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.

Jane Winchester Paradis | Founder, Jane Win Jewelry

In 2017, I went to the Women’s March in Washington DC with my two daughters and I realized that, while I LOVED my corporate job, I had been there 11 years and I wanted to build something. I wanted to create something from scratch, something original that connected with women…and I wanted my kids so see me do it (and help!). I knew I wanted there to be meaning behind each piece. I knew some of the words I would use. I knew that I would make everything feel very special, from the quality of the coin to the beautiful packaging. Read more>>

Alyceson-Grace Eke | Life Educator

I’m a devoted believer in self-empowerment and the power of confidence. The teachings within these themes apply directly to a person’s education – and I don’t mean how much schooling you’ve been through. Rather, I mean, your knowledge of self and the world around you. My goal is to provide the resources that allow everyday people to feel empowered and confident. Combine that with my lifelong love of the elegance and power of royalty, and The ECON Queen was born. Read more>>

Cassaundra Bayot | Co-Founder /// Alonzo Goodrich Co-Founder

My co-founder (and partner) and I grew up eating the same foods. He’s a quarter Filipino so when we met, it was nice to share and show him Filipino culture the way I knew it. I’ve always known food to symbolize love so for me, cooking for others is an extension of my heart. I’ve been cooking for years and after culinary school, I knew I wanted to share Filipino food; to connect to my roots and showcase all that I loved about it. Alonzo was very supportive and we would dream what our business would look like one day. Then one day, he encouraged us to start putting action behind our dreams. Mahal in Tagalog translates to “love” so we decided to open a traveling kitchen called Mahal Eating, which represents the love I have for cooking and the love we share for Filipino food. Read more>>

Holly Caplan Confidence Coach | Confidence Coach & Workplace Issues Expert

I always knew that I wanted to start my own business. What my product or service would be was an unknown, until I realized I could draw from my own life experiences. So, I examined my professional evolution. It involved years in Corporate America and reaching a point of which I wanted to leave, but I wasn’t sure how to do it. I needed direction, courage, and confidence. Once I went through this process, I became aware that I could help others do the very same. I recognized this was an unmet need for professional individuals who desired change. Read more>>

Emily Casey | Neighbors Coffee Co-Owner

Our business was developed out of both a passion for specialty coffee and a need within our community. We knew we had a deep love for the product we would sell, but we also took note of the lack of gathering places in our hometown; we realized that we could combine these two components with the creation of Neighbors Coffee. While we have loved specialty coffee for a long time and would dream of our own place to serve it some day, the idea of Neighbors specifically came as our city created incentives for downtown renovation and encouraged new businesses to take root. Read more>>

Mary Duplantier | Owner | Creative

I found my love for self care when I first purchased artisan soaps about 3.5 years ago. I couldn’t get over how beautiful they were and how much better my skin felt after using them. Once I made my first batch of soap in August of 2020, I only fell deeper in love with this art form and wanted to give others the opportunity to experience the luxurious self care experience artisan soaps offer. Knowing that I wanted to offer more than bath and body products, Read more>>