Going from idea to execution isn’t easy. Part of the difficulty is that often there is no playbook to follow and while we can’t offer a playbook either, we wanted to create a space where aspiring entrepreneurs could read the stories of how some very smart, very thoughtful entrepreneurs form the community got started.

Drew Jackson

I’ve always dreamed of my own country farm with animals, and one day, that dream became a reality. I found a charming farmette with a horse stable—a small facility surrounded by lush green pastures and forest in an amazing location. It was the perfect place, not just for my own horses, but to offer boarding for others as well. That’s where it all started. Read more>>

Jason Taylor

There is a quote by William Hutchison Murray. It goes something like this…… “Until One Is Committed, There Is Hesitancy, The Chance to Draw Back, Always Ineffectiveness. Concerning All Acts of Initiative (and Creation), There Is One Elementary Truth, The Ignorance of Which Kills Countless Ideas and Splendid Plans: That the Moment One Definitely Commits Oneself, Then Providence Moves Too. All Sorts of Things Occur to Help One That Would Never Otherwise Have Occurred. A Whole Stream of Events Issues from The Decision, Raising in One’s Favor All Manner of Unforeseen Incidents and Meetings and Material Assistance, Which No Man Could Have Dreamt Would Have Come His Way. I Have Learned a Deep Respect for One of Goethe’s Couplets: Read more>>

Iain Worgan

I’ve been in the design industry for quite some time, working my way up to become the head of the creative department at my previous agency. But something was missing. I wanted deeper connections, real conversations, and more direct engagement with clients. So, I took the biggest risk of my life—I quit my job, left Manchester, and moved to London to pursue a Master’s in Visual Communication at the world-renowned Royal College of Art. Read more>>

Lori Washko

In 2018, I took a solo trip to a yoga and wellness retreat in the Riviera Maya. My family was going through a challenging time, and I desperately needed a space to reset and recharge. When I first shared my plans to travel alone, I was met with a mixture of encouragement from some and fearful skepticism (and honestly, some judgment) from others. Read more>>

Pat Redding Scanlon

The past two years, I visited the DC area to be with my 7th grade bestie on her birthday. She has a party at a nearby event space and her band plays! We make cupcakes. Last year, we decided that in 2025 I’d have an art show at the same time. The owner of the space agreed! I showed him my Instagram with all my projects, and he liked my artwork. I’m a mom whose daughter is now 18 and in art school overseas. I’d done freelance illustration while parenting for almost two decades, and lately I’ve designed and painted large canvas banners for the freakshow at Coney Island Circus Sideshow here in Brooklyn. Yes, I live in NYC. Read more>>

Gaëlle Till

I woke up one day soon after the new year 2024 and asked myself, what can you do to go back to work and earn a living with 4 kids and the last one still at home with you. I trained horses most of my life but couldn’t do it at the moment. So I had to find another way to work and do something I love at the same time. And then something came to my mind, I love taking pictures, always have and seemed to be good at it. So I said why not making it my new job, even though I was older to start, it seemed accessible for me. I looked into it and came across an IAP career college online course for professional photography. Read more>>

Andrea Harris

We are twin sisters who have spent nearly every milestone and celebration together, and we understand the power of a well-styled event. Our journey into the event industry started organically—after hosting beautifully curated baby showers and birthday parties for our own families, friends encouraged us to turn our passion into a business. In 2016, we launched Balloons & Centerpieces with the goal of providing stunning, high-end balloon décor for both private and corporate events. Read more>>

Kristin Straka

I didn’t set out to start a soap business—it grew naturally from a creative hobby. I’ve always been interested in herbal remedies and natural products, and I love working with my hands. When a friend gave me a book about making soap, I decided to try it. The process fascinated me, from the chemistry and calculations needed to saponify oils with lye to selecting ingredients and perfecting scents. I started giving bars to friends and family, and before long, people began asking if they could buy them. That’s when I realized this could be more than just a hobby. Read more>>

Jené Adams

It’s funny because it’s been almost a year since I started my LLC. I’m a full-time senior designer, but I’ve always loved art and illustration. For years, I wanted to sell my prints online, but I kept putting it off. At the start of 2024, I finally decided to launch my website. Over the next few months, I spent hours researching print-on-demand services, testing prints, and setting up my store. Learning so much at once felt overwhelming at times, but I’m grateful for the support of my family and friends, who encouraged me to keep going. Starting a business isn’t easy. One thing my mom told me last year stuck with me: ‘ Read more>>

Alex Sejdinaj

I’ve always wanted a career that allowed me to help people, but for a long time, I didn’t know what that would look like. Growing up, I thought I’d become a doctor—until my junior year of college when I realized medicine wasn’t my path. That left me feeling lost, unsure of what I was supposed to do next. Read more>>

