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.

Rob Berry

My thought Process behind starting my own business was ownership, legacy and control. I have always wanted to be a 1 stop shop for music in the bay area. The studio, The label, the Video Production even the Venue for concerts side of things. Read More>>

Ashley L.

My thought process behind starting my own business came from two places: purpose and responsibility. I grew up in the world of ballet and saw how powerful the right training, mentorship, and discipline can be in shaping a young person’s life. Read More>>

Ivan Pryntsev

My thought process behind starting my own business came from two places: purpose and responsibility. I grew up in the world of ballet and saw how powerful the right training, mentorship, and discipline can be in shaping a young person’s life. Read more>>

Lucy Rendler-Kaplan

It’s so funny because I started my company almost on a fluke! (or a temper tantrum gone wrong!) I was working in-house at a brand as the marketing and social media director – and we had a publicist on retainer. Read More>>

Victoria Fisk

There were multiple factors to starting my own business. First, after becoming a mom, I needed something extra to occupy both my brain and hands. The physical aspect of actually making something manually was an added bonus. It’s not exactly exercise, but it definitely requires your full mental presence if you want to succeed in piping flowers. Read More>>

Tom Scourfield

I’ve always had a pull toward starting my own business from a young age. Conventional careers never appealed to me. I liked the idea of following my curiosity and creating something that I’m in control of and has unlimited upside. Lemon Leverage isn’t my first business. Read More>>

Preethi Balasubramanian

My thought process behind starting Wonder EA really grew out of what I observed throughout my life and career. I grew up in a home where entrepreneurship wasn’t a buzzword—it was just life. My father ran his own business, and my mother anchored the household with consistency and service. Read More>>

Milana Lebedeva

My true purpose behind starting my own business was freedom — creative freedom, professional freedom, and the ability to build something that reflects who I am. I wanted to create a space where people feel cared for, seen, and beautiful. For me, it was never just about hair; it was about helping people feel confident and transforming their day, their mood, their energy. Read More>>

Tom Leigh

Honestly, it sounds crazy, but it all started with a conversation at a farmers’ market in West Hollywood. I had recently traveled from London to LA, and one weekend I met Michael, who’s now my co-founder. He’s a teacher, and we started talking about how popcorn hadn’t really evolved or had its ‘craft’ moment the way chocolate or beer had. Read More>>

Christine Harte

Catsnippers Los Angeles grew out of a shared understanding within our community: we all want the best for our pets, but caring for them can be overwhelming without support. We know we can’t adopt our way out of the animal overpopulation crisis, so we’re coming together to make a real difference. Read More>>

Justin Taylor

It started as a mixture of desire to do what I already did, but better and on my own terms, and a fear of having to get a ‘real job’ in the world. I had worked in the gymnastics industry as a coach for 12 years. I loved what I did, but I hated the limitations put on what I could teach. Read More>>

Cindy Lainez

I started my business with more passion than plans. I didn’t have everything figured out—and that didn’t stop me. I trusted that if I showed up, created a space for clients, and stayed committed to learning, everything else would fall into place. Starting before I was ‘ready’ was actually the thing that set me apart. Read More>>

Nikkita Weerasinghe

I started Benefit Body because movement saved me. For years I struggled with my body — not just physically, but emotionally. I knew what it felt like to walk into a fitness space and feel shy, nervous and not “fit enough.” When movement finally clicked for me, it was medicine. It gave me confidence, clarity, and a way home to myself. Read More>>

Tyler Mays

My thought process behind starting 5th Quarter Digital wasn’t a single decision. It was the culmination of a lifelong entrepreneurial drive. I’ve always had that spirit. It wasn’t a gradual realization. It just hit me one day. I had to build something. The foundation was laid early. When I graduated from college in 2014, I knew my path was in social media marketing. Read More>>

Jaye Liu

As a girl who was born and raised in China and then came to the United States and Europe to study films, I always see how my peer filmmakers from all over the world come to the city of Angels to pursue their Hollywood dreams. Spending tons of money to get the permit to film at an LA garage happens usual. I started thinking why not set our stage back in my hometown Chongqing, Read More>>

Lauren Forbes

My professional career actually began in law–I was formerly a practicing attorney. I received my J.D. from Loyola Marymount here in Southern California and worked at a litigation firm where I learned many of the principles I utilize selling real estate. As a lawyer, I was traveling for work frequently and was up for partner when my daughter was born. Following that milestone, I began looking for a career path that would give me more flexibility as a mother. That’s ultimately what inspired me to get my real estate license and start my own business. Read More>>

Chelsea Leon

I started Aspire Hire out of both passion and necessity. After years of recruiting in the Consumer Goods industry with a niche focus in the beauty and personal care space, I saw an opportunity to do things differently. I wanted to bring more heart, strategy, and partnership into hiring. Read More>>

 Monique Chavez

Starting Lost Media wasn’t a mapped-out plan; it just happened naturally. I’ve always loved storytelling, editing, and finding creative ways to connect with people. During Covid, I pulled away from the fast-paced industry and slowed down to rediscover what really inspired me.  Read More>>

 Dennis Baker

I run several businesses (a media PR firm, and am also an author) but what led me to start www.PolisAssist.com. was a simple realization: no company or government entity had digitized and democratized all the parking information in Los Angeles. Read More>>

 Amanda Aoki

When someone asks my background, it’s always funny. Cause I started as an Actress, but I never had the patience to wait for someone else’s approval, eventually I step into producing but, as everybody knows, this industry is still overwhelmingly male‑dominated at every level —  Read More>>