Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Gary M. Krebs | Writing Collaborator, Literary Agent, and Book Producer

I always intended to be a full-time writer at some point in my life. When I left my last executive publishing position, I decided to finally take the leap and not even attempt to apply for positions. My initial goal was to garner enough collaboration assignments to make a living which, hopefully, would open enough time and emotional energy for me to work on my own fiction and screenplays. The gamble paid off… Read more>>

Ashley Venegas | Papel Picado Artist & Founder of Mema and Mija

The idea for Mema and Mija bloomed during the 2020-2021 school year–the year of virtual learning. I was a high school teacher and, like many people during the height of the pandemic, I found myself undergoing a lot of personal changes. Opening a shop was a lifelong dream I shared with my Mema (grandmother). She taught me the importance of community and pride in my culture. Mema and Mija is a culmination of those two values. Read more>>

Aysegul Konak | Photographer

I decided to start my own business when I realized that, as a mother of two children, I could not maintain a healthy balance between a full-time job and family life. Life is flowing very fast and unfortunately today’s living conditions support this very much. I don’t want to get lost at this speed. Instead of following the rhythm of life, I try to make life fit my rhythm. As a result of these thoughts, I decided to become a freelancer. Read more>>

Matt Shores | Owner, FOH Engineer, Lighting Designer

Starting my business was totally organic, having worked in my industry for several years prior It felt very naturally slowly acquiring the assets (in my case, sound and lighting equipment) necessary to start my company. I began running events out of the back of car, packing it to the brim, and almost breaking several windows in the process. Read more>>

Jennifer L Horspool | Global Brand Strategist and Founder, Engagement PR & Marketing

I was hired by a company called US Oncology to build brand equity by turning around their brand from unknown and unliked into a desirable brand their clients wanted to brag about being affiliated with. The first thing we did was tackle their messaging. They had strong internal messaging, just not external messaging, and it was hurting their ability to grow. Once we got their messaging right, we took them from zero media inclusions to 350 stories in the first year, followed by 500 and 600 stories every year since. Read more>>

Jazz Singsanong | Chef & Owner

I started the business with my late brother, Tui and it was to share my passion in cooking with him. As our business grew and flourished, the idea of passing it down to our children became even more profound. I wanted them to experience the same joy and fulfilment that Tui and I had felt while cooking together. I yearned for them to take pride in their culinary heritage and carry forward the traditions we had started. Read more>>

Zhiyu You | Illustrator & Tattoo Artist

At first, I thought my illustration and tattoo career started by accident. Looking back now, I realize that all of this was inevitable. Drawing has been my favorite thing to do since I was a child. I still remember that when I was a child, my family was not rich, and the only drawing paper I had was the copy paper my father left on the table. Read more>>

Cassandra Spearman | Wellness Strategist, Creator Of The Brew Method & Owner of Tea Snob

The short answer is to blend, brew, and curate a lifestyle filled with good health, hydration, and happiness for every part of you one sip at a time. My love affair with tea began in my late 20s. However, it wasn’t until 2020 after another failed doctor’s appointment concerning my symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) that herbal tea became a game changer for me. Read more>>

Kat Jones | Founder of Motiv PR

As much as I wish this wasn’t the case sometimes, I’m not one to dive into something without thinking through it quite a bit. Therefore, it was a long, tedious, detail-oriented path that began with a random idea popping in my head at the beginning of 2018 to a completely baked out business plan, brand identity, target clients, mission statement, purpose and goals for Motiv PR by the end of 2018. Read more>>

Cassio Pereira | Photographer, Creative Director and a Cleaning Company business owner

I’ve always been interested in entrepreneurship. I think it was one of the most satiasfying process for me. Maybe because of my creative vision of exploring new businesses and places. Read more>>

Highland Crittendon | Mobile Detailer

I was just incarcerated for sales and while there I decided to change my life. If I could be successful in sales of marijuana and make a decent living. Then I could sale myself and offer a service I already understand {Detailing}. I had been doing it since early high school working for best friend father. Read more>>

Aeriel Villanueva | Pastry Chef & Owner

I’ve been baking since I was twelve years old. When I would come home from Saturday Chinese school, I would watch cooking shows for hours. From Lidia Bastianich to Julia child. I’d sit there for hours absorbing basic techniques until one day my mom asked me to help her in the kitchen. It first started out chopping garlic and shallots to cooking a meal for 20 people for the holidays. Growing up, I knew I wanted to work in the kitchen and one day open my own cafe. Read more>>

