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.

Gabriela Towns | Licensed Esthetician

I came up with the idea for my business based on working for different companies and always having to upsell my clients upgrades. I didn’t like the idea of taking them out of their relaxation to mention all the things they need for a higher price. Read more>>

Monique Ivory | CEO

Ten years ago hair extensions seem to have picked up in popularity. They have always been around. However, bundles were now flying off the shelf. People were shopping less at beauty supply store for hair extensions. We wanted to offer quality hair extensions at reasonable prices. Read more>>

Roshyn L. Lewis | CEO/Founder/Philanthropist of Phenomenal Women’s Empowerment Non-Profit Organization

It’s deeply rooted in my personal journey and observations of the world around me. Growing up in a challenging environment on the South Side of Chicago, I witnessed firsthand the struggles and stigma that women faced, particularly the notion that women couldn’t support each other. Read more>>

Lesley Crawford | General Contractor, owner and designer

Early in my post-college career, I knew I had the drive to be an Entrepeneur, and so I began with starting my corporate wellness company. After instant success. 15 years and finally merging with another company, I decided to chase the big love that I have for construction. Read more>>

Jourdan Laws | Founder, CEO

It all began with a personal experience that unfolded naturally. My husband and I made an announcement on Instagram in 2018 that we were starting the process to adopt domestically. As I shared updates about the process, I started receiving messages from other Black women who were facing similar challenges with infertility or were unsure where to begin with adoption. Read more>>