Our city is home to so many incredible businesses and so we asked the founders how they came up with the ideas for their businesses and have shared their responses below.

Thiago Machado | Owner

The main idea was born with the dream of taking from São Paulo – Brazil to the U.S. all of those delicious pizzas that I used to enjoy during my childhood and also share with the local Brazilian community that misses this special Brazilian flavor. My goal became to be part of a bussiness which will spread how unique Brazilian pizza is and how it has been winning hearts of different communities and cultures! Read more>>

Alicia Sanchez | Founder & Published writer Dear God Are We There Yet

It all started with a fantastic, large, loud, loving hard working Dominican family. I was the only girl out of three boys, and my parents were entrepreneurs before I knew what that word meant. I grew up in a creative environment and decided to study Fashion right from high school which led me to experience fashion weeks as an intern with Oscar de Renta and Carolina Herrera. Later on, life happened, and I encountered many health-related roadblocks leaving me wondering what’s next in my life. In the midst of business and fashion, I stumbled upon writing. Of course it stared with my childhood author obsession. Read more>>

Christina Mallory | Mobile Bartender/Mixologist

I came up with the idea of my business a few years ago honestly but I did not know how to get started so I eventually just put it in the back of my mind for a while. I am currently a single mother to my son and I solely take care of him alone with minimal help from others. I currently teach but as we all know there is never enough money in education so I wanted to be able to start a business where I could control my hours. make money and enjoy what I’m doing at the same time. I have almost 10 years in the bartending/restaurant industry but its not the ideal job for me as a mother. Read more>>

Essence Massey | Fashion Designer

How I came up with the idea for my business is actually kinda weird. I remember back in 8th grade I use to constantly catch the time 9:11 on the clock everyday , whether it be a.m or p.m I caught it. From 8th grade forward I began to notice the same numbers 911 ,9:11 ..somehow . Fast forward to me being 21 and finding out I’m pregnant and my sons due date was 9/11/2014, creepy right!? So I took it upon myself to look up these numbers and this is what I seen “ It’s an angel number, and it means that you’re ready to shine your divine light into the world. Read more>>

Orienta Eison | Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

I have always been the person that people came to for help with their issues. In high school, I was able to convince a friend that was suicidal, to get help. It was then that I truly became interested in providing therapy and helping to guide people through their tough times. I always knew that eventually, some day, that I would like to own my own practice and that opportunity was actually impressed upon me by my pastor. At the time he had been referring clients to the practice that I was contracting with and as my time with them was ending, Read more>>