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.

Alyssa Johnson, Esq.

My work really evolved as I did my inner work. In 2013, I quit my job in DC and started addressing childhood trauma. Prior to that point, I had practiced law and worked in corporate America. When I left DC, I swore off law and lawyers forever because I was disenchanted with the legal profession and its heavy emphasis on profits over people. Read more>>

Loren AAVERI Allison

authenticAAVERIagency began as a one-person operation. At the time, I — Loren AAVERI Allison — was an undergraduate student at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. During my junior year, I changed my major from Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Spanish to a Bachelor’s of Science in Integrated Marketing Communication. Throughout her time at Winthrop University, I was active in various college organizations, both as a member and in leadership positions. I later realized how much of an impact these organizations had on my career path. Read more>>

Zachariah Lux

The context is that I’m a self-taught-university-dropout engineer. I’m naturally curious, empathetic, eager to help, and generally combine a designer’s approach with a systems perspective. I’ve both freelanced and led teams at a variety of tech companies. With that in mind, the idea for NDSTRY came mainly from observing how my wife operates in her role(s) in the fashion industry. Rebecca is a freelance wardrobe stylist with additional experience modeling and creative directing. She taught me what it takes to survive in that world. Over time I built an understanding of the various patterns to her work-life both on and off project. Read more>>

Sarah Waslohn

I became a Pilates Instructor just after graduating from college in 2010 with a BA in Dance. The first day of the dance program, we were all told to find an additional career to support our dance career, because there was (and is) no money in dance. Several other graduates had gone into Pilates as a career, so I decided to follow that path as well. I never envisioned myself owning a Pilates studio, but I with each studio I worked for, I took note of how each studio was run and what I might do differently if I were the owner. It took nearly 10 years and just as many studios to feel passionately about opening my own. Read more>>

Temi Alebiosu

. ST Essentials was founded by both Sheena and Temi. We founded the brand in Cuba specifically in Havana. This was truly an inspirational trip which influenced the birth of ST Essentials and the ethos behind it . To start off our ethos is we are a judgement free makeup formulated for underrepresented babes to feel seen and essential. This ethos came about on our trip in Cuba as we truly were inspired by the Afro Latina women who through the adversities, feeling alienated , not accepted or understood they stood boldly and confidently through their express and colourful aesthetic, Read more>>

Samantha Willis

The idea to create and come up with a fun activities children’s book geared towards autism stemmed from me one day looking at my daughter, who at the time was three and a half years old, and wondering to myself how I was going to explain to her, and her inquisitive self, about her brother being autistic and what autism is. I worried as a mother because I feared I wasn’t going to be able to explain thoroughly what the disability consists of in a way that she would understand in a non-medical and technical way. Read more>>

Kim Mason

Women Cultivating Greatness (WCG) is a non-profit organization in the Houston, Texas area. Our organization addresses the needs of brilliant women who learn differently by offering classes, tools, and techniques that minimize barriers to economic, emotional, and educational success, improving the overall quality of life. We seek to increase awareness and advocacy for adult women with learning challenges, such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Read more>>

Tamara Smith

In March of 2020, I was just on the other side of my second layoff in less than 90 days — the most recent, the result of COVID. At the same time, my 86-year-old Dad was hospitalized for what should have been a fairly straightforward outpatient procedure. So with no job, no prospects and in the middle of a global pandemic, I relocated from Dallas, TX, back to my childhood home of Jackson, MS, to support my Dad’s care and figure out what was next. Read more>>

Gerry Signer

Well it all started during Covid. I was given a sewing machine years ago and never had the time to use it. So one day I decided to take it out and teach myself how to sew as I really wanted to make a dog beg for my lovely rescue dogs, Ginger and Coco. I have has this idea in my head for months. I wanted to create a dog bed that looked great with my decor, that was practical and easy to clean. Read more>>

Taccara McDaniel

I came up with the idea of for my business after letting a co worker try some of candied pecans I made. My co worker left and came back with seven orders asking me for a price and when I could have the candied pecans ready by. I was caught off guard because it was definitely unexpected but I gave her a price and a turn around date and that is how the idea of Pecan Tan Sweet Pecans and More, LLC got started. Read more>>

Basiliso Moreno

I was a already a licensed Zumba instructor in 2018. After my mom passed away from Covid during the start of the pandemic in 2020, I began writing what would become my poetry book, Triumph Through Pain: How to Maximize Your Full Potential During Hard Times. I saw many of my fellow social workers still providing services despite risking their lives. However I asked myself Who was there for us? I decided to use Zumba and poetry together and created BasCity Entertainment LLC in October 2020. Read more>>

