The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Benjamin Benoit | Entrepreneur

Starting my own business was a natural progression for me, driven by a combination of ambition, independence, and a desire for creative expression. Being my own boss allowed me to take control of my destiny and pursue my passions while having the freedom to explore various income streams. It was about crafting a lifestyle that aligned with my values and aspirations, where I could channel my creativity into something tangible and meaningful. Ultimately, the thought of building something from the ground up and seeing it thrive was incredibly motivating and rewarding. Read more>>

Ben Wan | Indie Comic Book Writer, Author, Podcaster, & Voice Actor

My original career goal was to become a TV writer. Around 2012, I was well on that path. I had representation, a few awards for my TV specs and pilots, and had just gotten into the NBC TV writing program, which was called Writers on the Verge at the time. But a cancer diagnosis with Hodgkin’s lymphoma set me back. After my cancer went into remission in 2013, I was able to get back on my feet and write more pilots. But while my scripts got me meetings, I wasn’t landing staffing positions. Read more>>

Desire Stephens | Entrepreneur & Mosquito Shield Franchisee

I have always been around entrepreneurs and working for a franchise corporation and then for a small business that bought a franchise, I knew franchising was the right fit for me. My 10 year goal out of high school was to be making my own money. I always wanted to work for me. I purchase Mosquito Shield 12 days before that 10 year goal and while I hadn’t made any money I had invested time, money and energy to do so. Starting my own business through a franchise gave me the opportunity to earn more, to give back to the community and develop myself and my team further than I ever thought I could. Read more>>

Gloria S. Kim | Co-Founder of Magdalene

Magdalene was born from a random conversation we (Gloria S Kim and Denis Geary Lopez) had last spring, sparked by our desire to support emerging artists in Los Angeles seeking opportunities and community, as well from hypothesizing that arts could play a specific role in helping to revitalize urban neighborhoods especially with commercial real estate experiencing a serious downturn. In addition, our curiosity to learn more about the contemporary art market—so distinct from the private industries in which we typically operate—fueled this initiative, blending our passion for the arts with a drive to create opportunities for these talented, yet often underrepresented, artists. Read more>>

Paola Ruvalcaba | Owner/cook:/chef

My main thought was the motivation to help my community especially during the pandemic. No one was going out so I was delivering the food to their homes. Read more>>

Adriana Lozano | Visual Artist

The growth of my career has been a very organic process. I didn’t initially set out with a defined plan to build a career in the arts; rather, it developed slowly from a personal need to draw every day. After graduating, I moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I worked in various jobs unrelated to art. However, I met talented artists and friends there who shared a deep love for drawing. Together, we naturally formed a community, gathering for drawing sessions that often turned into self-published projects, zine fairs, and exhibitions—driven purely by the joy of drawing and a desire to share this common passion. Read more>>

Christiane King | Creative Director & Founder

My journey in fashion has been filled with transformative experiences that have shaped me both as a designer and as a creative entrepreneur. Originally from Côte d’Ivoire, I have experienced the French and later the American cultures gaining exposure to different styles and influences. This multicultural experience laid the foundation for my unique perspective on design. Read more>>

Heathyr Lawrence | Shoe & Fashion Designer ^..^

I just had so much to express…and a strong belief in Girl Power! To make women feel like we have a voice with a bit of tongue & cheeky along the way. Read more>>

Melanie Neumann And Erica Fisher | Co-Founders, PRESENT NOW

After touring Good Shepherd, a local transitional domestic violence shelter, we saw firsthand that youth were the silent victims of domestic violence and immediately we both knew that we should do something to bring about change. Our backgrounds include nonprofit experience and social work, so it was a perfect blend and starting point to launch something impactful together. We founded PRESENT NOW in 2012 in our garage with the specific mission of delivering joy, comfort and healing through personalized gifts to ensure that youth in domestic violence shelters feel seen, loved and supported by a caring community. Read more>>

Brithney Buchanan | President of Buchanan PR & Seasoned Publicist

Starting my own business was a daunting leap of faith, and, honestly, I might not have taken it if the pandemic hadn’t happened. The global crisis was a difficult and unfortunate event, yet it forced me to slow down, take stock of my life, and consider what I truly wanted for myself. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and go-getters, I’d been around business from a young age, working with my family before moving into the PR industry. By 2020, I had been working at a PR firm for several years, but I felt it was time to move forward on my own, despite the uncertainty. Read more>>

