The Early Days: why did you start a business

Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Colbi Maxwell | Entrepreneur

I started Linq’d because I couldn’t find a secure and stylish phone strap, and I knew there were other women (and men) who wanted a trendier way to carry and protect their phones while out and about, other than a purse. My goal was to prevent phone theft, since my phone had been stolen out of my purse on a night out. Read more>>

Haili Pue | Celebrity Fashion Stylist

I majored in journalism and was hired in fashion journalism after college; syndicating my column to magazine and editorial print. I was styling models and doing my own photography for my editorial features. After publishing my column people started requesting me to style them and to reconceptualize their closets and wardrobes. That was in 2007 and I’m still doing what I love. It wasn’t so much as a thought process behind starting it as a business, it just occurred naturally to me. When I was little I would envision what people should be wearing and give them makeovers in my head; I always saw people at what I thought was their best. Read more>> 

Yb Terrion | Entrepreneur

I’ve always been business minded. As a child, I was always fascinated with creating. I wrote songs, created businesses, sold candy, mowed lawns, washed cars, and anything else I could think of. I even wrote contracts in pencil and crayon. The mindset has always been there but I never knew how to legitimately create a functioning business. My thought has always been “if you can think it, do it”. Luckily for me, my creativity and drive has never been stifled by anyone or anything. If I don’t know how to do something, I will figure it out. The overall thought is, just do it. Read more>>

Brittany Roberson | Hair Stylist, Paramedical Tattoo Artist & Body Sculptor

I started my own business because I ultimately wanted to be in an industry that made people feel good. I always tell others I’m happy when I can make others happy. I also wanted to work on my terms because I have 5 beautiful children. My drive to serve others definitely started when I had a little girl of my own. It’s nothing like a little human coming into this world to show you how selfless you can really be. Read more>>

Brissa Sanchez | Nonprofit Professional & Entrepreneur

For a long time I had been wanting to start a business of my own, but I was unsure of what it would look like. After spending time at the East LA Farmers Market, a market in my community of East LA, I noticed that there were no tortillas being sold in a community market with a predominantly Mexican population. Tortillas, a staple in Mexican cuisine, were absent from a space meant to celebrate local culture and flavors. So, I decided to focus on tortillas and chips as my products, not just to fill a gap but to create a bridge between local tortillerías and the community. I wanted to bring authentic, locally made tortillas and celebrate my Mexican heritage. Read more>>

Phil Martin | BBQ Pitmaster

I grew up in Colorado, but my parents are from Lake City, SC. Growing up, my dad and uncles did a lot of bbqing, so I was exposed to real bbq at a young age. When I moved to Los Angeles in 2007, the first thing I looked for was some good bbq. Sadly, I couldn’t find any. After being disappointed multiple times, I decided that if I want to eat bbq, I’ll do it myself. Once my new LA friends and family tasted mine, they were the ones who suggested that I start a business. That was 2008. It took until 2017 for me to get the courage to take the plunge. My thought process was simple. Make the best bbq that anyone has ever tasted. Keep it simple, keep it basic, jut make it good! Read more>>

Melissa Chavez | Entrepreneur

I’ve been trained to always become the solution and not the problem. If you see a need, fill it. This is from where In the Vine Connects was birthed. As a single 32-year-old woman then, I found myself fishing in ponds that weren’t yielding the catch I wanted, so to speak. I realized that there needed to be a space where Christian singles could connect without the fear of awkwardness or compromising their morals or desires. Read more>>

Carlos Avila | Writer, Producer, Director

As a filmmaker, a revelation that came to me early on was the urgent need for me to create my own production company, Echo Park Films. While I have had the opportunity to do exciting and inventive work for studios and networks, I have also had a parallel career as an ‘independent filmmaker’ where I create my own projects. My production company has allowed me to do that. There is the strong imperative to be entrepreneurial if you want to have the flexibility to do personal work. I have been able to build relationships within the public television space that has led to the funding of my projects. Read more>>

Niloofar Faghihi | Fashion Designer

My thought process really started with observing the disconnect between the beauty of fashion and the need for more meaningful, responsible practices in the industry. After studying in Asia and Europe and now working in New York for labels like Anne Fontaine, Calvin Klein, Converse, and Kenneth Cole as well as collaborating with some fast fashion brands and doing some projects in LA, I began to see an opportunity to create something different. I wanted to redefine how we approach fashion by combining aesthetics with sustainability in a way that feels seamless and inspiring. Read more>>

Tyler Hales | Smile makeover and veneer specialist

I’ve always had a passion for reimagining the way things are done, especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. I wanted to create a unique approach that reflected my vision and my brand, offering patients a new perspective on what’s possible. The idea of building something from the ground up excites me—whether it’s refining processes, developing innovative marketing strategies, or growing a business steadily over time. I love exploring new possibilities and seeing how far I can take them. Read more>>

Hannah White | Athlete Manager & Owner of a Sports Marketing Agency

My thought process behind starting my own business was driven by my passion for building meaningful relationships and my background in sports. I’ve always been a determined, go-getter who thrives in sales and marketing, so I knew I had the skills to create something impactful. Observing other agencies, I noticed how transactional the industry could be, which didn’t align with my values. I wanted to offer athletes something beyond contracts—a real support system that cares about them as people, on and off the field. With that mission in mind, I didn’t hesitate to start my own business. Read more>>

