I Turned Waste into a Business Opportunity — And You Can Too

Hey there! I’m Molly Rizkallah, founder of Cincy Carbon and creator of the Business Success Workbook. If you’re a woman with a big idea and you’re wondering whether it can actually become a real business, this story is for you.

A few days ago, Soapbox Media published a feature on my company: “From Waste to Resource: Cincy Carbon Looks to Reshape Ohio Manufacturing.” Seeing my work highlighted in a respected local publication felt like a major milestone. But more importantly, it reminded me how far a clear problem, steady action, and the right tools can take you. I did it. And I want you to know that you can do it too.

Find the article here: From waste to resource: Cincy Carbon looks to reshape Ohio manufacturing – Soapbox

My “I Did It” Story

At Cincy Carbon, we capture carbon dioxide from manufacturers and turn it into useful industrial chemicals. Instead of letting emissions become waste, we transform them into resources that help companies lower their carbon footprint without massive changes to their operations.

This didn’t happen overnight. It started with spotting a real problem in manufacturing, combining my engineering background and MBA knowledge, and using the same business planning steps I now teach other women. I went through customer discovery, built a solid business plan, and kept refining my approach even when things felt uncertain.

Getting featured in Soapbox wasn’t luck. It was the result of showing up consistently, sharing the story behind the solution, and proving that the idea works. That visibility is now opening new doors for partnerships, credibility, and growth.

Now You Can Do the Same

Here’s what I learned on this journey, broken down into simple, actionable steps you can use right away:

1. Reframe the Problem in Your Industry I stopped seeing CO₂ as just pollution and started seeing it as a valuable resource. Your turn: Look at your industry and ask, “What frustration or ‘waste’ do people complain about every day?” It could be wasted time, unused materials, overlooked customer needs, or inefficient processes. Write down the problem clearly. This becomes the foundation of your business.

2. Build Your Foundation with a Simple Plan Before I raised any funding or scaled operations, I mapped out the basics: What I do, who I serve, why it matters, and how I’ll make money. Your turn: Use the Business Success Workbook (or any solid template) to answer the core questions: What/How/Why, Customer Problem, Customer Solution, Target Market, Competitive Advantage, Income Streams, and Pricing. You don’t need a 50-page document. Start with clear, honest answers.

3. Validate with Real People I talked to manufacturers to make sure my solution actually solved their pain points. Your turn: Conduct a few customer discovery conversations. Ask open-ended questions like, “What’s your biggest challenge with [problem area]?” and “What would an ideal solution look like?” Their answers will guide you and give you powerful stories to share later.

4. Share Your Story Authentically The Soapbox article worked because it highlighted both the problem and the hopeful solution. Your turn: Start telling your story on LinkedIn, your website, or local media. Be brief and clear: Hook → Problem → Your Solution → Why You → Call to Action. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be real and consistent.

5. Celebrate Small Wins and Keep Going Getting published felt big, but it was built on many small steps I took months earlier. Your turn: Recognize every milestone, no matter how small. Finished your business plan? Posted your first customer interview summary? Celebrate it. Momentum builds confidence.

You Have Everything You Need

Women bring unique perspectives to entrepreneurship, and the world needs more of us building solutions that matter. Whether your idea is in sustainability, services, tech, or something completely different, the path is the same: see the problem clearly, create a practical plan, talk to real customers, and share your progress.

I went from concept to featured company using the exact steps I now put in the Business Success Workbook. If I can do it, you absolutely can too.

Ready to start turning your idea into reality? Grab a copy of The Business Success Workbook on my site and begin building your plan today. It’s designed to be approachable yet powerful for new and aspiring women entrepreneurs.

I’d love to hear from you: What problem in your world are you ready to turn into an opportunity? Drop it in the comments. Let’s cheer each other on!

Grab the first chapter of The Business Success Workbook here:

Chapter 1 - The Business Success Workbook

Buy Now

With big belief in your potential,

Molly Rizkallah Founder & CEO, Cincy Carbon | Business Development Coach

P.S. If you know a woman who’s sitting on a great idea, share this post with her.