How did you decide to start a business?

We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Hannah Phung | UGC Lifestyle Creator & Freelance Model

I always loved this question because I wanted to be like the people around me growing up. The majority of them were successful, always dressed to impress, and seemed to have it all. I wanted to have it all too. But when I got to face the real world that’s when my life changed completely. Yes, for those wondering I did have a 9-5 job. I didn’t stay there long and even though it was flexible, I despised it. Every day, I’d come home, reflect on the hours I had just spent, and end up crying about it. That 9-to-5 made me feel like a nobody. While everyone else had their circles, I felt like an outsider, with no purpose or place. So, that same year, I walked away from my 9-to-5. Technically, I was still in school at the time, which was one reason. The other reason? I wanted to turn what I loved into a career. What I love doing most is freelance modeling, showing off my personality, and connecting with others who are like-minded. Read more>>

Taylor Felix Mcallister | Podcast Host & Sports Broadcaster

After college, really my senior year of college at the University of Southern California, I got into sports broadcasting. I worked at FOX Sports West for 10 years after college, living a dream covering the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Los Angeles Clippers. I learned so much from my experience at FOX, it was filled with many highs & lows but it gave me this foundation in broadcast that was unmatched. I had incredible mentors, from producers to reporters, to executives who gave me hard truths and encouragement which is so necessary in a job like broadcast journalism. I became pregnant with my first baby, my son, in January of 2021 which was still in the height of Covid and the landscape for sports journalism had changed drastically. I worked through my pregnancy in sports, but also took great advice that I had heard along my journey of “create your own content”. Read more>>

Yifei Xue | Music Producer / Composer & Audio Engineer

My thought process behind starting my own music-related business involves two main aspects. Fundamentally, it’s essential to develop a solid business plan that allows me to effectively market my brand using my skills and resources to reach a wider audience and attract potential clients. Second, as an artist myself, I need to communicate artistic intentions clearly and tastefully while navigating the practicalities of running a business. Finding this balance can be challenging. Once I clarified these two aspects and established a short-term goal for the business—having secured a few clients—I felt ready to build my brand as a music producer/composer and audio engineer. Read more>>

Beverly Steel | Actor & Event Curator

Sunday Brunch Collective, or SBC, is an event curation group and creative community that originated out of jam sessions between friends. I didn’t have any plans about what SBC would become when we went from backyard brunch hangs to in-person events. I lived in a home in Studio City during the summer of 2023 that lended itself well to throwing big parties, and that was how SBC grew. The home we lived in had been previously owned by a renowned jazz session musician named Gene “Cip” Cipriano – the most recorded woodwindist ever – and we were inspired by his legacy. He is completely worth researching, and his album “First Time Out” is seriously incredible… It felt like music was just built into the energy of that home. Read more>>

Jim Ritson | Bar and Restaurant Owner

The thought process came from a few places….I grew up in a household where we built things and fixed things ourselves. I know that is not uncommon, but in hindsight, I see that that was foundational for me when it came to starting a business. Additionally, When I moved to Long Beach in 1999, I met a couple of people here who started really cool businesses and it made me realize that a person could build something in a DIY fashion and that your work life could be an extension of your personal interests. That was amazing to me and something I didn’t really know was possible until I moved here and saw other people doing those cool things. Lastly, back in 2008 my girlfriend Sophia wanted to open a wine bar and told her that I would help her build it. That happened and shortly after we finished it and opened, she brought me into the business to do the things there that I loved like host art and music shows, bring in beers I liked and now all these years later we’re still at it…..different business, but similar spirit, and we’re still partners! Read more>>

Geo Louis | Bartelier: Founder & Creator

I had been working in the event space for a number of years and also had a background in bar and beverage, so I saw firsthand how transformative a well-designed bar experience could be. I noticed a gap in the market for truly high-quality, bespoke bar services that felt personal and elevated—something that didn’t just complement an event but became a centerpiece of it. That’s when I realized there was an opportunity to combine my expertise in events and mixology to create something truly special. Read more>>

