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.

Keith Sutliff | Founder/Owner at Sutliff Studios: Virtual Productions

Controlling my own destiny in Hollywood and in this business. Not letting others determine my fate but myself only with starting my own company. Not waiting for opportunities. Read more>>

Alixe Kathleen Tracey | Freedom Business Mentor & Healer

it just felt like the most direct route to being of service, using my skills and abilities and helping others directly. During lunches in high school I would sneak in to the library and just read business magazines and
business journals. Read more>>

Carlos Manuel | REALTORS®

Absolutely, my apologies for that. Here’s a revised version that maintains a friendly yet professional tone:

After spending a dedicated 15 years in the banking industry, I took a leap of faith and decided to venture into the world of entrepreneurship. I’ll admit, leaving behind the familiarity of banking wasn’t a simple decision; the comfort of a stable job had its appeal, and the uncertainties that come with starting something new were hard to ignore. Read more>>

Mikel Thomas | Photographer & Entrepreneur

My thought process of starting my business was to create something that I wanted to use. Instead of waiting for someone else to make it, why don’t I build it myself? I wanted a photo studio with multiple different backgrounds, props, and dressing rooms. I wanted a place for photographers/ videographers, people looking for parties, and the everyday person who just loves to take selfies. Read more>>

Dan Pearson | Designer

“I want to start off by saying this isn’t a bio about my business, this is the story of Ostrich Braille.”-Dan Pearson. Love for the bird and respect for the blind. The ostrich is my favorite animal so I wanted to incorporate that into my brand. In my early 20s I worked with the mentally challenged and built a relationship with a kid that was blind and paralyzed. Read more>>

Jan Delos Santos | Small Business Owner

The funny thing is, I didn’t think about this that much when I started it. Maarte was actually pushed forward by impulse. One day, I was browsing Etsy and felt like it was missing the punny Filipino quips and quotes I laughed at growing up . The next thing I know, I was listing them on Etsy myself. Read more>>

deegie | Pop punk princess

I was making music with my partner Joseph as Only Bricks for the past five years, and we decided to start a fresh page. deegie has been a nickname of mine (for my last name, DiGiovanni) forever, and it felt like the right name to put new songs out under. Read more>>

Taylor Rule | Madouk Collection Owner & CEO

The thought process behind Madouk is kind of a funny story. Jess (co-founder) and I were actually living in Morocco for a completely different company that was centered around high end travel curation and wellness retreats. Prior to that, we had graduated college and immediately moved to Thailand to teach English (against the will of most people we knew). Read more>>

DANNY ROMAN | CEO

I wanted to create a one stop shop for businesses and hotels that wanted to offer bikes to their guests/employees to use as an alternative to driving. Purchasing the correct bikes, equipment and managing maintenance of bikes is a very tricky and we have created the perfect solution for anyone wanting to offer a sustainable, health conscious and eco-friendly way to get around town. Read more>>

Patti Handy | Financial Coach | Certified Executive Coach | Author

I knew I wanted to make a bigger impact on the world, especially when it came to serving divorced, widowed and single women. The regret of not taking the leap of faith was greater than the regret of leaving a job with stable income and benefits. Read more>>

Alex Pardo | Entrepreneur

This questions has a simple answer for most people. However, the main purpose behind starting my business and building my brand is the fact that this is my BEST shot at building generational wealth. I’ve come to the understanding after working in the 9-5 realm that it’s limited on how far you can succeed. Read more>>

Charnise Love Jones | CEO of Love Jones Productions, and founder of YOU FOR GOD

Embarking on what initially seemed like a straightforward endeavor, the creation of Love Jones Productions turned out to be a profound journey of self-discovery and unwavering determination. The genesis of this venture was rooted in an intrinsic knowing that I couldn’t ignore—an indescribable pull compelling me to bring forth something meaningful. Read more>>

Shomari Sealy | Sunglasses Designer & Architectural Designer

I am an architectural designer by trade but over the last few years I have, for my own enjoyment, designed a few products I could both use and wear, a leather backpack, and sunglasses. With the thought to never live life with “what if” I decided to start CIK Eyewear. In 2021 I was accepted into Launch1000, a demanding entrepreneurial program. Read more>>