Josephine Ung

Vacance was born during a time in my career when I was taking a break, so it felt right to design the brand around the idea of everyone deserving a break and enjoying the small moments of joy. I want to preface that I was already a user of cuticle oil, but often found myself mixing my own oils and looking for different ingredients. I thought back to my childhood and remembered that many of my family’s sick day recipes and soups for inflammation revolved around herbal ingredients like goji berries or bamboo shoots, for example. So I realized: how about an Asian-inspired hand care brand? Read more>>

Donnie Mcdaniel

Moving from concept to execution on my nutrition program for my gyms and for the the non-profit that I work at Called Warrior WOD was a labor of love. I have found that most clients need a 12 session plan to truly master their basic nutrition habits. Before developing the now complete 12 session/six month plan, I just did things haphazardly. Read more>>

Anthony Wendelboe

I came up with the concept of my little cartoon ‘Ordinary People’ while walking my dog during the pandemic. I was watching Action League Now! on my walk and thought it would be cool to create something like this. So I broke it down and I came up with the brilliant idea of pursuing something like that on my own. Little by little I made the necessary steps in completion of this project. Initially, I thought this project was going to be easy and only take 2 weeks. Little did I know all of the little details that went into a project like this, leading it to be complete in almost a 2 year span of time. Read more>>

Alison Osborn

Daydreaming of a sweet creative workshop space was the easy part. My business partner, Mackenzie and I knew that we worked well together and would eventually come to realize HOW well we balanced each other’s skills and drive. We each had our individual art businesses but did not want to lean on production alone and were in search of community. “If we need it, others must need it too.” This was our mantra while cultivating and discovering our own dreams. Read more>>

Alexandra Turoski

Art has been my lifelong passion. In school, it was the class I eagerly looked forward to every day. By the time I reached my senior year of high school, my love for art had blossomed into something tangible. Every year my high school did an art show as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. By special invitation, they gave me a whole wall to display my art. Our school librarian also noticed my enthusiasm and talent and commissioned me to paint a mural for the library. It remains there to this day, a symbol of my artistic journey’s beginnings. The process of brainstorming ideas with the librarian and bringing them to life was incredibly enjoyable. Once the mural was complete, she generously allowed me to continue painting in the back room during my free periods. This period marked the start of my evolution as an artist. Read more>>

Amit Amram

Like all full-time musicians, it always starts with a big passion and love.

The challenging part is transitioning this passion into an actual business that can support you/ your family.

Ideas are overrated, execution is everything!

Whatever your idea is, you have to think about your plan to make it a reality.
Don’t ever think your idea can grow because it is just such a great idea,
you have to build it, customize it, shape it, fail, learn, and try again many times, you gotta be stubborn and committed. Read more>>

Jaie Williams

As a child, I participated in stage plays and showcased my piano skills at various recitals. Later in life, I rekindled my passion for acting and was fortunate enough to join the cast of the stage play “Shattered Dreams” in Houston. This experience allowed me to collaborate with incredibly talented actors. Read more>>

Donald Henson

The concept of Joué was born when Anthony approached Donald with the idea of creating a luxury pet brand—something we were both passionate about as lifelong pet lovers. Anthony, who has had a Siberian Husky for 19 years, was constantly buying bowls, leashes, and other pet accessories. He noticed that these products either wore out quickly or simply didn’t fit his aesthetic preferences. Given his background in e-commerce, he decided to explore the pet market further. Through research, he identified a growing trend in pet ownership and a clear gap in the market for high-quality, aesthetically pleasing pet products at an accessible price point. Read more>>

Vincent Marez

From Idea to Execution took the teamwork of me and my Wife, Jessica. I had the idea; she executed. QueenPins Taco Truck was established in 2020.

In typical Mexican/American fashion, the idea sparked while making dozens upon dozens of tamales for the Holidays for our family. Holiday guests would ask if my wife could make them a dozen to take to their home. Jessica would never say no to nourishing a family at Christmas. I told her to profit off her hard work. She didn’t believe people would purchase her Homemade Tamales. I knew better! Read more>>

Knox Kronenberg

For me, photography is not just about capturing a moment. It was about creating an experience, telling a story that would stay with people. I wanted my work to pull viewers in, blending the past with the present, the wild with the refined, the ordinary with the extraordinary. Read more>>

Victoria Chasi

While working on partnerships at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Africa Bureau Headquarters in New York, I realized that African entrepreneurial endeavors were underrated as public-private solutions to some of the biggest developmental challenges. I was inspired by the $1 billion fund we were raising to support these entrepreneurs. Following my background working with entrepreneurs on grassroots issues while a student at the University of Cape Town and at Cornell University, I was curious about these kinds of partnerships for the common good. Knowing myself to have been asked to stop learning Shona, my mother-tongue to learn English, I wanted to create a software as a service (SaaS) platform that taught African languages exclusively and I wanted that to happen in an immersive environment because although I studied other languages like French and Mandarin; it had been cost-prohibitive to actually go there to improve my level of French. Read more>>