Roger Gonzalez | Owner of Good Times Farmers Market

Good Times Farmers Market is more than just a place to shop—it’s a community gathering spot where neighbors come together to celebrate local vendors, enjoy fresh products, and build lasting relationships. We believe in the power of supporting small businesses and fostering an environment where entrepreneurs and families alike can thrive. Every week, we aim to create an atmosphere of fun, connection, and support, so that everyone—vendors and visitors—can achieve their goals and make good times a regular part of their lives. Read more>>

Imran Ahmed | Founder of GreatPods.co

September 2020. I had this itch to scratch. I wanted to do new innovative things in my later years at TuneIn. It seemed like some part of the startup was lost and so I went to Himalaya podcasts. During my break between TuneIn and Himalaya, it was my engineering friend who started asking questions around problems I was having that got ME to ask more questions about the problems. Those questions finally led to the question: Why was it hard to decide and discover what podcasts to listen to? Not only me, but others were feeling the pain point of “What should I listen to?” Then there was the question of what other industries I like currently do. Well, I like tv and movie reviews. I like Rotten Tomatoes as a media reviews aggregator. Read more>>

Phil Flock | Filmmaker

Being a corporate slave was never appealing to me. There is something i dislike about the idea of pouring my sweat, blood and tears into someone else’s business to make them rich.
That’s why i have this conversation with everyone interested in working for or with me. Trying to make them aware that they could work on their own business instead.
Because that is the only way to scale your skills, earnings and general growth.
In my opinion not starting your own business is straight up lazy and cowardly. Read more>>

Yuliia Borodai | Photographer @yuliia_LAPhoto

I’ve always been a creative person, constantly looking for ways to express myself through art. Photography became more than just a hobby for me—it turned into a true passion. I love capturing moments, emotions, and the beauty of people and the world around them.

In addition, I had years of experience in photo editing and retouching, which gave me confidence in my skills and professionalism. This experience became a solid foundation for starting my own business. It not only improved the quality of my photos but also reassured my clients that their images would turn out flawless. Read more>>

M. Maggie | Artist, Mogul, Superstar

It all began with wanting to create something that makes people feel great. I imagined how people would respond and engage with the music and art that I made and that image thrilled me.

Also, the Idea of entertaining massive amounts of people excites me all over.

I started out giving music for free, performing all over New York City and gained millions of listeners from uploading music on Soundcloud. As I saw 5 million views turn to 100 million, I knew I hit something big and I intend to give more.

Now when I write, I’m always thinking about the performance. Even before starting a song Im thinking: How will this sound in a stadium full of people and what kind of night can we all experience that will be an explosive, memorable moment in life? Read more>>

Paige & Kelly Mcreynolds | Sisters & Co-Founders

Honestly, starting MCREY wasn’t the result of some grand, years-in-the-making master plan. If anything, my sister and I dove in headfirst without overthinking it (and let’s be real—if we had stopped to think about it too much, we might have scared ourselves off. Ha!).

It all began with a moment of pure frustration. We were tired of the lack of dirt bike gear options for women. The same question kept popping into our heads: ‘Why can’t we have gear that’s functional, stylish, and actually designed to fit a woman’s body? Surely we’re not the only ones feeling this way!’ Read more>>

Ralph Nicandro | Food Blogger | Restaurant Instagram Marketer

I found that there was no Food page at that time representing San Fernando Valley so I started one. Read more>>

Claudia Borges | Spiritual Life Coach & Energy Healer

Starting my own business wasn’t a linear decision; it was born out of life’s unexpected challenges and a deeper calling that unfolded along the way.
In 2016, my life took an unexpected turn. I was working as an event manager for a large corporation and navigating the emotional toll of my mother’s declining health in Brazil. Hoping to balance both worlds, I requested flexibility from my manager to work as a contractor, but after months of promises and mounting stress, I found myself burned out and broken. A nervous breakdown forced me to take a 90-day medical leave and confront what wasn’t working in my life.
During this time, I began practicing Reiki—a long-held personal interest—and experienced profound healing. Read more>> 

Zara Atoyan | Artist & Designer

I’ve always been passionate about creating unique and thoughtful gifts for loved ones, especially for my two adorable nieces. After years of experimenting with different ideas and gathering feedback from friends and family, I realized there was a gap in the market for personalized, high-quality gift baskets.

