Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Razi Wilson | Photographer & Art Therapist

I was a project/operational manager in my home with my three children for 18 years while my husband worked to support our family. All the while I was part-time photographing families, pregnant women, weddings, actors’ headshots, and anything portrait related. Read more>>

Laura Gerchik | Founder & CEO, Wellness Curated

After leading Biologique Recherche USA for almost a decade, driving transformation and growth, I stepped away in 2022 to embrace what I thought would be a break between significant roles. Initially, Wellness Curated began as an advisory firm, with a stint as interim CEO at Violette FR. Read more>>

Joseph Escobar | Graphic Designer

It started out more as a way to escape my regular job. Doing graphic design for the business I was working with didn’t allow for much of my own creativity and so I decided to start making art that was more queer and more cheeky, something I could have fun with. People reacted well to it and I am always just naturally working and finding ways to get my art out there, so starting a business with it just came naturally. Read more>>

Keisha Wilson | Founder/CEO, Healthcare Compliance and Documentation Consultant

I envisioned consulting full-time for a few years but hesitated to take that leap. I have worked part-time as a consultant for 7-8 years. I am passionate about medical compliance, coding and documentation. I love taking what is complex, simplifying it and teaching it to others. Read more>>

Ben Golburgh | The Teacher”

From an early age, I felt a profound calling to pursue a career in teaching, and this unwavering passion has shaped my entire life’s journey. It all began by assisting individuals with Down Syndrome and dedicating my time to meaningful organizations like the Special Olympics and the Buddy Club at the Jewish Community Center. Read more>>

Ryan Park | Costume Designer & Stylist

My thought process behind starting my own business wasn’t that deliberate or involved, really. I worked for a very successful designer for about ten years. Towards the end of that working relationship I realized I would need to establish myself on my own in order to be able to do the things I was really wanting to do in my career. I basically left, went out on my own, with very little work ahead. Read more>>

Hudson Caceres | Photographer

Sometimes I can get a little bit stubborn! Have never been a fan of having people tell me what to do, and it was mostly a subconscious motion towards anything that brought me money without having a boss! Read more>>

Christopher Hamilton | Photographer / Videographer

Starting my own business was an “Inception” moment. Once I got the idea in my head, I could not get it out. I was working as a teacher, and although I enjoyed teaching, the traditional classroom was not where I saw myself building a lasting career. YouTube, Photography, Video Editing and Music Production were all passions of mine that I wanted to explore. Read more>>

Jacquelinne Mejia | My Resume Squad | CEO and Founder

My dad was an entrepreneur for over 20 years with his own used car sales business he started in his late 20s after coming from El Salvador as a refugee from the civil war. In high school, both my parents started a smoothie shop and I always say that was my first marketing job! I designed the marketing for the shop’s signs when I was 15. Read more>>

Bryan Kosarek | Founder & CEO of the Unitē app and social community

As a kid, I was always starting little businesses. I always felt a calling to contribute and help people, especially senior citizens and youth. But I think I ignored and/or suppressed my natural curiosities and talents for most of my developmental years — whether that was because the technology didn’t exist or the teachers guiding me didn’t have the skills to cultivate those talents. Read more>>

Ali Bassir | Designer & Brand Strategist

We all have a unique point of view, shaped by our life experiences. This unique perspective nurtures our one-of-a-kind potential. However, not every employer requires us to fully express that potential. If you are always seeking to improve the status quo and think beyond what’s expected of you, you’ll find that this just won’t cut it! Read more>>

Christopher Perkins | Co-founder and Yoga Instructor

Starting my own business was infact a collaboration with my family and myself,and was inspired by experiences of tremendous fulfillment and well-being while spending intentional time learning how to be closer with nature internally and externally, which reflect natural cycles, and a type of harmony That we all have the potential to align with. Read more>>

Terrance Silas | Auto Motive, Boat, Aircraft, and Furniture Upholster with the ability to design clothes, purses, and handbags

was tired of working for someone else and was ready to pave my own way. I’m a furniture and automotive upholsterer by trade. Read more>>

Rory Lewis | Royal & Celebrity Portrait Photographer

Ultimately, my goal is to help individuals and organizations unveil their best selves through captivating and meaningful portraits. A professional headshot is more than just an image; it’s a representation of one’s brand and identity. By choosing my services, clients can harness the power of photography to make a lasting impact in their respective fields. Read more>>

Debra Valencia | Surface Pattern Designer, College Instructor & Speaker

After graduating from the University of Arts in Philadelphia, I moved to Los Angeles. I worked for a famous designer, Deborah Sussman in Santa Monica who was a former Charles & Ray Eames Office designer. I started as a junior designer and quickly rose to creative director working on big projects such 1984 Olympics and EuroDisney. After 12 years with Sussman, it was time to go out on my own. Read more>>

Diana Verdesoto | Esthetician & Salon Owner

I wanted to be able to be as creative as I wanted to be, choose my own products, my own facial menu and space to provide the best possible experience. I also wanted to have the flexibility to and choice to be there for my daughter. I started my business when she was 1, I didn’t want to miss any firsts and spend the most time with her. Read more>>

