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.

Ericka & Samantha

Our journey to creating Golden Essence Co. was truly born from a place of personal struggle and healing. Ericka, one of our co-founders, was dealing with infertility caused by endometriosis, a condition that left us frustrated and searching for answers. Along the way, we realized that so many of the products we use daily—especially in skincare—contain harmful chemicals that disrupt hormones and impact reproductive health. It felt like we were sacrificing our bodies for beauty, and that just didn’t sit right with us. So, we knew there had to be a better way. Read more>>

Kk Lin

My name is KK, and I’m the co-founder of Ohana Sunshine, a socks brand centered on quality, comfort, and giving back. The idea was born during the global pandemic of 2020 when the world slowed down, giving my sister Chu and me the chance to reconnect. During this precious time, we reflected on our values and what truly mattered to us. Chu, who grew up in Hawaii, introduced me to the concept of “Ohana,” meaning family—not just by blood, but by choice. Having spent her teenage years in a Honolulu boarding school, far from our family in Taiwan, Chu found support in her “Hawaiian Ohana,” which helped her through the loneliness. This sense of family and community became the foundation of our brand. Read more>>

Assata Murray

This idea came to me three years ago while I was sleeping. At the time I saw the name woman of purpose, I was purchasing a storefront. Years later come and God gave me a new name Woman on a mission, we are a company that empowers women to live their purpose through Christ. We sell Shirts, mugs, hoodies ect. I am in the works of turning this into a non profit for families who are struggling and need help. This is an exclusive no one knows about this yet. Read more>>

Julieta Braum

The idea for Daizzy Gear came to life when we welcomed our first puppy into our family—a mini dachshund. She’s tiny, with a long body, and as any dachshund owner knows, finding a harness that fits their unique body type can be a real challenge. Most harnesses we tried either didn’t fit well, were uncomfortable, or lacked any style. That frustration was what sparked my inspiration to start designing harnesses myself. Read more>>

Simeon Oluremi Iii

When creating Crew Love I deeply wanted a unity where everyone feels valued and heard. Crew Love is more than just clothing; it’s about creating a movement where everyone feels they belong. I wanted to build a platform that encourages unity and celebrates diversity. Crew Love features a wide range of designs that resonate with individuals from all walks of life, promoting messages of love and togetherness. Through community events and collaborations, Crew Love aims to strengthen bonds and inspire positive interactions among its customers. As I continue to develop the brand, the goal remains clear: to create a sense of belonging and connection, one piece of clothing at a time. Read more>>

Stacey Marie

“I didn’t set out to create this idea; I stumbled into this industry. I believe everything happens for a reason. In 2011, a simple social media interaction sparked my journey. I answered a podcast host’s question about creating resumes for those without work experience, leading to my first podcast guest appearance. Read more>>

Anthony Brown

I started playing soccer when I was 5, all because of my older brother. He was everything I wanted to be growing up, so I copied everything he did, including playing soccer. Little did I know that kicking the ball around would lead me to experiences I never imagined. I was fortunate enough to play at Saint Louis University, which has an incredible soccer history with the most Division 1 national titles—10 in total. Read more>>

Monica Rothgery

It is a bitter cold Chicago night in 1993. I find myself sitting on the floor of my Taco Bell dining room cold, frustrated and lost. I’m struggling hard. I have trouble with staffing and meeting labor costs. My turnover is high, and sales are low. My biggest problem? Managing food cost. The Rocky and Bullwinkle promotion starts tomorrow, and I have to post the POP which is strewn all over the floor. In addition to the register toppers and window clings, Corporate has sent a 6 foot Rocky and Bullwinkle standee and I cannot get the damn standee to “stand.” To make matters worse, it is the end of the period and I’ve missed my food coast targets, again. Read more>>

Lashella Sanders

The idea for Ignite Vocal Studio was born from a deep-seated passion for both music and teaching and a desire to address a need I saw within the vocal community. For years, I’d witnessed talented singers grappling with self-doubt, perfectionism, and a fear of sharing their voices. It broke my heart to see their potential dimmed by these internal struggles. I knew there had to be a better way – an approach that fostered both technical excellence and genuine self-expression, without the crushing pressure to be flawless. I wanted to create a safe, nurturing space where singers could explore their voices freely, build a strong foundation of skills, and discover the joy of singing from their hearts. Read more>>