Mandy Peterson | Visual Storyteller and Founding Designer

The journey towards starting my own business was an unexpected twist in my life’s path. Initially, the idea of becoming an entrepreneur never crossed my mind; it simply wasn’t a part of my plans. Little did I know, the universe had its own plan for me. Read more>>

John Allen Phillips | Director of Photography / Photographer

It was unconventional, but not that uncommon among artists. I remember the very moment I decided to start a photography business. I had recently graduated from FSU with a degree in Biology when I took the obvious next step of moving to Los Angeles to become an actor:) Read more>>

Chris Ma | Game Designer/Developer, Business Owner

In 2016, I got my hands on a pair of hololenses and they blew my mind. The ability to incoporate gameplay into object in reality was a next generation experience to me. At that time I was borderline bored with trational video games, because the AAA games that are released each year simply feel like copy and paste products. Read more>>

Stefan Farrera | Tattoo Artist, Illustrator, Printmaker

Out of college I was working a very unfulfilling job, and I didn’t want to work a job unless it was associated with the arts, additionally, I didn’t want to work for anyone else but myself. I’ve always been an illustrator, drawing is something that makes me very happy. A lot of people were telling me I should tattoo, and I was even drawing designs for, and hand-poking my friends. Read more>>

Daril Fannin | CEO / Co-Founder

KINO Studio was started with a mission to make the film and television industry more equitable for all. Working in Hollywood I was able to see first hand how inefficient and expensive the industry business model had become and I knew there was a better way. Read more>>

Jenny RASK | Visual Artist

After working as a younger motion graphics designer in different larger companies and owning a small company with close friends, I realized that I really liked making creative decisions on my own and being the sole contributor to making work. Working as a visual artist, the clients typically are art viewers and purchase work after it is created, but don’t participate in the art making process. Read more>>

Josh Blanaru | introducing GUNS R BLAZIN

Pick a phrase + get it on a shirt! GUNS R BLAZIN launched in 2021 with a clear intention to inspire others while looking good in the process. The idea of putting a custom phrase on a t-shirt once ruled the 80’s shopping mall scene, and GRB upgrades this vibe by pairing an extra sexy t-shirt template with a phrase of your choice from volumes of album art menus. Read more>>

Erin M. Jacobson, Esq. | The Music Industry Lawyer

Regarding starting my own law firm — I just did it. I already had significant training and industry relationships, so I felt confident taking on clients and knew I could look for a job later if I needed or wanted to. I didn’t spend time on a complex business plan; I jumped in and filled in the gaps of what I needed as I needed it. Read more>>

Trisha Kwan | Professional Brow/Makeup Artist & Health Coach

My parents are entrepreneurs and have always encouraged me to work for myself. They told me to do something I love and make it into a career. I’ve always loved artistry and helping people. Read more>>

Teri Villalobos | Founder of Making a Memory OC

I have always taken great pride in creating magic for my family in small ways, each day. I love to take ordinary moments and make them extraordinary! I wanted to be able to share my passion for doing this with others. Read more>>

Britney Avelar | Self-taught Baker & Credentialed Teacher

I felt like I saw tons of girls on social media making chocolate covered strawberries or cakes, and I loved seeing them be creative and even successful from the comfort of their own homes, it was something that definitely peaked my interest. However, while I loved baking, I never considered selling my treats or working for myself since I was attending college full time and working a typical retail job. Read more>>

Laura Zavala | Bridal Makeup Artist

The thought process behind starting my own business definitely stemmed from becoming a mother at 19 years old. When I found out I was pregnant I was in college and I followed the traditional path of finishing school and entering the work force. I started my first full time job when my daughter was 2 1/2 and had to put her in preschool full time and it was extremely difficult. Read more>>

Dora Hardy | Content Creator & Food Blogger

Note: I will talk about my thought process starting my instagram Food Blogging page. Being an Asian American, I did not realize how food was such a strong part of Asian culture. Every time a relative would come over and visit us, my family and I would always try to find the best restaurants to take them to so that we can share a meal together while we talked. Read more>>

Krissy Allegra | Owner | Lead Planner

Well, it all started with a lot of tears. And when I say a lot, I mean.. a lot. So whenever I am asked about the start – that’s the visual that immediately comes to mind. My company, Always Allegra Events, was born from my many years in the industry. Read more>>

