Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Sahara Aldrich | Owner of Sunny Side Studio | Modern Jewlery

Sunny Side Studio was a covid business born out of the summer quarantine of 2020. Inspired by the emotional healing of sunlight, I tried to capture that feeling into wearable shapes . During the instability and fear of 2020, I wanted to spread joy to my loved ones through colorful accessories. The hobby turned into a business that has continued to grow. Read more>>

Tara & Demetri Williams | Premium Ice Cream Experts

It was important for my husband and I to create generational wealth, Leave a tangible legacy behind for our Families. Making Premium ice cream chose us. Demetri, being gifted with his hands and a carpenter by trade, is the ‘Taste’. My (Tara) background, of 35+ years in administration and hospitality is the ‘Face’. We call it a dynamic duo because it works so well together. Understanding that we both have a heart for service. Providing quality ingredients, specialty flavors really speak to the community and is well received. Creating something that started with an idea that ten years later have developed into what we believe to be a floor with no ceiling. It’s only UP from here. Read more>>

Kristen Kim | Host and Producer, Culture Kids Podcast

Culture Kids Media was created with this single question: If every child in the world embraced and celebrated the differences of their peers instead of fearing them, what would that world look like? This idea sprouted as a collaboration between my 6-year-old son, Asher, and me. We lived in the Financial District of New York City in the aftermath of the 2020 quarantine, amid the wave of Asian hate that swept across the city. At this time, I had just given birth to our second child, Arden, born at the peak of the pandemic. Witnessing the surge in Asian hate crimes and reflecting on my childhood experiences of bullying as a South Korean immigrant, I felt overwhelmed and saddened by the social injustices. Read more>>

Samira Dewidar | LCSW, Integrative Trauma and EMDR Therapist

I never dreamed of being a business owner or a therapist. I was originally drawn to public education work and considered being a teacher as well as an advocate for public education reform. I ultimately decided I wanted to work 1:1 with young people in schools as a school social worker which I did for many years both in Los Angeles and New York City public schools. My path to being a trauma therapist in private practice feels unexpected but also completely right and full circle. My father was an immigrant to the US and also started his own business. After many years of working in settings where I was unable to do the deep and meaningful therapy work I am passionate about, I decided to start my own practice. Read more>>

Writer howard E Edwards | Writer/ Producer and entrepreneur

My genuine love for the entire spectrum of the entertainment industry, spanning music, television, and film. My passion for these creative domains fueled the inception of my company, as I sought to contribute and thrive within this dynamic and captivating field. Read more>>

Jalil Howe | Model/Actor and Entertainer

Well I was already pursuing a modeling career and then I started doing some acting here and there so I was like let’s take this to the next level and use my entertainment name as my business. So I got the LLC, EIN, and business account. Then a website and I was off and running from there. I wanted more structure and I was always very professional but using my name for my business just took it to a new level. Read more>>

Bridget Weitzel | Script Supervisor

ADJUSTED QUESTION PHRASING; “What was your thought process behind beginning a career in Script Supervising?” I have been working in production for many years, producing, craft service, second ADing, even a brief foray into costumes. But I was always interested in script supervising. It seemed to be in my wheelhouse and something I would be good at. I talked to a number of script supes on sets over the years, and the main consensus seemed to be that to do it right, I needed to take a specific course taught by the respected instructor Randi Feldman. Throughout the years, I thought about it often, but never actually decided to do it. The timing never seemed right…until 2020 in the heart of the pandemic. Read more>>

Vic Salazar | Founder & Chef

I wanted to simplify and enhance the flavor of quick meals with the ease of adding a sprinkle or spoonful of one of our condiments. Read more>>

Terrance Alexander | Music Teacher, Musician, & Podcaster

The thought process for starting my business/podcast, “Tap In With God”, came from the the need for humanity to connect with their Creator, God/Jesus Christ. We are all imperfect beings needing a perfect being, so what do you have to lose in connecting with God? And the term “tap in” is slang for communicating/linking with someone. Therefore, I utilized that term to gear it toward us speaking with Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives. Read more>>

Knar Townsend | Lead vocals/guitarist for KnarlyWorld

Knar Started off solo with Ant on drums. One Day Ant (drummer) came up with the idea KnarlyWorld. So it was never really a thought process it was a no Brainer. Read more>>

Brian Bianchetti | Small Business Operator

Our business doesn’t actually start with me, but with my great grandfather, John Bianchetti. He founded People’s Sausage Company in 1929 in the heart of Los Angeles. His motive was simple: support his young family by doing what he knew best — handcrafting meats. His vision was to build a neighborhood meat shop founded on honesty, hard work, and a commitment to his customers. Today, at People’s Choice Beef jerky, we take great pride in our process. It is testament to our tradition. We have purposely retained the handmade element in each step of our beef jerky process. It is our way of preserving tradition, remembering our history, and ensuring the highest quality product. Read more>>

