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.

Anyea Thompson

During the early years of the pandemic I started A Sunglass business and I needed Consistent graphics for it . So I started Off by diy my own brand , then once I started diy my own brand other business owners would ask me and I started Doing it for free because it just was a hobby . 2 years into my Sunglass business I started my own graphic design business . Now 4 years later I’ve stopped selling Sunglass & am a full time graphic designer . Read more>>

Darrell Watts

This was a on and off ordeal. I knew that photography was my profession since high school when I took a class for digital photography. I fell in love with every aspect of photography, the snapping of the camera, going to different parts of campus to take photos of what I felt would fit for me, the editing, and the time it takes to create “the picture”. I felt really good about the photos I took in that moment. But then, when I graduated from high school, photography was in the back of my mind, knowing that college and getting a job was more important. That never meant I was going to forget about photography, it was just one of my pressure moments that I had to face. So when cell phones with camera starting rising, I immediately knew that I had to get one, I had to start somewhere so I can work on my skills. Read more>>

Michael Kavalus

My line of apparel–Art Habit Haus–was launched in an effort to widen my audience for my abstract paintings, both originals and prints. A lot of people appreciate art in its most traditional forms, but it seems even more people appreciate a cozy hoodie or a unique pocket tee. The cost of buying original art (or archival prints) can also be a hinderance when starting a business as an abstract painter. Small fine art prints seem the logical route to building an audience for large original pieces, but I also feel my abstract work is best experienced in large format, so I needed another way to connect with people and draw them in. After considering a traditional screen print of my work on a t shirt (centered across the front or back), I new I needed something more invigorating, if not slightly overwhelming as the visuals and conventional approach did not excite me. Read more>>

Alexis Trischler

I came up with the idea to create my project ‘The Seen Project’ after dealing with Mental Health (Anxiety & Depression) along with an invisible illness (Polycystic Kidney Disease) for the vast majority of my adolescence. I started my project back on March 18th, 2024 at the age of 16. I am now 17 and have accomplished so much. I gained so much confidence and skills that I was too scared to test out before founding my project. Growing up I was always afraid to talk about my mental health due to the stigma and fear of being seen as “different”. I don’t want any young kids feeling the way I did. That’s why I created ‘The Seen Project’. My project is aimed at kids and teens, but I like to think that it’s a resource that everyone can use to feel SEEN and UNDERSTOOD. Read more>>

Demario Williams

I am the author of “Unjust Justice: Are We Still Human, Despite Perpetual Inhumanity…” This work arose from a critical need to address the systemic neglect faced by the majority of Americans, who have become victims of political, social, and economic indifference. During my time in prison, I observed firsthand the repercussions of capitalism’s failings and listened to the anguished voices of my peers. This experience deepened my understanding of the profound inadequacies within my community. Driven by a commitment to effect meaningful change, I chose to advocate not only for those who have suffered in the present but also for the generations to come. Read more>>

Charles Nagy

I became a “professional” photographer by accident. I started a zine in 2019. I was shooting with a really old consumer DSLR. After almost a year I decided that I wanted to step things up a bit because I was really enjoying the process of taking photographs. I upgraded my DSLR to a prosumer model. After another 3 months I was offered a job covering events at a Detroit area motorcycle dealership. In hindsight, I was not ready, but the photos came out really well considering my lack of knowledge. I had zero idea what I was doing, it wasn’t until almost 2 years later that I would really become self aware and realize what I could do for clients. Read more>>

Liliia Hermes

From Idea to Business: The Story of Our Paintball Club Seven years ago, the idea of opening a paintball club didn’t come to me—it came to my son, with whom I now share this business. It all started when he decided to try something new—an indoor paintball game in Ukraine, using paintless balls. He enjoyed the experience so much that, even while managing a chain of supermarkets at the time, he became inspired to open his own paintball club. A few weeks later, on his birthday, he gathered friends again to play paintball. This time, they played in the evening under the field lights, which gave the game a unique atmosphere. However, that night became his last game as a regular player. As he walked off the field, he was determined to start searching for equipment and a location to open his own club the very next day. Read more>>

