot of time to reflect. During this time, I realized that I had been severely burnt out by my job and no longer motivated by the work that I was doing. Read more>>

Steven Coleman

Honey Bomb Toys grew out of a passion for art of all kinds since I was a child. Ive always been drawn to creating in any medium I could get my hands on and as I grew up, I knew I wanted to make it a main part of my life. Read more>>

Kelly Conway

My friends purchased a Kindle for me and I always say it is one of the greatest gifts I ever received. I am a book lover, and Kindle opened up a whole new world of authors, genres, and stories that touched my heart. Read more>>

Matthew Chavira

Some of you reading this may know the theoretical physicist, Michio Kaku. Michio Kaku is a mathematician, though is most known for his work in developing the theories governing string theory. Read more>>

Hope Alcocer

Back in 2010 (yes, I am dating myself here), I was preparing to graduate college with a degree in psychology. At the same time, I was battling the aftermath of a medical crisis that left me with cognitive impairments. Read more>>

Lorelei Darling L.

Write what you know. That’s how the saying goes. It’s true, I suppose! Though my book is fiction, I pulled inspiration from many aspects of my real life. Read more>>

Elizabeth Bonds

Like many bakers, my love for baking goes so far back that it is difficult to pinpoint how or why I got started. I have been baking for most of my life ever since childhood. Read more>>

Rayshawon Hardy

Yes so i was managing a page for one of my partners, that’s when i notice that i can use this tool to help other business owners. So i google social media and social media management popped up. Read more>>

Krysti Maxwell

Actually, this business was not my idea. We used to live in East Aurora, NY and I made many good friends there, among those friends is my friend Julie. Julie has a thriving balloon business and creates for some very large clients. Read more>>