Ideas aren’t everything, execution matters greatly, but starting often requires an idea and so we asked folks to think back and tell us the story of how they came up with the idea for their businesses. We’ve highlighted some of our favorite stories below.

Brett Brooks | Illustrator | Storyteller

When I was in attending the Savannah College of Art and Design, I had this idea – “those that can’t make it in the industry end up freelancing.” No one told me to think this way. There was no viable evidence or research that accommodated this very narrow viewpoint. I mean, I had never even heard anyone say anything like that. But, at the time, I think I was so hyper-focused toward having X title at X company, that it created this slanted type of negative reinforcement that I assigned to my career path. Read more>>

Steven Haden | Social Worker, Entrepreneur, & Nonprofit Leader

The idea for You:Flourish, a Denver-based social impact venture, was born out of a deep commitment to addressing the pressing mental health needs within the LGBTQ+ community. Recognizing the stark challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in accessing appropriate mental health support and services, we envisioned a platform that would serve as a beacon of empowerment and resilience. Read more>>

Elizabeth Calender | Professional Organizer

I’ve always been an organized person. As a child, spring cleaning was one of my favorite activities. I loved to open the windows, smell the fresh air, and through purging everything in my room that no longer served me, achieve that feeling of a fresh start to a new season, and that continues to ring true today. I started working at The Container Store while I was studying for my B.F.A. in Interior Design, and that unlocked an entirely new level of my attention to detail. During that time I became aware that professional organizing was an industry, although I didn’t think I would ever pursue it myself. Read more>>