Lena Kelly | Momprenuer, Founder of Mama Made

After many years of working in marketing and public relations, I found a niche helping small businesses. Once I became a mother in 2019, I met so many other local moms who were looking to start their own business. Especially after the pandemic, many moms were looking for ways to bring in income to support their family from home. Lots of mom-run businesses starting popping up and everyone would look to each other for tips on how to scale their business. it became more and more apparent that there were so many amazing moms who had the skill or talent for their business, but they had very little knowledge about how to run a business. This led to the birth of Mama Made. Read more>>

Elaine Adel Cummins | Professional visual artist

Starting my own business was more necessity than choice. I was a single mother with dyslexia so even filling out an application for a job was a no-go. Reading was very difficult for me. Even at the late age of 21. But because I needed to get my daughter to school and pick her up which did not even work with regular jobs I realize the only way I was going to make it work was by being My Own Boss. I looked at my skill set and I started building from there. I already had a foundation in art as both of my parents were professional artists. That is the direction I took things but shaping it into a real business was and still is an uphill battle. But it is rewarding. Read more>>

Sauraj Patil | MBA & Musician

Hailing from a middle-class Indian family with both parents dedicated to the Government Sector, my journey took a unique turn driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and music. Despite the absence of a family background in business, I harbored a fervent desire to create something of my own that would not only be sustainable but also serve as an inspiration. My foray into the world of business began during my undergraduate years, where my love for playing the guitar since grade 9 intersected with my pursuit of an Engineering degree. In the second year of my studies, I seized an opportunity to join a music company as a Sales and Operations Manager. Read more>>

Kevin Estime | Professional Athlete & Clothing Brand Owner

After Covid my professional football season was cancelled and it made me realize I really need to find a plan B I always would say “ES TIME FOR FITNESS” I wanted to bring it to life so I made the Logo and then made a few personal shirts to wear and everyone liked the Logo so I made another batch to sell and sold it quickly. Read more>>

Marcus D. Spencer | Actor, Writer, Producer, Director

As I was working in film, I received a lot of advice from many people; Will Smith, Rob Schnider, Brandon T. Jackson, Orlando Jones and more. The advice that made me want to create was, me working with the Atlanta rapper ‘Bone Crusher’ on a film. It was 2am and him, Dustin Diamond, Robert Miano and myself were sitting in a trailer when ‘Bone’ called me over. He said, “Spence, look at these dudes, they have no idea what they’re doing but they’re making a movie. We know what we’re doing, but we’re not making movies.” This got me thinking, when I fly home I’m going to create. This is how ‘Touch The Heart Productions’ started. Read more>>

Mark & Margo Gusick | Wild Rust – Acoustic Band

MARK: Dating back to when we first met, Margo and I would always sing together for the sheer fun of it. Then, when we moved into a mountain cottage up in the foothills north of LA, I’d find myself picking up the acoustic guitar more and more. We’d sing and play music for hours. After our wedding day, because of the encouraging feedback we received from our guests after performing an acoustic set during our reception, we decided to book some studio time and produce a record. This kicked off our musical journey together, and we began meeting and collaborating with some of the most fantastic musicians I’ve known. Two EP’s, and a couple of guest spots as backing vocalist for a few local LA bands later, we formed our current band Wild Rust. Read more>>

Timbrey Lind | Myofunctional Therapist and Breathwork Coach

I wanted to be able to help people in my own way, to the best of my ability, without anyone else’s rules dictating me. Also to be able to work for myself as a full-time mom, and making my own schedule was ideal Read more>>

Chie Davis | Creator of Mommafied

When I first became a mom, I picked up and moved from Los Angeles to Louisville, Kentucky- in the name of love. My husband, then boyfriend, was studying dentistry at the university when we decided to start our family. It was no easy task for me, as I’d just made a mid-career decision to return to school myself, was a new USC journalism school graduate, job hunting, and all of my family, friends, and professional contacts were in L.A. and New York. I knew nothing about small town life. Aside from each other, we knew no one. We were raising our first-born in a new, small city, without the support of family or friends nearby. Read more>>

Liz August | Business + Tech Strategist and Owner of Simplify, Simplify

After a fulfilling but demanding decade as a teacher, I found myself seeking more. I ventured into a part-time gig as a professional organizer alongside teaching. I took a one-year maternity leave when I had my child and decided to see if organizing could support my family. However, the physical toll combined with my chronic pain was a bit much. I was still making it work when I pivoted towards virtual assistance, realizing the potential to create something significant. My guiding thought throughout was really, “I think I can do this.” And so, I did. My dad says I have a lot of gumption and I think that really has brought me far. Read more>>

Judy Einbund | Professional Organizer and Life Coach

I wanted to make some kind of difference in people’s lives in my work, while considering what I was good at and got pleasure from. When I first started the business, the impetus came from my husband’s work as a Psychologist whose many clients were unable, for whatever reasons, to organize their lives and living spaces, creating additional stress in their lives, especially after some life-changing event like losing a partner, moving, or relocating. I have always unliked “clutter” and believe that “mess causes stress.” I am passionate about creating a living environment that allows maximum efficiency (like in the kitchen) combined with beautiful esthetics that evoke a sense of calm and serenity. Everyone should feel that they enjoy being in their home…it is after all our safe haven from the chaotic world. Read more>>

