A dad can’t find a bakery to make a birthday cake that can accommodate his daughter’s allergy-related needs. Two freelancers realize they need a way to organize all of their client contracts and can’t find software that adequately handles their use case. Necessity is often hailed as the mother of innovation – but not all ideas come from necessity. Unfortunately, in our experience, often media coverage of the ideas that powered amazing businesses and projects often stops at a very superficial level. The founders noticed a need and boom – idea. Often the ideation process has a much longer, more complex story and so we’ve asked some entrepreneurs and creatives we admire to go into detail about their ideation stories.

Shanna Manley

I’ve always loved parties. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Target with my little sister, grabbing a cart, and filling it with goody bag toys and party décor. As soon as I had children of my own, I dove headfirst into planning their birthday parties, always with a focus on creating unique experiences that would be fun not just for the kids, but for the adults too. Read more>>

Jack Fransen

I’ve always wanted to run my own business. The problem always seemed to be coming up with an idea. What is something that people would want? Are there many other people doing that thing, whatever it is? Is it something that could be more than just selling a commodity or service? Read more>>

Sarah Christianson

#UNST❤️PPABLE. At the age of 17, I was diagnosed with the first of five heart arrhythmias and underwent what would become the first of seven heart surgeries, including three pacemakers. I was told no to so many things that most people take for granted—like having children or living an active lifestyle. But I turned every no into a YES, and developed the motto of being #UNST❤️PPABLE to show others that we can overcome life’s obstacles by never giving up, keeping a positive attitude, and surrounding ourselves with a great support system. Read more>>

Denisha Jones

I created The Gr8tful Brand during one of the most challenging seasons of my life. After overcoming trauma, loss, and personal struggles, I leaned into gratitude as my anchor. I saw so many creatives and entrepreneurs struggling to present themselves professionally — not because they lacked passion, but because they didn’t have the tools or support. That’s when I realized I could use my skills in writing, design, and digital organization to fill that gap. Read more>>

Kelsey Nodgaard

During the early months of COVID, like many people, I was home more than ever and found myself watching all the home organization shows on Netflix. Something clicked. I’ve always loved organizing. It’s what I do to relax (well, as much as someone who doesn’t sit still easily can relax). Seeing people turn that passion into a business made me feel equal parts envious and inspired. I remember thinking, They get to do that for a living? I want that. I’d be great at that. Read more>>

Mariana Wagner

The idea for the ShamRockk Foundation wasn’t born in a brainstorming session or a boardroom. It was born from heartbreak. Our son, Remi, was a gifted ballet dancer—driven, passionate, and deeply human. He worked harder than anyone we knew, commuting daily to Denver from Colorado Springs for training, finishing high school early, applying (and getting rejected) from the San Francisco Ballet School three times before finally getting in. He never stopped pushing. He never stopped believing. Read more>>

Betty Landin

As a serial inventor, ideas come naturally to me — I’m always observing, questioning, and looking for ways to make life a little easier. But The Wander Pillow™ was born from something very personal.

I travel constantly, especially on long road trips. And every time, the same problems hit me: I can’t get comfortable enough to nap, my neck ends up sore, and I’m always cold. Every. Single. Time. Read more>>

Dione Gantt

Pretty Poodle Entertainment started right in my living room. It began with a simple paint-and-sip night I hosted for a close friend—just laughter, music, creativity, and good energy. I’ve always loved hosting small gatherings at home, and I found so much joy in watching people come together, unwind, and make real memories. That spark turned into something bigger when I realized I could take that same energy and scale it up—bringing those intimate, feel-good moments into larger, more curated experiences. Read more>>

Apiffany Clark Crawley

I Am A Somewhat Popular Content Creator On TikTok. When I Started On TikTok About 4 Years Ago I Started On There To Be A Voice For The Voiceless And Stand Against Cyberbullying Etc.. I Wanted To Be A Safe Space For Others Who Didn’t Truly Have Support. So Fast Forward To About 2 Years And I Got A lot Of Compliments On My Hair. “What’s My Daily Hair Routine?”, “What Products Do I Use?” Etc. One Day I Was Live And Showed In Real Time My Hair Care Regimen And One Of My Followers Asked “Hey! Lala Have You Ever Thought About Coming Out With Your Own Natural Hair Care Products?”. I Felt At That Moment That Was A Sign. Read more>>

