Entrepreneurs tell us about starting their businesses

Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Gbemileke Fadugba | Photographer, Cinematographer & Creative Director

The thought process behind starting my photography business stemmed from a gradual evolution of my passion and skills. It all began in childhood, observing my mum’s love for capturing moments, which sparked my own interest in photography. Read more>>

Joan Reid | Artist, Teacher, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Reiki master/teacher, Hawaiian Energetics practitioner.

After being in public school teaching for over 35 years, I decided to use my studio to continue teaching. I didn’t realize I would do as well teaching and having clients, as I have. I enjoy part time work and volunteering to help people learn about their abilities. I find that I am very busy with more flexible time. Read more>>

Keltouma Chahidi | CEO and Founder of an Ed-Tech company

Starting L’Workshop was like embarking on a journey to bridge two worlds I deeply love: the rich traditions of Morocco and the endless possibilities of modern technology in education. Read more>>

Heather Willis | Nervous System Health Practitioner & Environmental Scientist

I’ll start by saying my thought process is always a work in progress. I’ve found that if my long-term vision and values behind my business is solid, the thought process and systems to get me there can have more room to play – more fluidity in the action.  Read more>>

Jeremy Lara | President/CEO of Baja Roofing

I started my own company after gaining invaluable experience in the roofing industry. Growing up in a family roofing business, I learned the ropes early on, mastering the craft and understanding the intricacies of the trade. However, my ambition drove me to venture out on my own at a young age. Read more>>

Maegan La Trese Philmore | Film & TV Producer, Director, Activist

My production company, Hudson Philmore, started because writers, actors, directors needed a producer type to help them make their work. After a few projects, it became clear I needed to use my physical production experience and start developing intersectional stories.  Read more>>

Amy Bracco Biden | Co-Founder & Art Director

Rezeta and I started Ever photos because we wanted to offer families a different way to experience taking family portraits and we wanted to deliver a different product. At Ever photos our vision is to make taking family portraits stress free and deliver magazine quality portraits.  Read more>>

Ishmeet Singh | South Asian Photographer & Tech Professional

The decision to start my own photography business wasn’t exactly part of a grand plan, or even planned at all. It was more of a series of fortunate accidents that led me down this unexpected path back to a passion I discovered as a middle schooler in her first photography class. Read more>>

Dr. Lori Aliksanian | Founder of MedBeautyLA

Starting my own business came from a desire to create a med spa that felt personal and tailored to young professionals looking for subtle, natural-looking aesthetic enhancements. Read more>>

Ebony Gilbert | Writer-Filmmaker, Community Activist, & CEO of Dirt-Stained Roses Productions

When I started Dirt-Stained Roses, I wanted to create a space for marginalized communities, voices, and stories. Our company produces film, TV, books, and stage plays committed to innovation, visibility, and social justice. Read more>>

Dr. Eric T. Merriweather | President & Founder of a nonprofit, Author, Actor, Voiceover and Certified Life Coach

I was really sitting and staring off into space and I feel like God just told me he wanted me to do this. He showed me the edifice of a sports complex and that I would be taking care of families who are in need. I had been coaching a lot of kids for track and field. Read more>>

Andrei McQuillan | Andrei Drei” McQuillan | Founder & CEO

The initial impetus behind founding my Agency, Higher Evolution, was kinda due to boredom. I was in the middle of closing another deal for my previous business. My prior company, Stillhouse was acquired by Bacardi and the deal took 9 months to close.  Read more>>

Robert Hensley | Certified Meditation Leader and Personal Rewilding Coach

I saw the disconnect between people and Nature, and the affect that existing solely in this vertical, gray world was having on my friends and colleagues – not to mention on me. Coming from a rural upbringing, I didn’t appreciate what I had that other people didn’t, which was access to forests and streams, to rivers and wildlife. Read more>>

Richard Sherwood | Percussionist, creator, producer, drum teacher

I wanted to create a giant electro-acoustic percussion instrument that has never been seen before. I love to move and dance when I play, so creating a stand-up instrument that can play any sound I want was what i was going for. Read more>>

Jorge-Luis Pallo | Actor, Director, Acting Coach, and Teaching Artist

Hello there! Let’s just start by saying, starting my own acting studio was not part of my original plan, Lol. After getting my BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, I moved to Los Angeles as a young, brash Latino theater kid who really didn’t know his ass from his elbow. Read more>>

Masha Petrova | Fitness and wellness coach

The idea of being my own boss and having freedom is something I knew I wanted since I was really young. When I turned 21 I moved to the states with only $300 and a big dream I had to work 3 jobs at a time to make ends meet. Read more>>

