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.

Réina Mohan

The idea for Mera Sona came from my desire to make life easier for myself and my loved ones while ensuring that we were living a healthy lifestyle. It all started with my two cocker spaniels, Koko and Sazi. I had been making a whole-body support supplement for them for over six years, and I saw firsthand how it helped them thrive in optimal health. Wanting to share this with family and friends, I began selling the supplements in 2021, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Read more>>

Teddy Benson

The Grain Shed was founded by four of us in Spokane, Washington. My brother-in-law, Joel Williamson, and I had been homebrewing since 2010. In 2015, Joel started a malt house in Spokane Valley, Washington called LINC Malt. LINC allowed us something we hadn’t ever experienced before – using locally grown and processed malt to brew beer. It changed everything for us. Read more>>

Janeen Ettienne

I am the Trinidadian daughter of Kathleen Ettienne, who I like to describe as a pioneer because she is a woman of multiple firsts in our family. She is the first born of four, the first to immigrate to this country and the first in our family to graduate from college, successfully obtaining a degree in architecture. My mother’s journey into the world of architecture was one filled with passion, determination, and a desire to break barriers. Despite facing skepticism from some who believed architecture was no place for a “lady”, my mother pursued her dreams with unwavering resolve. Read more>>

Madeline Mackinnon

I grew up in Mexico City and Costa Rica. These places intensely shaped the way I see myself and the world around me. For me, it’s full of texture, beauty, color, and aliveness. When I think about the kind of work I hope to do with my life, I hope it’s infused with those elements – with the texture nature offers, the beauty in my community, the color in the diverse range of places I inhabit, and the aliveness life calls forth. Frida’s Flowers felt like the most brilliant intersection of all of those longings — satisfying my need to be immersed in design and the arts, as well as my hope for a vibrant community. It also has infinite potential for being a lucrative career, which will not only benefit my family and I but will also carry people in my community. I get to design for people’s most important moments, as well as beautify mundane ones. It’s an honor. Read more>>

Shayden Pacarro

Surfing has been my life, something that has always surrounded me and eventually grew into me. That being said, becoming a surf instructor came super naturally to me. It started as a way to fund myself as a professional surfer and help me live my dreams. I was having so much fun seeing the joy and happiness it brought others when we helped them feel and experience something thrilling for the first time. I would leave every surf lesson feeling like a better version of myself, knowing that I could share the thing (surfing) I love most and change a person’s life. Read more>>

Aryana Watson

I came up with the idea for our coffee cart business when I was studying abroad in Australia in 2019. I was by no means a coffee lover until I lived there and was able to experience the heart behind crafting coffee. As a Bible college student studying abroad, cafe’s and small coffee shops were one of the places I spent most of my time. I studied, spent time with God and met with colleagues and friends all while enjoying a tasty cup of joe. The cafe atmosphere held so many beautiful and cherished moments for me. Little did I know that these moments were cultivating a desire in me to create a space for others to experience the same thing. Read more>>

K.b & Bryan Elliott

Frequently, we’re asked about the inspiration behind launching The House of Artem, and we often find it challenging to pinpoint a single defining moment. In truth, it’s the culmination of our life’s journey and experiences. During my childhood, a significant portion of my time was dedicated to immersing myself in art through literature and music. I often found myself lost in the captivating narratives spun by talented storytellers, allowing me to tune out my surroundings and drift away into their worlds. After college, I relocated to NYC, where my career in some of the world’s premier fragrance houses began to flourish. While I admired their dedication to craftsmanship, I couldn’t help but notice a glaring absence. Unlike the culturally rich art forms that had influenced my upbringing, luxury fragrances lacked recognition as an art form in their own right. Read more>>

Shanita Robinson

Humble Hair began without thought or a plan. As a Social Worker of 6 years, I came to a point where I just really hated my schedule. After taking a telephonic position helping active duty service members and their families, I quit after 10 months of doing hair on my off days. Although I had been licensed since graduating high school (2001) I kept hair as a side hustle to get through college. I quickly realized that I would make more money and have my freedom by quitting, so I did just that in 2014. After doubling my $60k salary, I hopped out on passion and stepped into faith. I built a reputation for installing natural looking sew ins. My clientele grew quickly by word of mouth and showcasing my work on Instagram.  Read more>>

Andrea Oyloe

My coaching journey actually began while I was working on my Master’s degree – I took a deep dive into Evidence-Based Coaching and instantly knew this was my calling. I started out focusing on business and leadership coaching, but life had other plans that would add even more depth to my practice. During my studies, my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and I became her primary caregiver. This experience opened my eyes to a real need in the coaching world – supporting caregivers and cancer patients who often struggle to navigate their challenging journeys. Now, I’ve come full circle, bringing this powerful perspective back to my business and executive leadership coaching. Read more>>

