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.

Toby Farrugia

The thought process was pretty simple.. to find a way to live off doing what I love.

Obviously this came with many hurdles but if you keep pushing you find a way to succeed. Read More>>

Kaustubh ‘Vick’ Singh

Before even movies, I found the word Obluda (Czech for ‘Monster’) a fascinating word- it’s the kind of monster that engulfs you whole. We joke about it quite often, but it has a great mouthfeel when enunciated out loud. Read More>>

Hayden Koch

Early in my career, I was thrown into the fire. I had to manage a book of clients that no single person could handle. Rather than giving up, I took it as a challenge. I learned how to execute search strategies at scale. I learned how to manage frustrated or overwhelmed clients. Read More>>

Samamtha Firestone

Fashion is one of the best forms of self expression and creativity. Regardless of one’s personal style, all women crave that “just right” tee or tank that pairs with everything effortlessly and allows their authentic self to shine. LELUXE was born from my desire to create these pieces – the ones that I wanted and needed in my own closet. Read More>>

Alexis Stein

For most of my life, I carried a tremendous amount of internal stress. On the outside, life looked full, but internally I was anxious, overwhelmed, and searching for something more. Learning to meditate changed that. It gave me a way to calm my nervous system, become present, and actually experience the life I had worked so hard to build. Read More>>

Olga Napohaku

Having my own business as a fashion designer has been a dream of mine. After working in the fashion industry using my skill and learning the in’s and out’s. I finally felt ready to go for my dream. Making my dream come true was my goal and part of my bucket list, it was time. I wasn’t getting any younger, time to seize the moment! Read More>>

Rebecca Nolan

Honestly, I always knew I never wanted to work for someone else. From early on, my biggest fear was being trapped. I never wanted to be locked into a physical job, a fixed location, a life designed by someone else’s rules. That fear became my fuel. I became obsessed with finding a way to design my own life. Read More>>

Scott (SKOT) Praun

I grew up with a point-and-shoot camera, and my dad would often hand down his old cameras to me. Photography was never serious back then—it was just fun. I was always the one in my friend group taking photos while we were skating or biking. Years later, I was working long hours as a manager in the restaurant industry and feeling completely burnt out. Read More>>

Peter Englander

I had been working in the real estate development and construction industries in New York City and Fairfield County, CT when I accepted a position with a developer to work in the burgeoning ski town of Telluride, CO. Due to the economy, my position ended earlier than anticipated and the projects that I was going to be working on were cancelled. Read More>>

Nic Palermo

I started building the structure and outlining what Dimos Studios would be last summer, when the show I was working on got canceled after a too-short run. I thought I could keep working for these studios, which have been difficult, unrelenting, and unrewarding, or I could work for myself and my friends. Read More>>

Autumn Rowe

I started my publishing company ‘Honest Songs Music and Lyrics’ late in my pregnancy. It was a long dream to becoming a publisher and develop fellow writers and producers. I also want to share everything I learned, all my mistakes and all my wins with a new generation. My company is a JV partnership with Spirit Music Group. Read More>>

Kasey Haines

I’ve always made, sold and gave away art but starting my own business would not have happened without my best friend encouraging me. My best friend Ashley and I were both outcasts who met in sixth grade and bonded instantly. Now over 20 years later, we are sharing what makes us unique with others. Read More>>

Ashley Moniz Braun

My husband, Benet Braun, and I met and worked in New York City for years before relocating to California so he could attend graduate school. Every time we made plans to move back to New York, something in California seemed to keep us here. I never imagined I’d return to my hometown, but here we are—and it has been such a wonderful season of life. Read More>>

Kumiko Hidaka

My life has always been a tale of two cultures—Tokyo and California—and I knew early on that I wanted to build a path that bridged the two. Growing up, some of my fondest memories were gathered around the table my grandmother and mother created for our family and guests. Delicious home-cooked dishes were served in beautiful tableware, accompanied by lively conversation. Read More>>

Marquette Washington

My thought process behind starting Modern Moments came from wanting to build something meaningful, not just for myself, but for my family and my community. I’ve always believed that life’s most important memories deserve to be celebrated in a beautiful and intentional way. Read More>>

Adriana Cascarano

My thought process really came from frustration. I used to sail, and every time I wanted to go out, it felt like an ordeal — I was working the whole time while everyone else was relaxing. And I just remember thinking… this shouldn’t be this hard. That’s when I got my first Duffy. Read More>>

Chloe Eshel

Starting my social and content consultancy started organically after leaving 818 and Sprinter, but makes sense when I think back because I’ve always been entrepreneurial. When I was young, I was always creating businesses like reselling streetwear or making wallets. I’ve always loved the idea of building something from the ground up and creating opportunities for myself. It’s in my blood! I’ve always craved autonomy. Read More>>

Neil McNally & Steve Kilcullen

The thought process behind starting ‘To Live and Let Die in L.A.’ was a simple one. The James Bond films and character have been around for over 70 years. However, within that time there had never been a formal organization in Los Angeles centered around and celebrating James Bond 007. Our goal is twofold. Read More>>

Erica Perez

We moved to Oakland in 2009 and were surprised to discover that a city with such a vibrant food culture didn’t have a dedicated spice shop. My husband and co-owner, John, had worked many years before at a spice shop in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he learned to grind and blend spices by hand. That experience stayed with him. Read More>>

Milena Cataño

When I moved to New York, I knew I wanted to train among the best artists in the world to improve my craft, but also to create opportunities not just for myself, but for others who, like me, come from abroad with a different artistic perspective to share. Read More>>