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.
Betsy Tiano
I come from a big Italian family with our roots in New York. When the pandemic started I was a stay at home mom to three kids- a two year old and four month old twins. Traveling home to NY was out of the question due to the pandemic and my heart ached so much for my loving family. In July of 2020, shortly after my sister Christina moved to Columbus I decided to make a batch of Italian Rainbow Cookies. Italian Rainbow Cookies were a Christmas staple every year that we devoured in my Grandma Angela home. In our family food is love and these cookies said “love” ten times over! Read more>>
KRISTIN L KAHLE
While I was consulting and working on my doctorate, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) passed. Being the overachieving, insurance nerd that I am, I decided to read the ACA myself. I actually printed out the gazillion and two pages of the Act and curled up with it for a week. When I read it through the first time, I thought, Oh my gosh, employers have no idea what’s coming down the pipeline for them. McDonald’s hired me to do a feasibility study for a glimpse into how the ACA would affect their franchise owners, which ultimately led to my Ph.D dissertation on compliance complexities that employers face under the ACA. Read more>>
Marissa Lisky
I decided to get my real estate license years ago because I was in a very bad relationship that I needed to get myself and kids out of and step one was to get a solid financial plan. Once I did get licensed I didnt have the support or network most new agents do. I tried many different mom groups and networking groups but didnt really fit into any of them. Read more>>
Gabrielle Wyatt
At a young age, I led structural change in New York City Public Schools and Newark Public Schools—some of the largest school districts in this country. I was focused on ensuring that the brilliance of every Black child was nurtured and actualized so they could have multi-generational opportunity.
I was eager, excited and focused, but I was growing increasingly burned out. As a young leader, I hadn’t yet understood nor explored the ways to personally sustain myself, and my well-being. Read more>>
Brittany Thomas
I have always been passionate about the arts ever since I was a little girl. I have taken different artistry classes and done several DIY projects in my free time. Placing my creative interest aside, I attended college at Clarkson College and graduated with my degree in Healthcare Business. After several years of being an oncology abstractor I gave birth to two handsome twin boys. Read more>>
Daejah Ashley Johnson
As a high school student, I played an active role in my community. I was the leader of different clubs within the student body. This awarded me the opportunity to connect with my younger peers. Through hosting and spreading the word about upcoming school events, I became well-known among students in elementary and middle school. I used my platform to make students feel seen and heard and did my best to provide a positive outlet for students to express themselves. For example, as head of an organization called Student Christian Movement, I helped students grow in community with one another as they sought strength, comfort, and guidance in dealing with their home and school life. Read more>>
Ryan Wimmer
We had a vision to be able to help families break out of the financial stress most find themselves in. My wife and I have four children, and were working regular w2 jobs and rarely had any time or money to enjoy life with our little kids. We came across the insurance industry and quickly realized the endless opportunities to help the community and to build wealth in the process. Our company is a faith based company with a mission to help teach others how to become financially free through the insurance industry as sales reps and team leaders. Read more>>
ShakeriaJae Linin
ShakeriaJae Artistry was founded in 2018. I’ve always had a vision, love and passion to spread true confidence and happiness through the beauty and fashion community. For me, it’s ministry. I have realized throughout the years that yes, I am a makeup artist but my way of ministering to people is having that conversation while receiving a service. That conversation starts once you walk through the door. What does that conversation look like? Real and authentic. The mission here at ShakeriaJae Artistry is to Reveal, Revamp and Renew! Words from ShakeriaJae: “My prayer is that every person that I lay hands on has a spiritual encounter.” Read more>>
Riccardo Guerrieri
I used to be a wine buyer and general manager for some years in a successfull wine bar and shop, located in a different part of Houston. I was doing everything from the creation of the wine list to the relationships with customers. At that moment i decided i couldn’t be forever the one man show for something it was not mine. So i created a business plan and I invested my own money and I started to pitch investors in order to create a team to build a new wine bar, shop and bistro. Read more>>
Jasmine Mims
“CraftinWithMimz”, started in Huntsville, Alabama in 2016. At the time I was a full time Graduate student at The Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. I worked as Kindergarten Instructional Aide, while completing my Masters Degree. I began my business by creating picture frames for birthday parties and customized baskets. My first customer was my best friends mom, she asked if I create a basket for my best friends graduation. Read more>>