My thought process behind starting Peza Shop was centered around providing a meaningful way for people to connect with each other. I wanted to offer a service that would help individuals and businesses show appreciation, celebrate milestones, and build relationships through carefully curated and beautifully presented gifts. Read more>>

Marc Sealey | Photographer/Videographer

I have a love for visuals especially in videography and I decided to purchase my 1st DSLR camera to make content on a more serious level. However, after doing a couple videoshoots, I decided to play around with taking photography and recognized that I’m not too bad at capturing moments. This was the birth of my journey and business as a photographer. Read more>>

Melanie Aguirre | Trance Channel, Galactic Oracle, Researcher, Hypnotist, Author

The thought process behind starting my own business was deeply rooted in a desire to combine my passions, unique skills, and life experiences to help others heal, awaken, and transform. I’ve always felt a calling to explore the unseen realms, to ask the big questions about life, death, and the universe, and to bring light to the mysteries that so many people are searching for answers to.
My journey began with a personal longing to uncover my own truth and understand my place in the world. Along the way, I realized that the tools, insights, and connections I was discovering could profoundly help others. Starting my own business became a way to share these gifts and create a platform where I could offer spiritual guidance, healing, and transformative experiences to those seeking clarity and direction. Read more>>

Centeria “ Koi The Shooter” Hall | Film & Polaroid Photographer

I wanted to create art that felt tangible and timeless. Photography became a way for me to preserve moments and evoke emotions in others. It wasn’t just about taking photos; it was about capturing stories that connect people and inspire nostalgia. I also wanted to challenge myself creatively and build something meaningful that could serve as my legacy. Read more>>

Jazmin Guerrero | Lifestyle Coach & Content Creator

The desire to start my own business stems, first and foremost, from the fact that I am an entrepreneur at heart. Throughout my career, I’ve pursued various ventures, starting with my first business—Urge Magazine, an online women’s lifestyle magazine in the early 2000s. We were ahead of the curve, streaming audio, video, and music before platforms like YouTube, Spotify, MySpace, or Instagram even existed. Read more>>

Deon Lucas | Actor and thrift store owner

My thought process in starting Lucas Rags N Riches was the vision that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
It all started in Chicago where my mom is a personal shopper/Stylist and had her own retail business. She would bring my siblings and I with her to work and taught us the importance of appearance and always looking good when leaving the house. This is where is learned how to distinguish and appreciate the quality, fabric, brand, and style of fashion. Once I moved to Los Angeles as an actor, I also started styling friends in the entertainment industry. My sister and I started a retail boutique in DTLA in the early 2010s, before transitioning to E-commerce. I decided to revisit the idea of a brick and mortar store in the San Fernando Valley and opened Lucas Rags N Riches in March of 2023 in Sherman Oaks. Read more>>

Vicky Cai | Felting artist

Everyone starts their own business for a reason, and for me, it’s about pursuing my dream of owning a little art shop. Every day, I see people on magazines or social media working hard to do what they love. If they can do it, then so can I.

I realized it was time to stop admiring others’ lives and start building the life I envision for myself. A fulfilling life doesn’t just fall into place—it’s created, and for me, that journey begins with building my own business. Read more>>

Sarah Gutierrez-rodriguez | Certified Massage Therapist & Small Business Owner

I wanted to do things my own way. I was working for corporations that were too worried about liability & limited the types of services I did/I wanted to offer. I had a moment where I realized if I tried to advertise for my own business instead of these companies, I had the potential to not only make more, but do more. So, I started offering mobile massages & it just kept getting busier until it replaced my job. That’s how it started. Read more>>

Sarah Gutierrez-rodriguez | Certified Massage Therapist & Small Business Owner

I wanted to do things my own way. I was working for corporations that were too worried about liability & limited the types of services I did/I wanted to offer. I had a moment where I realized if I tried to advertise for my own business instead of these companies, I had the potential to not only make more, but do more. So, I started offering mobile massages & it just kept getting busier until it replaced my job. That’s how it started. Read more>>

Leo Cesareo | Interior Designer

I was in my mid 30’s and by that time I had worked for many other designers throughout my career. I had helped establish a few design firms as well as worked for more established designers and had seen both sides of the industry. I truly thought I was going to be a company man the rest of my life.

