Starting a business can be terrifying. Weighing the pros and cons, the risks, and other considerations can be so overwhelming that often promising entrepreneurs stop before they even start. We asked some phenomenal entrepreneurs about their thought process behind starting their own businesses. Our hope is that by making the thought-process less intimidating we can help more folks think through whether they should take an entrepreneurial leap.

Brooke Ely Danielson | Editorial and Content Brand Consultant

My mind is not short for ideas. In fact, I am always daydreaming and constantly observing life around me wondering what problem I can solve and how I can be helpful in community. While I have been full time at various companies throughout my career, I have always consulted on the to keep the other side of my brain stimulated. At a certain point I just started saying yes to the opportunities in front of me, and figured out process as It went along. Sometimes the best way to learn is to throw yourself in. Read more>>

Lucious Davis | Entrepreneur & Football Coach

When I founded 4Elite Training Academy, I thought about the impact I wanted to make on the community. Growing up playing sports, sports was everything to me and the impact that my coaches and mentors had on me was ever lasting, so I knew I wanted to give back in that same way. I wanted my business to be something I was passionate about and uplifted the youth. Read more>>

Gabe Alvarez | Founder / CEO

At a young age, I was always looking for ways to make money. I did have a few jobs in my teen years but always knew I wanted more. After high school, at the age of 17, I found employment as an intern at an engineering firm where I quickly moved up to be a Autocad designer. My career as a designer lasted 13 years of which I split time between two civil engineering firms. It was through the last 5 years of that season in my life that I really started to explore the possibilities of entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Emily Bergh | Founder – R Public Relations

It actually wasn’t a planned thing, I just sort of fell into it. When I was a single mom of two young kids, I was just trying to hold things together—I had no idea what my calling was and envied people who had that kind of direction, like knowing you wanted to be a backup dancer for Madonna since the time you were three years old! But I always enjoyed writing, I did a good bit of it in college, and I was always socially inclined, just loved being around and working with other people. Read more>>

Max Lilien | Tattoo Artist and Studio Owner

Starting my own business has been something I’ve wanted to do from a young age and has become one of the most fulfilling things I’ve accomplished. After years of work in tech sales, I began to realize a corporate environment wasn’t conducive to my creativity or strengths. I enjoy being in control of the decisions and risks I take to grow my business and explore new ventures. The responsibility can be overwhelming at times, but it truly is such a fun adventure. Read more>>

Emir Suljic | Coffee Roaster and Mobile Coffee Cart Owner

When I set out to start my two coffee-focused businesses, my primary goal was to enrich the community with exceptional coffee. My journey began with Merak Coffee Roasters, where I aimed to create a small-batch roasting operation dedicated to delivering the highest quality, freshly roasted coffee. Each batch is roasted to order, ensuring that every bag of coffee is as fresh as possible for our customers. Read more>>

Michaela Poblete | Software Engineer and Actress

I worked a 9-5 job as a software engineer and while I liked many aspects of it, I felt like I could accomplish much more working on something that I was passionate about. I like to problem solve and build things which is what I was doing at work but I was missing the creative aspect of building something. Starting this business has been an outlet for being creative – I got to decide on everything from the branding and logo design, to the ingredients going into the product, to building the website. Read more>>

Jasmine Jamison | Founder & CEO of She Beauty & She Exclusive

My thought process behind opening She Beauty was rooted in a passion for beauty and the desire to create a space where individuals could feel empowered, confident, and valued. It was about offering high-quality services and products while building a community that celebrates individuality and creativity. The goal was also to create opportunities for other beauty professionals to grow by providing booth rentals and fostering a collaborative environment. Read more>>

Ciara Johnson | Artist

Rulerless is a free thinking, truth seeking creative capsule of freehand line art. It is very clean, geometric symmetry that plays with color theory all done by hand without a ruler. As its matured, it has grown into a multi medium brand consisting of textile designs, pattern licensing, apparel and merchandise all anchored in its one word catchphrase. This expansion came to head when I realized how limitless the brand could be. Read more>>

Reed Newman | CEO of Revival Roots and Revival Roots Nursery

I started Revival Roots after graduating from the College of Agricultural Sciences at Cornell University in 2016. While back on break, I visited a family friend that hosted a large BBQ. They had prepared the meal from vegetables that were harvested right in their backyard It was delicious! They told me that they had someone come once a week to help them care for their garden. I thought to myself that I could help many more people establish an edible garden space and help them maintain and harvest fresh grown vegetables. Read more>>

