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.

Emma Maddock | Soccer Fit Founder

It’s something that’s been an idea of mine for a couple of years now. Last year, I felt like I was just waiting for things to happen to me, so this year I made a promise to myself that I’d put myself out there and go after what I wanted. The idea of SOCCER FIT came from a mixture of my own likes and dislikes. Firstly, I get so bored at the gym or just running, but if there’s an objective or a game, I don’t think about the fact that I’m working out, it becomes fun and I tend to push myself harder. Read more>>

Anthony Villegas | Owner, Chef, & Butcher at The Meat Cellar

Opening a restaurant was always our calling—creating a place with quality food and warm service. I grew up in a restaurant family, and then spent my 20s working my way through the hospitality industry, from server to general manager, and later as a meat sales representative. This experience allowed me to become an expert in naturally-grown meats and seafood, and opened doors for me to know chefs all across Los Angeles and discuss with them the quality of product and menu development. Read more>>

Michelle Myra | Comprehensive Stott Pilates and Lagree Level 1 Certification.

After moving to America from living in Asia for nearly 9 years it took me a while to discover what I wanted to do with my life in Los Angeles. Luckily for me, I had an answer in the fall of 2022. After sitting a a 10 Day Vipassana course I realised that I needed to create a space for myself and for others to be seen within the Pilates community. I’m a very shy person despite my dashing instructor persona- so taking the leap of faith for me to be consistent online has been a huge deal. Big changes require courage and that’s why I decided to do- to have courage for myself. Read more>>

Alessandra Divine | Drag Entertainer

My thoughts process for me when it came to starting my own business was first looking into what I am already doing as a hobby and seeing if there was a business for it; which there is. I do drag entertainment and there are many people that want to see a drag queen but don’t want to go to a gay bar, which is fine. I took that and started promoting myself (and other queens) for private events like bachelorette parties. It is a very profitable business and everyone loves to be entertained. Read more>>

Gigi Dayan | Experienced Graphic & Web Designer | Wix Pro Designer | Intuitive Creativity Specialist

Starting my own business was like stepping into a canvas full of potential, waiting for those first brushstrokes of creativity. My journey began in the quiet town of Saint Georges de Didonne, where I first discovered my love for drawing, seeing the world through lines and colors. The allure of graphic design, merging art with technology, was irresistible—a path where I could not only create but also innovate. Read more>>

Scott Hays | Co-Founder / Executive Producer

Orange County, California, has no broadcast media that reaches our highly diverse, culturally influential population of 3.2 million people. In fact, we are perhaps the largest “news desert” in the nation – way too big and too significant to go without public affairs programming that engages directly with residents. Read more>>

Maria Albiñana | Actor, Writer, Producer

Starting your own project as an actor is not easy but, what is easy in the film industry? My first personal project, the series “Cancelled”, was a chain of events – most of them pretty unfortunate – that lead into a huge internet success. Read more>>

Archie Green | Creative Entrepreneur & Mental Health Advocate

Starting my own businesses was a journey driven by passion, purpose, and a desire to make a tangible impact. It was also driven by a huge void for what both of my companies offer. Growing up, I was immersed in the world of hip-hop as I’ve also been an artist for over 25 years. I experienced firsthand how powerful music can be as a tool for healing and expression. Read more>>

Gabriela Vega | Children’s Book Illustrator

Starting my own business as a children’s book illustrator was driven by my passion for drawing and storytelling, especially inspired by artists like Eric Carle, Mary Blair, and Quentin Blake. I wanted to create work that explores and represents my culture as a Latina artist, contributing to the diversity in children’s literature and providing underrepresented voices with a platform. Read more>>

Lyndsey Gallagher | Attorney at Law

My oldest of three boys was a toddler receiving in-home occupational therapy by Ellen Bridge OTR/L. At the time, I was a stay at home mom of three with a 3-year old, 1-year old and infant. When she asked if I was an attorney. I answered that I was but, was not currently practicing. She shared with me that one of her long-time wheelchair using patients with cerebral palsy was being bullied by his aide in school (also sharing some of the heartbreaking examples like being left in the school quad during an active shooter drill). Read more>>

Lili Gao | Co-founder and COO

My thought process behind starting One Up Party was rooted in a desire to break free from the limitations that traditional jobs impose. I realized that if you have a dream and the drive to make it a reality, you shouldn’t be confined to a capped income or someone else’s vision. Starting my own business was about taking control of my future, creating something meaningful, and building a brand that reflects my passion for celebrations and innovation. It’s about knowing that the sky’s the limit when you’re the one in the driver’s seat. Read more>>