Sidney Carrier

Growing up I had the most perfect parties planned by my Mom — who was Pinterest perfect before it even existed. I am a Nurse by trade, but have always had a passion for party planning. The problem was I did not want to be a party planner that had to work on the weekends because that’s my time with my family( I have two young children). So I planned my daughter’s third birthday went all out, and had someone reach out to me and ask “Can I buy everything you did for that party? Just put it all in a box” … that was my AHA moment. A party in a BOX! I felt so strongly that this would work that I had the business up and running within a week. Then launched my company and a month later applied for Shark Tank! I made it to round 2/3! Read more>>

Chris Villagracia

I stopped buying clothes from other brands for two reasons: they didn’t represent who I am, and they only took my money without giving anything back. That’s what inspired me to create a clothing brand that focuses on people, not just the brand, and to do my part in helping others with their personal development. Read more>>

Bruce Allen

The idea for Seated In Luxury began with a conversation among friends about building a resort in Jacksonville. As we discussed this dream, I quickly realized that I didn’t have the capital to pursue such a large venture. However, it sparked the thought that there was a significant need for luxury transportation services in the area. While contemplating this shift, I took an Uber ride, and the passenger asked if I had a name for my potential business. When I mentioned my vision, she replied, “You should call it Seated In Luxury.” That moment resonated with me; it perfectly encapsulated what I wanted to offer. I was excited to create a service that prioritized comfort and exceptional experiences, filling a gap in the market for high-quality transportation. This realization solidified my commitment to this endeavor, knowing it would not only serve clients but also reflect my passion for excellence and service. Read more>>

Christina Morris

I first came up with the idea to have my own business when I was about 26 years old (2016). I used to make tutus and sell them to family and friends. That was the original idea of being a business owner. That went on for about a year. And it kinda just died off. I had three kids and was working full time. I lost interest after a while. I couldn’t find the time to perfect the craft then. Fast forward to May 2020. My friend’s birthday was coming up, and I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, and she stated. She has never had chocolate-covered strawberries. I told her I could make her some with no problem. So I did. I made 12 of them for her. And she loved them. I was happy with the results and thought they looked great. So, without any thought, I started making a business out of them. I posted them on my Facebook page to share that I had made some. From there, different people commented on the post, asking if they could purchase some. I was shocked because I didn’t know how to price or advertise them then.  Read more>>

Alphonso Williams Jr

I came up with the concept of Recycling Fashionably by taking a deep dive into my past experiences and memories, reflecting on the styles and influences that have shaped me. I wanted to be truly present in the moment, blending the nostalgia of past trends with the current fashion landscape. This approach allows me to create designs that are both meaningful and contemporary, bridging the gap between history and modernity. Read more>>

Heather E. Cunningham

Over 20 years ago I was in a production with an actor with whom I’d been working steadily that summer. We were in a production of a Christopher Marlow play that, well, let’s just say it left something to be desired. We were frustrated. For my part I felt miscast, and the role I felt I should have been playing had a revolving door of actresses. One day this actor turned to me and said “I’m tired of making other people’s shit look good.” It was my lightbulb moment. I knew it was time for me to make my own shit look good. Read more>>

Ana Torres-goitia

My journey in the visual arts began at fashion school, where I discovered my passion for illustration. I was always captivated by painting, drawing, and design. Eventually, my artistic explorations took me into the realm of body painting, and that sparked the curiosity for making that body art more permanent. At the same time, my spiritual journey was unfolding. During my teenage years, I delved into spirituality through esoteric libraries, yoga, and meditation classes. My mom introduced me to my first oracle and tarot deck, and I became known as the friend fascinated by the mystical and occult, always believing in the power of magic. Read more>>

Tevin Austin

I started my psychiatric service dog non-profit organization because I saw firsthand how mental health struggles can deeply impact the lives of those we love. Several of my family members were battling anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, and it was heartbreaking to witness the toll it took on their everyday lives. While searching for ways to help, I learned about the profound impact service dogs can have on mental well-being. This inspired me to create an organization that trains service dogs to support individuals facing similar struggles. I wanted to offer a compassionate, life-changing resource to those in need, just as I had hoped for my own family. Read more>>

