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.

Heather Phillips | Energy Healer & Emotional Wellness Coach

The inspiration for my business came from my personal journey to overcome various physical, mental and emotional challenges after surviving domestic violence. As I found ways to heal myself, others began to express interest in the process. I realize that many people suffer in silence as I once had, and I find joy in helping them on their personal path to healing. Read more>>

José Luis Rodriguez | Chef/Owner Mixtitos Kitchen

My wife Harumi and I were driving back with our family from Florida following a vacation. The drive was exhausting, so in order to stay awake we started brainstorming about the name of our future restaurant. After so many names, we agreed with Mixtitos Kitchen Harumi is half Japanese and half Mexican, so we wanted to honor those cultures and flavors and creative unique combinations with great flavors. I’ve spent more that 20 years in the restaurant industry and have learned “hands on” in some of Dallas’ best restaurants. Read more>>

Sublett and Candice Abel | Molly – Mom and Fiesta in Fort Owner; Candice – Supply Chain Lead and Fiesta in the Fort Owner

Both of us have always really enjoyed hosting events and we especially liked adding a little flare to our parties, such as a balloon garlands, It just gives the event an added “wow” factor. We both agreed that the balloon garland trend was here to stay, and we thought that people would probably love to pay someone to make one for them, rather than DIYing it. When we started out we were also focusing on doing party rentals, such as chairs and tables, however we quickly realized that the balloon garlands were are our most popular item, and we have shifted our business to match the garland demand! Read more>>

Mustafa Horton | Creative Director & Senior Graphic Designer

The idea to start my own art and design studio dates back to my early childhood. Some of my earliest memories of artistic expression started around the age of 5 years old. I credit two of my Uncles, who I consider master painters. They influenced my early creative fervor for the visual arts. My canvases were coloring books and Crayola crayons were the medium I used. It all came natural, truly a gift from the Creator, the Most High. Throughout my adolescence I was always drawing, coloring and painting. As I grew into my late teens and early twenties and I’d hand draw logos, typefaces and t-shirt graphics. Read more>>

Agwuh | Marketing Director & Mother of 6

It all started with my third pregnancy and I was searching for a moisturizer for my growing belly. Also, my husband and children have eczema and I was needing a non-toxic moisturizer to soothe their skin when it is inflamed and dry. I tried a few name brand skin care products and I wasn’t satisfied with the results nor the ingredients that they were made of. After talking with my husband about it, we decided to do some research and find natural ingredients that were great for skin and come up with something ourselves. Read more>>