Adam Choi | Designer & Builder

TurtleForge started in June 2023 when we, a group of engineering students with backgrounds in fabrication and design, were brought a discarded spool of plastic strapping from a factory and asked if we could find a way to repurpose it instead of letting it go to waste. When we determined it was PET—the same strong, flexible, and resilient plastic used in bottles—we saw the potential to transform this industrial scrap into something valuable: filament for 3D printing. The idea of repurposing discarded material to create a high-strength, eco-friendly filament that was actually useable was exciting, and it fit perfectly with our team’s mission to reduce waste and innovate within 3D printing. Read more>>

Eleana Ramos | Owner, Ele Makes Cakes

I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in 2009 and worked at 3 different cake shops for about 5 years. On the side I would make cakes for close friends and family to get some practice in. I started an instagram account (when instagram was totally new and cool!) to showcase my work and I quickly grew a clientele from friends of friends or coworkers. I would make cakes at work for 8+ hours a day and then come home and make more cakes at home for my own clients. I eventually decided to just work full time for myself and get a bit of my life back! (which I never did…) Working for yourself is hard. It’s 24/7. Read more>>

Dean Peterson | Co-founder Burden of Proof

I had to quit drinking in 2022 when I was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. At the same time, my partner Obreanna was experimenting with “sober curiosity” and observing the benefits of a life with less alcohol. Just because we stopped drinking didn’t mean we wanted to give up being social, though. I was afraid I’d be relegated to a life of just drinking water or diet soda at parties and social events, so was thrilled to discover Athletic Brewing’s non-alcoholic beer. That served for an entry point to a whole world of delicious and exciting NA beverages—beers, wine, spirits, and more—that didn’t compromise on taste. Read more>>

Dr. Laleh Mehrrafiee | Cosmetic Dentist

As a dentist, my primary motivation has always been to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Starting my own business allowed me to extend that impact beyond individual patient interactions. I wanted to create a space where I could innovate, create beautiful smiles, and share my knowledge on a larger scale. The journey required balancing my dental expertise with entrepreneurial skills. The satisfaction of helping more people achieve their dream smiles has been incredibly rewarding. Read more>>

Ceci Angelinni | Licensed Aesthetician, Medi-Spa Expert & Spiritual Life Coach

In 2020, during the pandemic, I made the decision to relocate to South Pasadena, California to care for my 94-year-old mother suffering from Dementia. In the process, I said goodbye to my friends, clients and the spa I passionately worked at as the Aesthetic Director in beautiful Sedona, Arizona. In the Spring of 2022, my time spent caring for my mom was completed. Originally, I had imagined the move would be temporary, but it turned out different. A few months after my mother’s passing, I embarked on the first job search I had ever needed to do. Since I was 14, I started working and was so fortunate to never experience unemployment. Read more>>

Alyssa Alvarenga | Professional Makeup Artist

This is an amazing question! My thought process behind starting my own business was on going for as long as I can remember my first job was at City Walk at the store “Guess?” It was my favorite job ever! Unfortunately it got shut down due to COVID-19. After Covid19 I had multiple jobs, but ended up quitting within a matter of a month or two. I was so unhappy. I tried taking some classes at my local community college & that also wasn’t working. I had my son in November of 2022 so that meant I needed to be a stay at home mom & take care of my son. Read more>> 

Ziyu ‘arwen’ Wang | Independent Filmmaker

Starting my own business in film production felt like a natural progression of everything I had been learning, experiencing, and feeling, both personally and professionally. The way I see it, intimate storytelling requires a space where one’s vision isn’t diluted, where stories can be told with sincerity and respect. My thought process was centered on the need to create that space—not just for myself but for others who might not feel seen or heard. Read more>>

Tiffany Chasson | Actress, Producer & Podcaster

I started a podcast called Stressful to Successful with my boyfriend Jaden D’Amico this year. We wanted to start a discussion about what success means to different people and the work it takes to get there. So many people think that success is over night due to everything we see on social media. Jaden and I interview people of success and ask them questions about their childhood, how they got to where they are and obstacles they faced along the way. We want to inspire people of all ages that you can do anything you want in life. You just have to put in the work. Read more>>

Elitres Freelon | Designer and Crafter

Several friends encouraged me to start my own business. I have been a crafter for many years, but I never thought about selling my work because I did not want to put myself out there and open myself up to criticism. Then, one day, I was offered the opportunity and said yes, and I have not looked back. Read more>>