That all changed when, one day at the last firm I was working at, I got a pretty severe dressing down from a snotty 24 year old junior designer for some petty office related drama. That was it. I hit my breaking point. I looked at my life and my talents and decided to quit on the spot and start my own design practice. Read more>>

Kimberly Carbajal | Project Specialist at USC

When I started my undergraduate studies at USC, I was a low-income, first-generation college student. Although, I knew I was going to struggle financially, I wanted to get the full college experience and decided to dorm on campus. I started off as a business administration major and textbooks were pricey. I had a work-study job and worked 20 hours a week which is the maximum a student can work. There were times I felt frustrated because I provided for myself and there was no way my parents could help. In total I have five siblings, two which are younger. My father is the only provider as my mother is a stay-at-home mom. Growing up I always knew I wanted a different life and wanted to do better. My two ways out were going to college and starting my own business. At the age of five I started helping my aunt and grandfather selling different goods. I was never shy about it and enjoyed selling to others. Read more>>

Carol Arredondo | Retired Dental Hygienist & owner of TransformByFood

I was frustrated trying to lose weight & not understanding how to program my protein, carbs & fat intake to get the desire outcome that I was seeking. I didn’t want a fad or fast unrealistic diet but a solid way to eat with a wide variety of foods.

My husband & I have been long term athletes are entire lives & nutrition was one of my interests in college that I pursued but changed my major to the Dental field graduating from USC. Read more>>

Elijah Owens | Freelance Photographer

I didn’t initially plan on starting a business since photography started as just a hobby for me. But as I improved, people encouraged me to take it more seriously and try making money from it. I’m blessed to have a strong support system, and with their encouragement, I decided to go all in. Once I started, I quickly realized this was something I wanted to pursue long-term. That’s when I began building my Instagram page, networking with other photographers and athletes, and using social media to build my portfolio and grow my brand. Read more>>

Josh Weiss | Journalist/Novelist

I never planned on becoming a word-based contractor. I sort of fell into the freelance writing business and haven’t looked back since. After graduating college — Philadelphia’s Drexel University — in 2017, I began working for a large, Manhattan-based news corporation, filling out metadata fields for clips that would ultimately go to air. It was, as you might expect, indescribably dull work; work that became even more intolerable once I found myself on the lonely graveyard shift, which ran from around midnight to sunup. To keep myself sane, I used any and all free time to reprise a work of fiction I had started writing as an undergraduate. That project, an expression of my love for the alternate history genre and an ode to my Holocaust survivor grandfather, eventually became my debut novel: 2022’s Beat the Devils. Read more>>

Bernadette Armstrong | Writer, Director & Producer

Honestly, after directing several plays, my first thought was…”how hard can it be.” Especially, since the theaters across the county were shuttered due to the pandemic, my play “Custody” was one that got canceled. Which was really the reason I stated looking at other options to get it produced and I came up with nothing because I didn’t have an agent (bummer). So, then I started thinking about my play “Joan” which was about Joan Crawford that opened in 2019 that included clips from the radio plays she performed in during the 1940’s and 1950′, and that’s really what got me thinking about a theater podcast. Read more>>

Tj Basham | Publicist

in my teens, I started getting interested in Hollywood. i didn’t start working as a Public Relations until 2016. I thought if i could help one client, i could manage more. eventually had 13 clients at one time. Read more>>

Atiba Johnson, Cpba | Serial Entrepreneur

At an early age, I didn’t want someone telling me how much money I could make. Take for instance, you make $20/hr & you can only work 40 hours a week. Why? So I felt like I wanted to be at the top of the totem pole making as much as I want to make. Read more>>