Leslie Ellis

I’m truly grateful for this opportunity to share my journey. The story of how I came to create my business is a deeply personal and transformative journey. It all began in meditation, where I first felt like I had discovered my purpose. Prior to this, I had attended gatherings that opened my heart and mind to the powerful connections we share with the spirit world. I experienced moments where I could hear messages from ancestors, and I felt a profound sense of duty to share those messages with their loved ones. Read more>>

Elizabeth Chibale

It all started when my elder sister who taught me how to saw got tired by my enthusiasm to explore multiple ideas at once. I envisioned grand plans and ambitious projects, sometimes neglecting the basics that my sister emphasized. Eventually, my exuberance became overwhelming for her. My desire to innovate clashed with her structured approach, and after a heartfelt conversation, she decided to let me go. “You need to focus,” she firmly said. With a mix of disappointment and determination, I stepped away from her shadows and sought out new paths. Read more>>

Veronique Gabai Pinsky

Scent is part of my life. I have spent years creating perfumes for the most beautiful brands and most interesting people. But at some point, I wanted to express in my own way what scent can be and do for people. I wanted to bring people to the region where modern perfumery was born, and where I was born too. My line is all inspired by the South of France and takes you on a journey into the Mediterranean light. My collection is about “sunshine”, the sunshine above us, so present in the Côte d’Azur, but also the one inside us, the one we carry along, the one that sustains true happiness… The way we create that sensation is by composing our perfumes with a very high concentration of natural ingredients. Having worked on scent for so long, I learnt how powerful natural ingredients can be on your wellbeing. Through my perfumes, I wanted to connect people to Nature, because Nature makes you feel happy. Synthetics are not harmful, but no-one ever dreams of a chemicals’ factory when thinking of their happy place. Nature brings joy and peace to people. My perfumes are composed with that in mind. We bring sunshine, we bring joy, we bring nature, we bring also a way to personalize your scent through easy layering, so you can express your true nature. And we do this with a profound commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability, so we protect Nature. Read more>>

Dan Bledsoe

I’ve always been interested in flight. When I was a kid, my dad had his pilot’s license for small, single propeller planes and one of my earliest memories with him was he took me up in a plane and we did a few ‘touch and go’ landings. We also spent countless hours playing an early version of Microsoft Flight Simulator back in the days of 4 color graphics. Fast forward to adulthood and the company I work for needed content for a newsletter they published for a section about employee hobbies outside of work. I helped out by making a short video having fun in a muscle car I like to drive on the weekend, and one of my friends brought his drone to get a unique perspective for parts of the video. Read more>>

Theodore Wilson

After graduating with a degree in Anthropology, my career direction was steering my towards being an archaeology surveyor for land development. In California before any development to new land is engaged, multiple assessments are needed. My job would entail me driving to a location, collect data, take photos and provide a detailed report based on my findings. I would report on what has happened here in the past, what are the current conditions and what impacts could happen in the future if the project were to move forward. I found the job market to be very competitive and would have to begin my career at the bottom of the ladder, or in this case a bottom of a ditch. The entry level position required digging soil in remote areas and likely in heat stricken areas. The prospects were discouraging. Read more>>

Mark Parmet

After spending 20 years in education, I had the opportunity to start my own school, which was rooted in a philosophy I’m deeply passionate about: Community Based Learning. This approach encourages students to engage directly with the world around them, making education relevant and meaningful by connecting it to real-life experiences. However, as we implemented this model, I quickly realized that while the vision was exciting, the practical aspects presented significant challenges for teachers. They were tasked with designing curriculum that not only met state and national standards but also created authentic learning opportunities tied to the community. Read more>>

Sian Bitner-kearney

Rock Your Beauty, which began as a charity fashion show in 2022 and has now evolved into a nonprofit, came from a place of pain and anger to be honest. Growing up, all I wanted to do was model, and I dreamed that one day I would be on the cover of Cosmo or Vogue. When I was finally old enough to pursue modeling, I was met with harsh criticism. I was told I wasn’t tall enough, pretty enough, or thin enough. Even after dieting and exercising to reach a size 4 and 115 lbs., I was still told to lose another 15-20 pounds. This constant rejection led me to despise my reflection, and over time, my appearance became the sole measure of my self-worth. Read more>>

Maddie Lauro

I came up with the idea of my brand when I first heard the quote, ‘have the time of your life’ and it stuck with me. I am obsessed with fashion and community, so I thought, why not combine the two into a brand that promotes having a good time and enjoying life? I want people to feel excited and inspired about life and have a positive outlook. I was inspired by the people around me, specifically my boyfriend, who runs his own business, to go after my dream of making things that other people can enjoy. This brand has allowed me to branch out into my creative side, as I have been a student-athlete all my life, and I have been able to create items for other people to wear and promote and be authentically themselves.

