Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

R.J. De Rossi

Starting my own business was truly a calling. I had been teaching for 18 years at a special education school serving students labeled with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). As gang violence escalated and after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, I grew increasingly alarmed by the rising fear in our community. It felt like our school culture was on the verge of eruption.  Read More>>

Jason Crow

Sides and Sounds was something that actually came to fruition very organically. I grew up playing drums in bands starting at a very young age. In high school, my bedroom began to transform into a recording studio where my friends and I would produce music. Some time near the end of college I was playing less in bands and doing a lot more recording and producing for friends.  Read More>>

Sarah Klegman

It happened really organically. I’ve always been a creative writer, then as my career grew and became wildly diverse, it provided me with a skillset that allowed me to work with ALL kinds of folks while leaving space to pursue my own artistic passions.

My career started in the comedy business – I was a manager and producer, looking after comedians, writers, and performers. I learned how to support individuals in developing their unique voice and brand and how to sell them to all kinds of creative distributors – from studios to comedy club owners, production companies to publishing houses. I honed the art of understanding audiences and communicating artists’ value and potential for success. Read More>>

Robert Rene

Dancing has always been my passion, and music has always been the driving force behind my creativity. As my dancing career progressed, I began to feel constrained, unable to fully express myself as an artist and be myself. The demand of having a specific look, style, ability and demeanor was something that I respect about the industry, but I felt I didn’t possess those qualities. I found myself trying to force myself to fit a brand that wasn’t mine, and in doing so, it was causing my love for dance and music to feel like a burden. Read More>>

Stephen Loi

10 years ago, in 2015, I started working in the medical field for Home Health, Palliative and Hospice services for the seniors and the sick as a placement specialist and Chaplain. I got my bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Oxford Brookes University and Master of Divinity degree from Oral Roberts University (ORU.edu). The founder of ORU, Oral Roberts always said “Make no little plans here.” After working for a year, I decided to step out by faith to become an independent contractor and started my own website www.StephenLoi.com. Read More>>

Jane Robbins

My “business” used to be acting, although I fear it was dreaming. And waiting to be a Star to get my mother’s Attention. And there was more waiting. Waiting for an agent to get me an audition. Waiting for a producer to hire me. My ultimate business lesson has been: Don’t wait for someone else to do it for me. Dare to take the initiative. Dare to take action.

As an actress, I was in one Academy Award-winning film, Rocky. When I was hitchhiking in LA in 1975, I dared to take a ride from someone who turned out to be an actors’ agent. The man told me that “this little film” was casting, and where to send my picture and resume. Read More>>

Dr. Omonye Phillips

Omosilk was born out of a personal need—one that started in my own home. As a mother of three children with sensitive skin and eczema, I saw firsthand how these conditions led to hair loss and constant discomfort. As a pharmacist, I knew the long-term effects medications could have on early childhood development, so I began searching for a more sustainable, lifestyle-based solution—something natural, effective, and safe. Read More>>

Natalia, Abby, & Lindsay

In early 2024, three girls, soon to be RTC’s founders, were in very different places in their theatrical ambitions… Natalia Giovanni, a graduate of the University of California Irvine, had just passed one year in LA and was weeks away from quitting her job at a coffee shop. Lindsay Jane, a graduate of the University of Missouri Kansas City, had recently moved to LA and had taken a job at the same coffee shop as Natalia. Abby Rowland, a recent graduate from USC, was eager to find a theatrical community in LA. Serendipity kicked in when a mutual friend, Alyssa Riha, decided to hire all three girls for her 2024 production of Lillian Hellman’s The Children’s Hour. Read More>>

Makayla Johnson

I’ve had an entrepreneurial spirit since the fourth grade—I was the kid selling lemonade in front of my house and homemade lollipops at school. Starting my own hair extension business came from that same passion. I’ve always loved beauty and helping people feel confident, so turning that into a brand felt natural. I started small, packaging orders in my room during Covid but every step has been personal and purpose-driven. Read More>>

