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.’

Yolanda Meade

The thought process behind starting my own business came directly from my personal experience. I know firsthand what it feels like to not have the right financial guidance to feel lost during tax season, unsure how to properly structure a business, and overwhelmed trying to stay compliant while still trying to grow. I didn’t read about it I lived it. And that’s exactly why I built a business rooted in real support, real solutions, and real results. I wanted to become the resource I once needed someone who could not only break down the numbers but also explain the “why” behind the process.  Read More>>

Tami Macala

My father owned his own business since I was six months old, so that was really my only example of the kind of career I was meant to have. Read More>> 

Charlie Scola Aka PartyCharlie

Starting My Own Business After Working at the Town & Campus Hotel & Banquest in West Orange NJ, as mentioned earlier Being the Youngest Manager the Three Hotels Banquet center I was ready to Grow and take a chance. Yes, I was a Bit Sacred leaving a Weekly Paycheck and Amazing Tips/Gratuities. Read More>>

Cheyanne Sauter

Starting a nonprofit organization is a lot like starting a business. You have to figure out what needs the community has, analyze the market to determine who is already offering these services, and develop a business plan that meets those needs. The only different in a for profit and nonprofit is that the organization does not belong to the Founder, Executive Director or President. It belongs to the community you serve. Read More>>

Talin Ebrahimi

I wanted stability. To be able to walk in and out of an establishment without wondering if it will be there in the next few years or not. Read More>>

Flash Calligraphy

I was casually walking around Santa Monica when I came across someone writing people’s names in Japanese calligraphy. At the time, I was also learning calligraphy, and seeing that inspired me—I wanted to make people happy with something I was good at. So I asked him if he would teach me how he sold his work. Read More>>

Chaka Stewart

I actually thought it would be a good way to make supplemental income as I was already employed full-time and midway thru my career in sales. Read More>>

Kelley

Becoming an owner of CrossFit Kerosene was a big step. My husband and I relocated from New York for my career and we were adjusting and adapting to a new environment, trying to make friends and get involved in our community. We both are big gym rats and transitioning from an athlete to owners was/is a lot of work but we love the gym!! Read More>> 

Angel Gonzalez

I began my career in the beauty industry at Visible Changes in Houston, TX, which is part of a well-known chain of salons located in malls across Texas. I had a very fulfilling and successful career there, but I always carried with me the words of my father: “Be your own boss.” It was his dream for me to become self-made, and over time, that dream became mine as well. Read More>>

JJ Trinidad

Well when this passion of mine started as a hobby and I was investing a lot of time and money into it so I thought it would be a great idea to create a business out of it and get a return on my investment. Read More>> 

Arutyun Gozukuchikyan

Following my passion and what I was born to do. Read More>>

Daniel Ginzburg

All I wanted to do was draw in virtual reality the business happened as a complete accident Read More>>

Rafaella Angelica

I’ve started various businesses such as tarot reading, boudoir photography, animation, and event organizing. I’d love to highlight my event organizing for the queer community in Los Angeles. When I started @VenusInAquariusEvents on instagram, it was 2022 and we all were isolating and starting to go out and socialize a bit more. It was hard to reconnect, it was strange also fully embracing my queerness in my 30s and I found that the scene of being indoors at bars with loud music and alcohol centered spaces was a turn off to how I actually wanted to connect.  Read More>>

Sean Fortier

Starting The Natural Supernatural was the culmination of a lifetime of preparation. It was a recognition that my artistic gestation was coming to an end, and that I needed to break the chrysalis. I knew I needed to surround myself with the right crew of merry pranksters and after years of searching we’ve finally accumulated a perfect alchemic reaction. Read More>>

Mark Byrd

In all honesty creating the “Compton Art & History Museum” was really a vision from God. I had no intentions of creating something like this but I knew if I was committed to what God wanted me to do. I would be blessed and it has definitely been that. I remember getting up the next morning and telling Abigail about our co-founder about my vision. She said she always wanted to create something like that since she was a kid growing up in Compton. Read More>>

Kisha Martin

Sage Studio LA was born from a deep desire to create the space I always wished existed when I was starting out. I’ve been sewing and working in creative industries for years, I ran a women’s fashion brand, worked with stylists and celebrities on custom work & tailoring, and consulted small fashion brands, helping them create collections. Through all that, I saw how hard it is to access the tools and support you need when you’re just getting started. And how limited access can hold people back, especially in communities like mine. Read More>>