Kaylene Bondoc | Founder of Still In Motion Agency

As a young girl, I’ve always dreamt of working in the Music/Entertainment Industry. My thought process behind starting Still In Motion Agency was to follow my dreams and continue to pursue my happiness. My Partner, Christian Lopez, and I started Still In Motion Agency to help independent artists find their way to navigate such a competitive industry. Since Christian & I value the thought of helping others, we continued to come up with ideas to grow a relation with each artists we work with to know that there’s another source that is wanting to help their careers in a supportive & positive way. Read more>>

Jordi B | Tattoo Artist & a Painter

The process of starting my own tattoo business really began after an enlightening trip I took to the Far East. Seeing people there who were trapped in their circumstances, with limited ability to pursue their passions, made me realize how fortunate I was to have the freedom to follow my dreams. That trip sparked an internal shift – I knew I needed to fully commit myself to the art that fulfilled me rather than settle for anything less. Upon returning home, I made the decision to start dedicating all my time and energy to creating art. My passion has always been painting, and I dove headfirst into that. After honing my skills for a while, I came to understand that making a full-time living solely as a painter would be incredibly difficult. Read more>>

Emily Ocon | Breathwork and Meditation Coach, Reiki Instructor

I started my business as a way to share what I was learning during my undergraduate and graduate education. In my own journey of healing from trauma, I found it hard to find a place where there was a one-stop-shop of information for trauma healing resources and with the mental, physical, and spiritual effects of the aftermath of trauma. Thats where Healthembody was born, over the past 3 years it has developed into a platform sharing science-backed and spiritual tools to help you reconnect with yourself and sharpen your life toolbox. Read more>>

Ilona Selina | Digital Agency Founder

When I was working in the agency world, particularly at a boutique agency as a junior manager, I was handling over 30 clients at a time. This experience was eye-opening; it made me realize the vast spectrum of needs and challenges different brands face. However, I noticed a significant gap in the market: many agencies weren’t tailored enough to meet the specific needs of each client, especially in terms of affordability and dedicated attention. This realization sparked the idea of starting my own agency. I envisioned an agency that wouldn’t just be a service provider, but more like a partner or an in-house team for our clients. Read more>>

Karina Escoto-Garcia | Recipe Devloper and Content Creator

I’ve been encouraged by a lot of people to just make content that goes viral. Going viral feels good for like a day or 2 but that shouldn’t be the goal, because it’s not proof of consistent growth or a truly engaged community. The goal is to do what you’re passionate about enjoy it, even if it’s not popular. Social media is so powerful precisely because of the visibility it gives businesses. So I know that creating viral content and having brand awareness is extremely important, but if you are focusing on creating content that will go viral just for the sake of going viral, you risk missing the point of it all. Read more>>

Timothy John Zaide | Fitness Enthusiast

An inspiration more than a thought. The more I was exposed to different gyms, the more I saw how many people tend to be unseen. People who worked out consistently every day, displayed amazing discipline, and were willing to give what it takes to be in their best shape, are what got me inspired. Read more>>

Lavi ( ALAVI ) Company ( Corporation) | An international film production company

I wanted to open an international film production company that will produce films all over the world. I want to control my career, creativity, and to be the biggest film production company all over the world Read more>>

Sam Pagan | Art Mentor || Former CG Artist for Nickelodeon Animation Studios

After my contract with Nickelodeon ended, where I gained valuable experience working on Rugrats, I found myself at a crossroads in my career. I wanted to keep working for the animation industry but the opportunities presented were outside of Los Angeles. For the first time I felt uncomfortable about the idea of my work dictating where I would live. In my quest for alternatives, I stumbled upon an inspiring video by Alex Hormozi, which introduced a business model where one could potentially earn $1000 a day by teaching online. That’s when it clicked – “If I can work online, I can live anywhere, I thought”. Read more>>

Dante Leigh-Nedbor | Head Chef/Baker & Co-owner

To be honest, I didn’t really intend to start a business. The whole thing was more a product of circumstance. After working in the restaurant industry for over two decades, I was feeling a little alienated. I felt that the industry as a whole had a lot of problems, but once the pandemic hit, it made it very hard to ignore them. Anyways, I decided to take a break from restaurants for a little while, and in that free time I had started baking. I had started playing around with the idea of milk bread cinnamon rolls, and a friend suggested that I should try selling them at a local farmers market. From there it has grown into a business, that wasn’t my plan but I just went with the flow of it. I cannot take all the credit for getting the business to where it is now, my partner has been a huge part of this as well. Read more>>

Zach Craig | Videographer/ photographer

My thought process behind starting this business was simple. I can keep attempting keep my head above water or I can build a raft. I was already barely making it in a full time construction career, then on top of that my dog became deathly ill. She barely pulled through but it resulted in daily health issues that requires monthly vet bills. It wasn’t about just me surviving anymore it was about her too. When you start realizing that your future depends on what you do today, the way you think starts to change. Read more>>