Our community is comprised of some absolutely brilliant entrepreneurs and so we asked a few of them to tell us the story of how they came up with the ideas for their business.

Louise Lai | Founder & CEO of Gatherall

Gatherall bra was born four years ago out of my frustrations from not being able to find a truly supportive, backless, strapless, adhesive bra. This type of product was and is a staple of my wardrobe because I believe the correct undergarments not only provide countless style choices but also ensure comfort. Feeling this need personally and unsatisfied with the available options at the time, I decided to create a product that would work for me. Read more>>

Yvonne White | CEO

My now husband Warren taught me how to play chess. It took about 6 months for me to understand the basic rules and objective of checkmate. After learning we decided we wanted to improve our game. We searched endlessly for any materials that were easy to comprehend. We eventually learned how to start teaching chess and that is when we knew we wanted to start a chess business. Read more>>

Amanda Kazzy Cryer | Social Impact Influencer, Filmmaker & Educator

As a social impact influencer and filmmaker, I recognized that the covid pandemic raised a new awareness that we live in a global society facing serious challenges. Climate change, scarcity, and alarming levels of corruption, violence, and disease have had people feeling anxious, frustrated, powerless, and worst of all, divided. I recognized the frustration, overwhelm, and even resignation that started to creep in with myself and others, and then I also noticed that millions of people were really committed to making a difference, but few possessed the tools to have lasting impact. So, I asked myself, what if each of us had the tools to effect significant and lasting change? Read more>>

Mary Johnson | Founder of O’Caiden

Since I was a little girl, I have always had a passion to create art in some form as an expression of myself. Although I was not that good at drawing… I have always enjoyed writing, film, and music, and I am inspired by cultural expressions. In 2017, I was pregnant with my third child. It was at that moment while carrying my bundle of joy that I was moved to create a clothing brand that would reflect the sights and sounds of the African culture. Read more>>

Tammy McCall Browning | Clothing designer & modern ballerina

My co-designer (Annette Lewis) and I launched our clothing line and physical store when Covid hit and we could no longer go to rehearsal. Ms Annette was my first ballet teacher when I was 4 years old. Forty-five years later we are co-designers of our own clothing line! Read more>>

Tisha Phillip | Silky Slumberzzz Satin Baby Company Owner & NICU RN

I came up with the idea for my business while working as a nurse in the NICU for 4 years. I wanted to design products that would help solve a problem that I frequently saw affecting babies not only in the NICU but in everyday life. Read more>>

Layla-Joy Williams | Founder and CEO – IYLIA

I had the vision to create an ecologically produced – luxury beverage collection focused on flavor. It had to be accessibly priced. All while enveloped in gorgeous, clean, elegant packaging. I believe we’ve achieved all points perfectly. We launched IYLIA in June 2021. Read more>>

Dominique Newman | Boutique Owner & Nurse

My idea for Sugar N Spice Boutique came from my passion for fashion. After being a nurse for 12 years, I decided to step away from the medical field and focus on my passion. I’m a strong believer in doing what you love, Honestly, I loved being a nurse. I’m still a nurse but I LOVE fashion more. Fashion brings me joy! Read more>>

André & Shonda Vierra | Chef Owners

The idea for our business evolved so much over time. My wife and I were inspired to cook both by watching our grandmothers. They cooked the best food, and not only that they put so much love in it. In us. We wanted to have a small café. A place where people could hang out with coffee, tea and small grab & go types of food. But after culinary school and going out and participating in local farmer’s markets with baked goods and a line of seasoning blends, we landed on a concept by total accident. While selling spice blends, we would make small quesadillas to sample the flavors of the spices. Read more>>

Sydney Huntley | Licensed Esthetician, 3x Certified Lash Artist

The Lash Experience by Marie is rooting in service. I started this business full time in order to have the freedom to help my family with care for and service for my mother who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and Dementia in 2013. What started as just a hobby that I was good at it turned into a passion. Read more>>

Brooke daniels | BUSINESS & EMPOWERMENT COACH

My goal was to make women feel confident and powerful by building their mindset and loving themselves. thought this work i found my passion of empowering women to becoming there on boss.. Read more>>

Chibueze Obiako | An entrepreneur and industrialist

As a young graduate of chemical engineering with vast knowledge of industrial operations, I strongly believe that my principal role in the chemical industry is to convert available raw materials into variety of products for public consumption. My quest for a lucrative business to earn a living after my graduation, since there’s no job within the country makes me to start thinking about “SOAP PRODUCTION BUSINESS”. Read more>>