Jeannelle Douglas

HER Lounge was born out of a simple, yet powerful idea. During Women’s Month at PVM Magazine, I wanted to create something special that celebrated women’s contributions across various industries. At first, I thought it would just be a feature for the month that placed a spotlight on the incredible things women were doing. But once the stories started pouring in, I thought, ‘Why should this just be a one-month thing?’ Read more>>

Emily Enstad

Abbie and I had been good friends in high school together, and found ourselves in the same small town, years later, in the midst of growing our families during a global pandemic. Abbie and her husband welcomed their second daughter literally the day the world shut down in March 2020, and since I was also pregnant with a 2020 baby, we found ourselves getting together for hot cocoa on my porch, 6 ft apart, talking about all things motherhood, kids, mental health, and the interconnectedness of it all. We realized how passionate we were about opening up the conversation around family mental health and the need for tangible tools and resources for parents who were spending more time than ever with their kids, and as a collective society, were feeling more anxiety than ever before. Read more>>

Julius-pierre Cofield

My entrepreneurial journey began as a teenager while working for my grandfather, where I first learned the balance between industrial and creative fields. This inspired me to create a company that merges these two areas, providing solutions for both. What excites me is knowing that my personal experiences give me a unique understanding of the customer, the partner, and the audience. This vision isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about creating meaningful change for everyone involved. That’s the reward, and it’s what drives my passion for this work.

Maya Crowne

Sure, I love painting pictures (no pun intended). Before the pandemic, I was taking art classes at the New York Academy of Art. When the school closed down I was looking for a creative project so I thought why not repaint my apartment in New York City? I could be there for a while. I went to Home Depot, strolled down the paint aisle, and, through my n95 mask, could still smell that familiar paint ‘fume’. I immediately thought, “I am going to suffocate inside of my apartment”, because I can’t leave. I also thought about upsetting my neighbors because they also couldn’t leave their apartments at the time. Additionally, because of COVID-19, everyone was generally concerned about being able to breathe period. Naturally I started to wonder, why does paint smell so bad in the first place? I did two minutes of research and quickly discovered that 95% of paint we use globally is acrylic/latex, which is by definition plastic, but we have been painting our spaces long before the advent of plastic…there had to be a better way. That is how Alkemis Paint was born. Read more>>

Julie Colombino-billingham

Deux Mains was created in a time of disaster, when a catastrophic earthquake decimated Haiti in 2010. It was my first time being in Haiti and I was definitely experiencing a country at its worst. As a disaster responder, I was first doing really basic things like handing out bottles of water and tarps. About 2 months into the recovery, I met a woman in a tent camp who told me, she didnt want a bottle of water, but needed a job. Her words changed my life forever. Read more>>

Yiqi Feng

As a film producer and marketing analyst, my career has always been about telling stories and understanding what audiences want. From producing films, I learned how to turn creative ideas into real projects, managing teams and budgets to make sure everything runs smoothly. On the marketing side, I gained insights into market trends, consumer behavior, and how to promote effectively. It became clear to me that many creative projects need not only solid production but also smart marketing to really succeed. Read more>>

Poornima Ajayan

I realized that for many people, travel is about ticking destinations off a list, but for us, it was about deeper connections—both with the places and with ourselves. That’s when it clicked for me. I saw a gap: there were so many travelers like us—especially those over 50, empty nesters, or people seeking unique, affordable destinations—who were searching for more meaningful travel experiences, but didn’t know where to start. Read more>>

Vannessa Lesso

The idea for my business was born during a challenging time, right when COVID hit, and I was furloughed after working 10 years at Atlantic Aviation. I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing—I needed something meaningful and productive. Around that time, my husband gifted me a camera, and I thought, “Why not start offering mini sessions to bring in some income?” What really motivated me was finding a balance between work and being a mom. I had a crazy schedule, dropping off and picking up my kids, and I needed something that was flexible. Photography not only allowed me to create a schedule that fit my life but also helped me stay more involved in my children’s lives, being there for their moments. Read more>>