Cindy Williams
So, I’m a 5th Generation Texan – and more than that – its in my blood and an integral part of who I am. Texas is a state of mind that is shared by the different cultures and regions of our state. I realized that as we are growing as a state, so many Texans didn’t realize the diversity of the cultures that settled Texas and the regions that are affected by location, climate, and thought processes. Read more>>
Uzochi Kosisochukwu Duru
LydiaRose’s Initiatory initial solution was alternative generation of electricity from palm oil mills connected to grids for communities as is present in Malaysia and Indonesia . The initial idea for LRI came to me because of the local palm oil mills ‘Igwe Nkwu’ in my village Umukara located in Uzinomi Autonomous Community, Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area, Imo State Nigeria. Unfortunately, reality hit me terribly and it dawned on me I had to change course. Read more>>
Maria Esi Antwi Koah
This whole idea started when I completed junior high and Senior high school. After every vacation, I sell indomine in front of my mother’s house. I was doing this until my mom started a rental business and I was managing the place until I got admission to study Geography at the University of Education, Winneba. I met two wonderful roommates and I will say they made my entrepreneurial spirit spark. Read more>>
Judner Vildor
As kid growing up by watching a lot of films and shows. Id always wanted to know certain contents and effects how the was created, and that’s how I get inspired to become a producer to the film industry. I really started to learn all this back in 2008, after I graduated from high school, after I made that decision to go learn video production my parents didn’t like that for me, as a Caribbean kid I guess they wanted me to become something more higher with class I guess. Read more>>
Shadab Tajwar
When I first got into photography, I was just a freshman in high school. I had been in numerous photo clubs and as well the Student Media Team, so starting a photography business was pretty natural. Read more>>
Nolwenn Richard
I am French (originally from Brittany, I lived for many years in Paris and Biarritz). I am a former Marketing Director for beauty and lifestyle brands and I have always naturally gravitated to flowers, fashion, and home décor. I moved to California with my husband and our 2 young children 5 years ago on a job assignment. When I moved to California, I could not find the floral aesthetics and experiences I loved so much in France, an organic, garden style, perfectly imperfect je ne sais quoi. Read more>>
Kristine Mannino
The idea of Byrdie Bar was really birthed in the middle of Covid. I had just moved back to Michigan in 2019 after being in New York City for about nine years and I had taken a job bartending downtown in Detroit at Punchbowl Social. When Covid hit, our entire staff got laid off, and soon enough the bar filed for bankruptcy. It was the first time in my life I had been without a job and honestly I was so scared of what to do next. It also was the first time in a long time that I had so much time off, so I started looking into van conversions to travel in and went out to Colorado to visit a friend. Read more>>
Lyanne Alfaro
I grew up in Chicago, in a working class Latino neighborhood and saw hustle and business owners everywhere. But I also saw us absent from the national headlines when I worked in these newsrooms. A few years ago, it was just an idea to create a solution: I came to the conclusion that we would have to change this narrative by leading with intention. I chose to write about Latino contributions to the American economy and created a media platform to talk all about it: Moneda Moves. I also now work with C-suites on media preparedness and helping craft their stories. Read more>>
Emily Anderson
All Bodies Welcome Yoga is a virtual yoga studio that offers group classes, private instruction, and on demand videos. ABWY centers the experiences of larger bodied folks, like myself, and also folks with chronic pain, illnesses, or fatigue, folks with limited mobility, and folks who don’t feel comfortable in traditional fitness spaces. Read more>>
Kristina Burkey
I have always wanted to have a stationery shop, for as long as I can remember. At the time there were almost no paper shops in Massachusetts and I wanted a shop that was ONLY paper and stationery. I knew there was a need and a want for one and I wanted to be the one to provide it. Read more>>
Jamie Chapman
The heart behind Chickbook Creative comes from my life experience of a family with neurodiversity and my career in running small to mid-size businesses for others. I have spent 25 years running male-owned entrepreneurial endeavors. During the pandemic, I took a step back to reevaluate my core values, intention, and values. This is where my own entrepreneurial journey began. Read more>>
Jennifer Liao
Like a lot of parents during the pandemic, I was looking for ways to explore with my kids! I would look on Google Maps for green spaces and then go check them out. I started sharing our playgrounds and parks on Instagram and lots of people were interested! Before the pandemic, I had a blog about family travel and really thought I wouldn’t post anymore since we were not allowed to travel. It dawned on me after a few months that we can travel in our own backyard of the DC area! Read more>>
