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.

Nancy Parker | Somatic Specialist & Mentor

The work I do is based in Somatics; soma meaning – the body as perceived from within. Tuning in and listening to the wisdom in the body as our guide to overall wellness, vitality and joy. Using the cues from pain and dysfunction in our body, health, and relationships, I support highly sensitive people to restore balance in these areas. Re-educating the nervous system and reprogramming bad habits to deepen core integrity in how we relate to & move through the world. Thus, InBody Wisdom was born. Read more>>

Ashea Myers | Owner of Straight Up Cake

I’ve always been passionate about baking. As a child, I would cook with my mom at family gatherings in the kitchen in both Chicago and Alabama. I was raised on Southern baking. As an adult, TV shows like Cake Boss and Cupcake Wars, inspired me to continue baking. When the world locked down during COVID, I decided to make my dream a reality. Straight Up Cake was born from my desire to share my creativity with the world. The name signifies my passion for creating delicious cakes and delectables for my customers. I’ve always been interested in different dessert flavors. Read more>>

Jenn Ramczyk | Her Game Too USA Founder and Graphic Designer

I came up with the business idea when I saw all the ladies and girls dealing with sexism in the game of soccer. The business began in the UK and I talked with the leader of the organization in the UK about bringing it to the USA. She gave me her blessing to proceed. The reason I wanted to bring it to the USA is I have experienced sexism while watching my favorite club play. I was at the pub watching the game, when my butt was brushed against on multiple occasions. I believe all people should be able to watch their team without being harassed. The USA was founded in March of 2022. Read more>> 

Laurent Vrignaud

The idea for MOULIN has deep roots in my childhood and the passion I’ve always had for the café and bakery culture. Growing up in Montmartre, I was surrounded by these charming bistros that had this incredible ability to bring people together. Everything from the simple yet perfectly executed food, to the furniture, to the overall ambiance—it all fascinated me. It wasn’t just about eating; it was about experiencing a moment. That feeling stayed with me as I grew older and became a driving force behind creating MOULIN. I wanted to bring a piece of that Parisian lifestyle to the U.S., to offer people more than just pastries and coffee—an authentic bistro experience. Read more>>

Chelsea Schoeni

In December 2020, I lost my position in a restaurant group due to financial strain the pandemic had put on the restaurant industry. For the first time since I was 15, I was unemployed. My husband (Retired Military whom retired in 2019 after 20 years of service) took me to breakfast and asked me “what do you want to do? You have worked for someone else for so long, what do YOU want?”
The answer was clear for me, I had always loved the coffee industry and where we live there was not a large coffee scene. Read more>>