Izzy Galler | Jewelry Designer

I started Izzy Atelier in 2020, but the thought process behind starting my own business began when I was a student at Otis College of Art and Design in 2014. I pursued a bachelors degree in product design and created a whole line of silver jewelry for my senior show. After graduating, I worked at a few non-jewelry related design studios in LA and on the side created a line of solid silver and 10k gold jewelry. Read more>>

Melanie Tongoc | Orange County Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photographer

From inception, the idea of starting a business was really my husband’s idea. I always had a passion for photography, but it was his idea that i should put a monetary value to my work so I could get fairly compensated for my art. He was the one who sourced my first paying client for me, and he continues to promote my work to people, even after all these years. He’s been the number 1 supporter of my business! Read more>>

William Akerlof | President of Liquid Advertising

I wanted to work in an advertising agency with smart, decent human beings, working for the kind of clients I found interesting, doing good work and getting fairly rewarded for my efforts. I wanted to work at a company that treated its workers well, listened to them, took care of their needs and allowed them to share in the rewards of their success. It’s hard to find a company like that – so in the end I had to create one. Read more>>

Cristina Escobar | Co-Founder and EIC of LatinaMediaCo

About five years ago, I became an entertainment journalist with the goal of advancing Latinx representation. I saw that artists and art from my community were not getting the attention they deserved and the results were more cancellations and fewer second chances. In addition, our communities’ specific needs, particularly around how we understand ourselves within the umbrella of Latinx/Latino/Hispanic, were not being met by existing stories. Read more>>

Kelly Slattery | Founder and CEO of Barely Canadian

We started Barely Canadian as a way to show our children that any idea and any concept can come to fruition if you put some effort into it and take it step by step. We had an idea for summer sweaters and summer mittens, because I’m freezing all the time. Read more>>

FRANCIS YUSHAU BROWN | Founder & Creative Director

In a stroke of unexpected fate, I found myself becoming an accidental entrepreneur driven by a burning passion for animation in Ghana. Frustration filled my heart as I witnessed the exodus of talented artists and animators leaving the country due to the lack of opportunities and a sense of community. Realizing the potential that lay untapped within Ghana’s borders, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Read more>>

Daphne Subar | Founder & Chief Baking Officer of Subarzsweets, LLC

Subarzsweets has always been a dream that was just waiting for “the right time.” Before I launched Subarzsweets, I was a lawyer for over 25 years, doing my best to juggle my work schedule while also raising my three daughters. Even though I was always busy, I somehow always seemed to find time to bake. I never made the same thing twice – whether it was making brownies for my daughters to bring along for school potlucks, or making a cake in a crockpot for my own family to enjoy as a special treat. I was always baking, and always baking something new. Read more>>

Richie Leone | Singer/songwriter/musician

I wanted to create something that was completely honest & stripped. Truths that I wasn’t necessarily proud to admit but did because I not only wanted to free myself from it, but other people that are struggling with similar issues. Read more>>

Mike Hamlett | Co-founder & Creative Director of The Bronx Brand

When we started The Bronx Brand, we wanted to create a platform for Bronx creatives to express themselves. We wanted to be able to support the local creative community and collaborate with as many artists as possible. Read more>>

Von Thomas | Fine Art Print Master – Thomas Editions Fine Art Printing

Starting my fine art printing business began as my interest in photographer started in 1974. It was a very long road, and many evolutions of photography from analog to digital before I became a fine art printer. I began photography in the music business, first by sneaking into concerts learning the techniques to photograph live performances (while enjoying the music of some of my favorite artists), and once my skill level had improved, I worked as a freelance photographer for Soul Magazine, which gave me the necessary credentials to photograph not only concerts, but photo sessions with artists. Read more>>

Nazanin Yashar | Founder of Social By Naz

It has always been a lifelong goal of mine to start my own business. I moved from Iran to Los Angeles at the age of five, and was surrounded by strong women, including my mother and grandmother, who always taught me the importance of ambition, determination, and independence. Read more>>

Brianna Nixon | Social Media Expert and CEO of The Social Bee Co.

