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.

Sacha Koch

Love in Bloom Rentals was born out of my own experience planning my wedding in 2024. As I searched for beautiful, high-quality decor, especially flower walls, I quickly realized how expensive rentals could be. I found myself thinking, ‘There has to be a more affordable option out there.’ That’s when I realized there was a real need for budget-friendly, stunning flower wall and decor rentals that didn’t sacrifice on quality. I wanted to create a service that allowed couples to bring their dream wedding vision to life without blowing their budget. That’s what sparked my passion for Love in Bloom Rentals. Read More>>

James Mayo

After spending years in finance, I took a detour into the startup world and loved it—the energy, the innovation, the thrill of building something from the ground up. Then came a one-year sabbatical, traveling full-time around the U.S. and Canada with my wife and kids in an RV I personally designed and built. It was the ultimate reset button. No meetings, no deadlines—just freedom, adventure, and time to think. And one thought kept coming back to me: Everyone should have the ability to do this. Read More>>

Frank Vargas

I started in the collections industry at a young age, which later transitioned into helping contractors recover payments for completed work. That experience led to launching a business consulting firm where I saw firsthand the power of providing the right business owners with knowledge, partnerships, and expertise—and the impact it could have on their success. When I later struggled to find a reliable solution for an asphalt and concrete paving job, I had a realization: “If I can’t find it, why not create it myself?” Read More>>

Annette Thull

I have been actively involved in Lafayette since moving here 21 years ago. I have been on the Old Town Lafayette Association (LOTA) board, President of Alicia Sanchez Elementary PTA, volunteered to put on Home for the Holidays and have helped market numerous events and local businesses. I have worked with the City of Lafayette helping to market events such as Art Night Out and Music Goes Public. I created the City of Lafayette logo. I have worked with the Chamber of Lafayette to market several events as well: 4th of July Celebration, Peach Festival and Quaker Oatmeal Festival. I currently volunteer with the Centaurus High School organizations: the Quarterback Club and The Rosin Club (CHS Orchestra.) Read More>>

Laura Gluhanich

Silent Book Club started in San Francisco in 2012 with my cofounder Guinevere de la Mare and I reading after dinner together at our neighborhood bistro. We loved books, and reading with friends, but most of our previous attempts at book clubs had fizzled out. We were busy and didn’t have time or energy to read something assigned to us, but we loved chatting with other literary minded friends. Voila! Book club with no assigned reading, Silent Book Club. Read More>>