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.

Kathy V. Tran | Children’s Author

It is said that hard beginnings make good endings. In my case, that is true. My family fell on hard time a few years ago. Amidst all the financial challenges, we still had our health and our family is still intact. I was working for an educational non-profit and was asked to write a series of books about the uniqueness of children. I was inspired by my youngest son, Kai, whom I noticed was using his electronic tablet too much. The book was a children’s picture book titled “Kai Can Do!” The story is about a Panducorn, a half-panda, half-unicorn, who learned to balance technology and create good healthy habits. I wanted to create a world that celebrates Kai Panducorn’s characteristics and instill the message that he is magical, adaptable, capable, loving, unique, valuable, connected, compassionate, and creative. Read more>>

Dr. Charlotte Baker | Wedding and Event Planner & Floral Designer

I was planning and coordinating events while in graduate schools. Working with my Aunt at an early age with her wedding company was the seed that was initially planted. While in graduate school I would plan and coordinate events for students and for organizations. I light bulb went off and I began to pray for a business name so I could make money and stop doing it for charity. While working in the lab I was sitting at the computer and the name Heaven’s Touch of Glory was manifested. Read more>>

Desmond Cameron | Moving & Delivery Specialist

I worked with a well-known national furniture company as a sales representative for over 10 years and dealt with moving and delivery companies who picked up our customers’ furniture for delivery. We had so many complaints about deliveries, such as poor customer service and damages. I have always wanted to have my own business and since I knew so much about the furniture business and also knew how to entreat customers in a professional way, letting them know that they are the most important asset to our business; also knowing how to entreat their furniture as if it was my own, I knew I could succeed in this business. I also wanted to make a change in the moving and delivery business, since customers were so dissatisfied with companies that were not personal and did not handle their furniture with care. Read more>>

FLAS Fundación Latinoamericana de Accion Social | A non-profit organization

Elia Chinó (founder) I have called Houston home for over 33 years. During that time I Have focused on advocating for health and wellness. working to educate people about preventable diseases, behavioral health and mental illness. After losing many close friends to HIV/AIDS, I decided to take action. I wanted to help end the devastation brought by this disease in the Latino community that’s how the Fundación Latino Americana Contra el Sida was founded in 1994, and in 2013 was renamed to Fundación Latinoamericana de Accion Social. today FLAS helps assist with prevention and testing cervices, behavioral and health services, Court Mandated Services, and Emergency assistance program. and while our main focus is the LGBTQIA+ latino community, everyone is welcome at FLAS. Read more>>

Kim Mason | Executive Director of Women Cultivating Greatness

This is an easy question. I am one of the women I want to serve. I wanted to help women like myself who learn differently. Not all people learn the same. I I remember feeling like I would never be able to excel in school or really at anything else. It started when I was in the third grade. I knew something was different about me. I did not understand like the other kids. I studied so hard and still I struggled with reading and I read very slowly. I did not pronounce words correctly. On top of that, I frequently skipped small words on the page believing in my heart that someone must have JUST put that word there. I hated being called on in school. The kids would laugh. I had problems understanding math concepts too. Read more>>