We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Julia Lytle

After years working across traditional public relations, social and digital marketing, experiential, brand partnerships, influencer relations and multicultural—with brands like Kellogg’s, Turner Sports and Hitachi—I found myself contracting with several specialized agencies in Chicago. Each focused narrowly on one discipline, and I saw how siloed that approach could be. In 2019, I launched Che Consulting to offer a more integrated strategy for clients, putting earned media at the forefront and supporting it with cohesive brand marketing. Read More>>

Scott Monson

The thought of owning my own swim school became a dream of mine but I had no idea how to make that dream come to fruition. I dedicated myself to learning the industry by growing my roles and responsibilities at already established swim schools. I created and fostered relationships with swim school owners and kept my eyes wide open for opportunities. Read More>>

Jill Cooper Lefferman

Starting Gifted was really about creating something personal—a neighborhood shop with heart. I’ve always loved giving gifts that feel thoughtful and just a little unexpected, and I found myself constantly helping friends and family come up with ideas for meaningful presents. Eventually, I realized there was a real need for a local space where people could come in, feel inspired, and walk out with something that told a story. Read More>>

Lucine Xin

I wanted to build a space where I could create deeply personal tattoos—pieces that speak to people’s stories, not just trends. Running my own studio gave me the freedom to stay true to my vision and connect with people in a more meaningful way. Read More>>

Billie Abddeen

The thought process behind starting my own business has always been providing a life for my family outside of working for someone else! I have 4 children And I have always had childcare issues when it came to me keeping a job. At one point in life I had to choose to let my jobs go and just stay home for my children. It was at that moment I knew I had to do something to keep myself up financially and to show my kids that just because one opportunity falls through, doesn’t mean you can’t create opportunities for yourself, even when it seems the odds are against you. Read More>>

Divinity Gaines

It came during a 48-hour silent meditation.”

It started as a whisper. One of those soft nudges you try to brush off until it gets too loud to ignore. I was a professional dancer for over 20 years. Movement was my language, my identity. I never imagined I’d trade in my dancing shoes for yoga mats, sound bowls, and healing circles. But that whisper kept tugging at me.

Yoga found me in 2018 originally just to ease my lower back pain. But it ended up unlocking parts of me I didn’t even know were waiting to be seen. And then… the world shifted. COVID hit. Life as I knew it paused. No performances. No distractions. Just me and the question, “Now what?” Read More>>

BRIAN HAIRSTON

My thought process, I went starting my own trucking company, was simply if I you can get up early in the morning and do it for someone else and stay long hours to create and help mold a successful company for someone else, then surely I can do the same for myself and my family.

In doing so I evaluated a number of thing. Read More>>

Michelle Halpern

Honestly, it felt like less of a thought process and more like the only choice. After graduating college and spending 5 years in fashion start-ups and corporate environments, I knew working for someone else wasn’t the path I wanted forever. The choice to take the leap of faith and become my own boss had to work because I had no other option. When I did start Live Like it’s the Weekend, I wanted it to be a place to give informational travel advice, but ultimately to inspire others to live an unconventional life full of passion and excitement. Read More>>

Colleen Rodriguez

I wanted to do something that I enjoyed and at the same time help bring people’s ideas to life. There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone’s eyes light up when they see their project in person. Read More>>

Kyle Hinshaw

My number one reason for starting my business was I felt God telling me to plain and simple. And of course I wanted the freedom of having my own business so I could spend more time with my family without the restrictions of a typical 9-5. Another big reason for starting my own business was the potential of it. With my own business the ceiling of potential was limitless. Although success was never a guarantee I knew I had the chance at financial freedom and more time with my family while still providing for them.  Read More>>

April Mall

Honestly, starting a business wasn’t something we had planned. It all began with a plant hobby that completely got out of hand. We were just genuinely obsessed with growing, collecting, and learning everything we could about plants, especially Hoyas. Then the world changed unexpectedly, and like many others, we found ourselves at a crossroads. That shift gave us the push we needed to take a leap of faith and turn something we loved into something bigger.  Read More>>

Daniel Slaton

Our industry is being overwhelmed with corporate entities, which usually do not give the same compassion and care that a “mom and pop” shop do. Plus I started my own business before, and sold to corporate so I understand how the care changes. So I had a non compete for 5 years, so I told myself once that was up I would come back to my community and offer that “family owned” care the community deserves.  Read More>>

Sarin Jivalagia

Searching for purpose and real satisfaction is what pushed me to start Pursue. For more years than I can count, I watched others move through life doing something they genuinely loved and I always hoped I’d be one of those lucky ones. That’s what inspired me to turn my lifelong love of fashion and designer bags into a real business. Read More>>

Claire Hoffman

Like most things worth doing, starting my own media business in 2022 was part practical decision, part leap of faith, and part late-night existential spiral fueled by too much coffee.