Abigail Castillo Roxas | Rebound Fitness Academy Lead Trainer, MovEssential Studio Owner, Entrepreneur

It all started during the pandemic, with owning a business most would focus to invest and profit, but with owning a business with a main goal is to serve the community and change peoples lives is what drives a business to stay in the business it may not be as profitable but its sustainable. A business that is more relational than transactional. Read more>>

Joshua Franks | Recording Engineer, Producer, Mixer

For me, starting my own business and working for myself was very natural. I might even say it was the only way things were ever going to work out. Call it what you will, but I have been one to challenge authority from the earliest ages of my life and from fairly early on I knew I was going to have to figure things out for myself. When a problem arises, I enjoy being the one to have to work that out as apposed to waiting on others and I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing success is solely on myself even with all of the added stress that seems to come with. A control freak? Maybe sometimes, but I believe it helps in this business. Read more>>

Jazzmine Small | Model & Artist

Where I come from you didn’t see many of the woman chasing what they wanted, just seems they were stuck doing what they ended up doing. You didn’t have the many influences. Growing up I just knew I wanted to put my talents to work and go for my goals. Which has lead me where I am and on the upcoming projects I’ll be announcing. Read more>>

Isabella Betiato | Ceramics Artist

Coming from a background in brand design, I’ve always been compelled to create my own brand expression and, with that, offer something beyond a product. I felt deeply that whatever I created needed to be tied to a way of life—a philosophy of sorts, something impactful with the potential to create a positive ripple effect. That was my north star. I didn’t truly start until I understood what that ‘way of life’ was. Read more>>

Sahar Shahabi | Los Angeles Lifestyle Photographer

The thought process behind starting my own photography business stemmed from my passion for photography and the desire to turn a creative hobby into a career. I wanted the freedom to explore my unique style and have control over my work, without the constraints of a traditional job. I envisioned a lifestyle that came with flexibility to be there for my boys, and not miss their school events or soccer games! Read more>>

Leslie Sanchez | Shop Owner

I never actually dreamed of starting my own business. I was originally a maker/vendor at the shop, and when the original owner decided to move on, she asked if I wanted to buy it from her. After discussing it with my husband, I realized it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. So, I decided to take a chance and move forward. My thought process during this transition was simple: If I already love the place and what it stands for, then what do I have to lose? Read more>>

Jessie Gainsley Rivera | Wardrobe Consultant, Stylist + Vintage Business Owner

I was a clothing designer for many years so it felt like the natural next step to start dressing people. I wanted to do it because I love engaging with different types of people and love helping woman + men find confidence through their clothes. Getting dressed is not easy for everyone and it can have a negative effect on how your day feels and it does not have to be like that. I am here to help bring confidence and comfort into peoples lives. Read more>>

Tamanno Kamiljanova | CEO of Earth Organic Cleaning

Always wanted to operate a business and to have financial freedom. The idea of cleaning services came to me a long time ago and we executed in 2020 by opening a branch in Los Angeles and Bellevue, Seattle. It is a family operated business. We have Earth Organic Cleaning in Los Angeles and Leaf Organic Cleaning in Bellevue, Seattle. Read more>>

Lord Milly | Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Creative Director

Well first I was visual Creative Director & a model for various Brands. I later developed the love of being in the fashion industry just by being a tastemaker and putting fly clothes on and creating a very unique since of style. As us New Yorkers call it “Hood High Fashion” a meaning consisting of just us young kids from the Inner slums or “Ghetto” mixing local streetwear brands & high end designer garments and make it represent us. Read more>> 

Jackson Bloore | Fitness Coach & Athlete

On May 21, 2021, at 70 years old, my mother passed away. She struggled with her health for most of her life despite many warnings from friends, family, and doctors. She dealt with high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, and even required a defibrillator that restarted her heart 17 times. Read more>>

Julia Smerling | Photojournalist

I started my photography business when I was in high school, more specifically my freshman year, as a way to better financially support myself and my family. Photography was also an outlet for me to express myself during personal challenges in my life. I wanted photography to be accessible to others, to be communal, and to give others a voice. Truthfully, I want my photography to be a voice for others because photography gave me a voice during a time when I felt like I didn’t have one. Read more>>

Burçin Aktükün | Sound Engineer, Record Producer

I can tell you about how I chose my own job, but not about starting my own business. Because I am currently working as a Tonmeister at TRT, the largest media organisation in Turkey. I discovered the magical world of music at a young age, and I decided where I would take part in this magical world in my 20s. When I was playing an instrument or singing, I always felt as if I was playing and singing into the void. Read more>>