From Spark to Shelf: How One Idea Became a Business

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your idea into a business, this story is proof that one spark of inspiration can truly change everything.

The Moment the Idea Sparked

Last September, my husband Steve and I were shopping at our nearby bookstore, Indigo, at our local mall, Sherway Gardens.

He was looking for a guided journal to track either books he’s read, recipes, or travel (one day I’ll actually remember😝) and I was looking for a guided journal in the business space. After 20 years in PR, I wasn’t as in love with it as I used to be and was figuring out what could be next for me.

While I looked through the shelves, the business guided journals were super strategy-based: tactics, plans, and analytics. And other guided journals were super feelings-focused, which wasn’t the vibe I was going for either.

As we compared and contrasted the different guided journals on the shelves, we realized there was an opportunity to fill a gap by doing something differently.

That idea, that could have so easily been dismissed, became the birth of our company, Pearl Spark Pages, and our first product, the Female Founders Journal. 

From Idea to In-Store in 13 Months

It’s wild what can happen when you believe so fiercely in what you’re creating.

Let’s break the last year(ish) down into a visual timeline:

When I have an idea, I run with it. Soundly and strategically sure, but rapidly, nonetheless.

2024

• September: had the idea to create a guided journal in Indigo

• October: had my line-in-the-sand moment that it was time to move on from PR

• November: drafted and tested the journal

• December: journal designed and sent to manufacturer

2025

• January: first journal prototype received

• February: launch crowdfunding camping to fund production on Kickstarter

• March: raised over $11,000 to produce the first print run

• April: launched my single-season podcast, The Messy Middle

• May: Shopify store goes live

• June: people start getting and using their journals!!!

• July: received first wholesale orders

• August: first five-star reviews start coming in

• September: featured in the Sparkle Hustle Grow subscription box

• October: came full-circle, hosting my first in-store event at Indigo!

And what feels like the coolest part of this whole experience? I had the confidence to take a chance and do this whole thing, thanks to practicing what I preach and using the Female Founders Journal myself.

Literally it helped me to rewrite some of the limiting stories holding me back, saying:

• The guided journal market is already too saturated.

• You have no idea how to run a product-based business.

• Other people have already done it better than you. Why try?

Isn’t it magical what can happen when you decide to turn self-doubt into self-belief?!

Gratitude and What’s Next

After the event while Steve and I were taking down our display and soaking in the full-circle moment, we talked about how grateful we were for everyone who helped bring that moment to life.

For the women I've met in communities who helped us learn the ins and outs of a product-based business.

For our Kickstarter backers who supported the idea before it even physically existed.

For everyone who has bought, shared, or gifted a copy of the journal.

And for our IRL cheerleaders who trekked to the suburbs for our first in-store event.

Your support has helped us get Pearl Spark Pages off the ground, and of course, we’re only just getting started!

And the obvious question that I’m asking myself as a type-A, high achieving female founder: what’s next?

Honestly, Indigo was on my vision board, but not ‘til 2026. So that was a fun surprise for that to happen as quickly as it did. 

I’m super excited to keep building out our products and creating a full-fledged stationery line, but in the meantime, stay tuned for some fun things in time for holiday 2025!

To everyone who’s supported Pearl Spark Pages: THANK YOU. 

Excited to see what the 2026 version of this post looks like!