Alex Fumero | Producer / Writer / Podcast Host

I used to be a development executive on the “buyer’s side” meaning for TV networks, including Fusion and HBO. One day I realized I was driving my boss insane bringing her one idea after another, sometimes admittedly asking for forgiveness, not permission, which is a big no-no in the corporate world.  Read more>>

Brinny Ortiz | Travel Agent and self made entrepreneur

As newly divorced woman with a toddler, I was having a hard time finding a job with the same hours as the daycare provider I had for my daughter. I am from Brazil and I don’t have any family here so I needed to do come up with something that would provide enough income to support us financially and where I could have a flexible schedule. Read more>>

Lisa Karen Cohen | Director, Creative Parties for Kids & Play & Parties

The thought process behind starting my company is 1986 was initially survival. I was an actress/dancer who was pursuing a performance career in Los Angeles after arriving as a regional theatre artist and dancer from Colorado. I had taught ballet and theatre to children throughout my life and created the concept of “Dance-On-Wheels, which I started with $15 at a Kinkos on Reseda Blvd. Read more>>

Cameron Robinson | CEO

To give opportunities to artist and entertainers that showcase their talents. To give a voice for many creatives and their opinions through art. Read more>>

Raymond Egbo | Founder & Jewelry Designer

Egbo Collections began as a personal project born out of a desire to address the lack of representation of African culture, art, and heritage in the jewelry industry. Recognizing a gap in the market, I embarked on developing this project, which gradually evolved into a full-fledged business.  Read more>>

Tanya Stone | Interior Designer

Initially, I sought a business that allowed flexibility in scheduling, enabling me to work around childcare, operate from home, and maintain low overhead costs. Inspired by the joy of designing my first child’s nursery, I ventured into interior design, realizing it was my true calling. Read more>>

Brendan Duffey | Mixing and Mastering Engineer

Working for others in the recording industry provided me with valuable insights and experience, but over time, I began to feel a strong desire to invest in something that I could truly call my own. One key aspect was recognizing that my skills and dedication were contributing significantly to the success of the studios and producers I worked for.  Read more>>

Andrew Nunes | Custom Branded Product Expert

I was frustrated with my job back in late 2020. A former colleague called me a “paper pusher” as a joke and it changed me. Although I was frustrated, I was content with my 9-5. However, it wasn’t until that moment that I realized I wanted something “more” professionally. Read more>>

Whitney Neal | Charcuterie Curator, Wedding Planner, & Hospitality Sales Executive

The thought of Graze & Raise actually started at my 30th Birthday Party. I didn’t want a full meal, but something delicious, beautiful, and perfect to pair with champagne, wine, or cocktails/mocktails. I found a couple of vintage wood platters from my grandmother, and my friend / co-owner and I got to work! Graze & Raise was born that day. Read more>>

David Skidmore | Musician and Arts Leader

My bandmates and I were definitely not thinking about starting a business, we just had music that we loved to make that was different than what most other people were making. Once we realized that we wanted to reach more people and dedicate more time to the music, it became a business out of necessity. Read more>>

Daniela Rey | Herbalist and Educator at Growing Up Rooted

small town in the mountains of the Angeles forest. We bought a house on a quarter-acre lot of barren, eroded soil and as soon as we moved I started working to help the land heal, transforming our backyard it into a vibrant natural sanctuary where we host a Nature School for children, currently in its fourth year. Read more>>

Naomi Crawford | chef / activist

I wanted to create a space where people could connect with each other, and where their food came from, while eating delicious healthy food. I knew it had to be quick serve so that we could eliminate the need for sit down service, and people could easily grab food to take back to their homes / offices. Read more>>

Amber Liddicoat | Actress, Talent Manager and Head of Development at Verdict Artist Management/Verdict Film Group

As an Actor, I know what I look for in an agent. I look for someone who sees me as more than just a number, someone who is willing to push me, support me and believe in me. This is something I really struggled to find. My mum, Nicole, has always been my number 1 supporter and has helped me find the majority of acting jobs I have had!  Read more>>

Mona Rose | Owner and Lead Instructor

At the time of deciding to start my own business, I was working a corporate America job in tech sales. I actually really enjoyed that job. I was making pretty good money, too. However, it was the thought of helping another business grow instead of investing the same amount of time and energy into my own business that made me pull the plug and open my own music studio. Read more>>

Nikole Dalton | Fashion + Finance Entrepenuer

John A Rice | Artist, Actor, & Writer

The truth is, it wasn’t a choice. I have been producing art, whether it be acting, writing, or visual art, since I can remember. Growing up, I would spearhead all the creative projects in my school and community groups. Nonetheless, when I came to New York City, I never cracked the code to enter the gates of “Art” with a capital A.  Read more>>

