Having new or innovative ideas is essential to pushing the world forward and so we asked the community to share stories of the most innovative things they’ve done in their career. Our hope is to inspire folks who think only scientists or tech-wizards can innovate – innovation is possible for everyone, regardless of job title or function, industry or geography.

Michelle Blair

We work with clients from all over the world. It is not uncommon to receive thoughtful gifts, tips, and/or cards. On a couple of occasions, however couples have brought us gifts for our dogs. This had us in tears! Our dogs, our lives, the reason we work. The couples had read on our website in the about us page about our two Boston terriers, Cooper and Bentley. They had brought them toys and treats based on what the website said they liked. Read more>>

Meredith Maag.

When we had our daughter, Hattie, who is now three, we were living in Austin, Texas away from all of our family and friends in Ohio. At the time, we were somewhat active in a local church, and I had served with a woman, McKay, a handful of times in the nursery. She was always so kind and I looked forward to serving with her, but I didn’t know her very well outside of our few encounters on Sunday mornings. Read more>>

Helena Keasler

Innovation has been a joy for Wit and Bubbles. We wanted to make a huge difference and help our community. We began by donating a percentage of sales to charity, but now we took it a step further. We help raise funds for missions, schools, and nonprofits with Fundraise The Bar™! Our small business offers catalog-style and virtual fundraisers profiting causes at 50%. We are blazing the path for bubbly generosity. Read more>>

Nikkia McClain.

The most innovative thing I have done in my career is brought my DIY PR platform to the forefront during COVID. I created the DIY PR in 2017 but only got the opportunity to position it during the pandemic. The DIY PR platform assists entrepreneurs and small business owners on how to do their own public relations campaigns. This platform is not only innovative, but it also adds another streamline of revenue for my company revenue it can grow to a multimillion-dollar platform which will allow me to employ more individuals that look like me and other opportunities to be of service to the communities I serve and the things that I am passionate about in general. Read more>>

Ebonie Thornton

The most innovative thing I’ve done in this career is create my signature wax melt truffles, it’s so hard to stand out in the candle industry without copying and looking like every other business. My signature wax melt truffles look like luxury truffle candies, not edible but highly scented and luxurious. Read more>>

Jamii Stock.

I was a single mom who had just had a stillborn baby born at 18 weeks, delivered exactly one week before Christmas. My children were 4, 3,and 17 months, and I had no money, was devastated, and had no idea how I was going to pay for Christmas. I had $20 to my name, so I figured I would go to the local Goodwill and buy the biggest bag of toys I could find and wrap each toy individually to make it seem like more. Read more>>

Carmela Gee

I have several Business my main one is My heath and wellness,I have detox juice,pills and Also my on Website with my daily chose I help people with weight Management,lower A1c and much more Read more>>

Tiffiany Johnson

In October of 2019, I finally met my client turned close friend, NeSha Lewis. In November of 2019, I started providing services to her. I remember, hurting my foot & still working on it. I wasn’t sure how bad it was, but I was determined to finish my clients as promised. Putting others before myself just comes easy to me. This particular day, she literally gave me her shoes! Nike flip flops to be exact. I know you’re probably thinking, Ew! Me on the other hand, was amazed that someone could be so selfless! She wouldn’t let me refuse her care either, because I definitely tried lol. Read more>>

Adrianne Patrick

If I had never pursued this calling to serve my community as a non-profit leader, I never would have met so many wonderful people where I live. For every bully or abuser there have been at least 20 others who appreciate, value, and support my passion for making things better. The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is to remind me who I am and the impact I am making. This is especially important in a work environment that is fraught with negative voices, passive aggressive pettiness, and selfish egos. I had a board member who became a mentor to me when others were unconcerned or too busy. Read more>>

Shamya Banks.

This summer my good friend, Claudia, hosted my going away party. I moved from Wichita to Chicago for art school at the end of August and a week before I left my sister, my close friends and I gathered to celebrate this accomplishment. Sunset was the theme with the idea of the “sun setting on this chapter of life”. Everyone dressed in their favorite radiant sunset color, and we had food and drinks to match. Read more>>

Amber Turner.

People enter your life for a reason. About two years ago, I worked for a local company here in Atlanta and had the privilege of working for an amazing woman by the name of Joanne. At that time, not too many people knew much about me, but Joanne took the time to get to know me. She let me have vent sessions with her about graduate school, dating, and even gave me encouragement about my path in life. Read more>>

Sara Vander Zwaag

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me: told me to go to therapy. I had been to therapy throughout my childhood and hated it. I appreciate that my parents knew I was going through really hard things and needed support, but none of my therapists were the right fit for me, and it made me wary of therapy. In my early 20s, a breakup from a toxic relationship triggered PTSD. I was at the lowest I’d ever been, and I leaned heavily on one of my dearest friends. Read more>>

Brielle Gines.

The kindest thing someone has ever done for me was tell me that I am human. I was 19 at the time when someone told me and all of my life I had never been told that. It was refreshing to me as I was going through a tumultuous friendship breakup and doubling down on myself for the mistakes I had made during the ending of that relationship. It’s very easy to forget that idea as this world is fast-paced and we’re expected to live and be like machines. Read more>>

Haiting Fu

It was the year 2014. I was going to attend the SCAD summer program in Lacoste, France. As a Chinese, I will have to apply for a Schengen visa to enter France. By the meantime, my US student visa was going to expire. So I had to fly back to China to update my US visa first, then come back to Atlanta, US to apply for the Schengen visa. But during that time, I will have no valid ID on me and I needed somewhere to stay for a few nights. So I posted it on social media for help. After a day or two, a girl responded on my post and said I can stay at her place during that time. Read more>>

Diane Garcia

My husband has backed me financially, and he will gladly cook and takes care of the pets so I can keep stitching.
My siblings have purchased from me, told others about me, and one has even sold my items in his store.
My friends have encouraged me, taught me procedures and valid shortcuts, and showed off my work in their social media. These people have always believed in me. Period. End of story. Read more>>

Madoka Oshima.

Anybody who gave me chances are the kindest thing people have done to me. Especially at the very beginning when I was very inexperienced. All the musicians that I met sometime between 2006 and 2010 were really encouraging, kept believing in me, and giving me works. That is really why I decided to go with this path. Really, we learn through works. I felt equipped at the music schools that I went, but I learned how to perform and all the business sides of being a musician from working. So I am just thankful for truly everyone who gave me works in the last 15 years. S0 many different projects, concerts, and events. Read more>>

Kelly Schafer.

I think the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is believing in me even when I didn’t fully believe in myself. A little bit of encouragement can go a long way. As an artist, I don’t have or need a ton of “followers,” but I have relied on at least a few authentic voices other than my own to help push me. Sometimes it only takes one other respected person to help squash self-doubt. I would be creating art no matter what, but I would not be putting it, and myself, out there to the extent that I am were it not for the kindness of others who have offered support and opportunities along the way. Read more>>

Derrick Schmidt

One day, Jerry Saltz made a post on Instagram, and I made a backhanded comment about giving emerging artists more attention. He ended up ripping into me and my work a bit. At first I was hurt, and felt like I had been punched in the gut. But after a couple months of sitting with what he said, I started to realize that he gave me a gift with his words. I took it as keep pushing and work, work, work, and more work. Read more>>