Amanda DiFiore

I had a couple of really bad jobs coming out of school and while I was looking for other jobs, there weren’t many options in the area I was looking. It was really discouraging to be working in places that made me hate coming in to work to do what I love doing, and those jobs really took the love out of it for me. I didn’t really feel “ready” to work for myself, only having been an esthetician for about 2.5 years at the time, but I had some money from my divorce and the sale of my house. I figured if I ever wanted to start a business, now might really be the time. Especially after the hard experiences I had at some of the spas I worked in, I really wanted to eventually get to the point where I could create a non-toxic work environment where my employees loved working. Read more>>

Monika Gerscht

I’ve always turned to art as a way to cope when life felt overwhelming. It was my safe space, a way to process things that didn’t always have words. But the real shift happened when I started pairing my creative practice with intentional reflection. That’s when things really began to change for me. I wasn’t just expressing emotions, I was understanding them. I started creating a life that felt joyful, grounded, and true to who I am. Read more>>

Quintesha Greene

The idea for The Little Brown Girl was born out of a very personal place—my daughter. In 2020, we were living in Oklahoma, and I noticed something that deeply unsettled me: there was very little representation of brown-skinned girls on the clothing girls were wearing and even in clothing stores. I’d take my daughter shopping or look for clothes that reflected her, and time and time again, I came up empty. Read more>>

Genevieve Dreizen

I didn’t expect to start over at 33. I was engaged, living in an apartment filled with carefully chosen furniture, plans, and promises. And then, one day, it all ended. My fiancé told me he didn’t love me anymore. I was suddenly faced with a blank slate—emotionally, logistically, and physically. I packed up my things, left behind the life I had built, and walked into the unknown. It was terrifying. And it was liberating. Read more>>

Jean Cherouny

When I was in graduate school I had no idea that I would be selling my abstract art. I had to go from landscape painter to redefining myself as an artist in four years. Now I live in Aruba, my art is represented by ArtisA and I have participated in The Other Art Fair twice. I am the Rollerblade Painter who began my journey in the USA. Read more>>

Sara Meinkinh

I grew up visiting Florida every summer. My mother and I always visited local shops that supported local artists over the years. We developed relationships with those business owners and the artists. It was always a highlight to come back each summer and visit them again. When I decided to leave the healthcare arena I knew I wanted to tap back into my creative side and open a shop that supported local artists and create an environment where customers could visit, bring their guests, and experience art! My art gallery and shop provide an opportunity for people to learn about art, experience art, and purchase art for their home at an affordable price. The art gallery and shop are a comfortable, inviting space that people will want to spend time at, and return over and over again. Read more>>

Cassandra Schick

I originally didn’t know that this would be in the cards. I was the friend that was asked to help plan all sorts of events, from baby showers to helping with weddings. After a while of helping friends and having them tell me that I should do this professionally, I started to think and research what it would take to do so. Read more>>

Bobbi Mendez

I came from humble beginnings to being a dynamic force in the beauty industry. How does one go from prepping and primping sheep in a Mennonite home to doing hair and makeup for Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence and Johnny Depp? I am the creative mind behind Glamour Room, an all-natural organic Aveda salon, it was a career path that started in a little town Manheim PA, to Philadelphia, New York Los Angeles, and back home to Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Most of my childhood memories were my 2 sheep, named Glitz and Glamour, husking corn, and helping to bail hay. Read more>>

Isabella Siu

After grueling hours and the exhaustion from a long nursing career, I would invite my friends over and usually serve them cheeses, meats and wine. This is how we enjoy our stressful lives and connect with each other. For my 45th birthday, I rented a suite and I wasn’t sure what to serve to my guests so I created a grazing table full of different types of food that would go good with alcohol. It became the talk of the party and for many weeks after. Grazing tables were not popular back then. This was before the pandemic. Before I was a nurse, I was intrigued by owning my own business. My parents were businessowners and I was amazed at what they were able to build. Read more>>

Chantal Zeidan

The idea for my bikini brand came from a very personal place — I’ve always been a huge bikini lover. I owned so many bikinis, and I was incredibly picky about the fit, fabric, and style. I’d constantly find myself trying to mix and match pieces or alter them just to get the look and feel I really wanted. Over time, I realized that if I was this selective — and still struggling to find the perfect swimwear — there had to be others feeling the same way. Read more>>