Eddie Smith | Artist Manager/Freelance A&R

My Passion for Music kickstarted everything. My deep love for music has always been a guiding force in my life. I’ve had a connection to music since a young age, and that passion made me realize I wanted to be more than just a fan—I wanted to be a part of the process that brings great music to the world.I’ve always believed that talent needs to be nurtured. I saw so many artists with incredible potential who just needed the right guidance and support to reach the next level. I wanted to be the one to help them realize their dreams and navigate the complexities of the music industry,Working for others can be limiting, especially when you have your own vision. Starting my own business allowed me to create a space where I could implement my ideas and strategies without having to compromise on my values or goals.  Read more>>

Jasmine Brown, Msw, Acsw | Social Worker & Beauty Founder

The idea for Being Brown started as a simple note on my phone in 2019, filled with hopes and aspirations for what it could become. At the time, I was a social work student at UNC Charlotte, but my passion for makeup was blossoming. I loved experimenting with products and exploring the creativity it allowed me to express. Read more>>

Joel Cruz | Catering director and. Cook

Leave my job that I had for over ten years. Read more>>

Carmelo Fenald | Auto Dealer and Broker

I have working at auto dealerships since 1989 and my partner has since 2005, always for someone else. We were done with that. We both felt we were the smartest people in the room and wanted a chance to make it happen. My strongest suit is the Sales side and His is the behind scenes digital marketing and vehicle metrics. We feel that we have a winning hand. Read more>>

Jessie Zhu | instructional designer, web designer, trainer, voice actor, painter, business owner, author, translator

Having my own business has been a long-held dream since childhood. I’ve always had a deep passion for the arts. Still, due to family expectations and the environment I grew up in, I was taught that academic success should be the top priority and that anything else was a distraction or a waste of time. This limited my ability to fully explore my interests.
As I got older, I finally had the opportunity to pursue the things I truly enjoy in my free time, especially artistic activities like painting, recording audiobooks, experimenting with musical instruments, and practicing calligraphy. Read more>>

Barbara Iribe | Your Local OC Real Estate Agent

Starting my own business was deeply personal and driven by my life experiences. Growing up in a family where housing stability was a challenge, those early lessons taught me the importance of creating opportunities, not just for myself but for others as well.
My thought process was very simple: I wanted to build something that made a real difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s helping a family navigate a sensitive real estate transaction or giving small businesses a voice through creative marketing strategies, my goal has always been to be a trusted guide, a connector, and a source of support. Read more>>

Christopher Lane | Composer & Immersive Audio Designer

I was working a full-time job at Apple in Cupertino, designing virtual instruments and sounds for Logic and GarageBand. It’s the best “jobby-job” I’ve ever had—great people, cutting-edge technology, wide reach, and excellent pay. But then my old friend and composer Ludwig Göransson called one day, asking if I would be interested in sound designing an immersive concert experience for Donald Glover / Childish Gambino. Donald’s team was organizing this special weekend music show/festival in Joshua Tree, featuring a huge inflated dome that fit a couple of thousand people. They would project visuals in 360 degrees on the dome’s surface around the crowd and deliver a surround sound sonic experience to accompany the live concert. Read more>>

Rich Mead | Chef/ Owner, Restauranteur

I have worked in the restaurant industry for over 50 years. Early on I worked because I was able to get jobs and I enjoyed the energy level of restaurants and as a kid it was always fun to be around and meet so many people that I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to interact with on a regular world basis.
As I got older and I finished college- a degree in Economics- I got a job in the government- I grew up in Washington D,C,- and began an uninspiring career and realized that if I didn’t see the world I might continue a mundane life in DC- get old, get fat, get pasty and always wonder what I missed out on. Read more>>

Deborah Deras | International Speaker, Author, Corporate Trainer on Peak Performance

I started my business 23 years ago after a pivotal realization while working for a government agency in California. I was 24 years old, fresh out of school, and eager to make an impact. But I found an environment that didn’t align with my values or vision for life. Many of my colleagues were counting down the years until retirement, dreaming of traveling and living a passionate life later. That didn’t sit well with me. Read more>>

