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.

Emily Karrer

As a life long artist, I was excited to try a new technique of silk screen printing, where I could translate my art into fashion. As I started up-cycling clothing, unknowingly how important the production choice to up-cycle was, I came across documentaries about the devastating effects of the fast fashion industry. My passion was sparked to create an alternative to this detrimental industry, by sustainable AND ethical clothing. Read more>>

Anne Kay

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to “start” or “create” something of my own. For at least 10 years or more, I have talked about owning a bakery some day, but could never envision owning a brick and mortar and keeping another set of lights on. Then 2020 hit, and in addition to the incredible hardships that year brought, I had a very unexpected loss – my Dad died on December 8th and his death was the type of shock no one could prepare your for. Read more>>

Kelley Bowen

The Brand Set is a full-service branding collective founded by Rachel Katz and Kelley Bowen offering approachable and transparent brand development, marketing strategy, and consulting for businesses and entrepreneurs. Rachel Katz is a marketing strategist who specializes in helping individuals, teams, and companies identify and implement smarter brand, marketing, and communications efforts. Read more>>

Johneri’O Scott

I came up with my show Let’s Talk with Johneri’O Scott Talk Show & Blog because I didn’t want to wait for anyone. I knew I had what it took to be an successful host, media correspondent and blogger. I graduated with my degrees in Communications, Creative Writing, and PR, so getting myself out there and doing the work wasn’t hard. What was hard was getting people to see me, see my talent, see what I had to give. Read more>>

Tyshawn Miles

So when I decided to start on this venture it was as a result of being unsatisfied with the traditional workforce. After getting out of the military where I served for 10 years and going into the local workforce, I really wanted to do something that I was passionate about and could see myself doing longterm. Read more>>

Tiffany Willis

I owe the beginning stages of business to a dear friend of mine. I had been making body butters and lotion bars for personal use for years. One year, my friend’s birthday was coming up and I was low on cash. I decided to make her a couple of lotion bars and some body butter. A month later, she calls me and says “that soap you gave me was amazing!” Confused, I asked her “what soap?” She replies, “the soap you gave me for my birthday. Read more>>

Nader Safinya

I began my career as a junior graphic designer when I was 23 and ever since, I had a vision of running my own design shop. When that would come to pass was never set in stone—it was merely decided that when the time was right it would happen. Fast forward 10 years and I was in a street car in Munich passing a tattoo parlor called “Black Rabbit.” However, I glanced at the sign so quickly that I misread it as “Black Ribbit”. Read more>>

Emily Wriston

Luxe PR Agency was a concept of mine back in 2016. I had just graduated from college in 2015 and was struggling to find a job in public relations. In order to pursue my lifelong dream of working in PR, I knew I had to start my own agency. I knew I had to differentiate my agency from others in order for us to be successful and attract unique clients. There was one aspect of the public relations industry that really stood out to me, and that was Bespoke PR. Read more>>

Braulio Lam

I enjoy the idea of being an electronic producer, because while I’m making music and arranging it, I’m also elaborating a concept. I listen to many different types of music genres that are very diverse and sometimes polarized and with this project, my main focus was the incorporation of these broad ideas in my own musical project. Read more>>

Suzanne Johnson

At the time when I was changing careers due to relocating to San Diego CA as a newly married woman, I had a thriving career in the music industry but in NYC. I was accustomed to managing artists to grow their careers but had not do so for myself in many years. My husband being in the military learned that any military spouse at the time could get complimentary schooling for any industry in need. Read more>>

Lori Shapiro

I would like to quickly share our origin story: ‘Sueños’ is the name Yamile Roldan chose for her farm when she moved to Puerto Quito, Ecuador more than 20 years ago. ‘Sueños’ translates to ‘dreams’ in English, and the dream of Finca Sueños is to grow Ecuador’s finest heirloom cacao varieties in organic agroforestry settings that are regenerative for both environmental and human health. Read more>>