Nikki Hunt

Well I wouldn’t say I came up with the idea of opening childcare centers, it was more so a God dream. I was content working as a childcare teacher and after graduating from SFA I knew I still wanted to work with children but behind the scenes so I thought… a few years passed and it hit me while I was driving one day that I needed to open a childcare center. Read more>>

Cyntha Duran

I’m originally from South Central Los Angeles and I was fortunate enough to get out of the “Hood” and get a good job that would relocate me to different cities. When I would move to a different city, it was hard for me to find Salvadorian food. For me Salvadorian food is my comfort food, since that is what I grew up eating. I would flyback home to LA to visit my mom, she would always make sure she packed me pupusas or tamales for my flight back. Read more>>

Stacy Spizuoco

I was born an identical twin. My mother fed us at the same time, bathed us and put us to sleep at the same time. We grew up playing together, sharing friends, studying together and playing sports together. We even ended up going to college together. After college I decided to go to dental school and she decided to go to medical school. While in dental school, I really enjoyed doing cosmetic cases. At the same time my twin decided to specialize in dermatology. Read more>>

Nahima Ortega

Houston 5 O’clock was made to create a community. A way to try something new or go with what you are used to. To hang out with friends or make new ones. There is something here for everyone! So, don’t miss out, follow me on Instagram: @Houston5oclock Read more>>

Layla Sewell

I have always been a proponent of supporting Black businesses to decrease the Black wealth gap. Many times I was frustrated with limited options to support Black brands in person. It would take a long time to get my products or it was not what I expected. I wanted to be able to shop these brands in person. In my search of Black businesses to support, I found that there are plenty of Black brands that make everyday products – but they were only online or out of state. Read more>>

Emoni Davis

As a young woman, I always been fascinated by the idea of personal growth and development. I loved nothing more than helping people to reach their full potential and to become the best versions of themselves. Throughout my life, I had always been the go-to person for advice, with people turning to me for guidance on all kinds of issues. Read more>>

Sheila Dedenbach

In a state where cannabis has become a flourishing industry, one brand has emerged to redefine the concept of cannabis-infused edibles. Heavenly Sweet, a trailblazing brand in the California cannabis market since 2008, has captivated the hearts and taste buds of cannabis enthusiasts with their exquisite creations. We will explore the journey of Heavenly Sweet and how they revolutionized the world of cannabis-infused treats. Read more>>

Madelaine Anderson

The idea for Talus Films was born out of our work within the independent film scene in Chicago, IL. I had been living a “double life” for many years – working a 9 to 5 in project management and pursuing film/theatre on evenings and weekends. Burnout is real, and I got to a point where this was no longer sustainable. Read more>>

Cazzy Zahursky

My creative business idea of becoming an author and illustrator more or less came knocking on my door. I was already dabbling with writing stories and drawing as a hobby. I was writing children’s picture books for the children of friends out of a genuine passion and an inherent love for the process itself. It wasn’t until others suggested I go the full nine yards and turn this hobby into a business. Bringing my passion to the next level felt very natural. Read more>>

Kia Parchment

From a young age, I was taught that image is crucial – it’s the first thing people see and the foundation of a lasting first impression. As I entered the workforce in 2014, I became very aware of the importance of appearance, from my hairstyle to my nails. I was always captivated by women who wore long, pointy stiletto nails, and I wanted to emulate that look. Read more>>

Leah Eber

I am a new author of the book, “Chocolate Affirmations”. I was in a place where there so were so many things I wanted to say but I was keeping inside. My book started as a personal journal and turned into a poetry book. At first I wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted to publish it for the world to see. It was my mom who encouraged me to share my thoughts with the world. My mindset was if I am thinking and feeling these thoughts as a black woman, I can’t be alone in my experiences. Read more>>

Diedre Curry

When I first started my journey I started as a makeup artist. My goal was to enhance the beauty that was already there. God had a bigger plan for me my passion in make up lead me to become a producer. Same mission but bigger. I was scared because I didn’t see myself doing anything else outside of makeup and the more I tried to run from it the more it kept showing up. With tv this allow me to give women a voice to be heard and seen through the power of their story. Read more>>

Dina Foglio

In 2008 I started a cake decorating business out of my home when my kids were very young. I wanted to put my hands to work because I was missing being creative and I wanted extra cash. That soon took off into a full fledged business and customers were raving about my cakes and asking for the recipe. Being creative and needing an outlet, I decided to start my own baking blog. Blogs were just starting to gain some traction and anyone who loved what they did shared it to the world via a blog. Read more>>