Amar Flora | AI in Real Estate & Coffee maker

Office life just wasn’t cutting it for me anymore. I had these big ideas bubbling over, ideas that will be eventually enacted by others if I am just stuck in a cubicle. For a while, I waffled between playing it safe and chasing my dreams. But in the end, the itch to make my ideas a reality was too strong to ignore.  Read more>>

Callie Saeher | Scientist

Seeing our sensitive stomach pup struggling with different treats inspired us to start a treat company with healthy ingredients such as purple sweet potatoes and coconut oil to help alleviate the sensitivity. In the early days, we could not find any healthy treats and snacks for our sensitive stomach pup to boost his fiber content and make his stool consistent. Read more>>

Peri Perry | Art Director, Interior Designer, Real Estate Staging, Prop Stylist, Professional Organizer

Creating the company was never planned – it truly just happened. I have been fortunate enough to pursue my passions and people recognizing my love for interior design and space-making. Finding opportunities to express this passion has lead me to art direction, home design, interior design and personal organizing (organization is KEY to making a space beautiful). Read more>>

Steve Lee | Film Sound Designer, Founder of The Hollywood Sound Museum

.After having a career in film sound design for many years, I decided to channel all the knowledge I absorbed into something that I could share with everyone, so I started The Hollywood Sound Museum. During the pandemic, we built up a following on Patreon where we host webinars and audio programs to share the craft of entertainment audio. Read more>>

Nathalie Shapiro | Acupuncturist and Herbalist

I was diagnosed with a gynecological condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome when I was 17, which led me down a path of irregular periods, acne, weight gain, and the fear of infertility. When I made the decision to not take birth control for my condition, I decided to pursue natural medicine and spiritual healing. Read more>>

Avery Case | Photographer

There really wasn’t much thought process behind turning my passion for photography into a type of career, which, saying “career,” feels silly. It’s still a passion, and it’s not a full-time position. I take individuals on that feel my work deeply and resonate with the portraits I create.  Read more>>

Paula Luck | Owner of Studio Mar Nail Retreat

There wasn’t a time that I went to a nail salon here in LA and left frustrated due to terrible service. Every single time I left thinking I just threw my money in the trash, not to mention how damaged my nails got to be every single time I removed the gel to put a fresh one and also the way I was treated.  Read more>>

Chris Denson | Innovation Coach, Author, & Multimedia Host

A lot of my career has been focused around creativity, technology and innovation. Most of that was inside marketing & media agencies, the entertainment industry, or within the startup ecosystem. Along the way I got pretty obsessed with the emotional intelligence around why some ideas happen and others don’t and all the triumphs and hurdles we experience in between the two.  Read more>>

Kalyani Ramadurgam | Founder of Kobalt Labs

I’ve wanted to start my own company for as long as I can remember. I can distill my thought process as being influenced by my brother, my work experience, and my thirst for doing something interesting. Read more>>

Mallory Loar | CEO & Co-founder at Whatever

I believe there is something truly special in building something you would love to see in the world alongside people whom you respect and who possess an immense amount of talent. Read more>>

Panta Mosleh | Director | Writer | Producer

You know, the decision to start my own business in the creative world wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment thing. It came from a mix of experiences and passions. Growing up in a diverse background and seeing the lack of representation in storytelling really hit home for me.  Read more>>

Anna Preston | Professional Life Coach & Founder of WIILD Womanhood

WIILD and my coaching business is an ever-evolving journey. I really felt like I was/am building the plane while I fly it. I didn’t know all of the logistical parts and how they were going to unfold in my business but I was really clear on my why.  Read more>>

Jacob Cramer | Nonprofit Founder

I founded Love For Our Elders in 2013 because of my grandpa. A grandparent’s love will never grow old. Growing up, my Saturday afternoons were colored by strolls in the neighborhood park with grandma and grandpa. Afterwards, they’d treat me to crackers and milk, and a cookie if I was lucky. We’d even vacation together, have sleepovers, and play Scrabble. Read more>>

Jack Kelley | Writer, Film Producer, Consultant, and Real Estate investor

Ever since college, the most appealing career imaginable was being a writer. That didn’t seem like a reasonable option off the bat for repaying student loans. Through a convoluted series of events, I wound up working in commercial real estate in NYC soon after finishing undergrad at Yale.  Read more>>

Kim-Hoa Ung | Amigurumi Artist and Children’s Book Author-Illustrator

A big supporter of my work from the very beginning was my grandma. Whenever I crocheted anything, she would be in awe and tell me I should sell it. I told her that no one would buy it. She would always encourage me. I remember the last amigurumi piece I had shown her. Read more>>