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.

Dustin Staats | Owner of BGE’s Tabletop

BGE’s Tabletop started as a podcast in Taiwan. We started our podcasting adventure with Board Gaming with English in October of 2017. At that time two of us hosted the show, Dustin and Rich. We were both teachers and we often talked about board games, video games, movies, TV shows, and all sorts of fun things. Another thing we often talked a lot about is our classes, students, and education. Both of us were very passionate about adapting ways to make learning more engaging and fun. We were constantly thinking of ways to implement creative methods into our teaching. Read more>>

Michelle Steele | Fashion Designer

When I was 10 years old, I started sewing by hand my own creations and when I turn 12 years old, I started to sew by machine. I then created my own line called Cover Me Wear which are summer trend fashions. They are stylish trends that you can cover up bathing suits with or just wear out in public. I came up with the Cover Me Wear idea with my mom. Together we thought it would be a cool name for the fashion line. They are long polestar hoodies and see through ponchos. I also designed and created many ponchos for the winter season that have fur on them.  Read more>>

Josie Kramer | MA, CHC, CYT, LMT, PhD Student in Integral Transpersonal Psychology

The idea for Vikara Center came from a blend of my personal and professional background and a powerful vision shared with my partner, Brian. As a PhD student in Psychology and a trained Transpersonal Guide, Somatic Practitioner, Yoga and Meditation Teacher, Health Coach, and Bodyworker, I draw on 16 years of experience supporting others on their healing journeys. During COVID, Brian and I met in Mexico, and through a transformative medicine experience, he envisioned creating a retreat center together. Read more>>

Lekeda Coley | Manager & Entrepreneur

Just to give a little bit of a back story, on my 38th birthday trip to St. Lucia, my daughter told me she was pregnant. A revelation that initially filled me with anger and frustration. The thought of becoming a young grandmother was overwhelming, and I struggled to come to terms with the changes this would bring to our lives. Read more>>

Janice Luna | Co.Founder & Tipsy Tanks Technician

As Jovana was browsing through Pinterest one day, she stumbled upon a brilliant idea – converting stock tanks into pools. This discovery came right at the beginning of Covid, and with an imminent lockdown approaching and the possibility of losing our jobs, we knew we needed to find a way to keep ourselves employed and entertained. Despite facing job losses, Jovana found the perfect solution without breaking the bank, opening up the opportunity for more people to create their own backyard oasis. Read more>>

Yo Hatdawg | Headwear Streetwear Designer, Inventor and Motivator

My love for hats began at a very young age. Everyone that knows me has always seen me with a hat on my head. Throughout my life, I have adored, collected, and worn hats of all types, shapes, and sizes. Not only do I love wearing hats, but I also have a passion for styling hats. I discovered that It’s not just the hat, it’s how you style the hat that truly makes the hat feel and look like art on the head. My hunger for style and art in a hat uncovered a greater itch for me to create my own line of headwear. The day I proudly displayed my first branded ball cap on my business mentor’s desk is an anti-climactic moment I will never forget. Read more>>