Yifan Li

Tell us the story of how you came up with the idea for your creative services business? Paint the picture for us so we really understand the context, circumstances, the emotions etc. Walk us through how you knew this was a worthwhile endeavor – talk to us about the logic of why you felt you could succeed? Read more>>

Susie Kirch

A year or so before retiring from my ‘real job’ as a legal secretary, I started to worry that retirement would bore me to tears, or that being together 24/7 with my spouse of 40+ years would send us into counseling! I’ve always done crafts and years ago I did craft fairs selling Cabbage Patch clothes (I still have 9 CPK living with me and they have extensive wardrobes, lol!). Something involving sewing or crafts seemed doable . . . then I saw an apron made from a Cindy Taylor Oates pattern and thought, ‘That’s it!” I love aprons. Aprons were making a comeback. Aprons are fun to make. Retro was the word of the day. It all seemed to fit. Read more>>

 

Jamar Dunnigan

I graduated from FIT in 2009 with a Degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications. Around this time the economy had just crashed, so it was very hard to find a job in corporate America. For years I tried, but I was competing in an oversaturated market fill or more educated one w/ Masters and 2nd Degrees. Read more>>

Larry Chambliss

I started as a fashion stylist in 2016 but I have always loved fashion I used to style my friends in high school for birthdays and proms and parties ! in 2016 I though being a stylist was my way in to fashion , I work along side a celebrity stylist name sigourney she worked withs sky from black ink and few others . I was her assistant for a few gigs, while using instagram to put together collage of outfits . I shortly realized that being a stylist wasn’t for me but I still love fashion and wanted to be apart of the community . Read more>>

Dra. Dórily Esquilin

Dr. Dórily Esquilin and Dr. Alexander Rúa are the CEOs of DLC Consultants Inc, a nonprofit organization that focuses on educating, mentoring, and coaching married couples. Our main goal is to provide married couples and those getting married with information, tools, and resources to ensure their individual and personal stability as well as their marital and relational growth using biblical principles. Read more>>

Ana Hoffman

I began making candles for my personal pagan practice. I took things I learned from my grandmother with her folk magick base and the things she taught me about sigil crafting and candle making and began to focus on putting as much intention in those creations. I wanted to create a candle that would basically be an all in one spell candle. Read more>>

Barb Sanchez

I created Barb’s Book Buddies as a YouTube channel to give parents a positive option in the digital age and independent authors an opportunity to share their stories. I recognized that many talented children’s book authors who published independently or through small publishing houses struggled to get their books in kids’ hands. Over the past two years, Barb’s Book Buddies has grown into a platform for children’s book advocacy that has allowed me to speak, present, and make YouTube videos about children’s literature. Read more>>

Marcia Passos

My name is Marcia Passos … I’m Brazilian-born, US-raised, living in New England, and the creator of Geo-Graphic Gems. Folks in my region of New Hampshire may know me as editor and publisher of regional magazines (Monadnock Table, The Business Journal , The Heart of New England & atHome Magazines). I not only love to produce new magazines, but I also love to collect vintage National Geographic magazines. Read more>>

Ceaira Jessamy

There’s nothing like pressure to create diamonds from coal, and bleak situations into opportunities. When Covid snuck up on us, it hit a lot of lives hard. As someone working in an international school back then, the pandemic forced me to switch gears when my school closed. With the doom and gloom that the news focused on, it was difficult to stay positive at times. It felt like I was becoming more and more desensitized until I was merely existing, but not truly living. Read more>>

Kaylee Tellez

I have a deep appreciation of Earth and all plant life. The energy the Earth and plants carry and the healing that comes from them is something I believe is essential in the human experience. Self care is something very important to me. It helps me relax, and slow down. It brings me peace and tranquility. I longed for a connection to nature, in a way that can coexist with the hectic day to day of the world we live in. Read more>>

Shekira Farrell

My son, Jaiden, is my inspiration for starting Jai At Play. He was diagnosed with Autism in 2014 when he was about 2 1/2 years old. At that time, there were lists of things his pediatrician and therapists said he may never do, but I refused to let them have a final say over his life. His diagnosis lit a fire under me to support, protect, empower, and defend him in a world that wanted to limit and judge him without knowing him or giving him a chance, Read more>>

De’Shawn “Sho Tyme” Watkins

It’s was August 31st 2019 and I have been dealing with overcoming my depression and anxiety I had my first comedy show in 3years in my backyard. I wrote an hour special in 2 months. I had to get in touch with my inner child, and find out what made lil Shawn happy and I just saw all the wrestling matches like Shawn, Michaels versus cycle, said justice birthday, hitman, hart, versus Mr. perfect, the ultimate warrior versus hulk hogan things. Read more>>