Wesam Samour | Pharmacist, Entrepreneur, & Healthcare Education Advocate

My journey to founding Fillcera Pharmacy was driven by a deep-rooted passion for improving healthcare accessibility and patient outcomes. Having worked in various pharmacy settings across the United States, I observed firsthand the challenges patients face in navigating the complex healthcare system. Read more>>

Zachary Isaac Settle | Artist, Producer, Musician, Songwriter

Ever since I was young, I always dreamed of being my own boss and working for myself. I never really liked the idea of working for someone else for the rest of my life. Personally, there’s little to no freedom in that. Before starting, I quickly learned that starting and running your own business takes a lot of time, effort, and money as well. Read more>>

Dina Kleiman | Energy Healer, Intutive Reader, Spiritual Teacher

When I decided to start my own business, it wasn’t just about following a passion—it was about addressing the negativity I saw around me. The world is filled with challenges, and I kept coming back to the saying: “If not you, then who? If not here, then where? If not now, then when?” This resonated deeply with me, pushing me to take action. Read more>>

Trey Lockerbie | Founder

When Ashleigh and I met at a birthday party in Los Angeles, thanks to mutual friends, it seemed overdue. We were riding high on the waves of successful careers, touring globally with iconic artists like Rihanna and Lady A. The road, however, can be a tiring and unhealthy place and we both had a growing passion for health and wellness. Read more>>

Daniel Hare | Founder CR Citrus

CR Citrus began as a hobby-a way to work on knife skills, learn how to use my Traeger, and share amazing flavors. And for the first few years this was the plan. Friends would bring citrus from their backyards and I would do R/D on the spot- it was comfortable yet exciting. Read more>>

Dr. Monique Roach | DSW, MSW, LCSW – Chief Executive Officer

My thought process behind starting Ready 4 Change is both insightful and deeply rooted in addressing the systemic inequities that persist in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly within mental health services. Racism, as a structural determinant, undeniably plays a significant role in perpetuating the mental health disparities experienced by populations of color, including African Americans, Latinos, and American Indians. Read more>>

Jessica, Tim Escorza, Smith | Program Directors & Lead Special Education Instructors at Agape Village Day Program

Well, we honestly were very unsure of what this was going to become or what we were heading into! Our thought process was simply provide a place, an environment where adults with special needs can come to be together and build their village within Santa Clarita Valley. We wanted Agape to be a place our clients could come to during the week and have a variety of activities to do that keeps them working on different skills leading towards independence. Read more>>

Jamaal White | Actor & Entertainer

My Thought process behind starting my own business has been to supply the lack. To create and provide the space and opportunity for those that dream. I have seen too many tears fall for dreams deferred and wanted genie for those dreamers. Read more>>

Karen Doyle | Fine Artist, ex-Nike

As a lifelong artist, I have always drawn, painted, and studied art. I did not envision becoming a professional artist, as I was cautioned by my draftswoman mother that I would not be able to make money that way. So I studied Psychology in college, but minored in art. I kept studying art while working at Nike, Inc. in a corporate career, taking weekend and evening classes and obtaining a Certificate in Fine Art. Read more>>  

Tim Kim | Artist

When David Hockney started exploring his ipad drawings, he would send them to his friends as if they’re fresh flowers. I thought that was a neat idea and decided to try it for myself. My method of sending fresh flowers were through emails because I liked the idea of the image going directly to the person. I started out sending out the drawings of flowers to my friends and I eventually started posting them on TikTok as well. Read more>>

Monse + Drew Escarcega | Owners of Rustic Charm Booth (Photo Booth Rentals)

When my current husband and I met in 2017 at our local Starbucks we were both working on our own computers. When we connected and exchanged business cards little did we know that was the beginning of our chapter. Years later in 2019 he proposed! To pay off our wedding we decided we wanted to do something together to make money and pay off our wedding. Read more>>

Laura Gabayan | Physician Researcher & Author

I am a physician, researcher, scientist, and Number 1 Bestselling Author, who changed my career course in 2013. I will equate writing my new book, “Common Wisdom” (2024) that is based on my new study, The Wisdom Research Project, to starting my own business. After practicing medicine for 14 years, my new mission is to bring people more peace, happiness and success by sharing the life-changing insights uncovered in my study and book, “Common Wisdom”.  Read more>>