Breanne White

I started an MBA program in the fall of 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. With all classes held online throughout the first year, I found myself feeling isolated, engaging with coursework and classmates solely through a screen. I realized that even once we were post-pandemic, a huge amount of work and professional interactions would be online. It made me question how we could foster meaningful connections and build strong relationships when in-person interactions would become increasingly rare. Read more>>

Jeremiah Butout

Spicy Señorita Salsa is more than just a salsa brand; it’s a heartfelt homage to our late mother. She laid the foundation for our authentic fresh taste by her love for entertaining, cooking, and enjoying life’s pleasures such as sipping margaritas on the beaches of Mexico. Our Salsa recipe (born in our mother’s kitchen) reflects her discerning taste and passion for fresh, quality ingredients.  Over the years, we’ve refined and perfected our unique blend, creating a product that embodies the essence of her culinary spirit. Even though our mother is no longer with us, her influence continues to shape Spicy Señorita Salsa. Every jar we produce is a tribute to her memory, a continuation of the warmth and joy she brought to gatherings. We’re confident that she would take pride in what our company has become. So, when you enjoy a jar of Spicy Señorita Salsa, you’re not just savoring a delicious blend of favors; you’re partaking in a legacy of love, family, and the celebration of life inspired by our mother indomitable spirit. Here’s to honoring her with every jar and sharing the joy she so loved to create. Read more>>

Johndrea Slay

The idea for my business, Icing by J. Slay, was born out of a love for baking and a desire to bring joy to people’s lives in a more personal way. Growing up, I always found myself in the kitchen, watching my mom bake cakes. There was something deeply satisfying about seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they tasted something made just for them. The turning point came when I started baking cakes for friends and family—especially for kids. I noticed how much joy those cakes brought to them, and I realized that I could make that joy a part of my everyday life. That’s when the wheels really started turning. I thought, “Why not take this passion and turn it into something bigger, something that could impact more people?” Read more>>

Racheal Gummadi

I began by offering interior design services. I did virtual and local projects. I love design and curating furniture, home decor, etc. However, creatively, I felt that I was at the mercy of my clients. Clients would hire me to do the job but then try to change my ideas frequently. So, I already had my real estate license and started to consider home staging as an alternative to design. I completed another two certifications in staging, purchased about 1 and 1/2 homes worth of furniture, and began marketing myself to local real estate brokerages. I would sponsor team meetings in order to have roughly 5 minutes to present my business. After joining RESA and learning more statistics and background about home staging as an industry, I felt like I was finally falling into my own niche. Read more>>

Hannah Mckitrick

My Intuitive Health is the culmination of my passions. I worked in corporate for a few years after college and soon realized how utterly boring that was! I deeply yearned for more out of this one wild and precious life so I quit that job to follow a dream of mine – culinary school in Italy. It was euphoric. Upon returning back to the States I fell into the corporate trap again. The job I was in was so unfulfilling that I took it upon myself to dive deeper into studying wellness, yoga, self-growth, and holistic nutrition on the side. After putting in my time I quit that job to again follow my dreams overseas to the Academy of Healing Nutrition in London while simultaneously getting my yoga teacher training. Read more>>

Lucy Lee

Starting my business b.ju floral, came from a very unexpected place. After I lost my job during the pandemic, I was feeling a bit lost, but I also saw it as a fresh start. I wanted to do something that would bring joy to others, and I’ve always had a love for flowers. So, I started small—offering flower subscriptions. The idea was simple: deliver fresh, beautiful flowers to people’s homes or offices regularly. I didn’t plan on becoming an event florist at first; it was more about creating moments of happiness with something as simple as flowers. As it grew, I started to realize the demand for something more—something personalized. The excitement really came when I noticed how my clients’ faces lit up when they received their arrangements. It wasn’t just about the flowers, but the emotions they evoked. That’s when I knew I was onto something worthwhile. My approach was about making beauty accessible in everyday life, not just on special occasions.  Read more>>

Henry Gonzalez

The idea for my business came to life after spending years as the owner of a trucking company in the transportation industry. Throughout this time, I faced numerous challenges related to compliance, constantly needing to keep up with changing regulations. It was not only frustrating but also overwhelming. What hit me hardest was the lack of resources—especially practical tools that could help business owners like myself navigate these challenges. Read more>>