Santanya Mcclary

The idea for Snappin It Up Photobooths grew from a vision and a determination to bring memorable experiences to events. Once I had the idea, the next step was to dive deep into research. I knew I needed the right equipment to provide top-notch experiences, so I started by exploring various companies that offered photobooth equipment. I combed through company websites, paying close attention to client testimonials. These reviews gave me insight into the user experience, helping me distinguish between quality products and those that might not stand the test of time. Read more>>

Jazmyn Hard

In 2019, I found myself holding a camera in my hands while interning at my home church, unaware that the simple act of pressing the shutter would ignite a passion that would shape my future. At the time, photography was just an interest, but my mentor noticed something special and encouraged me to pursue it. The first time I looked through the viewfinder and clicked the shutter, something shifted. I wasn’t just taking a picture; I was telling a story. Read more>>

Bethany Meyer

Launching myself into becoming an author was not a quick or overnight process–as a matter of fact, it took almost a decade. In grade school, I hated creative writing assignments with a passion. No story-writing prompt could be over with quick enough for me. All of it felt dry and uninteresting; painfully so. Read more>>

Lorraine Mendoza

In 2023, I found myself stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy. I worked at an agency where I felt like I was doing all the heavy lifting. My days were a constant cycle of either being overwhelmed with work or sitting idly with nothing to do. No matter the situation, I wasn’t happy.

I was always receiving praises from clients and coworkers and I realized that I had the skills to do this on my own. So, I decided to take a risk and make a change. In January 2024, I handed in my two weeks’ notice and made the leap into entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Antonio Beard

The ground work started in 2012 and we established the organization in 2017. Prayer and belief in God is imperative. We had to have Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed. Lead By Example Foundation started based off a conversation that happened between family members (William Craig, Antonio Beard, D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera ). We praised our brother D’Vauntes for how he handled himself during his college basketball career at Georgetown University through the ups and downs. He always did things the right way with his work ethic and positive energy surrounding the game of basketball. Read more>>

Haiden Bohm

Buttercream Boy started organically from something I was already doing—making birthday cakes for my friends. I’ve always loved cooking and hosting, blending creativity with food, and cakes became a natural extension of that. Turning it into a business felt like the right move because I truly enjoy every part of the process, from baking to decorating to seeing people’s reactions when they get their cake. Read more>>

Shae Alexander

I was 24 when I started my business, feeling unfulfilled in my career as a Marketing Director and searching for something that truly ignited my passion. I wanted work that aligned with my strengths — my Type A personality, my love for planning, and my deep desire to help others. But I wasn’t quite sure what that would be just yet. Read more>>

Lindsey Dacuma

When I was finally able to go to beauty school in 2020, it was with the goal of one day owning my own business. I knew it was going to take time and effort and I would need to learn as much as I could before jumping into doing my own thing. I worked in established spas for 5 years, picking up skills of my trade and financially preparing to open up my business. When I was in school and working I would often envision what my business would one day look like. I kept that vision with me and imagined it over and over and updated necessary things as I learned more about the beauty industry. Read more>>

Rebecca Bender

I’ve started several companies thus far. It always starts by seeing a gap, a need that isn’t being met. I know that can be antiquated advice and now it’s about “finding your micro niche”, but the same concept applies.

My first company was an Elective Ultrasound Center – we provided 3D images and gender reveals for pregnant moms. I had seen these everywhere when traveling, but not in MY community. So I put pen to paper – how do you rent, lease or buy an ultrasound machine, what are my state laws for non-medical use of equipment, how much to lease an office space and how much did I need to bring home a month to pay my own bills? Once I had the hard figures, I created a plan to accomplish them. Read more>>

Anika Cohen

Seeking assistance and embracing vulnerability to request insight, direction, and guidance in undertaking unfamiliar endeavors has been a significant journey for me. I authored my first memoir, “Diaries of an Ele Lady,” which addresses themes of overcoming addiction, domestic violence, and gun violence, while also exploring the identification of my purpose amidst despair. Upon publishing my book in 2015, I recognized that I was entering the business realm and needed to uncover my niche and purpose. To facilitate this, I engaged a book and business coach and participated in business development conferences during the initial 2-3 years. Lacking a concrete plan, I chose to follow what I perceived as God’s plan for my life, which led to my evolution into entrepreneurship through various avenues. Read more>>

Becky Stewart

My journey into the wedding and event planning industry began in 2013 when I planned my own wedding. I fell in love with the process—the intricate details, the creative vision, and the pure joy of bringing everything together. That passion led me to explore opportunities in the industry, but without formal experience, it was difficult to break into the field through venues. Instead of giving up, I started planning events for friends and family, refining my skills and building my confidence along the way. Read more>>

