It takes a lot more than an idea to build a business, but there can’t be a business without the idea. So we asked folks who’ve built wonderful businesses to tell us about how they came up with the idea in the first place.

Nick Arbour | Father, Husband, Creative, Engineer, Good Human

Initially, back in 2014 when this thought first came to be, it wasn’t necessarily a thought to start a business, but instead was sparked during a conversation with a friend over a cold one about making some custom jeans. My friend and I are both engineers, and he had recently started a successful Canadian based golf lifestyle brand. Read more>>

Frédérique Sullivan & Charlotte Thivaios | Co-Founders of onsēm

Our story kicks off in the lively and colorful markets of South London, England where serendipity led me to beautiful African prints. (Both Charlotte and I used to live in London but only met later in New York). My initial plan was to create some pillowcases for my three boys. Little did I know, those fabrics were about to take us on a fun adventure. African prints come in 6-yard pieces, and I was left with more fabric than I knew what to do with. Read more>>

Hitham Abu-Mlhem | Mobile food owner

I used to be a chef in Halal Mediterranean restaurants and my wife worked in Mexican Latin American restaurants and one day I was thinking if we could one day open a restaurant that serves authentic Mexican food but in Halal style and here we are thanking god every day on all the blessings people loving the food and it gathers different cultures together 🙏 Read more>>

Bella Cataldi | Integrative Detox Health Coach & Nutritionist

My business has been built entirely off of my own personal experience healing from Chronic Lyme disease and toxic mold. After healing myself from chronic illness, I knew that my purpose was to share my knowledge and passion for true health and vitality to help others heal. I never had any question or doubt about it. Starting my business was never something I had to think on – rather it was an intuitive urge and desire that I made my reality. Read more>>