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.

Rod Roberts

When the pandemic first started, the film industry shut down, and like everyone involved, I sat at home trying to simply understand what had just happened. Once I wrapped my head around the chaos, I began to think about how I was spending my time. Was binge-watching The Crown or Money Heist really a good use of my time? So, I started writing! By the end of the pandemic, I had half a dozen screenplays written and another 15 treatments fleshed out.

I began pitching them; I budgeted for my first suspense thriller, had a cast…, I was prepared and ready to go. Read More>>

Marie Claire Marchant, Emily Ann Zisko & Brooke Metayer

Currant Jam is a non-profit organization and publication founded by Marie Claire Marchant (art director), Emily Ann Zisko (poetry & literature editor), and Brooke Hallie Metayer (features editor). With Marie’s background in visual art, Emily’s background in writing, and Brooke’s background in journalism, the trio created a unique publication that serves as an art book meets literary journal meets local DIY glossy magazine. Read More>>

Sheena Earvin

Waxamillion Candle Co. began as a weekend project to replace the wax melts in my classroom. I’m an English teacher and I always love new crafts. I grew tired of buying wax melts from the store that didn’t fill the room with fragrance or last long periods of time. My students loved them and the scent was noticeable, even in the hallways. One day a fellow teacher asked “Do you make candles?” to which I replied “Not yet!” After researching the harmful effects of carcinogens in most of our favorite candles on the market. I dedicated myself to creating high quality 100% soy candles and natural solutions to freshening the home. I made over 100 candles and gave them away to friends and family while I perfected my technique. After the 100th candle I labeled them and created my LLC. Read More>>

Rachel Wagner

I have been practicing yoga for over 25 years as a way to find a work life balance in a stress executive position. Once, I realized the benefits I achieved were so beneficial, I knew at some point I would deepen practice by becoming a yoga instructor. My career as an entertainment sponsorship and marketing executive was soaring and that is where I was placed most of my focus. What kept me centered, focused and extremely productive in a pressure cooker job of working on live televised events, was applying the principles of yoga off the matt. I big part of my success that also brought me a lot of joy was mentoring, a lot of which was practicing that basic mind set of yoga. I realized I had a calling for yoga, but how could I leave the security and comforts of corporate life to become a yoga teacher. When it clicked that the business of yoga is very similar to the business I had been applying to my career. I could build a business plan similar along the lines I hade been doing over the span of my 20+ career that would always include diversification and multiple revenue streams. Read More>>

Jami Cox

The idea for my business was born out of both necessity and love. I was a young, single mother with no college degree and two little boys depending on me. I didn’t have many options, and I knew I had to find a path that would allow me to build a real future for us. A close friend suggested I look into makeup school, and honestly, it felt like divine timing. I had always been obsessed with makeup—I was the girl in high school who always had her eyeliner perfect, and I learned from a young age by going with my mom to the Lancôme counter at our local mall. That’s where my fascination really started. Read More>>