Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Nandar Thu

Starting a business can become overwhelming very quickly. There are countless decisions to make, and the pressure to get everything right can be intense. From the beginning, the process is filled with uncertainties and moving parts that can easily become paralyzing without proper planning and clarity. Read More>> 

Ben Lei

First of all, I don’t really think of this as a business as much as a passion project! I started United By Rice because while the landscape for AANHPI storytellers (actors, filmmakers, authors, etc.) has gotten better over recent years, there still is a lot of work to do. My experience as a part time writer covering the space taught me that there are very few writers and critics who cover AANHPI content from our own lens. As I tapped into this unmet need, I was met with so much enthusiasm that it really felt like I had to make this happen. Read More>> 

Sierra / Summer Mace / Birchell | (Sierra) Owner/ Herbalist

In 2021, during the COVID-19 shutdown, my mom’s two hair salons had to close. She had been a hairstylist for decades and was known for creating nurturing, welcoming spaces. With everything on pause, we both felt the call to create something new, something that aligned more deeply with the shift we were feeling in ourselves and in the world around us. People were craving reconnection: to nature, to healing, to a slower, more meaningful way of life! Read More>> 

Heather Mack

Divine Gift was born out of a deep spiritual awakening—a moment when I realized that I could no longer spend my energy in ways that weren’t aligned with my soul’s calling. After nearly two decades in corporate America, I felt called to step into a life of service, one that honored the path I was healing myself with as I walked through depression, anxiety, addiction, and trauma. Read More>> 

Antoine Hunter

As a Black, Native American, and Deaf artist, I was tired of access, representation, and respect for our cultures being treated as an afterthought. I didn’t want to keep asking for a seat at the table — I wanted to build the table.

That’s why I founded Urban Jazz Dance Company, the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival, and #DeafWoke. Each of these was born from the same vision: to center Deaf voices, celebrate our Black and Native heritage, honor our stories, and create platforms for artists who are too often overlooked. My work is about building a legacy that empowers others to lead, unapologetically, and to show the world that Deaf artistry belongs everywhere. Read More>> 

Zoie Aliado

My decision to start my own business came from a mix of passion, experience, and a desire for creative freedom. After years of working at established firms and leading both architecture and interior design teams, I realized I wanted to bring my own vision to life; one that blends aesthetics with functionality while providing a more personalized experience for clients. Read More>> 

Anton Zhiganov

I recently moved from Russia to Los Angeles. Back home, I was deeply involved in organizing various sports events, coaching, and preparing amateur athletes for their goals. When I arrived in Los Angeles, I noticed that the local running culture was quite different, and people often paid little attention to the fundamentals of proper, safe, and injury-free running, as well as to setting and achieving specific performance goals. Read More>> 

Kyle

During the pandemic, I started creating uplifting art and graphics as a way to cope – it was honestly my therapy during a really heavy time. I didn’t have a master plan, I just kept creating what felt good. Before I knew it, I had a whole collection of designs and this growing urge to share them with the world. Living in So Cal, I’ve always lived in hats, so it made perfect sense to bring the art to life on something I actually wear. That’s how Soulbyrd was born – a trucker hat company where expressive art meets bold, stylish vibes. Read More>> 

Lee Briante

In regards to The Far West, there wasn’t a whole lot of looking at it as starting a business! We started it as a creative pursuit , and that’s what it is, but somewhere along the line we had to start conducting certain aspects of it as a business. Taxes, touring, accounting, contracts, making / selling T-shirt and merch etc. I’m not gonna lie and say I’m really any good at that, or that I enjoy it very much, but at the level we are at, we have to wear a lot of different hats, A LOT. Read More>> 

Sam Goulden

I wanted to make a golf bag and brand that put the focus on customization, innovation, and sustainability. There was no one (and still isn’t) in the golf industry who was putting the people over profit. I knew there was an audience in golf who was looking for a brand they could feel good about supporting. I also so some major deficiencies in product innovation and sustainability. Read More>>