Charita Nicole

My brand began as a livelihood. A triumphant story that you could only imagine had very humble beginnings. I started out as a child, performing, singing, dancing, and creating in every form I knew. I believe a person to be closest to their soul purpose around this time. I grew up writing poetry and drawing cartoons as means for comfort and expression. Along with my innate creative nature and as a result of those humble beginnings, I was also nurtured to be of service. To help, care for, and love people. Then, I was granted the opportunity to share my testimony at the age of 16 and realized I had the ability to inspire people. People connected and related with me through my learned experiences… After that moment, the question, “how can I combine all my gifts under one roof?” came to me. That’s when ACreativesLifestyle was birthed. My brand is not something… it’s who I am. And because there are so many caps to wear: artist, writer, painter, storyteller, dancer, model, and few others that I’ve added as I’ve gotten older, I chose not to put a label on myself or my brand. Read more>>

Garrett Ham

The story of how I started Weekender Management began almost by accident. After law school, I began my career in Walmart’s Real Estate Department at its home office in Bentonville, Arkansas. There I developed a real interest in real estate. My personal real estate journey started a few years later, but it wasn’t until I joined the military that the pieces really started falling into place. With each military relocation, I’d buy a home, live in it for a while, and then rent it out when the military moved me to a new location. This process allowed me to accumulate properties over time, leveraging VA loans to build a portfolio. When I finally had enough equity in my properties, I pulled out funds to purchase my first true investment property—one that was purchased solely as an investment rather than as a primary residence. I was living in Connecticut at the time, pursuing graduate studies at Yale University, but I always knew that I wanted to return to Arkansas. While planning for my eventual return, I began searching for investment properties in Northwest Arkansas. However, I quickly realized that the real estate market had become extremely competitive, with housing prices rising rapidly. The long-term rental strategy I had always employed suddenly wasn’t making financial sense anymore because cash flow was becoming difficult to achieve. Read more>>

Roddrell Stewart

My business RTS KINGDOM TRAINING started with a vision from God. The initial vision came in 2013. I however did not start doing it until 2017. I was still living in Louisiana. The thought process is to teach the things I learned from my playing careers to kids to help them develop and be successful in the sport of football. It is and has also been my goal to not only develop each athlete I encounter athletically but mentally, spiritually, psychologically, and overall as a complete human as best as possible. Read more>>

Francisco

This idea came about due to a lack of self esteem and low self confidence growing up related to my personal condition of albinism. My goal with the fitness Consulting Business is to motivate all individuals with any type of impairment or disability that they can achieve their dream body and dream life with fitness and health. Read more>>

Ariel Reyes

The idea for Personal Assistant Star came from my own experiences as an executive. I realized that in order to be successful and continue growing in my career, I needed support to manage the day-to-day tasks that were taking up too much of my time. As I connected with other entrepreneurs and business owners, I noticed they had the same needs. They were struggling to balance the demands of running their businesses while trying to focus on growth and strategy. Read more>>

Gerald Daniels

A lot of us (Unfaded Brass Band) were Hurricane Katrina survivors and we relocated to the DFW area and planted roots here. Different brass bands would come to town from New Orleans and we would go see them. It felt good to see familiar faces and hear that sound again. I hadn’t played a horn or beat a drum for well over 10 years. I was in no shape to play. The idea to start the band came from one of my best friends and business partners, Jermaine Devezin. After realizing that there were a lot of people here from New Orleans who stayed after the hurricane. He came to me about the idea of starting a brass band here in DFW. At first, I was apprehensive because I knew I hadn’t played a horn or beaten a drum in such a long time. He called a meeting with Justina Sylvester, Louis Ford, and myself to explore the option of starting the band. I knew Louis aka Big Lou and Justina aka Jigga from the neighborhood back home. That made it easier, because it was familiar folks and not strangers. We laughed and reminisced about our high school band days. We talked about since there were so many people living here, why not start a band that’s based here and people wouldn’t have to rely on getting bands from back home to come here. We decided to move forward with it. Little did I know that once we started the band, we would grow so quickly. Once people started hearing about us and heard our unique New Orleans sound, the band’s popularity grew. Read more>>

Rachel Calabrese

I was working as a Recreation Coordinator for my town and volunteering as a soccer coach for my oldest daughter’s team. In both situations, I learned of children who could not attend activities/ sports due to lack of funds to pay for the programs. My own children were playing soccer, volleyball and football. These activities are where they met their friends and grew in confidence and skills. What if, in this pay-to-play world, a family could not afford this? On how many levels does that impact a child in today’s world? I quit my job in 2017 and started ConfiKids (building CONFIdence in kids) with several friends I had met working for a nonprofit organization years before. We hosted our first fundraiser that spring and started funding children towards the end of the year. We created our first website and started having families apply for funding that fall. The first full year of giving awards (2018) , we funded 100 children with $42,000. This year, we are on track to fund 435 kids with $195,000.  We are constantly hearing feedback on the positive impact we have made in the lives of these children. Now, eight years later, we are relentless in our pursuit to help more kids. Read more>>