Lisa Druxman
I was a new mom on a stroller walk with my son Jacob. I literally had one of those light bulb moments. As a fitness professional, I could help moms get back in shape after having a baby. And they could help me with all the questions I had about motherhood. I wasn’t looking to start a business. I was looking to create a community. And that’s how Stroller Strides was born. Stroller Strides is a full body workout that moms do with babies in the stroller. But it’s more than just fitness. Read more>>
Amelia Scott
In early 2021 While undertaking virtual classes at Parsons School of Design, my grandmother taught me how to knit by the pool in the middle of an Australian summer. I took to knitting like a duck to water. Within weeks, I had knitted an entire collection of sweater vests and knew I would never wear them all in a subtropical summer so I decided to post them to my Instagram to see if they sold. Much to my surprise the first piece sold in under a minute, and thus Amelia Designs was born. Read more>>
April Axé Charmaine
Our flagship program, The Embodied Revolution, came to me at the Youth on Fire Leadership Camp with my mentor, Melissa Michaels where I was trained in leading embodied rites of passage programs. I have spent the last 5 years channeling the vessel for this vision which originally came to me in 2018. I have been on a mission to hold spaces of movement and healing that allow truth, safety, and free expression that allow us to say something, feel something, be something and do something to change ourselves and the world with our bodies. Read more>>
Cori Saulsberry
I have always had a love for all things beauty, whether it was hair, makeup, or fashion since a young age. I was able to nurture my love and talent by working in the beauty industry for over 20 years as a licensed cosmetologist. My passion allowed me to build relationships with my clientele where I encouraged them to love who they are naturally. Read more>>
Josalyn Mayfield
In 2017 I was living in New York City and working in finance at a prominent wealth investment company. The money was great, but my days were horrible. I felt stuck. I was miserable everyday walking in the office feeling unfulfilled. In Q4 I made a goal to leave the company in 2018 Q1. Fast forward to March 1, 2018, my last day at that job – and I remember it being one of the freest feelings I’ve ever experienced. Read more>>
Jared Holloway
I have spent the majority of my life in my hometown, Mobile, AL. I was born in Dallas, TX, but Mobile is my home. I have always felt a deep connection to the place that raised me. A couple years after moving to Mobile, I was introduced to football. Outside of my faith and family, football quickly became the center of my life. At a very young age, I expressed extreme amounts of dedication, discipline, and hard work because I wanted to be the very best at what I so profoundly found my identity in. My love and dedication to football opened many doors for me that I don’t feel like I would have had access to, otherwise. Read more>>
Lucy Almeida
Throughout my career I’ve been blessed to have been able to tap into my passions which are beauty & fashion. In 2015 I was knee deep into my spiritual journey and looking for ways to be of service to others. One day I was sipping my favorite Yogi Green Tea and reading the life affirmation message on the tag. It was such a sweet message that I thought how great would it be if more products had positive messages for their customers (especially beauty products) . That is when the idea formed of merging my passion of beauty with service. This is when Self Love Cosmetics was born. It later launched in 2017. Read more>>
Randy Garber
Hair Rescue Salon was created out of 2 things. My entire career was always fixing work from bad home jobs, to not being heard at another salon so not getting the desired end goal. So Hair Rescue was a no brainer. 6 years ago, a puppy mill was shut down and they needed to home a lot of dogs. A friend at the time decided it was a good idea to take in one. Now , I have always been a huge animal activist. Read more>>
LA Math Tutoring
LA Math Tutoring was created with the aim of providing personalized, one-on-one tutoring that caters to the unique learning needs of individual students. The company’s expert tutors specialize in test preparation and academic support for students of all ages, grades, and levels. Their flexible and convenient tutoring services offer the option for private tutors to travel to students’ homes, meet them online through their digital whiteboard system, or even meet them at a local cafe or public library. Read more>>
Julia “Jewelz” Amponsah-Gilder
To be honest, I always had aspirations of creating something that would unite people, but I never thought this would be the direction of the movement. My parents were entrepreneurs, so it was only inevitable that I would follow in their footsteps. The question was … What would that path look like and how would I get there? Read more>>
Julius Adame
Rock my Soul is all about connecting souls through music. I came up with Rock My Soul Records from going to pop up markets as a customer & I wanted to create a space where clients can come out to experience music through listening to records, exchanging knowledge & buying vinyl. Read more>>