Yarin And Pauline Gani | Co-Owners of Create Construction

Starting our own business was something we had talked about for a while, we wanted to work for ourselves but it wasn’t until we saw an opportunity to blend our passions for real estate, design, and construction that we decided to take the leap in 2020 where we had the time to really dive in due to the pandemic. We both have backgrounds in the industry, but we felt like there was a gap in the market for a company that really focused on personalized, hands-on service, quality communication and creative design. We wanted to create something that felt more intimate, where clients could truly collaborate with us to bring their dream spaces to life.  Read more>>

The Cook’s, Zak & Nesma | Coffee Entrepreneurs

Starting Cook’s Coffee felt like the natural next step in our journey together as a couple. For years, we had dreamed of building something meaningful—a business that reflected our passion for great coffee, fostered a sense of community, and gave us the freedom to step away from the corporate world. Most importantly, we wanted to create a foundation for our future family. Read more>>

Daniel Fliegel | Photographer/Photo Editor

Working full-time as a photographer, designer and photo editor for the last 12 years with various companies. It seemed like a natural extension to branch out while continuing to work with businesses and private clients alike. I spent many years honing my craft as a photographer. I am currently building my client base with aspiring/working actors and models. Read more>>

Angelique Skinner | CEO AND FOUNDER OF SLF NETWORK

My thoughts behind starting my own business were deeply rooted in my passion for cameras and storytelling. From the beginning, I was driven to bring creative visions to life. I started my journey as an entrepreneur Shooting music videos, brand videos, documentaries, and more for various clients and celebrities as an independent entrepreneur. As I accumulated years of experience and filmed a vast range of content, I felt it was time to expand my reach. This led me to create a system that not only allowed me to tell impactful stories and produce films but also to help others succeed. Read more>>

As a voice over artist, I’m often asked by people both in and outside of the entertainment industry how they, themselves, can earn a living through VO. I used to give what I thought was a concise answer — but after receiving blank stares in return, it dawned on me that there is more to success than simply “audition, audition, audition.” Read more>>

Brandon Milbradt | Mama, Founder, Creator

When I started Eat Gold Organics, it was driven by a combination of passion and purpose. My personal experiences with health and seeing others struggle motivated me to make functional foods not just effective but also enjoyable. I envisioned chocolate bars that could offer both comfort and empowerment, blending incredible flavors with the benefits of adaptogens and superfoods. This journey has been about democratizing wellness, sharing the transformative power of plants, and bringing a sense of joy and enchantment to everyday life—all while staying committed to sustainability and ethical practices. Read more>>

Nadia Ronquillo | Children’s book illustrator/ studio owner

I’ve always known I had a passion for drawing, and I’m incredibly fortunate to have had supportive parents and family members who encouraged my art practice. From a young age, I was that precocious six-year-old experimenting with acrylics, oils, watercolors—you name it. Read more>>

Alexie Lekkos | Hypnotherapist

When I decided to start my business, it came from this deep desire to help people in a way that felt true to me. Starting my own hypnotherapy practice meant I could create my own rules and design a process that I truly believe helps people heal. I’ve never been the kind of person who’s content with the 9-5 lifestyle. Freedom is so important to me, and for me, true freedom is having control over my time and how much I can grow—not being limited by someone else’s rules or expectations. Read more>>

Lindsay Matthews | Founder & Concierge Pilates Teacher, Peachy Pilates

I started Peachy Pilates during the early days of the pandemic, when I transitioned from teaching in busy studios in the Northeast to offering private online sessions. It wasn’t a carefully crafted business plan, but more a response to the changing times. As a result, my business has evolved in a variety of ways over the years. While I still teach one-on-one sessions online for clients who are out of the area now that I’m in LA, I’ve moved away from the original membership model of on-demand workouts that was so popular when I first started. My focus has since shifted to a more personalized, concierge-style approach—either traveling to clients’ homes or welcoming them into mine to practice Pilates with a variety of equipment like the reformer, mat, resistance bands, and cadillac. Read more>>

Sarah Rafik Botrus | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Supervisor

Starting my own business was driven by both personal and professional reasons. The commute to my previous workplace was tough, and I realized I wanted to work closer to home to create a better balance in my life. I also wanted the freedom to design a practice that aligned with my values and to serve clients in a way that felt authentic and effective. Read more>>

Ari Arroyo | Photo, Video & Design

The thought process behind starting my own business stemmed from a desire to combine creativity with independence. I wanted to prove my inner child we can live through art! ^^ The idea was to craft a space where I could fully express my vision while celebrating others and helping them bring their own projects to life. Read more>>

Sayuri Miki | Multifaceted Entrepreneur & International Business Coordinator

In 2017, I came to Los Angeles from Japan as an international student. As a Japanese person in a completely foreign environment, I didn’t have a grand vision or specific goals—I simply acted on impulse and excitement. My lack of English skills made it difficult to access important information, and I quickly realized how challenging it was to adapt to life abroad. Read more>>

Sofia Shen | a digital pilgrim

The concept behind our brand, LOWSH, emerged from a series of conversations I had with my business partner, whom I co-founded the brand with. We both reflected on objects that held meaning in our lives. For me, it was a stuffed animal that I took to boarding school, traveled with over the years, and still keep by my bedside in New York. Our reflections led us to recognize the bond between a possessor and their possession. These objects are far more than mere material things, they are vessels of narratives, keepers of memories, and conductors of emotions. Read more>>