Natalie Grimsley

Launching my own business allowed me to combine my passions and build upon my existing work in the health and wellness field. When creating my business, I envisioned a physical space in my neighborhood where my neighbors could easily gather and access a sense of community. My goal was to share my favorite offerings, including Lagree method classes and a variety of mindfulness practices, creating a welcoming environment for everyone just steps away from the beach. Read More>>

Ksenia Lippke

I’ve been part of the wedding and event industry for over 13 years, immersed in everything from planning and coordinating weddings, styled shoots, and events, to styling, photography, and post-production. Creativity has always been at the heart of what I do.

The inspiration for EverSince Albums came from a deeply personal place. After designing my own wedding albums and holding them in my hands for the first time, I truly understood the value of preserving memories in a tangible, beautiful way. That moment sparked a passion to help others do the same — to transform their most cherished moments, whether from weddings, family trips, or life’s everyday magic, into luxurious, high-quality coffee table books. Read More>>

Tara Feld

I started my business because creating jewelry brings me pure joy—both in the process of designing and in seeing others light up when they wear my pieces. I love getting lost in the details, working with beautiful materials, and shaping them into something special. There’s something magical about transforming raw elements into wearable art, and even more so when that art resonates with someone personally. My jewelry is my way of sharing that joy, connecting with others, and making the world a little more beautiful—one piece at a time. Read More>>

Ceo Badley

I come from a place that has very limited access to resources of all kind. People are depressed, out of hope, and desperately in need of a way to survive. I chose to utilize my skills and learnings to create a brand that educates and entertains simultaneously. I had to provide an outlet for those that feel left behind in society. I needed to create and become the premier resource of information that is geared towards independent entrepreneurs and creatives in my region. Read More>>

Elena Nairi Mirzaians

Honestly, I never thought I’d start my own business. I kind of fell into it out of necessity.

I had been working in tech managing projects and programs for 10+ years. My last job was leading Hulu’s technology operations team- it was my dream job. We built viewer-first experiences, always putting people before profits. It was a culture of innovation, and I thrived in it. Read More>>

Troy Cooper

Starting my own business is hard haha, its a lot of thinking you’re the best and then also having the most self doubt.

It’s a lovely head game you play with yourself.
Gotta love the process aha. Read More>>

Callan Milani

My freelance work as a trombonist encouraged me to branch out. My trombone and I were exposed to a variety of concert experiences, recording sessions and collaborations with many of my favorite artists. The inspiration behind Boosh! came directly from these experiences and artist collaborations. The freedom I found in the creative process allowed me to incorporate my hobbies, pastimes, and curiosities into original content that makes you say Boosh! Read More>>

Viviana Chacon

For me, entrepreneurship has always been a combination of passion, curiosity and the need to create. As an architect, I’ve always had a deep connection to design and the importance of every detail, whether in a physical space or an idea. When I started my cupcake business, it wasn’t just about baking; it was about designing an entire brand, from packaging to advertising to social media. I wanted every detail to tell a story, for everything to align and reflect my vision. Read More>>

Jessica Bradford

I started my business, 2BPR Public Relations & Marketing, out of necessity. In 2007, my (now ex) husband relocated our family to Los Angeles from New York City for a job opportunity. My son was just 8 months old, and I knew absolutely no one in LA. At the time, remote work was not as common as it is now, so staying with the agency I worked for in NYC was not an option, but I still needed to work. Everyone said I should try to get into entertainment PR, but I knew in my heart of hearts that celebrity culture was not for me– I love travel. Read More>>

Andrew Sampson

It all boiled down to my family. I wanted two things for myself/family. I wanted to have the flexibility of being your own boss offers and I wanted to start a successful business my children could one day join and be a part of. While I am working more hours than ever launching this business, I have the timing flexibility during the day to make it to school and sporting events with the kids. Read More>>