BEETLE HILLERY

When I took my first trip to Palm Beach—after years of admiring Lilly Pulitzer and Suzie Zuzek—I felt this strange but wonderful sense of belonging. It was like discovering a second hometown! The similarities between Palm Beach and New Orleans were self-evident. Both destinations have this vibrant energy, rich culture, and a bold, joyful aesthetic that just pulls you in. They each have their own things going on, but celebrate life and creativity through color in such a beautiful way. Palm Beach is coastal and sun-soaked and New Orleans is tropical and has patina. Nature plays a huge role in both places—whether it’s the palms and ocean views of Palm Beach or the oak-lined streets and lush gardens of New Orleans. Read more>>

Collin Semien

My project SEMI-stitched was started with the initiative to take preloved clothes and deadstock fabric and give them a new life by creating environmentally sustainable and fashionable garments. originally started by taking thrifted clothes and flipping them the project now has done over 200 customs using materials like shoes, ties, blankets, and curtains. As a college side hustle with little competition I intended on doing campus alterations, slowly as my skills grew and time went on people came for custom requests. with the help of social media for inspiration and promotion the project increased into a development of its own image. SEMI Read more>>

Andrew Vanderpoel

Superior Nutrition was originally just an idea between two college friends back in 2018, when we were playing football together at Rochester Community College in Minnesota. Supplement stores never seemed to really care about helping people—they just pushed products with little real knowledge or consideration for someone’s personal goals. Read more>>

Rachel Hennessey

The idea for my business came very organically. My interest in marketing began with my sister’s work running a scholarship fundraiser in honor of our late mother, the Lori Sorrentino Hennessey Scholarship. That experience sparked my initial love for marketing, and through my time at university, this interest evolved into a passion for website design. Read more>>

Grace Ayani

I came up with the plan for my business while I was in my teens years and it all started through the love of Fashion I would take textiles and I studied fashion at college and at university. I have always loved the option to make something that is for me or for other people big or small. Read more>>

Michael Neal

A defining moment in my ministry came in two pivotal parts. Shortly after launching Glorious Light Church in 2008, I took a ministry trip to the South. While in Memphis, Tennessee, we visited a vibrant community center bustling with life, offering a variety of events, classes, and programs that clearly served as a cornerstone for the neighborhood. I remember turning to someone and saying, “We need something like this in Chicago.” That moment planted a seed. Read more>>

Peter Valko

I like to leave some surprises for the interview; so in short;

On october 7th 2023 we witnessed a horrific tragedy occur in israel. News like that normally drives me to dispair hardcore. This time I thought to myself;

If somehow a magic door opened between myself and israel or gaza, and I was seen not making the damn most out of what I do have, how disgusted I’d feel with myself.

So that was the birth of my channel, my content; The Bucketman Read more>>

Xiaorui Yin

The idea for my creative services business grew out of a lifetime of adapting, connecting, and expressing myself through design. When I moved to the U.S. at 14, I was dropped into a completely new environment—new culture, new language, and no familiar faces. But instead of retreating, I leaned in. I tried new hobbies, made friends from different backgrounds, and learned to navigate the unknown. That experience taught me two things: how to adapt quickly, and how much I value human connection. Read more>>

Denzel Alexander

Denzel Alexander Creative was truly born because I wasn’t living to my potential. I was a 21-year-old college dropout living with roommates I didn’t connect with, and working a job a didn’t love. One day I came across a guy on Instagram who I thought looked like me in older form. He was cool, stylish, and people loved him for his style. I needed something to make me feel whole, like I had purpose, and honestly, a confidence booster. That’s when I started my journey into content creation, blogging then. I was always infatuated with cameras and social media, so this was the perfect journey for me. Read more>>

Michael

I am a composer of operas. Due to the expense of the art form I discovered that a live production that would be presented one day and then forgotten the next is roughly the same as a recorded production that is later filmed, especially now that film is much less expensive and technically difficult in terms of editing.
Canales Works therefore is a company dedicated to recording, filming and then distributing my operatic works. Read more>>

