Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Nathan Johnson | Creative Video Producer & Podcaster

I was definitely inspired by entrepreneurs like Robert Kiyosaki and Tony Robbins. I like the freedom of running my own business and being my own boss. It can certainly be very challenging at times, since your level of success is directly related to your effort, but it is also very rewarding. I know that not everyone is built for running their own business, but I think the life skills that you develop as business owner, like responsibility, vision, and perseverance can be applied to any other job. Read more>>

J Crawford | Fitness Coach

I’ve always enjoyed work that involved physical, mental, and creative challenges and exercise checks all the boxes. Physical activity has been the one constant in my life that enhances my daily experience. I wanted to help extend that joy to others so I started Change of Pace Fitness with my friend and business partner, Michael Rupnow. Read more>>

Walt Perez | Writer, Producer, Director

When I was eleven, my mom opened a mini-mart on the block of Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights. Her purpose; to provide for her family and community. The mighty convenience store had it all – everyday items such as coffee, groceries, soft drinks, snack foods, confectionery, ice creams, lottery tickets, toiletries, newspapers, magazines and so on. It was named “Kim’s Market” after my sister Kim. My mom had worked different jobs upon arriving in this country. The store was her first business. It was also my first job as a cashier. Quick resume plug there (laughs). Read more>>

Punit Madhwani | Creative Director / Photographer

Question : What was your thought process behind starting your own business? I have always been a creative person with big visions. I realised that I wanted to work on my own in the creative industry so I could implement my own ideas and be my own boss. The idea was that I could create a service that is tailored to individual styles and needs meaning, I am not only offering my expertise and creativity but I can make all of my clients happy by adding a unique approach. Read more>>

Jeff Icuss | Founder; BreathPlayer

Dealing with the stress of life as a composer in Hollywood, discovering mindfulness breathing was really life changing for me; this practice of focusing on my breath and returning focus to the breath was this cheat code that could be described as nothing short of clarity. I loved doing it. I developed all sorts of personal breathing methodologies. In my head I’d imagine piano notes going up on the inhale, and down on the exhale, waves in and out with my breath. Read more>>

Guillaume Bienaime | Restaurant Owner

It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was 15 years old. I really enjoy being on my feet and spending my day solving problems. Read more>>

Kushagra Verma | Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, Specialist in minimally invasive and complex spine

Our goal was to provide personalized concierge level care and also take the time to explain pathology to patients. With larger orthopaedic groups, the spine patients are often not the priority and the staff is often pulled in various directions. Our team is 100% focused on helping our spine patients manage without surgery. When surgery is necessary, we go above and beyond to make sure the experience is as smooth as possible Read more>>

Gazal Kothari | Jewelry Designer & Entrepreneur

I founded Hyperbole Accessories in 2014 in India (I had just got my degree in Jewelry Designing) I was looking for unique jewelry pieces which were contemporary in design, versatile when it came to styling them, handmade along with not being too heavy for the pocket. At that time, all I could find is cheaply made acrylic stone jewelry which were mass made, not sustainable. That was my aha moment to create a small line of jewelry that would have all of my ethos. Thats how I started with Hyperbole Accessories Read more>>

Linda Tran | Event & Lifestyle Photographer

My thought process behind starting my own business was that I didn’t want to work in an office job, stuck inside a building for the rest of my life. I wanted to live a life where I can focus on my growth and gain financial freedom so that I can eventually travel and do whatever I want. Read more>>

Melina Kemph | Stylist + Art Director + Artist

I never set out to start a ceramic business. I’ve worked in fashion in NYC for 15 years and the beginning of Covid/quarantine I was home without work and needing a creative outlet. I started Honey Lain Studios (originally B.Y.O.Napkin) as a secret instagram account for me to build my food + prop styling portfolio in hopes to get some freelance work. I took things one step further and decided I would take my first pottery class to make some plates + bowls for my new creative pursuit. Read more>>

Canaan Dewey | Actor, Designer & Entrepreneur

My thought process behind starting my own businesses was to have the creative freedom that comes with owning a business. I wanted to be able to make decisions that would directly impact the success of my business and have the opportunity to have creative control of my destiny. I also wanted to challenge myself and try something new. I had been working as a freelancer for many years and wanted to take my skills and knowledge to the next level. Read more>>

Spencer Nikosey | Industrial Designer, Athlete, Musician

When I first set out to start my own brand and really go for it I had big dreams and aspirations. My thought process as a 25 year old industrial designer was simple. I aspired to be like Yvon Chouinard who started off making climbing tools which became Patagonia and Jake Burton who pioneered the the sport of snowboarding and created Burton Snowboards. I wanted to be a brand that made items at the quality and craftsmanship of Hermes, who started off as a harness workshop and made leather riding gear, and Rimowa who used aircraft aluminum to advance the travel industry with innovation. Read more>>

Katie Emery | Blogger & Social Media Influencer

I decided to start my own business back in 2018 to help pull our family away from the brink of financial disaster – my husband had gotten laid off, and the bills were piling up. My full-time job didn’t pay enough to support a family of 4 in Los Angeles, and I’d always had some entrepreneurial ambitions – so I decided to go for it! Read more>>

Pradeepa Jeeva | CEO & Founder of Jeeva Productions

What was your thought process behind starting your own business? It’s an audacious story… I was just 5 years old when my family and I fled Sri Lanka to seek asylum in search of freedom and opportunity. From very early on, my father and mother played a pivotal role in how I experienced the world. I watched them enter a country with limited support and make something out of nothing. That determination has stayed with me all these years, and I still seek to create something out of nothing in all my work. Read more>>

Megan Nager | SAG Actor. Writer. Commentator

Before I had started my own business, I had worked in the entertainment industry for about eight years, in as many different roles as possible – both in front of and behind the camera. What I finally realized after all of those years was that my favorite thing to do was to create unique pieces of content – whether that be a comedy sketch, a commercial or a short film. When I eventually met my current business partner, Corey Turner, we discovered that the skills he brought to the table complimented the skills that I had, making us a really great team. Read more>>

Gerard Longo | Founder & CEO of Underground Music Collective

At first, I just needed an outlet. When I first started our podcast, The Quinn Spinn, in 2013, I had no idea that it would evolve into the Underground Music Collective platform that has reached hundreds of thousands of musicians and creatives around the world. Read more>>

Jessica McDevitt | Social Impact Strategist & Podcast Host

If you don’t see yourself at the table, build your own. I can’t echo this enough as it can apply to anyone regardless of your career stage. I struggled to place my aspirations in the music business as ‘the dream’ position, company, employer, etc that I saw my peers chasing. I was confident in my passions and rooted in my confidence, but couldn’t identify what was next for me. Read more>>

John Tsilimparis | Mental Health Consultant, Psychotherapist (MFT), Author, Teacher and Podcast Host

As a psychotherapist opening up a private practice in 1997, I knew that I wanted to create a safe and comfortable place for people to come and seek help. As a client myself many years ago in New York city, my therapist gave me excellent one-on-one attention and I benefited from it greatly. I knew that if I did the same for my clients I could help them to grow and flourish as I did. Read more>>