Jared Schorr | Illustrator

I didn’t start off thinking of my starting my own business. I just really wanted to make art. But towards the end of art school, I had a kid and that really flipped a switch in me that I really had to make art work right out of the gate. So I contacted every art director I wanted to work with with a personal hand cut promo package full of postcards and work samples. I personalized them with their name cut out of the postcard slipcase. My thought was to try to give AD’s something they couldn’t throw away, something that would sit on their desk and remind them of me. I sent out 50-ish promos and I hard back from about half of them! It was an amazing response and let me know that I was on the right track. Read more>>

Lorena Ramirez | Online Transformation Coach & Content Creator

Sounds cliche but I wanted to be my own boss. I was always the rebel child growing up. I started working at 16 and I realized I didn’t like school. To each is own but I always questioned the system. I couldn’t get my head around going to school 8+ hours at that, working crazy hours, missing out on sunlight and asking for bathroom breaks. I felt so drawn to the idea of working on my own time and building something especially as a kid that was once running the streets, using drugs and partying so much. I was only 23 at the time and I had no idea what I was doing but I knew that if I didn’t take the leap, I would continue living recklessly. Read more>>

Sammy Gedikian | General contractor

It was the most important and correct decision I have made in my life, and I’m so happy with my decision because it changed my entire financial life, my work life, and, without a doubt, my family’s life.
Not everyone can start their own business. In my opinion, to start your new business, you have to be 100% confident in yourself and believe in your ability to achieve things you’ve never done before. I always tell myself and my kids never to say “impossible” because nothing is impossible. The hardest things can always be accomplished if you always believe in yourself. And remember, God will never let you down. Read more>>

Manuel Salvadori | Biohacker, Entrepreneur, Nutritionist

The decision to start my own business was born from a deep-rooted passion for empowering people to take control of their health through science-driven strategies. As a biohacker, nutritionist, and founder of a Functional Medicine school in Italy, I recognized a major gap in the wellness industry: a lack of accessible, evidence-based education that empowers individuals and health professionals alike to optimize their health and longevity. Read more>>

Terri Rivera | Co-Owner of The Horror Boodega

Starting a business is always a deeply personal journey, and for me, it was about creating something meaningful and unique. While this is my first time venturing into entrepreneurship, my partner has an impressive track record—this is their fourth time building a cohesive brand or business identity. That dynamic brought an interesting challenge: I wanted to ensure that this new venture felt like ours—a collaborative effort rather than just an extension of what they’ve already built. Read more>>

Irene Kao | Founder of Sunlit Surf Co.

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit—there’s something incredibly rewarding about creating something from scratch and bringing it to life. But it wasn’t until I faced a really tough period in my life that I discovered surfing, and everything changed. The ocean became my sanctuary, a place where I could find peace, heal, and reconnect. The love, light, and sense of belonging I felt in the waves sparked something deep within me. I began envisioning apparel that captured the essence of the ocean, but when I couldn’t find anything that resonated with me, I realized I needed to create it myself. That’s how Sunlit Surf Co. was born. Read more>>

Ali Bodager | Founder & Executive Director

During my three years working in Skid Row, Los Angeles, I saw firsthand a significant gap in services. When young people turn 18, they are often treated the same as adults, even though they still require specialized support to prevent homelessness. In 2020, I began researching the issue and realized there was a clear need for programs specifically for young people ages 18-24, also known as Transition Age Youth (TAY). This critical transition into adulthood is often navigated alone, especially by TAY at risk of homelessness or those aging out of the foster care system. So my thought process behind opening Jacaranda was that I saw this need, and I decided I wanted to do something about it. In late 2021, I founded Jacaranda Housing (also known as Jacaranda) with the goal of bridging the gap between childhood and adulthood for these young people. Read more>>

Christine Lim | Founder & Culinary Innovator

Starting my own business, Salted Cow Bake, was deeply rooted in my love for creating desserts that aren’t overly sweet. I’ve always been drawn to flavors that balance sweetness with other notes—something that feels indulgent but not overwhelming.

Growing up, my experiences at the dinner table and my travels over the years heavily influenced my approach to flavors. My upbringing exposed me to a blend of different cultures and cuisines, which naturally shaped my palate and my creativity in the kitchen. This fusion is what Salted Cow Bake is all about—combining familiar comfort with bold and unexpected twists. Read more>>