Montaniqua Ellison

The idea for Revivify really came from a combination of passion, experience, and a strong desire to offer something special to people in my community. Over the years, I’ve always been drawn to beauty, wellness, and helping people feel like their best selves, which is why I had been working on and improving my services over time. I realized that beauty isn’t just skin-deep—it’s about confidence, self-care, and creating moments of peace in an often chaotic world. The moment that really solidified the idea was when I saw how much joy and confidence my services, like lashes or skincare treatments, could bring to clients. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about helping people feel rejuvenated—revived. That’s where the name Revivify comes from. I wanted to create a space where people could come not just to look good, but to feel renewed from the inside out. Read more>>

Jordan Kammer

At a young age I fell in love with professional wrestling. During my early childhood my mom and I would always go to shows, and if we weren’t at shows I would be watching pro wrestling every-night on tv. Once I hit high school I fell out of love with professional wrestling because it “wasn’t cool”. I would keep up with what was happening but I would never go out of my way to talk about it or wear any apparel that represented wrestling. After high school I was given an opportunity to work with a company that did autograph signings and during those signings I started to fall in love with the idea of working with talent. I met a gentleman that worked with talent and booked them throughout the midwest who impacted my life. Read more>>

Natasha Neely

After graduating from Belmont University in Nashville, TN with a music business degree, I was determined to work in the entertainment industry in whatever capacity that would look like, ideally singing country music. One opportunity led to another, one connection led to another and the path started becoming more and more clear. I found myself not only singing with various bands and being casted in production shows as Natasha Neely, the country singer, but I also found myself leading country line dance lessons and impersonating Dolly Parton…for a living! Who knew. The corporate event industry is booming in Nashville, and it has become my main thing; therefore, leading me to start my own Entertainment company. Read more>>

Natalie Resendez

I worked in a traditional corporate environment as an IT professional before starting my business. I loved what I did as a Cybersecurity Specialist but felt like I needed to change my lifestyle. My job required me to be extremely sedentary, which I knew wasn’t healthy long term. I had also moved to a new town after working my remote job for a while. I knew I wouldn’t be able to meet new people working remotely. All of my co-workers worked in other states. After months of looking for field engineer work in my new city, I decided that the perfect non sedentary IT job that provided financial stability and innovation for a mid level engineer just didn’t exist. I quit my job without a plan. Read more>>

99athletics

99 Athletics was birth from the passion to spread the message of Jesus to others. We all experience moments of feeling feel lost, discouraged, doubt and overwhelmed, but God is the answer to cure those feelings. 99 Athletics was created to remind us that God is always present and will never leave or forsake us. We envisioned a brand that would not only provide high-quality athletic wear but also serve as a source of encouragement and community for those who share our faith. We knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because we saw a clear gap in the market. Many athletic brands focus on performance, but few connect deeply with the spiritual aspect of an athlete’s life. We wanted to fill that void by creating clothing that athletes could wear proudly, reminding them of their identity in Christ while they pursue their goals. This wasn’t just about fashion; it was about fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment through faith. Read more>>

Brightminds Learning

The idea for BrightMinds Learning emerged from a deep desire to transform the educational landscape by making learning more accessible, engaging, and personalized. It all started in Los Angeles, where we ran a traditional brick-and-mortar institution. Our mission was always to make education exciting and tailored to individual needs, but over time, we began to see cracks in the traditional model. Many of the families we worked with, especially single mothers and working parents, were struggling to balance their careers, commutes, and their children’s education. We saw firsthand the exhaustion on their faces and heard their frustrations about trying to fit their lives around rigid school schedules. Read more>>