Cole Moulton

The idea of Fxcking Hot Sauces is a long and arduous story but it all comes down to me loving any and all cuisine. I grew up in Southern California, the perfect mecca for being a foodie and the funny thing is, growing up, I was a super picky eater. My parents weren’t really into cooking when I was young and being in Southern California, there was some sort of Mexican joint or a taqueria on every corner so that was always an east go-to. Read more>>

Ashley Tolbert

I wanted to become a needs based business, especially since i was already taking care of my family with all of my services. So my dad was one of the first people who told me to legalize my business “ashley get you a dba and start from there”. I took that piece of advice and started searching and went down to the court house the next week. With my wellness and life insurance business i can honestly say iw as solving a problem nobody else was. Read more>>

Edwin Sandoval

XATRUCHO originates from the last name of a Honduran general who in 1856 defended the newly acquired Honduran independence ( September 15ht, 1821 ). His name was Florencio Xatruch. When stationed in Nicaragua General Xatruch and his troops were regarded as heroes and well received . The Nicaraguan people began to call them Xatruches, Xatrachos and eventually Catrachos. Read more>>

Dini McCullough Amozurrutia

Last October, I made my boyfriend a Key Lime Pie for his birthday. I knew it was his favorite pie and that I wanted to nail it…so I went to my local Latin grocer, stocked up on Mexican limes (how I’d always thought of them growing up), and tweaked a recipe or two. I’m a decent cook, but I never before thought of myself as a baker. But making things for the people you love is very motivational. And, well, he loved the pie. Read more>>

Caitie Ginn

After about a year and a half in and in an increasingly competitive market of vintage and resale, we decided to add a new element to our shop. We wanted to add a little something special that you don’t see everyday. We loved selling items we had sourced and curated because the rush you get when someone loves your creation so much that they are willing to give you their hard earned money. Well, that’s one of the best feelings an artist can have. Read more>>

Katrina Davis

Hello there, I got started with Candle making back in 2018 after being inspired by a fellow chandler. It started out only as a hobby to gain extra income, but I soon felt something inside of me that wanted this to go further. I began to research and educate myself on the different types of candle making that could be done. I honestly wasn’t sure if it would work, and I also had a lot of self doubt within. Read more>>

Jas Y.

For The Barbher Lounge: I used to be a shampoo tech under a very skilled hair stylist. I watched how organized she was as well as how great she was with time management. At the same time, I decided to cut all of my hair off. My barber had a great clientele; however he was the complete opposite of my boss. His business had so much potential, but he needed some structure. Read more>>

Stephanie Franklin

I was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana and raised in Houston, Texas. My love affair with wine started in 2000 and from there my passion grew! Over the years of working in corporate and the non-profit industries, I realized my passion was pulling me towards my purpose. I was challenged by a good friend to do what I love, and those words catapulted me into a new yet seeming familiar world. Read more>>

Shalonda Blake

I’ve always wanted to have my own business. I always wanted to help people and often thought of better ways to complete certain tasks. As a young adult, I started my own home daycare. I cared for children and supported the families of the children I cared for and the community. Later in life, I became a nurse. I loved it because this too, gave me an opportunity to help others. Fast forward, I started having some health issues which caused me to take a lot of time off work. Read more>>

Stephanie Varela

The idea first started by wanting to promote Lgbtq companies in Miami Dade. After a few network events many of our clients requested that we would host events where they could have fun and connect with new individuals. Our goal has always been to give back to the community and find ways through our events to help those in need. Read more>>

Paige Reeves

Menia Paige was inspired by my late grandmother, Whilemenia Gates Reeves. She was such a phenomenal woman in the years I knew her. I got to witness her meek and soft spirit while she was with us. She was such a lady of few words, but always had a nice touch to everything. I didn’t ask many questions while she was here, as I wish a had, instead I just admired her as she was. I watched everything she did. Read more>>

Reginald Benoit

I came up with Studio B Media Group after being let go from my radio job. I seen where radio was going and felt like i had a lot left in the tank so made some calls did some research and created Tru Radio in 2018. Tru Radio is based in Palm Beach County and we play hip-hop rnb reggae and afro beats. The station is here to serve Palm Beach and the world due to the fact that we are an internet based radio station. Read more>>