Kimberly Martinez knew her sister-in-law's beaded ID necklaces were a great idea. Combining her "corporate" experience with her relative's creativity, the two women transformed a home-based hobby into a full-fledged award-winning business.

Working in corporate America, Kimberly Martinez used to joke that she was an "Entrepreneurial Rapunzel." The 45-year-old Florida resident dreamt of one day going into business for herself, but the safe feeling of receiving a steady paycheck did more to trap her in her chrome and glass office tower than encourage her to take the needed plunge.

It wasn't until that fateful day of September 11, that Kimberly realized life was too short to play it safe. She decided it was time for her to be her own boss and she knew exactly what she wanted to do.

Kimberly Martinez, co-founder of Bonitas International LLC