After 15 years in staff roles, I hit a point, especially during COVID, where I started rethinking what I wanted my day-to-day to look like. I wanted more creative freedom. I wanted to choose the clients and stories that energized me. And, at the same time, I was getting more and more inbound requests from various companies asking if I could help with their own content strategy on a freelance basis. Read More>>

Marike Anderson

My background is in public education, first as a teacher at Pali High in the Palisades and then as an assistant principal in San Fernando. I am not a business-minded person, but I left my career after my husband, Edwin, passed away in 2021 to focus on raising my son. I already had my yoga teaching certificate and started teaching yoga and holding women’s retreats at our home in Altadena. For a winter solstice event I wanted to gift a candle as a symbol of light emerging in the darkness. Read More>>

Alima Sanni

My business is music marketing and I wanted my business to be a valuable resource for emerging music artists. I combined my experience in artist development with my 10+ years experience in music journalism to create an artist development program for artists to get crystal clear on their branding, develop solid music marketing strategies and become the CEO of their careers without needing a record label. Read More>>

Natasha June

I came to my doula practice after the birth of my own children. I knew that I wanted to provide that support to other mothers. The nature of most doula practices are solo practices – that was the easiest way to get started as a doula and I was eager to start serving clients. About 6 months before I trained to be a doula and then began taking clients, I started a vaginal steaming consulting business as well. I wanted to share a healing modality that was a total game changer for my postpartum healing with as many women as possible. Read More>>

Topher McDaniel

I’ve always been drawn to creativity and working with my hands, and I wanted the freedom to bring my own ideas to life while helping others bring theirs to reality. I started Lazer Monster because I saw a gap in the market for custom laser work that was high quality, affordable, and flexible. I was tired of seeing limitations in other shops—whether it was size, materials, or creativity—and I knew I could offer something better. Plus, the idea of being in control of my time, my projects, and my creative direction was a huge driving force. Read More>>

Gabriel Goulart

Starting my own business was a natural extension of my life in Jiu Jitsu. After so many years as a competitor and instructor, I felt a strong calling to create a space where I could share not only the technical side of the sport, but also the values that shaped my life—discipline, resilience, and community. My thought process was deeply rooted in legacy. I wanted to build something lasting, that could help transform people’s lives the way Jiu Jitsu transformed mine. It wasn’t just about opening a gym; it was about creating a home for personal growth, for families, and for the next generation of athletes Read More>>

Xandrea Garay

Becoming my own boss wasn’t just about entrepreneurship—it was about creating a life that worked for my family.

I wanted flexible hours so I could be present for my kids, the freedom to choose who I work with, and the ability to build something meaningful on my own terms.
Real estate gave me the chance to do all of that—and more. Read More>>

Rodrigo (aka Rorris) Marquez

I started my business to pursue my passion for dance and create meaningful connections with others. Over the years, I’ve been told that I’m a patient teacher, that people are drawn to the way I dance, and that I have a natural ability to support and guide others. That inspired me to ask myself: Why not make a living doing what I love while helping others grow and develop a new skill? I realized it was time to stop building someone else’s dream and start investing in my own.  Read More>>

Roya Parsa

Starting my own private practice, Dreamy Speech Therapy, was both a personal and professional decision that came from a place of deep transformation. After becoming a mother and then losing my own mom shortly after, I felt a strong pull to realign my life with what mattered most—being present with my family as well as doing work that felt meaningful. Read More>>

Lydia & Amanda Gouhin & Paulsen

SUEH, short for Show Up Empty Handed, grew out of our shared love for hosting, cooking, and creating spaces that make people feel something. We’ve always been the friends throwing dinner parties that somehow turn into productions. At one point, we each somehow ended up with fresh bluefin tuna and, separately, hosted mini omakase nights for friends at our dining tables. Read More>>

Emil Avetyan

Ever since a young age I always wanted to own some sort of cafe/restaurant, at 16 my first job was at a restaurant where I learned the basics and behind the scenes of how they operate. The older I got the more passionate I became about owning a business, for my 22nd birthday my friends surprised me with a ticket to England where I discovered the “jacket potato” after a night out I had tried it and realized we are missing this in America. Read More>>

Weruché Uzoka

I started Weruche Inspires International (WIIN) because I saw a deep need to empower refugees, immigrants, women, and girls—both in the U.S. and in Africa. What began as a grassroots mission to educate, inspire, and empower has already reached three countries across two continents — with more to come. We’ve supported widows, orphans, and survivors of domestic violence in Nairobi, Kenya, and partnered with refugee resettlement agencies here in the U.S. This journey even led us to present our work at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Read More>>

Roderick Davis

My thought process behind starting my business, was to build a legacy for my family, create another viable stream of income, and teach myself a new skill, in a field I knew nothing about. Read More>>

Tasia Kieffer

My name is Tasia Kieffer, and I’m the founder of Eartha Matter, a small-batch online apothecary offering handcrafted remedies rooted in nature. Beyond our apothecary offerings, we provide personalized herbal consulting. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to nourish Your roots so You can flourish, using herbal wisdom. Read More>>

Samir & Hicham HARRAG

Starting Oui Oui French Catering LA came from a simple but powerful idea: sharing the authentic taste of French cuisine in a fun, accessible, and memorable way. Growing up in France, food was always at the heart of every gathering fresh ingredients, beautiful presentation, and the joy of sharing a good meal. Read More>>

Asia Arnett

The thought process behind starting my own business was rooted in a deep desire for freedom, fulfillment, and purpose. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be my own boss—I never liked being told where to be, when to show up, or how much I could earn. As I grew older, I realized that traditional paths left me feeling limited and unfulfilled. I craved time freedom, financial freedom, and a sense of balance. Read More>>