Gaile Romanes

I’ve always been entrepreneurial — not necessarily by choice at first, but by necessity. Growing up in the Philippines, so many products weren’t accessible to everyone, and even as a kid, that felt wildly unfair. I remember in 3rd grade, bringing an entire tub of gummy worms to school (a true luxury item at the time!) and reselling them to classmates during recess. It was an instant hit — not only were my prices better than the school store’s, but my gummy worms actually tasted better and came with a flavor/color choice. A win-win. Read More>>

Oscar Aguilar Avellaneda

Absolutely — being a full-time DJ and business owner is a dream for many, but it definitely comes with its challenges. Here are some of the hardest parts of the process:

At the beginning, getting people to trust you with their events — especially big ones like weddings or quinceañeras — can be tough. It takes time to build a name, get reviews, and earn repeat clients. Read More>>

Nury Espinoza

Being a Mompreneur to be able to have the flexibility to attend my children’s activities and still be able to help customers with my gift of numbers. One of the standout features of Accounting Breeze is its commitment to freeing up the time, energy, and resources of the business executives it works with. This allows these leaders to focus on other important aspects of their life, whether it’s scaling their company, traveling, or spending quality time with their families. Read More>>

 Clare Frattarola

This business has been a seed in the back of my mind since college. Back then, it was focused on building positive body image and confidence in young girls. Over time, it slowly evolved into what it is today—a brand centered on cultivating emotional intelligence in children. The evolution of the business mirrors my own personal growth. What started as a project focused on the outside has become something so much deeper: a mission to help kids accept all emotions and all parts of themselves. Read More>>

Asia Warren

I had always had an obsession with animals from a young age. When I started to work with dogs ranging from service work to shelter dogs or general obedience, I knew that I really wanted to help further. I had always had an entrepreneurial spirit to me. I grew up in a family that had ran their own businesses so I knew I wanted to do that as well. I guess you could say dogs and business was something I felt called to and what better way to combine them both then with dog training.  Read More>>

MAJOR.

I knew it had to be done. I have dreams & vision – and if I expect the fulfillment of them to be facilitated with care & commitment I had to take lead in doing so! Read More>>

Liesel Orend

Well, as a person who has incorporated many different healing modalities (Chiropractic, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, etc.), I don’t fit neatly into anyone else’s business! So I had to create my own. Having my own business gives me the freedom to treat patients in the way that serves them best, as well as to pursue my passions. Read More>>

Marty Mozart

To bring the essence of hip hop back to its roots. Read More>>

Jules Lavallee

I have been a freelance writer for over 10 years covering celebrities, world leaders, business leaders, and humanitarians. In 2025, I decided to launch Formidable Woman US, Formidable Men US, and Empowered Entrepreneur Magazine. For Formidable Woman US, I showcase inspiring and empowerment women.  Read More>>

Tommy Scalera

I have always been a car guy, and I’ve always loved going to car shows from the local town shows to the big Concours d’Elegance. Around a decade or so ago, I was driving my 1962 Thunderbird convertible to an out-of-state car show. Upon arriving, I found myself in an empty field with a handful of other car enthusiasts who, like me, were wondering why the show was cancelled despite perfect weather.  Read More>>

Althea Williams

The truth is—I never set out to start a business. It was never about launching a brand. It started with a need—a need for connection, community, and meaningful conversation among women veterans navigating life after service. Read More>>

Jennifer Caloyeras

My whole life is based around books. I write them. I teach others how to write them. I read them. I make art out of them. I run an online book club as well as a book recommendation podcast called Books Are My People. Read More>>

Jason Schulz

After spending over 20 years on the corporate side of TV and film production, I found myself feeling increasingly stifled creatively. While I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, the demands of studio management left little time to pursue it. I ultimately accepted a severance package just before the pandemic, intending to apply my skills to the production side of business.  Read More>>

