Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Patrina Dixon | Founder and CEO | #1 Best Selling Author | Award Nominated Podcaster

The motivation behind starting my business was to play a role in helping people take control of their finances and shift how they think about money. Read more>>

Jeff Hersh | Writer, Producer, Podcaster, & Educator

I’ve been inspired by many creatives and artists who don’t wait for traditional systems to open their doors; instead, they set out to make their art independently. A perfect example is the founders of Emo Nite, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary. I was at the first parties they threw, and I was so inspired seeing how they just decided to follow their passions and make a thing, not realizing how far it could go. Read more>>

Grace Slansky | So Rude Apparel Co-Founder, Dancer/Aerialist, Writer

In my experience, groups of friends often keep a running list of something funny or heinous someone has said. You often hear “We should start a podcast” or “I’d wear that on a t-shirt,” and with So Rude we just took it one step further and started to quite literally produce those shirts! Read more>>

Dj Zest | DJ-Entrepreneur-Clothing Designer

I seen many DJ’s doing the same ol set up and play and get paid. I truly looked at that as a disservice to someone who’s not just paying you but someone looking for a great time that looks great! And not to say many DJ’s can’t give a good time but many at times had no customer service added into booking clients. That’s why many moved away from weddings and stay in the crowded circle of bars and clubs. Read more>>

Ike Esedebe | Business Directory Owner & Real Estate Agent/Investor

Seeking Africa was founded on the idea to connect and invest African Diaspora. We believe by economically empowering our business owners we are helping build a promising future for the Diaspora. I chose to primarily focus of African businesses due to the fact that they lack marketing and exposure most of the times. Even on large business directories like Yelp they are not aware of or market a lot of African-owned businesses. Read more>>

Jason Ortiz | Photographer / Videographer

Tree of Photography was just a vessel in which my vision and perspective on life could be presented in a still image. I actually began taking pictures to provide background images for the poetry I would write back in my college days. After realizing that I had another passion which is photography, I began offering my services to my friends and collegues. I began with taking profesional headshots and graduation pictures to friends, charging them only food in return, chick-fil-a to be specific. Read more>>

Rebekah Chaves | Body sculptor

They started my business during Covid because I decided I wanted to become a business owner and make some thing of my own. I wanted to do something in the health and wellness industry while also helping people. I’ve always been into health and wellness since I was little and I used to be a bikini competitor, so I knew I would find a passion for body sculpting and body contouring. Read more>>

Chelsea Michener | n/a

It was really more of a necessity than anything else. The dance industry is entirely freelance. While you are waiting for your next audition or next job to book, you have to supplement your income somehow. I’ve always had a passion for teaching so this was a way I could teach at different studios and do workshops while helping the next generation of dancers all while I still worked professionally. Read more>>

Eric Webb | Brand Strategist

I had recently been laid off from my job in tech marketing. At the time, I was looking for work but wasn’t having much luck. I had acquired a wealth of knowledge from the e-commerce and marketing space and wanted to see if there was something meaningful I could do with all the skills I had gained. My friend, now business partner, was in a similar situation. We had collaborated on a few projects before, so I was eager to see if there was something we could do together. We grabbed coffee in Silverlake and did a little caffeinated vision casting and eventually landed on the idea of Mellow Co. Read more>>

Mustafa Yazicioglu | Film & Video Game Composer

I’m a composer who creates music for films and video games. For me, it’s crucial to stay focused on the projects and music I’m working on and not to get distracted from that concentration. I even avoid changing the environment where I produce music, as it can influence the mood that the project conveys to me and that I need to reflect in the music. Read more>> 

Alevtina Kalashnik | SoulVision Director

Starting Stellar Stream Studio was a journey rooted in my passion for visual storytelling and a deep commitment to helping others discover themselves through visual psychological meanings in their narratives. My experience in photography, videography, and directing taught me the profound impact that visual content can have on personal and collective identity. By creating my own studio, I aimed to craft a space where clients not only receive high-quality visual content but also engage in a journey of self-discovery. Read more>>

Sarah Min | Spiritual Healer & Psychic Medium

I wanted to make a meaningful contribution to society and believed that coming up with a spiritual healing business would help accomplish this goal. I am truly thankful to have this opportunity to share my gifts with the world and am honored to be featured in this magazine once more. Read more>>

Shivani Parmar | English Professor & Wedding Planner

Starting my wedding planning business was the culmination of a deep passion for creating memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences combined with a desire for independence and creative freedom. The idea began to take shape after I had the opportunity to work on several weddings as an assistant coordinator. I realized that I had a natural knack for organizing and bringing together all the intricate details that make a wedding day special. Read more>>

Emika Love | Music Artist

My thought process was “how can I do what I love for the rest of my life, while helping and touching as many peoples lives as possible.” Read more>>

Harut Sassounian | Founder of a charity

I founded a charity 35 years ago to help deliver humanitarian aid to millions of people in need after a devastating earthquake. Read more>>

Dj A-ski | DJ/Producer/Music Savant

To fulfill a need in meeting above the standard in quality and selection. Read more>>

Danielle Velasquez | Entrepreneur, Technology Sales Director, & Life Insurance Agent

My entire career has been in the business development space. I have worked in various sectors from education to wealth management. I am currently in the technology space, providing Internet connectivity to multifamily owners and developers. A passion of mine is developing a mission driven business from genesis to launch. Another layer to me is my love and appreciation for creative endeavors, which I inherited from my Mom. Read more>>