Madi Dupont | Yoga Studio Owner, Yoga Teacher & Coach

When I reflect on the path that led me to start my own business, it really feels like a journey of coming full circle to fulfill a childhood dream—just in a very different way than I initially imagined. From a young age, I aspired to be a successful businesswoman; in my mind, that meant wearing a suit and making my mark in the corporate world. My drive for achievement led me to pursue a degree in advertising and an MBA in finance, which set me up for a solid start in corporate America. Read more>>

Steve Ingard | Co-Founder of Brims

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial drive and knew I wanted to create something of my own. While my high school friends were getting jobs at the local grocery store, I took a different route and started a junk removal business, helping neighbors clear out clutter. As adults, Tommy and I constantly brainstorm ideas, searching for something that fills a gap in the market and sparks our excitement. Read more>>

Anthony Masi | Owner of Stop The Killer Games

Before I owned a gaming company I was a film producer in the horror genre. In 2021 I had the opportunity to produce a remake of the 1984 cult horror classic SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT. My business partners were merchandising the title for various products to re-introduce the title to the zeitgeist and the idea of a board game came up. I am also a professional close-up magician and I invent my own illusions, and the idea of a board game intrigued me because it felt like another form of magic trick. I had a general interest in board games and what I’ve always liked about them is that they are usually unique experiences that gather people to create something special together, which is essentially how I approached inventing magic tricks. Read more>>

Jase Lucas | Founder & Publicist

concerning level of stagnation. While fields like marketing and advertising were readily adopting cutting-edge technology, social media, and advancements in the digital landscape, many PR agencies I’d worked with over the past decade seemed stuck in an early-2000s approach—some even actively resisted tools that could significantly improve efficiency and client outcomes. Read more>>

Nicholas White | Photographer and Journalist

Starting a business as an independent content creator happened when my goals, as with so many people, began to outstrip market opportunities. The best way to build was vertically when the lateral paths were limited. One of the most challenging parts of starting a business is overcoming others’ skepticism. If there is a cultural emphasis, for example, on working for someone else as a means of steady income, instead of owning a business without the promise of steady income, escaping inertia to start a business can be like flying a shuttle out of a planet’s gravitational orbit. Overcoming doubt takes fortitude. It’s crucial not to wither in the face of adversity. Read more>>

Mike Blash | Husband / Dad / Owner Tin City Distillery

I was lucky enough to start this business with some amazing partners 10 years ago, without them Tin City Distillery would be a memory by now. I was bartending full time in Laguna Beach and had an idea for a spirits brand. I created some mockups of the product and some of the customers at the places I was working at encouraged me to start a distillery. At that time my wife and I were going through the in-vitro process to have a child and we had absolutely no extra money. So the chances were pretty slim of starting one on my own. Read more>>

Ramona Braganza | Celebrity trainer, Published author, co owner Mobile Physique and Founder of 3-2-1Empower

As I began working in a field that I was passionate about I found opportunities presented themselves to me naturally, all I had to do was be brave and say Yes. The more I said Yes, the wider the door opened, and with each new business relationship came new ways to grow so when the time was right I was ready to start my own business. Read more>>

Sophia Bailey | Multidisciplinary Artist

Mostly the desire to consistently be creating and connect with people. I have always been a person who is intrigued by so many mediums and types of art and I am driven to learn so much from all of them. I have never been the person to focus on one art form, as much as I have always wanted to be a master of one craft, I will forever be the jack of all trades. Part of the reason I want to do a little bit of everything is because I simply get too bored if I am always coming back to the same task. Finding new ways to express myself through different forms is the thing that makes me feel like I am evolving instead of staying stationary. Read more>>

Demas Fleming | CEO & Security Manager

After volunteer coaching for the city of Lancaster’s Park and Recreation Youth Basketball for nearly 4 years, I discovered how much unexposed basketball talent the Antelope Valley has. I have been blessed to meet some dedicated and hardworking boys and girls that desire to play travel basketball, but maybe couldn’t afford it, or their parents didn’t have the free time to dedicate to traveling. This sparked a desire in me to give back to the community and provide positive guidance to these young athletes. My commitment to my community impelled me to start a nonprofit organization focused on nurturing basketball talent while instilling values of resilience and commitment. Read more>> 

Chase Allington | CEO at Vizion Solar

My thought process behind starting my own business was deeply rooted in a desire to create meaningful change and leave a positive mark on the world. I have always believed that my purpose extends beyond personal achievements to making a difference for others. This conviction fueled my decision to build Vizion Solar, a company that aligns with my passion for sustainability, innovation, and leadership. For me, entrepreneurship is about more than financial gain—it’s about creating a legacy that uplifts others and inspires positive change. Read more>>