As the founder and CEO of The Social Bee Co., I had a very intentional thought process behind starting my own business. I realized the immense potential and untapped opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly those owned by individuals from diverse backgrounds. I recognized that there were countless amazing ideas and products that people would love, but a lack of resources and knowledge hindered their growth and reach, especially for owners of color. Read more>>

Sir MARCO ROBINSON | Entrepreneur & Film Producer

I worked for other people until I was 30… my thought process was simple… I wanted to be the best at sales and marketing in my industry… and I wanted to work with the best movers and shakers and learn from them… Read more>>

Andrew Lavigne | Photographer, Music Producer & Editor-in-Chief

I founded LEVARIO Magazine at the beginning of this year, around February. I had been wanting to launch it for a long time now, even before that. It just so happened that one day on my way to photograph an event, my camera broke. I was kind of bummed out, but I knew that I still wanted to be involved in the industry somehow. I decided that I would use the setback as an opportunity to create something new and to direct that negative energy into something positive for my community and the industry. Read more>>

Drake Alexander | Professional Photographer

For many years I had been treating photography as a hobby and occasional side hustle. I would shoot a couple of campaigns for brands a year and set up some fun creative shoots whenever my work schedule permitted, but never really took it seriously or thought it was possible to make photo work my primary source of income. A big lump of photography work landed in my lap this spring unexpectedly, and that coupled with my increasing sense of frustration working in a corporate environment led to me quitting my day job a few months ago to pursue photography full time. Read more>>

Sharon Nassir | Co-Founder & COO of AIRE Advisors

After working as a financial advisor for almost thirty years at various firms, I became convinced that the existing models for delivering financial advice were not fully serving the best interest of clients. As a woman, I also saw a gap in the market for female-led advisory firms. This motivated me to create a new platform for wealth planning, one that is based on a holistic and truly fiduciary approach, which also educates and elevates the client experience. Read more>>

Athena Chriest | Small Candle Business Owner

My fascination with the spiritual and metaphysical world started during my childhood. As I grew up, I developed a keen interest in crystal healing, aromatherapy, and herbalism. The turning point came when I decided to make personalized gifts for my friends and family instead of buying them. I crafted natural candles and adorned them with Clear Quartz crystals, which I discovered while crystal hunting in the serene Snoqualmie Valley. Read more>>

Megan Tobler | Founder, Self StartHER

Like many, I always had dreams for more in my life. I craved more time, more freedom, more creativity, more money, etc. and I knew that staying in the corporate setting was not going to allow me to have the “more” I desired. While I had entrepreneurial dreams, I realized I was the obstacle holding myself back from taking any action. Read more>>

Cory Green | Cinematographer

I had considered starting my own film production company for almost a decade. Around the time of the pandemic is when I started to put all the pieces together, and once I had a string of films and projects upcoming, it just made sense to pull the trigger. Read more>>

Tay’Laur Ambrene | Model, Writer + Creative Director

It sounds crazy, but it’s all pretty spiritually driven. It started out as just me just wanting to create a platform for myself to create; I’m a creator through and through. I love to write poetry, review movies, music and TV, talk mess about racism/ sexism/ homophobia/transphobia, post tarot readings and anything else that speaks to my soul. Since my time in San Francisco with my sister in 2017, Spirit has been dropping hints for me to create something for myself that could also help others. I originally just wanted to be an actress, never till the last several years did I ever think about creating an actual business. Read more>>

Rick Taub | Music Booker and Bass Player

My business really started as a labor of love. I was hanging out a lot at different underground art galleries/bars where there would be an art opening, and they would sell booze. I was bringing in the bands I played with to entertain. I inevitably became friends with the proprietors, and would help them bring in other kinds of music as well. I’ve always been excited to put people together when it benefits all concerned. Eventually legal bars started to open in dtla. Read more>>

Matthew Renoir | Owner of Be Kind Video

Almost ever since I can remember, I loved going to the Video Store. Opening one of my own did cross my mind in High School, but it understandably took a far back seat in my brain, for many, many years. Fast Forward to about four years ago, being in L. A., my friend Aaron and I started discussing the reality of this plan. We saw a big move back to analog, and physical media, and overall a great rise in the interest of experiences. Read more>>

William Mbua | CEO – Elev8 Enterprises LLC

The main thought process behind opening my business was, I wanted to create something behind my passion which was and has always been marketing and advertising. Once I realized there was a wide-open market for brands to connect with Influencers and creators for promotional ads, I knew we were on to something. I also always wanted to own something I could pass down to my son that he could either take over or have as an asset to sell. Read more>>

Jacob Sierra | Fashion Photographer

Starting my own photography business was a natural evolution of my journey as a fashion editorial photographer. At 22 years old and with seven years of experience behind my lens, I felt a strong calling to take control of my destiny and forge my own path in the fashion industry. Read more>>

Giuliana Bernini | Co-Founder of The Berni Bean Coffee Co.