Andy Castillo

Well, my dream has always been to own a nightclub/bar. My first job ever (away from my family’s business), was in the nightlife, I started working the night life since 2014 and I saw how much the night life would make. I came from being a busboy, to barback, then bartender, later I became I promotor for nightlife, and through out the time, i became manager in the night life! I saw how much money was made in the industry, I saw so many stacks of money in front of me every single weekend. Leave late from work from how much money we all in management had to count before we leave the club. So I always loved the industry, I loved my job from the very start when I got in the industry. It was always a fun environment, people would spend money like crazy, everyone would always be happy, it was fun working there and I loved going to work every weekend! So that’s when I knew I wanted my own bar, my own night club. Read more>>

Lorenda Boyd

The idea for MCJ Reliable Transport came from a place of deep compassion and real frustration. I was working at a well-known clinic at a university here in St. Louis, MO, serving a wide range of patients: young, elderly, disabled, and mostly underinsured. Around 50% of our patients depended on transportation services to get to their appointments, but what they received was far from acceptable. started doing some research and noticed there was a real gap in the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) industry, especially in my area. The demand was growing, but the quality of service wasn’t keeping up. Most companies were treating it like a taxi service, but I knew it needed to be more personal, more patient-centered. Read more>>

Kristen Ellis

I actually started my business as a wedding photographer, and after a few years I started to have doubts every six months or so about continuing weddings. I still loved photographing them, but they weren’t making my soul catch fire. My passion is in studio and fashion work, but was unsure how to make that work in Kentucky. Read more>>

Josh Anderson

RBrand was born out of the need of truly unique products. There has been a shortage of quality and affordable products on the market, and we wanted to bring that to the every day man! We were tired of having products full of fillers that did nothing for skin and hair health, and we were tired of being given the choice between smelling like a high school locker room and smelling like a pine air freshener. We wanted masculine scents that guys would be proud to wear, while actually being healthy, and nutrient-rich! We didn’t want products that were full of water, silicones, and parabens. They’re all made with natural oils, butters, and waxes that are fantastic for your skin and hair. Started in 2022, we quickly realized that once people felt the difference in RBrand, they were loyal customers! Read more>>

Stephanie Cominella

When my husband, Ryan, and I were dating, we both discovered that we love to make and consume fun non-alcoholic drinks. When we would go out, we would always look for mocktails, or things like that, and we noticed that there just wasn’t a lot of variety or options for those looking for fun drinks that were sober. About a month after we got married, my best friend sent me a TikTok of a girl who was paying off debt by selling lemonades, and when I saw that, I immediately thought that we could do something like that. We had debt from our wedding, so extra income wouldn’t hurt, and it looked fun right up our alley! We took that idea and ran with it. Within the month, we had secured the supplies, permits, and events, and started selling at farmers markets,, music, festivals, and community events. We focused on providing multiple flavor options for those looking for fun drinks without the alcohol and we had a huge response! Read more>>

Nikki Pantelleria

I’ve been in the service industry serving people making everyone feel super good in their skin and that’s how I got into Spray Tanning . I used to do Spray Tanning at my first job and I got taught there and I absolutely loved it because it was instant gratification now a lot of times people these days want that instant gratification and everybody feels so much happier, healthier skinnier they feel 10 times better in their clothes when they have a tan going on so I love to be a part of that, and I just wanted to be able to provide happiness for my clients a couple summers ago I was looking into this company. It was a mobile Spray Tanning and they would provide clients for us, but I did it for about a couple months and I wasn’t really busy with that and I was doing a lot. Read more>>

Bryant Thompson

Bryant Thompson – Founder, Red Level Entertainment
Red Level Entertainment was never just a business idea it was born out of a real-life moment that changed everything.
Back in 2000, six of us, some strangers, some friends, piled into a car in Chicago and road-tripped to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. That trip changed my life. We ended up at a party with over 1,000 people, and I remember standing there thinking, “Yo… somebody put this together. Somebody’s making money off this.” That’s when the hustler in me kicked in. I’ve always been numbers-driven, and the math made sense, if you can pack a room and create a vibe, you can make real money. Why not bring that energy back to Chicago? Read more>>

Kirk & Jacob McKinney

The idea for Rage Zone came from a mix of timing, curiosity, and a lot of conversations where people kept saying, “You guys should start a rage room.” We were already running another business (Junk Teens) and kept hearing the concept come up again and again. Eventually, we visited a rage room in Idaho, and while the core idea was cool, the actual experience left a lot to be desired. It didn’t feel safe, organized, or clean. Read more>>

