Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Kali Picard | Speech-Language Pathologist & Artist

As a practicing speech therapist and artist, I wanted a way to merge my two skillsets. I’m deeply passionate about helping others and what better way than through the arts. Read more>>

gloria shi | Restaurateur

Well, my dad was pretty much retired at that point and his day-to-day sitting at home was rapidly aging him. So in order to stir things up, I would always book him a last-minute one-way flight out from New York to come visit me in LA. Read more>> 

Lizeth Garcia | Pet Photographer

I have loved photography since I was in High School, I can confidently say that it is the thing I know how to do best. My first job was at a portrait studio and then I worked with a newborn photographer for many years. Read more>>

jeffrey gomez | Magazine Publisher

I started my own business because I wanted creative freedom. It sounds so corny, but I really didn’t like, and still don’t like, an office job or parameters that I have to work within. Read more>> 

Timothy Seisser | Professional Musician and Luthier

I was looking for another job, in addition to being a full time working musician, that would allow me to make my own schedule and be my own boss. Having flexible hours was essential, as I didn’t want to quit being a musician, I just wanted to augment it. Read more>>

Shahin Studios | Founded in 2017 by Marwan & Honda Shahin, Shahin Studios is an LA based creative practice, that provides personalized and branding experiences and producer for avant garde merch

Starting our own business stemmed from a desire to fill a gap we saw in the creative industry. As artists ourselves, we knew we could offer something unique and compelling to global cultural, commercial, and private clients.. Read more>>

Ryan Hellriegel | Entrepreneur & Athlete

My thought process was simple, create something that helps people get back to doing what they love. The more we succeed as a business, the more people we truly help move better. Read more>>

Mushky Rice | they/them – Tattoo artist, interdisciplinary creative, and performer on wheels

I have been an interdisciplinary artist for many years. I was working in outdoor education teaching ceramics and art. I had many small projects, instillations and creative endeavors over the years that brought money and income but none that stuck well enough to start a career over. Read more>>  

Bridgette Yaxley | Director & Executive Producer

Since founding Trailblazing Female Productions LLC, a couple of years ago, I’ve maintained a primary focus on the narrative of the most underrepresented voice in the room, that less obvious perspective or point-of-view, By examining current research, nearly 50% of the viewing audience consuming the most popular streaming services are female (ages 18-55 and older). Read more>> 

Dr. Kristen Merchant | Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, Birth Doula, and Placenta Processor

Throughout my adult-hood, I’ve had multiple ideas for businesses that I thought would be cool to start. I never acted on any of them fully. Ironically enough, none of those ideas involved what I went to school for, being a Physical Therapist. Read more>>

Eve Simonsen | Co-Founder and Plant Medicine Guide

To answer this candidly requires a degree of vulnerability. The birth of REUNION as a business stemmed from an unexpected life shift and a series of events that led to the creation of our brand. Read more>>

Dexter Jordan Brown | Artist Management / Development; Sponsorships / Partnerships Agent; The Recording Academy, Ch. Amb

The decision to start my own management and development agency was deeply rooted in my unwavering love and passion for music and artistic expression. I’ve always believed in the power of music to evoke emotion, inspire change, and connect people on a profound level. Read more>> 

Fee Steinvorth | Founder & Visionary

What was your thought process behind starting your own business? It was less strategic and more organic. I did not think, “I want to start a business; what can I offer.” It was an evolving process from many years of discovery and education in nutrition and mindfulness. Read more>> 

Bobby Littrell | Venue Owner

So it wasn’t really a thought process. More of a journey, if anything. Before The Shed was a music space, The Shed was my dad’s wood shop. He was a cabinetmaker. Read more>>

Aracely Vega | Pastry Chef

As a child I was always in the kitchen, and as I grew out my apron, I knew that I wanted to open my own business. I knew I wanted to become a pastry chef. When I was 6 years old I discovered that baking and decorating desserts have been my passion and it wasn’t just something fun but it gave meaning to my everyday life. Read more>>

Maritess Zurbano Cathleen Abalos | Professional magician, author, psychic entertainer, and co-creator of Decolonized Tarot, Cathleen Abalos, artist, illustrator, co-creator of Decolonized Tarot

From Maritess Zurbano: As a Filipino-American young woman who learned magic in Las Vegas and in the tradition of white-male dominated magic field, I wanted to excel. Read more>> 

Ashley Fuentes | J&F Photo Lab Inc Co-Owner

Can you start by sharing the story of how J&F PhotoLab came into existence? Interviewee: Certainly. J&F PhotoLab was founded in 1992 by Jonathan and Evelyn Fuentes. Back then, they were a couple with a shared passion for photography and entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Jackie Tumaian | Independent Travel Agent & Traveler

I’ve always loved traveling, finding good deals and putting vacations together for myself and friends. I want to show people that traveling doesn’t have to be expensive, that it doesn’t have to be difficult. I truly just want to help people see this big, beautiful world we live in! Read more>>

Yesenia Rodriguez | Momma and crafter

It started with making my daughter a hairbow to match her outfit. And then she asked for more bows, and then her friends asked for bows. Then it escalated to making party decor (banners, cake toppers, etc…). Next up was personalizing cups and mugs. Read more>> 

Brenda Earle Stokes | Piano/Voice Teacher and Entrepreneur

After years of freelancing as a musician and music teacher, I decided it was time to become more intentional about my work an income. I had been dabbling in online courses for a few years, and decided during the pandemic that it was time to dive in and see if I could make something that had more impact. Read more>> 

Jenna Michele | Potter

Honestly, my thought process on starting my own business was, “F*** It.” Because really what is the worst that will happen? Most people know I started out doing photography )which I really I was only doing bc I am obsessed with freezing moments in time.) Read more>>

Stacey and Isaias Ocampo Corado | Real Estate Agent and Roofing Contractor

First, (Stacey) has a real estate business in helping investors find properties as a realtor and helping family’s buy and sell their home. Read more>> 

Jerry Tsagamilis | Skater & Entrepreneur

Being a skater all my life, I wanted to create the first social media for us. The demand was clearly high as you could see skaters from all different levels posting on existing social media platforms. Read more>>

Burcu Gunaydin Levent and Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo | Apricot Music And Art Organization Board of directors, Dr,Ayse Taspinar Gatenyo ‘Pianist/Founder’, Burcu Gunaydin Levent ‘Artistic Director/Visual Consultant’

As an independent non-profit organization, Apricot Music & Art operates with a budget that is carefully planned to support our mission and programs. We are fortunate to collaborate with sponsors and supporters who share our vision and provide financial assistance. Read more>>