When me and my brother decided to start our business we wanted to bring to the USA the best quality coffee, with the most exotic flavor profiles in order to show people in the US a little bit of what the Pura Vida Lifestyle from Costa Rica can be like. We grew up in a coffee producing family, so for us coffee was always something we were passionate about. Read more>>

Michael and Amanda Quinones | Owners of The Glass Slipper Palace

We started off looking for a Venue for our own Wedding. We couldn’t find anything we loved or envisioned; anywhere in Los Angeles. We built an office in our basement with a vision board and planned for two years during the pandemic. Everything we wanted at our Wedding Venue was on this board. White and Gold esthetic, White Glitter Floors, Gold Glitter Floors, a Swarovski Glass Slipper, Huge Crystal Chandeliers, European, Palace of Versailles inspired but after everything opened up we found a place in Los Angeles. Read more>>

Ashley Inman | Founder & CEO of Us Branding You

I founded Us Branding You with a deep-rooted passion for starting my own marketing agency, a dream I had nurtured for years. However, I continuously found reasons to delay taking the plunge. With the unexpected loss of my job during the Covid pandemic, I realized that there would never be a more opportune moment than the present to turn my aspirations into reality. I began reaching out to various businesses, offering my expertise in social media management, content creation, ad campaigns, and influencer management. Read more>>

Jaycee Lindsley | Strengthening Communities, One Event at a Time

I worked as a property manager for eight years and was responsible for hosting events for my tenants. I found that resident events play a crucial role in fostering a strong sense of community. It was rewarding seeing residents form connections with one another, especially when they were new to the area and seeking friends. Read more>>

Esther Camacho | Professional Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

The thought process to my business was a little tricky because I had to overcome my own self doubt and a lot of bumps down the road. I started working at a fast food place to provide for my daughter and I which took a lot of quality time away from her. My friend at the time introduced me to the beauty world in which I did not know a single thing about. She would take me as an assistant on the weekends and I would earn more money for the day than at my fast food job. Read more>>

Ashley Arellano | Pastry Chef/Cake Artist

My thought process behind starting my own business was to help out my family. To have extra money in my pocket and to pretty much make ends meet it’s started off really slow but picked up a lot during 2020-2021 because of Covid which I’m very thankful for. Read more>>

Mason Lopez | Makeup Artist

I’ve always felt passionate about makeup, but more importantly, about making people feel comfortable in their own skin. In a world where there’s immense pressure to be perfect and conform to certain standards, I wanted to break that norm. When I started my business, I knew I never wanted to change the appearance of my clients or hide their natural features. Read more>>

Blake Brown Anziz Az | Music Production Duo

We started The Embassy very organically. We were referred to each other by mutual friends and decided to have a studio session to see if we were able to work together. We very quickly bonded and realized our skillsets complimented each other perfectly. We also had a very similar outlook on the fact that the studio should be an enjoyable, safe space, free of ego, so from there The Embassy was born. Read more>>

Michael Greenwood | Cinematographer

I worked a corporate job throughout school and quickly learned to hate working for others. Being my own boss became my top priority. As soon as I figured out how to pay my bills making films (lots of sketchy Craigslist music videos), I gave my resignation and haven’t looked back! Read more>>

Melanie Apple | An Olfactory Journey of Clean Artisanal Perfume, Candles, & Body Products

Initially, I was a clothing designer with my own brand and decided to take a perfume Class and offer candles to all the buyers at a trade show I was doing in New York City. I subconsciously was creating a whole new business based on my journeys and memories of childhood. I thought about how much I have always loved fragrance, and how places I lived and visited brought back such extraordinary memories. Read more>>

Juliana Correa | Store Owner

My thought process behind starting my own business is in large part influenced by my family’s entrepreneurial background and the entrepreneurial spirit of my hometown, Medellin, Colombia. Even my mom encouraged my brother and me to improve things that we complained about by presenting a better version in a business plan format. Read more>>

Pamela Brogardi | Hair & Makeup Artist

Ever since I can remember I’ve always had a love for makeup and skincare! Growing up in Los Angeles sparked my interest in Hollywood and I knew I wanted to work in Television and Movies. I became a licensed Cosmetologist, Celebrity Makeup Artist and learned from many different products on the market. From there, I developed a passion for creating my own line of skin care products. Read more>>

Jamila Webb | Actress and Producer

I had been living in Los Angeles for a little over six years. While I had found my social group in the city, I was missing my artistic community. As a trained and working actor, I knew being able to learn and feed off the collective energy and wisdom in the room was critical to long-term success in this industry. Sadly, what was once an easy task in graduate school and New York City had become something of an odd chore in Los Angeles. Read more>>

Erika, Kavita, & Ryan | Co-Founders – NowUs Foundation

At NowUs, our passion for empowering dreamers and doers fuels everything we do. Born from the inspiring collaboration of our three founders, we’ve witnessed the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented communities. Our goal is clear: bridge the economic gap and uplift these remarkable women. Read more>>