Cypher Eihwaz

I grew up in the Erie area, surrounded by much of the same influence that I pursue today. Things like activism, art, music, event planning, and general outside-the-box living are all things I was quite literally born into and raised on.
My mother was a professional vocalist who performed on National Television in her childhood, and in my pre-teen years, our homes basement was used as a practice spot for a local band called Defiled, later renamed to Casting Shadows. Read more>>

Audrey Speckert

Growing up as a kid I loved sports especially basketball. I played basketball all through high school and I went on to play in college. Unfortunately I had a career ending injury causing me to have to walk away from playing the game I loved so much. As a way for me to stay involved with the sport itself I decided to help film and produce media for teams since I have noticed there isn’t much exposure in the Middle Tennessee area for many sports, especially women’s sports. So I thought why not be a part of the growth. Eventually my work evolved to other things like personal photoshoots to couples to any other freelance work I can be a part of. Read more>>

Victoria Magyar

My idea of working for myself and becoming a freelance worker in the digital world was one that came from an “A-ha” moment after grad school. Long story short, I started working as a school counselor in Tampa FL, hated it, moved back home to Ohio, didn’t know what to do and was depressed, started learning about spirituality and digital content creation, put all my eggs in one basket and took the risk of starting over in a career and lifestyle that I never thought I could manage until that point. That was in 2020 so the pandemic hit and tiktok was growing from everyone being at home-which was a great time for me to explore this new idea of being a self made creator and business owner. Read more>>

Jeff Beck

I was working in NYC in hotels and conference centers as a Technology Sales Manager – renting projectors, screens, microphones, webcasting, video conferencing, etc. – to companies holding meetings in our spaces. I was VERY good at my job and within the company I worked for had 700+ locations worldwide and I consistently ranked in the Top 25 in sales. I also got paid VERY well across 3 locations and 3 different companies. I also had an amazing boss who, to this day, is one of my best friends – Nicholas Cox. Read more>>

Atalie Oliva

I am a holistic life and leadership coach and the founder of The Bitter Woman Network, a community dedicated to supporting the personal development and success of women of color. My journey into this work began through my lived experience as a first-generation professional and the daughter of immigrants. I faced complex trauma in my childhood, which created significant obstacles in my professional life. It wasn’t until I committed to a deep healing journey that I saw my life and career transform. This experience inspired me to create safe, trauma-informed spaces for others who are navigating similar challenges. Read more>>

Kimber Arezzi

People say one night can change your life. Well, for me, it flipped the whole script. On Thursday, August 2, 2018, I strolled into my first Women Grow meeting—a networking event for cannabis. I went with my high school girlfriend, who had jumped into the cannabis world back in 2014. I was hoping to follow in her green footsteps, focusing on sales, marketing and retail development. After all, I was already a seasoned pro in developing consumer products for the toy and apparel industry, so why not give cannabis a whirl? Read more>>

Heaven Corona

My press-on nail business journey began months before I launched my website on April 2, 2024. It was a process that involved long nights and early mornings, and I’m proud to say that I’ve only just begun. My path started during a difficult time when I was struggling with postpartum depression. It was a challenging experience, but it played a vital role in shaping me into the person I am now. I deeply empathize with mothers going through postpartum depression because it’s not easy. Despite the emotional and mental hurdles, we continue to push ourselves to be the best for our children, and that drive became the foundation of my business. Read more>>

Vlad Cazacu

I’m Vlad, CEO and Co-Founder of Flowlie – we’re building the fundraising OS that helps tech founders spend less time raising capital and more time building their companies. After years as a VC investor (most recently at Fuel Venture Capital), I saw firsthand how much time gets wasted on fundraising operations and wanted to change that.

We created Flowlie to be your all-in-one fundraising command center. From runway planning to investor discovery and intro path analysis, we help founders cut their fundraising time in half while making smarter financing decisions. Whether you’re raising your first round or you’re a seasoned pro, our platform adapts to your needs – making complex workflows like coordinating hundreds of stakeholders to drive calendar density and following up with the right message on time manageable. Read more>>

Destanie Chavira

I don’t really consider my pursuit of photography a business; I mean, I don’t think there was ever a moment when I thought, ‘Okay, this is officially a business!’ I’ve always seen photography as a creative outlet, like my drawings or music. When I made my Instagram account, @9h070, in 2021, I was just posting pictures I had taken of my friends using the camera from my yearbook class. After graduating, I was without a camera until I was given one a few months later. I got back into taking pictures with my friends, but this time I started experimenting with concepts, sets, and editing. I started seeing photography not just as a hobby, but something I could pursue in a more professional way. Read more>>