Ddabong Korean | Korean Slang Educator

Here’s a refined version of your draft: Hello, we are Ddabong Korean. We’re a couple living in Korea—Daniel and Jennie. Daniel is an overseas Korean who spent many years in LA, while Jennie is a native Korean living in Seoul. We created this Instagram account to introduce more natural and practical Korean expressions to foreigners learning the language. Read more>>

Justin Famous | Recording Artist and Songwriter

As a child, I developed a love of music, art, science, math, and God. To me, they were all interconnected. When I was 13, I combined these loves to become a music artist and develop my personal brand, Justin Famous. The “Famous” part came about because my friends called me “J-Fam” as a nickname. One day, my mom was joking around and asked, “What does ‘JFam’ stand for, J famous?” I thought, “Yeah, you know what? I am Justin Famous.” Read more>>

Lee Matthew Goldberg | Author/Screenwriter/Publisher

I recently started a small indie publishing company called Fringe Press. My goal is to find books on the fringe that bleed between genres. My novel The Ancestor had been hard to place with a larger publisher because it was a thriller, but also historical and sci-fi with a dash of horror. The Big 5 publishers passed on it because they didn’t know how to market it. I wanted to create a company that isn’t constrained by a marketing department, but focused on putting out good books. Read more>>

Juan Vicente | Owner and culinarian

I’m originally from Guatemala and my partner is from Oaxaca Mexico has always been a dream to come to the United States of America to work hard to be someone in life have our businesses and help our loved ones in our country. Read more>>

Jamie Hart | Singer and Vocal Coach

During the pandemic, professors and coaches all turned to zoom to work with clients. This opened my mind to the possibility of working with singers from all over the world, and not be limited to being location dependent. I also have an insatiable wanderlust and dreamed of working from anywhere in the world. I also don’t love the idea of working for someone else the rest of my life, knowing the financial potential of scaling a business. Read more>>

Brittany Frederick | Entertainment Journalist, Screenwriter & Actor

I wanted to forge my own path because I saw the media industry moving away from authenticity and complexity. In the nearly 24 years I’ve been a working journalist, there’s been a sharp pivot toward aggregation rather than original content, and quantity over quality. That was not a direction I wanted to go. I built my career on professional training, and made my name on interviewing and independent reporting. If I wanted to tell authentic, original stories, then I needed to create my own platform to do so. Read more>>

Emily Gaikowski | Luxury Event Producer

I started Heartthrob Events in 2016 during the tumultuous election cycle, and it felt like the best use of my energy and strengths during a really disparaging time. As a queer person, I wanted to create a network and service that was inclusive and welcoming for everyone, and that very much was not happening (and still isn’t happening enough!) for weddings and events. It was a time when a lot of folks were realizing that the personal is the political, and of course weddings and events are deeply tied in with the political and always have been. Read more>>

Jordan Maxham | Professional Skateboarder & Business owner

The thought process behind starting Dabble (the skateboard media outlet) was simple. I wanted to create an outlet for the skateboard community that would allow everybody involved (not just the main stream a list skaters/brands) to be recognized and celebrated. Read more>>

Ada Montes | Home Baker

It’s something so scary and so overwhelming because as someone who had no knowledge of starting a business and building it up from scratch is something that will test you to your limits. But all I I can say is we have a short life in this world and we have to jump in no matter how cold the water is. Because if we don’t we will always live with that regret or “what if” it’s a beautiful process and doing what you love is an amazing feeling. We just have to go for it and work hard! Read more>>

Shangxiao Qiu | Filmmaker & Content Creator

I’ve always seen myself as a leader, even from my school days. Whenever a group was uncertain or directionless, I naturally stepped up to connect, guide, and support others. This instinct to lead has been a consistent thread throughout my life. After gaining substantial experience working with professional companies and major brands, I felt that I had not only accumulated the necessary skills but also built a strong network of resources. Read more>>

Phillip Kim | Executive Director, LoveSetMatch

LoveSetMatch was founded in 2010 as a successful private tennis academy in Los Angeles, LoveSetMatch was born out of a passion for tennis and all the beauty and benefits of the game. Personally Tennis has been a game-changer for me in so many ways. It’s not just a sport; it’s a therapy session, a stress reliever, and a source of endless joy. On the court, I find a sense of peace and focus that’s hard to come by in everyday life. The physical challenges keep me fit and strong, while the mental aspect has taught me patience, perseverance, and how to handle both victories and setbacks gracefully. Tennis has truly enriched my life. Read more>>

Brittney Willis | Financial Investor, Psychic & Astrologer

It may seem selfish but I started my business because I wanted to be seen and I knew I was meant for something greater that would allow me to impact the collective. As a melanated woman working a regular 9-5 it was hard for me because I was rarely rewarded for the work I did or my ideas were stolen and was given credit to those that had no parts of my creative ideas. I wanted to create a space for people like me, that was being overlooked. No matter the background, race, gender, etc we all have a message that needs to be heard and creative ideas that need to be seen. Read more>>

Jess Rona | Dog Groomer, Actor, Director

I didn’t really want to start a business. I was still auditioning and wanting to be an actress, so that was my focus. I found a house in the Hollywood Hills for rent and there was a garage that was perfect to groom dogs in. So I got a little bathtub from a groomer friend who was moving out of the state, and got a table and that’s how it all began. It was just so I could groom dogs a little before I went into work and on the weekends to make some extra money. Read more>>

Janessa Latrice | Creative Director/Photographer

Growing up I dreamed of becoming a runway model, but then the hard reality hit me when I realized I was too “short” for runway. So instead of dismissing my dream, I just simply altered it. I then took on a dream of becoming a catalog/fashion model. After highschool, I decided to attend fashion school to learn everything I can about the ways of fashion, deepen my love for art, and learn about the background work to how things are created into its final product. Read more>>