Monica Markham
Like many people, I found myself exploring new hobbies during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Art has always been a good stress relief for me, whether that be painting or beading, so I knew I wanted to do something creative. With that in mind, I combined my passion for jewelry and healing crystals into designing unique pieces for myself. I didn’t necessarily go into it expecting to make a business out of it, but when I first shared my original pieces on social media, the reaction was overwhelming! Read more>>
Ricky Raschillo
I had a James Beard Foundation Member Restaurant in Chicago and me and my team were sitting around one day talking about a food truck so I bought one. A couple weeks later it was ready so we took it out and were slammed and got crushed. I thought of selling the next day. Instead we regrouped figured out a plan and treated it like any line in a restaurant and went out again and it was an instant success. I then turned it into a brick and mortar in Chicago and then here we are now in SCOTTSDALE with plans of at least 4 more. Read more>>
Travis and Peggy Winkley
The idea for the business originated 6 years ago after our father/ husband passed away. With the large cost of upkeeping a 15-acre estate with an 18th century 5000 square foot farmhouse we were forced to consider options for its use. Last on our list was selling the property as our family had lived here for almost 40 years accumulating many memories with many sentimental attachments. The property was purchased in 1985 and had previously been a working farm but at the time of the purchase only contained hay fields. Read more>>
LaTia Holley
My business came to me by accident. I have been on a personal health and wellness journey since 2008, due to my own issues with physical and mental health. I struggled to feel good in my body and was constantly feeling ill with various ailments. I slowly started eliminating things from my diet, incorporating holistic health practices such as meditation, breath work and healthy eating among other things. Fast forward to 2017, I moved back home to Connecticut after the passing of my father. Read more>>
Benjiman Horn
The idea of the business was a culmination of events over several years. My educational background is in natural resource management and I have been an environmental advocate for as long as I can remember. While chasing a career in the biology world, I always had a part time job working in bars or restaurants. During this journey, I met my future wife, Ava, and started a garden. With news of a baby and Ava’s new career as a RN, we decided I would be a home daddy. Read more>>
Anj Blanchard-Carter
We turned a need into a hobby then a hobby into a business by needing loc maintenance for our own hair. My husband, Antonio FreshLocs Carter, and I maintained each other’s hair for years before it became a business. Read more>>
Dr. Zakiya Renae
Imagine having a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, being a dissertation away from having a Doctorate of Education in Leadership Studies with a focus in Organizational Development & Management and Adult Learning, having written and published three books, worked for several nonprofits as a Program Coordinator and a Program Director and being in-between jobs, tirelessly submitting application after application after application, having interview after interview and being told, “We decided to go in a different direction…” Read more>>
Shayla Hilton
I began my teaching career in 2007 and remained in the classroom for five years. During that time, I realized that it was time to step into a leadership role, so I left the classroom and started supporting other teachers in a curriculum role. After a few years, I started to feel the urge to branch out and try something new. I started working in a church and around that same time felt led to learn more about entrepreneurship. Read more>>
Leonora Shell
I certainly can’t take all of the credit. Essential Montessori has always been a joint effort between my husband, J.J. and myself, although I’ve taken over full time as of November 2019. I always knew I wanted to raise my children using the Montessori method from birth after learning about Maria Montessori in graduate school. Of all the early childhood educational philosophers, her method of following the child and preparing the environment made the most sense to me. Read more>>
Virginia Frischkorn
I want to change the world for the better one party at a time. Yes, a cliche statement indeed… but, it’s the core of Partytrick. There is more disconnectedness and feelings of lack of belonging in the world right now than ever… despite more social and community building apps than ever before. In-person community, in-person connection, and in-person experiences are needed to change this. Read more>>
Paul Preston
Years ago, I realized that I’ve been under-appreciating the mecca for movie locations that is Los Angeles, and that had to change! I’ve always known that L.A. is a big movie set. It got to where directions started being given in movie sets. ‘You wanna get to the mall? Sure, you go down Santa Monica Blvd. ’til you get to that building Riggs jumped off in Lethal Weapon, then turn left just past the burger joint from Real Genius. Go all the way down to Nakatomi Plaza and the mall’s just past that.’” Read more>>