Valerie Yant

Starting a “business” happened quite by accident. Our corgi, Zero, went viral with a video of her swimming back in the early days of Instagram when one viral video was enough to catapult you into internet fame. At the time, posting photos and videos of Zero was mostly a hobby, but as her “influence” grew, we started to do little things like sell socks with her face, or stickers…Read More>>

 R.H. Bird

I wanted to control my own destiny. I was the Senior Vice President of Product Development at one of the first online stock brokers. Our company did such an amazing job we were bought out by a much larger competitor. They were only interested in the accounts, so the choice was move across the country or take a severance package. Read More>>

 Joey Wiz

Honestly, the company sort of fell into our lap. We were just out of college, working in the service industry and running events. We wanted to throw a huge party. Doing so, back then, meant you had to include swag. So, we created a t-shirt design I had been thinking about for a while. The shirts sold out. That’s when we knew we had something and launched the business. Read More>>

Marisa Cabrera

I’ve been a hairstylist for 28 years. For 20 of those years, doing hair was a hobby I did in my home garage. 8 years ago I finally had, had enough of working a full time job and decided to fulfill my dream of owning my own Salon Studio. I had tried working in a traditional Salon but soon realized that I enjoyed working one on one with my clients. So I opted for a Salon Studio. Read More>>

Ryan Batiste

As a versatile artist from a musical family in New Orleans, I Raw Revolution in high school as a collective with friends who played instruments or rapped. Even as members pursued different paths, I wanted to keep the group going, evolving it into my main project and brand. Read More>>

Katie Sobelman

At the time, I was traveling across the country as a skincare educator, training spas in advanced treatments and product protocols. I felt inspired to start working directly with clients again so I could creatively apply the techniques I was sharing with my spa partners. Read More>> 

Nisha Vig

My journey isn’t just about building businesses—it’s about building a philosophy. I started with a simple, unwavering belief: True beauty radiates from within. It’s the harmony between what nourishes your body and how you present yourself to the world. As a South Asian economics graduate from UCSD, I saw an opportunity to blend my analytical skills with my lifelong passion for beauty and storytelling.  Read More>>

Sophie Davies

I set out to create a boutique environment that felt welcoming and approachable for guests, while also building a small, collaborative team that values creativity, professionalism, and the craft of hairstyling. Read More>>

Beena Patel

My career in Event Planning and Production fell into my lap. It started when i was in college working for the chamber of commerce back home in Florida. After moving to California in 2023, I landed in a position at a REIT company that allowed me to still create fun events on the side, along with my primary role as a financial assistant and accountant. Read More>>

Fernando Hurtado

I started my business for really selfish reasons, and I mean that in a good way. As someone who had been a journalist at various media companies for eight years, I found YouTube playing an increasingly outsized role in my media diet. After work, I wouldn’t turn on the local TV news for a rundown of the day’s news. Read More>>

Alan Bran

Having a platform where the people from my community can share create and build music at a higher caliber than the norm or obvious way most have been doing so. Showing those that using people around you can help them create something unique and inspiring. Read More>>

Mukaila Kazeem

You know, photography was just my thing for ages, ever since high school. I was always snapping photos for fun. It wasn’t until someone casually asked me why I wasn’t charging that I even considered it as a business – kind of a “duh!” moment. Read More>>

Fernando Villarreal Mayer

At first, I was just looking for a way to make some extra money on the side. I had, for the most part, always gotten compliments on my style, especially my eyewear. Read More>>

Kaden Bishop

To be honest, I’ve never really had a formal “thought process” going into any business I’ve started. It’s always been something I fell into. My first hustle was selling snacks as a kid, I didn’t overthink it, I just saw demand and moved on it. Read More>>

Cynthia

As an artist, I wanted to find a way to share my art and create things that would bring joy to people in my community. Read More>>

Emma R. Alban

Becoming a writer was always, I think, an inevitability for me. I’ve been writing stories since I learned that was how stories came to be, and have been pursuing professional writing since I graduated from college 12 years ago. Read More>>