James Nelson

The idea for my creative services business grew out of a moment when passion collided with practicality. I had always been drawn to design—the way colors, fonts, and imagery could communicate emotions and tell the story. I freelanced on the side while gaining knowledge through school and YouTube. One day, I realized the joy I felt wasn’t just from the work itself, but from seeing how my designs elevated people’s vision. It was at that moment that I saw the true value of what I could offer—not just aesthetically pleasing visuals, but visual solutions that could transform a brand’s identity and customer engagement. Read more>>

Janel Gonzalez

I started The Rising Community for those who needed support on their spiritual journey. Often, the journey to your HIGHER self is lonely. We are shedding old parts of ourselves that no longer serve us, and usually, our close circle of family and friends doesn’t support us. The people closest to us only understand and view us one way. It’s also confronting because seeing your growth triggers things they have been avoiding within themselves. So it’s refreshing to be in a supportive community of people who understand your new vocabulary and speak your language. We see each other’s unique gifts and celebrate them. We inspire each other daily! Read more>>

Ron Thompson

I came up with the idea for 2ndclass because of the different experiences I had growing up in Houston. The good and the bad. Being a black skateboarder at that time wasn’t let’s say popular! I been the underdog. Read more>>

Ashley Watson

I’ve always always always had this dream of starting a clothing brand. I was raised by a mom who worked in fashion as a sales rep, so I was constantly surrounded by beautiful clothes and many conversations surrounding them. I knew this was a dream of mine but I never found myself at the right moment to finally pursue it until this year, when I had just moved back home from New York City to San Diego. I had been living this big glamorous adventurous life, but lsitened to the still small voice that told me it was time to come home. That’s when I knew it was the perfect time to start Darlington. Read more>>

Freddie Harb

It all started when I was DJing regularly at bars and clubs around San Diego. I was getting booked so much that it became difficult to manage, and a few of my friends, who were also DJs, were experiencing the same thing. We were basically trying to juggle too many bookings, and it was clear we needed a better system to handle it all. That’s when the idea for Sleeping Giant Music came to life. At first SGM was a record label but the mp3 came out and halted that endeavor, but all of us DJs we’re doing well and we pivoted to a booking agency. Read more>>

Jasmine Liu

I came up with the idea to start NeuraHope after learning about the disparity in neural tube defect occurrence. I started learning about these congenital diseases the summer before my junior year at a program called Kode with Klossy. At the 2-week camp, my team and I had to use the computer science skills we learned to spread awareness of a rarely discussed issue. Thus, after brainstorming, the four of us started exploring birth defects, one of the leading causes of child mortality and found that neural tube defects (NTDs), one of the top 3 birth defects worldwide according to the World Health Organization, were rarely discussed despite its prevalence. Therefore, we focused on this defect for our final project where we conducted extensive research on the topic and created a website out of the information to raise awareness of comprehensive facts surrounding NTDs, risk factors, detrimental effects, preventative measures and more. Read more>>

Marcus Orelias

Our company, R.O.T.U. World, started as a record label in 2012, originally it was titled “Marcus Orelias Music” because it would release my personal music. Starting my business in the Bay Area (where I am from originally) was tough because the Bay does have a history in the music business but it does not have the same resources LA has, or New York – so a lot of our music scene is grass roots and if you make it big you get immortalized based of off that moment or song. Making music in the Bay, you learn to hustle or you don’t eat like many places except there aren’t too many beacons to where we could walk into a record label and say “listen to my music”. I tried to produce other artists’ projects but I found managing personalities to be too difficult so I pivoted. Read more>>

Geri Hormel

I’ve always been a huge dog lover, and that passion naturally led me into the world of animal welfare. The more time I spent volunteering, the more I yearned to make a bigger impact. When I asked how I could best support the overcrowded and underfunded shelters, the answer was clear: we needed space for large breed pregnant dogs. Already a foster, I pivoted my focus and welcomed my first furry family home. The experience was nothing short of magical. I witnessed firsthand the difference we could make for these dogs. At the shelter, those newborn pups with fragile immune systems were at high risk for disease. But in my home, their mom found a clean, safe haven to raise her little ones. Instead of being exposed to a noisy, stressful environment for eight weeks, they enjoyed a calm, nurturing space where they could thrive. Read more>>