Jeffery Legree Jr

The idea for Kali Elite Inc. was born out of a deep, personal connection to the struggles and gaps I experienced growing up in California. As a child, I often felt there was a lack of guidance and support systems that truly nurtured not just academic or athletic talent, but also the social, emotional, and moral growth that young people need to thrive. I knew that I wasn’t the only one feeling this—there were so many of us who were left without the right kind of support to reach our full potential. It always stuck with me, this feeling of wanting to give back what I didn’t receive. But at that time, I didn’t know how I’d do it. Read more>>

Antimo Esposito-costagliola

The pizzeria business is truly a family affair for me, though it hasn’t always been easy. Growing up, I spent a lot of time helping my dad and relatives in various pizzerias. By the age of 23, after trying community college and working full-time, my dad offered me the chance to open my own location. Fast forward 14 years, and I’ve opened and closed three additional locations, currently managing two. Throughout this journey, I’ve become increasingly ambitious and gained valuable insights from my experiences and investments. I’ve focused on quality control, embracing the philosophy that sometimes less is more. I’ve also attended shows and seminars, networking with inspiring people who have influenced my growth along the way. Read more>>

Janel Benjamin

For as far back as I can remember, I’ve always had an interest in Fashion. I always knew I had an eye for uniqueness. Fast forward to 2017, I began taking online classes with Penn Foster studying Fashion Merchandising. In 2019, I was introduced to a process called “drop shipping”. Then, TheSauceShopCo was born online. Through a mentor at the time, I gained access to fashion vendors and began investing in myself and my business. At the time I was still working a full time job, but I knew this was my passion and a dream I wanted to follow. My goal was and still is to provide affordable, unique, and confidence inspiring pieces specifically for Plus Size Women. I knew this was meant to be when I instantly started receiving orders online and good feedback from customers across the states. Read more>>

Desange Kuenihira

Desange Kuenihira’s journey begins in the heart of the Congo, where, as a young girl, she was surrounded by a world that sought to define her future in the bleakest terms. With every word spoken to her, the message was clear: she was meant for a life of servitude, bound by the constraints of an arranged marriage and the poverty that loomed ahead. But deep within her, a flicker of defiance ignited—a belief that she was destined for more. The backdrop of civil war forced her family to flee, leading them to a refugee camp in Uganda. There, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Desange faced unimaginable hardships. Each day was a struggle for survival, not just against physical threats, but against the emotional scars that threatened to define her existence. Yet, in those harsh conditions, she discovered a glimmer of hope: education. It was in the crumbling walls of makeshift classrooms that she found her escape route—a chance to transform her life and break free from the cycle of despair. Read more>>

Olga Napohaku

I have been a designer in the fashion industry all of my adult life. As a teenager I always dreamt of owning my own company. I spent many years designing fashion such as day dresses, jeans, maternity wear of all types, and intimate apparel. During the intimate apparel years I really fell in love with all the laces and how beautiful the bridal honeymoon gowns looked. My daughter mentioned that she wanted me to design her wedding dress when she one day gets married. She gave me a purpose to look at the bridal industry in a new way. Read more>>

Phil Thomas

I did not come up with idea, and that is a long story. I literally woke up with full knowledge this idea on November 25th of 2022 after saying a prayer for my friend Kane. Kane owned MBS CrossFit at the time which was going through significant financial hardship and having to relocate his gym given very unfortunate circumstances. I asked for something to help Kane in the paryer, and when I woke up I knew immediately that I was given the idea for 1 on 1 knockout, MMA-esque style CrossFit , and I’ve been on fire about it ever since. Read more>>

Ami Beach

From a very early age, I was captivated by the world of scent—its ability to evoke memories, transport the spirit, and transform an environment. By the time I was 18, this fascination had grown into what I now describe as a mystical obsession. I was constantly drawn to the beauty and complexity of fragrances. Every bottle I encountered felt like a portal, not just to a scent, but to a memory, a place, or a feeling. This deep connection to fragrance and its power to elevate and heal led me into my first role in the world of perfumery. I began working for a commercial perfumery and manufacturer in Washington, D.C., where I gained firsthand experience in the intricacies of fragrance creation—the dance between top notes, middle notes, and base notes. It was here that I also honed my skills in marketing and packaging, immersing myself in every aspect of the craft. Read more>>