Jonathan Colliflower

After spending years in the event industry, I realized I had a unique perspective and energy I wanted to bring to the table. I’ve always had a bit of a “cruise director” personality someone who naturally thrives on planning experiences and making sure every detail brings people together in meaningful ways. Over time, I built strong relationships with talented professionals across the field, and I knew I had a trusted network I could collaborate with. Read More>>

Lilah Kopenhefer

After playing in a number of past projects, I reached a point where I wanted to build something more long-lasting and real. In my previous band, I started to feel stuck. I enjoyed the music we were making, but as we gained traction, the focus shifted away from the music and more toward our image. When we couldn’t agree on what we stood for anymore, I knew it was time to start something that felt truly authentic. I wanted a project where the music comes first and where who we are isn’t something we have to mold to fit expectations. I believe that when you stay honest about your sound, you’ll naturally attract the right people. Read More>>

Rob Edwards

When I was working at a family office, I realized that there is a gap in the ultra-high-net-worth space. Not because of lack of expertise, but because of a lack of alignment. Too many conversations were focused on beating benchmarks or pushing products, and not enough on what actually matters to the client: their lifestyle, their legacy, and how to make smart decisions with the wealth they’ve worked hard to build. Read More>>

Kerstin Schulze

I worked in the Cooperate World for over 10 years and left a position as Marketing Director for AOL. I decided that I wanted to live and work in my passion, which was fitness and health. I wanted to be my own boss and took action by getting all necessary education, certifications and experience before I opened my own personal gym in Manhattan Beach. Read More>> 

Lori L

We adore food, so we decided to document our culinary adventures during the pandemic. It took a bit of time to get started, but we started to see people following us, commenting and sharing, which was a really fulfilling experience!

Personally, my husband’s family once owned a restaurant, but it faced tough times because promoting it was a challenge. Depending on Yelp and Facebook required a lot of maintenance, which busy restaurant workers often don’t have the time or energy for. We think our efforts could help both food lovers and business owners get noticed. Read More>>

Lina Laetitia Derridj

The decision to start my own business wasn’t something I rushed into it was the result of a two-year journey of reflection and observation. I spent a lot of time analyzing my environment and gradually came to realize that I already had many of the tools I needed to bring a project to life. This process also allowed me to study the market carefully, understand supply and demand, and position myself in a thoughtful, strategic way Read More>>

Anulika Chilaka

After over 30 years in healthcare combined, my husband and I realized that patients desire quality care and convenience. We wanted to create a space where people can feel welcome, relaxed, and not judged, regardless of their background or health history. Our goal was to reimagine holistic care, offering medical and mental healthcare in the same place, eliminating the stress and confusion of where to seek care. Our thought process was to change the feel of healthcare, by offering a spa-like environment that invigorates the 5 senses and removes the stigma of mental health. Read More>>

Eva Or Adolfo Arteaga

Our driving focus for starting our own business was our growing family. The biggest push to become entrepreneurs was the ability to be present with our children 24/7, but also, the realities of the economy and racism in the workforce made finding work incredibly difficult. Immigrating from Mexico presented many challenges, and education was a big one. Eva was accepted to university but was unable to attend due to her citizenship status.  Read More>>

Evan Ware

I heard a quote one day , one of my favorite quotes said by Dwayne the rock Johnson he said: if you do something you love it will never feel like work. So at that point me being in college for about 3 years nothing I loved came to mind it all just felt like I was working towards my unhappiness until I saw a YouTuber doing reaction videos and at that moment I said, I wanna do that and everyday since I started this journey I’ve been in love with it yes it has it has its difficulties , but i finally found something that I love doing and it doesn’t feel like work. Read More>>

Rabiah Rahman

I started my own law firm because I wanted the freedom to choose the cases I take on and to shape the legal strategy with intention and care. My practice is dedicated to advocating for employees who have experienced sexual harassment, hostile work environments, wage violations under the California Labor Code, or wrongful termination. Many of my clients carry not just the emotional weight of their experiences, but also the physical manifestations of trauma. My role is not only to represent them legally, but to create a space where they feel heard, empowered, and believed.  Read More>>