Oscar Ortega

Myceli Unlimiti started as a hobby, the original name was AK Koji Trade and Co., The concept and idea started with a heavy culinary background into culinary mycelium and microbes which then started to break off into various types of mycelium and microbes not limited to just culinary applications. This business idea was tested at a restaurant in Juneau, Alaska and later developed into Myceli Unlimiti in Colorado. Myceli Unlimiti is some what of a mouthful but I like to pronounce the ending as if I were saying Illuminati – with the ending pronunciation being ( ee ). I get some interesting pronunciations from customers and it’s a fun comical ice breaker, it really doesn’t matter to me. The name is also a play off Mycelium Unlimited because I believe that mycelium is truly only limited by the imagination of how we are inspired by it or venture into applying it. Read more>>

Rob Smith

The concept for my business, Culinary Collective ATL, emerged almost by accident during a catering event for a high-profile client. Amidst the chaos of the kitchen, I overheard conversations about the desire for personalized dining experiences. Many guests expressed frustration at the lack of options that truly catered to their unique tastes and dietary preferences. It dawned on me that there was a significant gap in the market—a need for chefs who could deliver tailored culinary experiences that went beyond generic menus. The excitement of this realization was electric. I envisioned Culinary Collective ATL as a haven for bespoke dining, where I could craft unique culinary journeys for each client. I wanted to create a service that not only focused on exceptional food but also emphasized the importance of connection and storytelling through cuisine. With my background in diverse culinary environments, I believed I could offer something unique that resonated with people on a personal level. Read more>>

Pablo Borges

Pp12Sports started in 2020 during the COVID 19 Pandemic, I was at home and thinking about creating something new, I always played soccer with Brazilian friends in Atlanta and Metro atlanta, so I had the idea of ​​​​starting to film our games to create content on the Internet so that people who are in Brazil can see what soccer is like between friends here in the United States. Read more>>

Brandi Rhodes

After having my daughter, I became very enthusiastic for the benefits of yoga + Pilates reformer in the work out routine. The enthusiasm turned into passion and I certified to teach both. As complimentary as the two can be, I noticed they were not generally offered together. And I noticed I often had trouble making classes because I have a young child, and I wished there was childcare available. So I decided to put the 3 together under one roof. Read more>>

Julie Lillie

I was a peace and justice centered educator for over fifteen years in diverse preK-12 settings. I served in many roles such as teacher, instructional leader, literacy specialist, equity coach and curriculum developer. I received a strong vision in meditation and realizing my purpose to inspire and guide change on a wider scale, I left the school setting and began coaching and consulting in peace education and social emotional learning. I established The Peace Pad, a consultancy dedicated to bringing peace education to a greater audience. My career, personal experiences and beliefs about the intersections of peace, justice, literacy and mental, social and emotional well-being anchor my vision of evolving our educational systems and bringing peace education to people at all ages and stages of life. I deeply believe peace education is for everyone – at all ages and stages! The Peace Pad’s offerings (and my life!) align with Five Peace Actions: Read more>>

Gina Lee

The idea for Elevate You Studio came to me during one of the hardest times in my life. As a single mother with two daughters, I was struggling to keep it all together. Financial stress, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to provide weighed heavily on me. I was searching for something that would not only support my family but also give me a sense of purpose—a way to make a real difference in people’s lives. One day, I stumbled across a video about paramedical tattooing, and it was like a light bulb went off. The idea of using tattooing to help people camouflage scars, restore confidence, and heal after trauma spoke to me on such a deep level. I immediately knew that this was something special. It wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about healing. I remember thinking, This is it. This is the answer I’ve been searching for. But at the time, I didn’t have much. I had to save every penny to afford training, and even after that, there was no clear path forward. No one else around me was offering these kinds of services, and there were very few resources available. I knew I was solving a problem that most people didn’t even realize had a solution. I realized that people who had scars, stretch marks, or were recovering from surgeries often felt isolated and unseen. I wanted to provide a service that helped them feel whole again, not just physically but emotionally, too. Read more>>

Lael Barry

It all started in early 2019, right after Governor Jerry Brown signed California’s Assembly Bill 1884, which banned the use of plastic straws. I was sitting in a high-end restaurant in San Diego, enjoying a beautiful cocktail, only to find myself sipping from a soggy, disintegrating paper straw. I thought, this can’t be it—there has to be a better solution. Read more>>