Nik Kacy | Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur, Executive Producer, Innovator, Inspirational Speaker

First off, I want to say thank you for wanting to feature me again in ShoutOut LA. To those who may have missed the previous articles, I am the Founder of NiK Kacy Footwear, the first luxury genderequal footwear and accessories brand, and Equality Fashion Week, the first LGBTQ+ inclusive fashion week in LA. We just had our 3rd EFW this past May and it was 4 days of impactful events featuring a diverse array of talented queer folks spanning across North America. Read more>>

Prince Nasir A. Bey | Philosopher

My thought process was to create a business that would allow me to share my books and philosohpies with the world. Read more>>

Efigenia Guzmán Domínguez | Business Owner

The process was a journey, to say the least, but now it’s here to stay. I truly believe con intención was with me subconsciously but was not ready to come out until the timing was right, or as I like to call it, divine timing. Artesanías (artisanal products) have always been an obsession of mine. I am constantly intrigued by who creates the product, the purpose it serves, where it originates from, and its cultural importance. I feel the best way to connect to a product is to honor where it comes from and the process in which it is created. Read more>>

Jeneffer Jones Punjani | Interior Designer

There were two times in my life when I began my own business. The first was as a wardrobe stylist when I was in my 20s. After a short stint in PR for an upscale clothing boutique in Beverly Hills specializing in vintage fashion, I realized a desk job wasn’t a great fit for me. A friend who I had attended design school began working as a freelance stylist assistant in San Francisco. It sounded like my dream job, so I took a chance and moved north. Read more>>

Asher Weiss | CEO and Co-Founder of Tixologi

I came from the professional sports industry before this, working for the Golden State Warriors and the Orlando Magic for several years. Along the way, I learned about the many pain points on both sides of the ticketing industry, the venue/event producer side, as well as the fan side. As the ticketing industry has evolved over the last several years, things have certainly changed but not in many ways that clearly benefit event producers, venues, artists or fans. Read more>>

Olga Pankova | Photographer

Starting my own business was a natural progression of my passions and interests. I’ve always wanted to be a freelancer, to plan my own time and to be my own boss. I had a deep love for photography, art, people, and psychology, and I found that photography sessions were a perfect blend of all these elements. Read more>>

Sara Seligman | Film / TV Director, Producer & Writer

As a filmmaker the only path is a very scary one; freelance. Most people in the film and TV industry have to decide to be OK with that financial and employment instability in exchange of wanting to follow our dreams. Read more>>

Mo Skeezy | Entrepreneur/Creative

The idea for my business emerged from a blend of personal passion and creativity at an early age. However, I just couldn’t pin point what my favorite creative thing was exactly out of all of the things that caught my attention a one point. As I grew older I fell more into the fashion/music side (while still of course perfecting my other crafts.) and as I tried my hardest to figure out what I could build my brand around, I thought why not build around myself? Read more>>

Dior Jazmine | Artist, Owner, & Operator

A few different things really! I have always dabbled in making natural body products, working with herbs, salts, and oil infusions. I have an organic spa industry background and I am an eclectic green witch for sure haha. Bringing wellness and clean self-care into the world was a big goal of mine. I wanted to start sharing my crafts with more than just friends and family, helping people relax and feel good. Read more>>

Ali Guthy | Founder, CEO

This process was deeply influenced by my parents, who are both remarkable entrepreneurs. Their success and drive inspired me from a young age and, as a result, I’ve always had a strong desire to start my own business one day. Additionally, my journey through the startup world—starting with working at a startup as my first job out of college, then pursuing law school with a focus on startup corporate and VC law, and finally as an investor working with early-stage founders—fueled my passion for entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Journey Shank | Personal coach & Entrepreneur

The main thought process behind starting my own business (JS3 Hoop Training) was to create a brand that allowed me to stay connected to the game after my career and to help the next generation of athletes. I take pride in being able to leave a legacy behind for my family and I believe one of the best ways you can do that, is to build something with your name on it. Read more>>

Terry Okey | Songwriter, guitarist, singer, composer

I have been playing music in and around Los Angeles for nearly four decades and I have seen incredible changes in the music industry with regards to styles and business procedures. Used to be you would put up a chunk of money, then write, record, mix, and release an album and then make the money back on selling copies of the album, live shows and merchandise.  Read more>>