Cristina Chitel

I love to travel, it’s what fuels me. It’s my why, as a Sagittarius, my reason for being. I also love the sense of discovery and finding hidden gems, meeting the makers, hearing their stories. Read More>>

Connor Sacks

Our thought process behind starting our business was to start slow and small and see how it may organically grow. Once we got started and had done a few pop-ups, we noticed a strong response from the community. Read More>>

Shawn Valentino

Ever since I was a kid with big dreams growing up in Michigan, movies were my passion. I dreamed of living the romantic fantasies showcased on the silver screen. My hero was Hugh Hefner and the Playboy lifestyle was my pursuit. James Bond and Tom Cruise were my big screen heroes. Read More>>

Shawn Jordison

I knew I was on to something when I started cashing bigger checks than my regular job from my side hustle. Though, that is to put it lightly. This was more than a side hustle – it was about getting to my brain to work. Read More>>

Krisette Kho

What began as a simple scrub donation during the COVID-19 pandemic quickly evolved into a small mask-making business. That experience sparked a bigger idea: why not create a scrubwear line? Read More>>

Dahlene Holliness

Starting my own business stemmed from a deep desire to create spaces and experiences that reflect the richness of who we are as multifaceted women. As someone who wears many hats—mother, wife, counselor, entrepreneur—I recognized the need for a lifestyle that embraces both luxury and leisure, without compromise. Read More>>

Daniel Bennett

Starting KDX Creative was driven by a mix of passion, frustration, and opportunity. I’ve always loved short-form content and storytelling on platforms like Vine and TikTok. When I was working a 9-5, I got to see how the advertising world worked from the inside, but as an assistant, my ideas weren’t always heard. Read More>>

Golsa Sadreameli

When I started my own business last year, no where I was ready to do so. Read More>>

Brian Micheletti

I had been becoming more and more disheartened with the direction of the healthcare field, as focus had been shifting to numbers versus actual patient care. During a sabbatical from work to take 6 months off to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, it gave me plenty of time to evaluate where I was in life and what I wanted to do moving forward. Read More>>

Kimberly Reeve

As a stay-at-home mom of six kids, I never dreamed that I would one day own my own business. Life was full, I was homeschooling my kids on and off from 2005 through 2024 and helping to manage parts of my husband’s business kept me plenty busy. Read More>>

Sasha Crossman

Starting my own business was both a heart-led decision and a response to a real gap I saw in the wellness industry. After years of teaching and working in community spaces, I realized how often BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks were left out of conversations around healing and self-care — or were expected to fit into systems that weren’t built with us in mind. Read More>>

Robby Gordon

When I moved to Los Angeles about a decade ago, I wasn’t just looking for a house—I was searching for a “view with a house.” I envisioned a space where I could bring my art to life on a larger scale, something beyond the limits of a traditional gallery. Read More>>

Libby Trujillo

I had a very specific vision for what I wanted for my clients. It was something I knew would be hard to find anywhere else and I wanted to have the freedom to really create something special. Read More>>

Nanami Suzuki

My mom has always been the definition of a go-getter—she’s been running her own businesses for as long as I can remember. In fact, she was the one who first came up with the idea that inspired us to team up and start our own journey together. Read More>>

David Martinez

That’s a great question. To be honest, I’ve been a consumer and enthusiast for a long time — but about four years ago, I started looking at bartending as more than just drinks. I began to see it as an art form. Read More>>

Kate Price

It all started when my mom passed away and I inherited some of her jewelry. These pieces held so much meaning, but they didn’t feel like me—and I couldn’t find anyone I trusted who really understood my style or the emotional weight behind what I wanted to do. Read More>>

MOTISA

MOTISA Entertainment was born from my personal journey as a singer, dancer, DJ, and fire performer. Over the years, I explored every side of live entertainment, met incredible artists, and saw the power of combining these experiences to create unforgettable shows. Read More>>