Kimberley Davies | Owner & Floral Designer at Wylde Flower Workshop

Over the years I’ve held several high-pressure roles, some under challenging circumstances. When reflecting on my career to date, I convinced myself that if I have the grit, determination, and resilience to operate at this level for someone else, why can’t I do this for myself and combine it with something I’ve always been passionate about? Read more>>

Jenaé Steele | Music & Entertainment Attorney & Consultant

Helping people, including myself. I got my start just wanting to educate my creative friends in the industry about IP and their rights. On top of that, I’ve always worked in the entertainment industry, but I haven’t always been able to find employment where I am most passionate – the music industry. I have had a lot of opportunities to learn, as I’ve found my way through this industry. I just want to make someone’s path a little easier than mine has been. Read more>>

Courtney Bone | ( Coco ) Fashion Stylist & Creative Director

I was inspired to start my business in styling because I have always had a love for personal style and self-expression. Ever since I was young, I’ve loved communicating who I am through my wardrobe, and this is what drove me to create a business that encompasses these ideals. Read more>>

Katie Ferrara | Singer Songwriter

In general, I think most people don’t see independent musicians as a business, nor do most indie musicians operate like one. It is a “glorified hobby” until you find a way to make it your main source of income that grows over time. I’m still learning how to better operate my business because I didn’t start with a model in place. For a long time I was just playing music because it made me happy. Read more>>

Shawna Allard | Psychic Medium, Intuitive Reader, Award Winning Author & Speaker

I was always meant to wield the gift of intuition. Awareness struck at a young age, following a life-changing trauma when I left my body and came to realize that I could communicate with angels and the spirit world. Human auras became increasingly visible, and through my life journey, I was able to distinguish premonitions and various other divine signs. Read more>>

Malik Adjoyi | Owner

It was the middle of the COVID-2020 lockdown and honestly, seemingly the end of the world as we know it. And we just wanted to make a place that would be fun safe and ‘normal’ for kids and people to be human beings still in the midst of everything going on. Read more>>

Joe Scarnici | Photographer/Director

There really was no thought process in starting my own business. I’d been shooting photos since I was reloading disposable film cameras at 15 years old and it just seemed natural to me to support myself taking pictures. The business just came out of a natural money earning aspect of using my love of photography to support myself. As my photography skills grew so did the business aspect of owning a photography business. Read more>>

Amish Dani | Executive Producer, Designer, And Director

I’ve always been an entrepreneur, having started a few businesses over the years. When I landed in the live space, the idea was always to start a business at some point, I just wasn’t sure exactly what that looked like when i started. After a few years of helping someone else build their content business, and a few years of freelancing as a creative producer, I was finally ready, and had a clear vision for my company. Read more>>

Bethany Holmes | Certified Holistic Health Coach, Wellness & Lifestyle Blogger, and Conscious Lifestyle Stylist

Starting my own business was a decision that came from a combination of factors and personal traits. First and foremost, I have always been an independent and determined individual. I knew I wanted a life that was larger than the one I grew up with, and I believed that achieving that meant pursuing something I loved and not being restricted by working for someone else. Read more>>

ReNal Glover | Co-owner/Operations Manager

My sister and I were reflecting on our experiences as black women in beauty supply stores and beauty retailers. At the big ticket retailers, the employees are often not well versed enough in our skin and cosmetic concerns which leads to wasting money on products that don’t meet our needs. Read more>>

Kero Tse | Photographer & Director

When I was a college student, I had the opportunity to work on a few graphic design freelance projects, which sparked a new passion for me. Before transitioning into photography, I also took on some art director roles for commercial projects, where I enjoyed being involved in the entire creative process. As a result, I decided to expand my skill set and learn some photography techniques. Read more>>

Angela, Nadine Fegers, Freisleben | co-founder Apricot Productions- Creators, Producers, Performers, Educators

Apricot Productions was founded by Angela Fegers and Nadine Freisleben to produce, market, and distribute freelance independent artists as they create their work. As we are both creators, we always wished for someone to help us with our production needs, specifically at the beginning of our work. Read more>>

Julia Oro | Product and Food Photographer

I used to work in an office before I started my own business. One day I realized that I have to focus on myself and my family and I knew that the only way to do that was to start my own business. I have more opportunities for self-growth, more free time, and more control over my life. Read more>>

Ashlee Patterson | Floral Cake Designer

The thought process behind my business started when I was younger. I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur and I’ve had a passion for fashion and cooking ever since I could remember. In the beginning I chose to focus on fashion and started a vintage clothing brand called Third Irie. Read more>>

Ross van der Wal | Creative Agency Owner, videographer, photographer, designer, web developer, marketer

I had always been doing creative work as a side hustle when working full-time jobs. It was the kind of work that I looked forward to doing when I got home from work and was much more rewarding to deliver a project that I personally created and helped my clients build their business as I built mine. Read more>>

Fatima El-Bashir | Professional Actress

My thought process behind starting my own business as a professional actress was about my passion for the craft. Telling stories is what I am made to do; it is my purpose. Therefore, pursuing a career as an actress was a no brainer. Read more>>