Mark Kitching | Real Estate Advisor and Investor

I saw first-hand that “climbing the corporate latter” wasn’t necessarily a direct relationship to the hard work and effectiveness of that work. I quickly decided I didn’t have the patience to “pay my dues’ and that the only person I could count on was myself. I knew if I went into business for myself, I controlled my trajectory and controlled my life. Read more>>

Victor Broden | Bassist, Musical Director and Producer

When I was 12 years old I played several sports several days a week and was not particularly good at any of them. I was playing keyboards with some friends in my spare time as a hobby. That very same year Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The USA” tour came through my home country of Sweden and got lots of press. Read more>>

Erin Dinan | Co-Founder and Executive Director of One Sandwich at a Time

12 years ago, I moved to NYC to pursue a career in the arts. Walking through the city each day, I found myself distraught by the city’s high rates of homelessness. I had met a man who was sleeping in a shelter near Union Square, and his story inspired me. He was a father of 2, lost his job, and was trying to do all he could to support his children. Read more>>

Dominique Fernandez | Event Designer

Poppy Seats went from idea to reality very fast. In 2021, I had been frustrated with my job and wanted to create something that brought me joy. When everything started to reopen, I remember wanting to gather friends to eat and share space, but in a vibey way. I wanted to create an experience that was memorable for me and my guests. Read more>>

Melissa Smilow | Nutritional & Energy Healer

I never really had a “normal” job, I wasn’t drawn to the 9 to 5 lifestyle. I was a performer for many years, became a Pilates instructor, then Nutritional Therapist and a Reiki Master. So I’ve always been highly creative and empathetic, my passions and life experiences are what pushed me into my now career as a Nutritional and Energy Healer. Read more>>

Matt Titone | Designer, Co-Founder of ITAL/C + Indoek, Author

I had worked numerous jobs within the creative industry: from being a designer at smaller design studios, to an art director at advertising agencies, to a creative director at a production company. There were things I learned from each studio or agency, and things I liked about each role, but ultimately the shoe never quite fit. Read more>>

Asha Chai-Chang | Writer/ Director & Production Company Owner

I have been passionate about the entertainment and music industry since I was little. My first love was playing piano then I performed ballet for years and sang opera professionally in my teens. When I wasn’t performing, I began taking classes in television while in high school and despite hearing that “directors don’t wear pink”, I discovered a love for directing and producing. Read more>>

Cynthia Zitter | Cynthia Zitter: Actress & Career Coach

When I was looking to start a side hustle, I was told to find something I’m so good at that it doesn’t even feel like work. Something that people always come to me to get or talk about. For me, it’s advice for actors at the start of their career. Read more>>

Zach Schleien | CEO, Filteroff

I created Filteroff since I was fed up with going on bad first dates. So, before meeting up in person, I began asking my matches if they’d be open to video chatting. In the past, I would have tried to build a connection over text, but I found that I had no text game. Read more>>

Songs That Embarrass Our Families Nicole Foti and Carla Betz | Musical Comedy Duo

We met at Second City in the improv conservatory and bonded over our mutual love of ukuleles and poop jokes. We wrote our first song, Starter Dick, which mortified our parents so we decided to keep going and Songs That Embarrass Our Families was born. Read more>>

Joe Soliman | Advocate for change-Fentanyl crisis

The thought of starting a Non Profit to aid in both Fentanyl awareness and overdose prevention/education was not just an option but more a necessary calling as I felt the need to do “something” that will help another parent or addict not have to endure what my family had to go throuh in the wake of my son Wade’s death from Fentanyl poisoning. Read more>>

J Wealth | Music Producer, DJ , Radio Host on Dash Radio

As an artist my number one obligation is to be authentic. I think with the power and influence of Social media it is easy to decipher when an individual is not being true to their audience and is portraying some form of an act for notoriety and attention. Coming from a family where everyone would call me out if I was putting on some form of an act being fake is not an option. Read more>>

Pam Griffiths | Realtor

WHAT WAS YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS? I felt as though my TV producing career had run its course and it was time to think of Plan B. I had long thought about what I wanted to do next and the opportunity presented itself quite organically. Read more>>

Joanna Bea Shultz | Upholsterer & Furniture Designer

Bea, short for my middle name Beatrice, has always been a dream of mine. To create one of a kind things and label them as “Bea” has been something I’ve done since I was 15 years old. My desire to have a brand called Bea has existed long before I knew upholstery or furniture making. Read more>>