Sarah Anderson

I started Elevated Wellbeing OT because I kept noticing the same gap in care over and over—and I couldn’t ignore it anymore. After more than a decade in mental health, recovery, and academia, I was working with so many neurodivergent individuals who were doing their best, but the systems they were navigating just weren’t built with them in mind. Read more>>

Marcus Wilson

Well for starters, I love to cook. Cooking has been my passion since I was a child and it was something that I always knew I wanted to pursue. Once I started my career in IT, I knew that something was missing, so I decided to pursue photography. In that time I became a talented and seasoned photographer but something still was missing. It was food, my calling, so I decided to combine the two passions and teach people how to cook through engaging visuals and approachable cooking techniques. Food and cooking was something that I was born to do and I always had a burning desire to become an established, well trained and versitale cook. Read more>>

Greg Payne

I came up with the idea for The Cool Grandpa Podcast when I became a grandfather. I was browsing through popular media, including books and magazines. I found a wealth of information geared explicitly towards grandmothers or grandparenting, which was primarily focused on the needs of grandmothers. I was also seeing a lot of material about grandfathers that portrayed us as villains or the butts of jokes, which is okay, but that seemed to be the majority of what was available. Read more>>

Viviana Rouco

I have been drawing since the age of 11 participating and winning art contests throughout my childhood. I kind of knew I was always going to be in the world of the arts.

I graduated from the Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale in 1996. After I worked briefly at an advertising agency I found myself working in the music industry at Alliance Entertainment Corp., designing magazines, ads, and swag for record labels. It was a great introduction to the design field, as I had the opportunity to collaborate with record labels creating themed catalogues for Blue Note Jazz, Elektra Records and Virgin Associated Labels. I had the opportunity to meet emerging artists of that time like Britney Spears, when her first single Baby Hit Me One More Time had just been released. Read more>>

Amber Williams

ScentsXchange was born out of a deeply personal need—and a desire to create space for intentional self-care in a way that felt elevated, affirming, and sustainable. I’ve always believed that scent has power. It can transform a mood, shift the energy in a space, and reconnect you with yourself. But during a particularly overwhelming chapter in my life—juggling career, motherhood, and the weight of everyday stress—I realized I was burning out while helping everyone else stay lit. Read more>>

Karyn Elle

I was sitting on my couch one night, laptop open, heart full but hands still. I had all this talent — all this energy — and I knew I wasn’t using it. Not the way I was supposed to. Not in a way that felt like purpose. I was juggling life: being a mom, a grandma, a woman who had been through fire and still showed up glowing. But something in me kept whispering, louder and louder: This isn’t all there is. Read more>>

Valerie Block

In 2017, I was teaching first grade at our local Elementary School, in the fall my husband and I welcomed our first child. As our child grew I began dreaming of a place where we could go to imagine, create, spend meaningful time together while also meeting other parents and their children. In my searches the closest indoor facility was 45 minutes away. While I was used to traveling to and from Columbus and Centerville to visit our families I didn’t love doing it all the time to “have fun”. That was when I started asking friends and others in the Springfield community if it would be something they could see their families frequenting. Read more>>

Kelly Scott

I have always loved all things arts and crafts — my first email was [email protected] HA! I asked for any kind of craft kit that could exist for every birthday. I have also loved all things mail and letter writing. When I went to college, I got all my friends addresses and wrote snail mail back and forth while we were apart. So, in 2020 I put the two together and started Kelly Scott Design Co. – my greeting card business. The idea behind it is that each card brings joy. Joy for the shopper who is thinking of all the people in their lives that would be perfect for each card. Joy as you fill the card with words of love and affirmation. And joy for the recipient of the card as they have a tangible reminder that they’re loved and seen. I mean who doesn’t love receiving a physical card?! Read more>>

Thaddeus Foley

GleamWorks was born out of a simple frustration: I wanted the detailing experience to feel better — smoother, more satisfying, more elevated. I kept noticing the little things that were missing, like towels that actually smelled good or products that felt as premium as they looked. Nobody seemed to care about the vibe, the craftsmanship, or the sensory details that make the work feel worth doing. So I leaned in, studied what detailers really value and where the industry came up short. GleamWorks became my answer — not just a business, but a mindset. It’s about bringing creativity to the routine, making people pause and say, “Okay, this is different.” And that difference? That’s what got me fired up. Read more>>