Raha Dixon | Entrepreneur, Mom, & a recovering Attorney

Starting my own business was always a possibility for me because I watched my parents reinvent themselves many times. My parents came to the US in 1975 so that my father could finish his engineering degree and then they could go back to Iran. However, the revolution occurred in 1979, and they could no longer return because they were members of the Bahai Faith. Read more>>

Christopher Wormald | Photographer & Artist

Growing up, I was a little eccentric for my family and I didn’t know where I fit in. Art was a way for me to express my ideas and feelings since I didn’t really know how to communicate them. At a young age I realized I was good at creative things. Art and music fulfilled me, they gave me a sense of purpose and belonging in the world. Read more>>

Jarrett Davidson | Artist, Teacher & Business Owner

Exploring the potential of creativity played a significant role in my decision to start my own business. Since exploring new avenues to display my artwork, entrepreneurship allows me to unleash my creative potential in exciting ways. The thought of building something from scratch, bringing innovative ideas to life, and making a positive impact on people’s lives truly inspired me to consider how ideas can flourish when given the right delivery method. Read more>>

GRLZ ONLY | GRLZ ONLY creates exclusive events for Queer Women and is Co Founded by: Valarie Pardo, Briana Diaz, Stephanie Rios and Hazel Burris

As a group of queer women in LA, we were finding it very difficult every weekend to find bars, clubs or events that catered to queer women. We wanted to be surrounded by other queer women and be in a safe space to enjoy our evening and meet other queer women. We realized there was a large need for these spaces in the community, and decided to create the space ourselves for the community. Read more>>

Nicole Burgess | Florist

I thought I had a unique perspective on floral design and I was burnt out in fashion. My husband works in film and he’s gone several months of the year so I need a job that has flexibility in allowing me to travel with my kids to visit him. I will say having your own business is very stressful! Read more>>

Ron Roberson Producer/Director | Producer/Director

I was homeless! I was fresh off the streets of skid row and found it very difficult to find work. I had success in the downtown LA warehouses and I continued there in an effort to get on my feet. I soon found an area of work that really intrigued me when I walked into the local cable station that not only allowed me to produce and direct my own programs, but trained you as well (for free). Read more>>

Hazel Veras | Mother, Teacher, Energy and Education Philanthropist, Gardener, Homesteader

In 2020 I started on my awakening journey. At the time I was working for the New York City Department of Education as a Literacy coach and was well on my way to becoming and Assistant principal. When we were forced to close due to covid something shifted in me. I started to see the true reality of the school system in a way I hadn’t before. Read more>>

Gabe Tzeo | Fashion and Lifestyle Photographer, Minister of The Gospel

Starting your own business is not the easiest thing to do. It’s about seeing a dream become a reality. When you can breathe life into that idea. Then it will come to life. I took what I knew about connecting with people and applied it to the beginning phases of my business. Read more>>

Amrita Arneja | Creative head/Founder

I always wanted to do something in the creative field so after I finished my Post Graduation in Fashion Design I worked for a little while and started my shoe label FEETA. I always wanted to use the beautiful handcrafted fabrics and use the generations old craft of making them by hand to bring it to the world. The idea of having a brand which supports the age old craft and helps it revive was always a priority for me. Read more>>

Billie Casey-Jabore | Dancer/Choreographer/Director

Building my agency has always had the vision of growing more work for dancers and creating jobs for artists. B.Booked Entertainment brings you so many walks of life that is talented across the board. Read more>>

Marina Goncearenco | Founder of Moonabee Media Group & Professional Model

Pursuing my passion, wanting more control over my work, financial independenc motivated me on starting my marketing agency and being a model! Read more>>

Ian Winterbotham | Retail Venue Owner

I have always been an entrepreneur with my main focus being retail. I watched E-commerce change the way people shopped and how it changed the brick and mortar side of retail. Knowing the costs associated with running an independent store and the competitive pricing found online, I started multi-vendor marketplaces where everyone can collectively work together. Read more>>

Isaac Buchanan | Caterer & Business Owner

Uncle Icebergs was born back in 2009 as a hobby since we were preparing for our first child, eating health(ier) came with challenges and I decided that if I couldn’t find it, then I’ll make it. that is when our pickle line was born! Read more>>

Rachael Cappuccino | Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

I started Cappuccino Physical Therapy after the births of my two children because I realized the lack of care for pelvic health in the Conejo Valley and realized that I could really make a difference in women’s lives during the very delicate time of pregnancy and postpartum. Read more>>

Koren Paalman | Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist & Conscious Grieving® Founder

I started my yoga practice in India in 1991 and have taught yoga since 1995. For most of that time I have worked for other companies to do so. From 1998 until 2008 I taught two yoga classes a day for Los Angeles Unified School District. While I was there I also taught AP Psychology and Health. Read more>>

Nicole and Katerina Frearson and Grishanina | There is two owners, Katerina Grishanina and Nicole Frances

Katerina and Nicole worked at a few of the top salons in Los Angeles and first opened their salon six years ago in Woodland Hills. They out grew the space fast and needed to find a new space to expand their business. The process was not easy and took them four years to find the perfect space. Read more>>