Arianna Watkins

I came up with the idea of opening my own waxing business because I was working at a waxing chain for two years and I just became unhappy. The waxing chain was all about being fast when it came to waxing and basically getting people in and out the door as quickly as possible. Sometimes I barely had time to talk to the person I was waxing. This pushed me to want my own waxing business because of their crazy policies such as only having 15 minutes to wax a person but also that person has 9 minutes to get on my table, it all just did not make sense and the burn Read more>>

Craig Stillman

The idea for Garagezilla came about at a unique intersection in my life and my business partner’s. After running a decorative concrete business for 22 years, I sold my half, keeping only the resinous coating services that I’d developed with that company. I had decades of experience in garage floor coatings and found myself with the freedom and experience to explore a new venture. Around that same time, my now business partner, a skilled carpenter with 25 years under his belt, was navigating a career shift due to a work injury. Our timing couldn’t have been better. We knew we could blend my expertise in floor coatings with his carpentry skills to create a garage interiors business that would genuinely stand out. Read more>>

Shelly Castle

Well ! I was working 3 jobs during Covid. I lost two of the jobs and was only doing uber for 3 months straight, 7 days a week and 12/15 hours a day. It wasn’t enough, after all the maintenance, gas, ware and tare, my food and drinks, and all my bills. So finally I had to look for another job. I found the post office. I worked there for a year and it was the worst job I ever had. I was so stressed out and depressed and didn’t want to live no more. They treated us like garage and so I told all my friends. They said no job is worth you feeling like this. So I decided to save up, get ahead 3 months on my bills and quit. I did just uber and I loved it ! It was exhausting but I had the vibes and loved turning up with people. I worked the night shift, and always was a fun driver and went above and beyond. I loved changing lives, keeping the city safe, and making an impact in the community. I had lights, karaoke 🎤, drum 🥁 set, tambourines, Mexican bongos, and so much more. So finally I lost uber, people falsely reported us drivers and just to get free rides; Read more>>

Jacoby Caldwell

I can up with the name “ cobyyoudidthattt “ back in 2022. One of my favorite photographers just starting out was Dariusyoudidthis, so I just took inspiration from one of my favorites photographers while putting my own spin on it. As of the business side I really just wanted to bring people together with my camera if that was events, pictures, videos, or etc I just wanted to be the reason people had a good time. I knew this would be worth the endeavor when I seen how people responded to my work, so many smiles, laughs, tears of joy, and excitement would be shown by others when they would see my work. Logically I just knew this would all work out not cockiness, but confidence in what I’m doing that’s how I truly knew. I believe I’ve been, so unique in many ways with my approach and ideas along my journey. I don’t see anymore in the Houston/ Baytown Tx area doing what I’m doing which is why I believe I stick out so much with my craft of art. Read more>>

Debra Fernandez

My professional life was as a dancer/choreographer/educator. I retired from the Skidmore College dance faculty in 2021 and with that exit I lost my access to dancers, rehearsal space, and my opportunities to choreograph. I was really feeling the emptiness of not having a creative outlet, especially one that had to do with movement. As someone who was never involved in visual arts such as painting or drawing I did not realize that I might be able to transfer my choreographic experience into that medium. I had purchased a book by Leah Koransky entitled Tracing Trees and one day I picked it up and began the meditative process of tracing. The tactile sensation of hand and pen to paper felt a bit like moving and dancing through space on a much smaller scale. Soon I began coloring and water coloring the shapes which also felt satisfying, but, it wasn’t until I began to cut them up and move them around that it began to actually feel like choreography. Read more>>

Stasia Freeman

Long story short, the loss of my brother inspired me. I did not realize how impactful and valuable my brother was to others. To me, he was just my brother. I knew he was intelligent, selfless, and amiable. I didn’t realize how much he meant to other people in his life until his wake. My Aunt Diane, a fantastic reverend, spoke at his wake. She shared a story about a phrase my brother commonly used as a child: “Look at the pretty lights.” That phrase danced around in my head for a long time. Eventually, I started to picture a candle every time I thought of that phrase. Read more>>