It takes a lot more than an idea to build a business, but there can’t be a business without the idea. So we asked folks who’ve built wonderful businesses to tell us about how they came up with the idea in the first place.

Catie Chase | Educational Consultant, Student Life Coach, & Speaker

My life’s work has been a privilege to support the student experience as an educator. I have been committed to empowering teens and emerging adults as a purpose-driven consultant and former elite independent school learning specialist for over 20 years. My goal has been to customize the support of the student experience in achieving their goals by building life skills to reach desired outcomes. Read more>>

David Cruz | The Drunk Wedding Photographer

The Drunk Wedding Photographer came to me doing a very L.A. thing—while stuck in traffic. Sometime last year I was driving on the 170 North and saw a banner on a bridge that read “Mexican Roofer dot com.” I was like “dude! That’s so smart, no way can anyone forget that name and why didn’t I come up with that!?” Read more>>

Rachel Arbuckle | Founder and CEO

The inception of my business, 2000 Paces Photo Organizing, stemmed from a significant event in 2014. During that year, San Diego County faced a devastating series of wildfires, with the largest one originating from the mountain situated just behind my residence. The rapid spread of these fires left me with mere minutes to gather my belongings before evacuating. Read more>>

Aimee Marshall | Restaurant Partner/Beverage Director

my 2 partners and I wanted to create a Jazz/restaurant/bar venue that put as much creative effort into the food and drinks as the music Read more>>