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.

Adam Stark | Recording Artist

Star-K is more of a persona than a business. I use it almost exclusively as a form of self expression and not necessarily as a means to generate income. If that was my goal, I’m not entirely sure that music and youtube videos would’ve been the right path. Read more>>

Joshua Asel | Founder, Director, Wildlife Conservation Photographer

I wanted to make money! Haha, no actually, I love animals, and I couldn’t help but feel the need to help wildlife. It’s always been a necessity for me to create and build on something that goes way beyond myself and my ego. Read more>>

Jeff York | Writer. Illustrator. Ad guy. Film Critic. Cat Lover.

I have always enjoyed cartooning and caricaturing and made decent “walking around” money doing so for the likes of Playboy, W magazine, and the Chicago Tribune. Additionally, I’d draw gifts for family and friends too. So, I figured why not make cartooning an even better side venture? What if I advertised my services? Not a bad thought for a guy making his living as a creative director at the J.Walter Thompson ad agency, right? Read more>>

James Rao | Shop Owner, Digital Artist, Photographer

When I decided to start my own business it was mainly to have a side hustle while I still work and go to school. I wanted to make a business doing something I really loved to do. I think it’s important when you step out into the world wanting to make and grow a business to let it be something you are passionate about. Read more>>

Annie Chaudhry | Practice Director

I actually wanted to bring all top notch best practices that I have learnt over the years to a work place where employees feel being an integral part of that organization , where customer satisfaction was not just limited to the surveys only but truly a living proof of satisfied clients. Read more>>

Miss Loverling | Artist and Store Owner

If I could choose a sentence that push me to be daring was “If not now, when?”. I always have been a strange one, and have love the beauty of the dark side, therefore having a oddity shop had always been a dream of mine.
A dream that I hadn’t dare to take seriously until 3 years ago. Read more>>

Talon Reed Cooper | Filmmaker, Photographer, and Creative Director

I previously worked as a casting producer with a LA-based production company, some big names and networks were attached to it, too. The opportunity was great, but I realized after some work tension…I hated working FOR other people. I wanted to work WITH other people. I was so tired of feeling that in order for me to be successful I had to do work I didn’t enjoy, that was so far from the truth. Read more>>

Mark HIll | Mountain Biking YouTube and Podcast

I knew I had a passion for Mountain Biking and I loved the new concept of doing a Podcast and YouTube channel. Traditionally these have not been considered a side business or business at all. I loved the thought of being able to do something on the side that would bring in some kind of income while being able to Impact people positively in and around a sport that I love. Read more>>

Vanessa Drews | Founder, Owner & Baker

Starting my own business stemmed from my love for creating delicious cheesecakes that was enjoyed and loved by my family and friends. My love for baking grew into a passion for creating delicious cheesecake and I always felt as though if I was ever able to focus on baking full time, Read more>>

Elizabeth Flores | El Chilosito

I’m a very social person, I enjoy hosting and being around family and friends, with that came making yummy snacks. I enjoyed making, and providing those around me, yummy treats to enjoy. After some convincing and encouragement from friends and family, I decided to finally put myself out there and share them with others, which was the beginning of El Chilosito. Read more>>

Jessica Alvarez | Owner of Doll Me Up Jessica & Amando Beauty

Creating a brand of your own is a challenge in itself. But it allows you to value the time and dedication you give to this new baby. From my experience being in the retail industry for 15+ years, it allowed me to see many businesses from large corporations to small businesses, the growth and sacrifice a business can have in order to succeed. Read more>>

Marisol Grier | Realtor & Neighborhood advocate

Being a realtor allows me to come into contact with many people and has allowed me another avenue of making connections in my community. Community is something I’ve always felt strong about and have taken on many roles whether it be heading up the neighborhood watch, Read more>>

Daniel Schwarz | CHUZA CEO & Founder

Before moving to the US I had a startup in Mexico, and once I moved to NY and then CA to work in corporate America for 10 years – I was constantly thinking about when and what to start on my own. I love Mexico and I’m very happy living in the US so it couldn’t be more fitting to bring something from home to home. Read more>>

Camilla Valley | Founder of Sisters of the Valley Mexico, MASTER Economic Sciences

Sister Camilla: I´m a business major (34 years old), I have a BA in International Business, a masters in Economics and then I started PHD in Social Sciences (the PHD i had to dropped out last year to focus on the business). Because of my background I wanted to have a work – business, to be able to manage my time but also to create a project i could manage in a different way. Read more>>

Robert Gallo | Experiential educator / Social and Emotional Learning teacher

For as long as I can remember, I felt that education was doing a disservice to children. Although we have come a long way, for the most part, the social and emotional literacy of our children is not where it should be. For the 35 years my mission has always been to help create an emotionally safe space for kids to build life skills. We needed to get away from evaluating someones worth based on grades and move towards building a more wholistic child. Read more>>

Madeline Wolfe | Artist and Author

The idea for my business came from a deep desire to heal and break free from the chains of monotony. There are times in life when we have to put one foot in front of the other, and that’s the best we can do. During my separation and subsequent divorce, that was my only goal. Eat. Sleep. Work. Take care of my son. Survive. Read more>>

Bibi Renssen | Marine Biologist and Explorers Club Outreach Coordinator

The Explorers Club is an international multidisciplinary professional society with the goal of promoting scientific exploration and field study. Although the club was founded in New York City in 1904, we did not decided to create a Southern California Chapter until much more recently. Read more>>

Anthony Cruz | Writer, Producer, Film Scorer, Executive at Water The Seed Ent Llc.

“Water The Seed” The idea that mental cultivation can lead to spiritual and physical growth. That being said there are many gifted and talented creatives that we will never meet cause they lack CULTIVATION. Without cultivation things tend to not reach full potential and in most cases not grow at all. I grew up around studios, Read more>>

Thee Oddz | Jazz Fusion/Funk Band

Thee Oddz is a group that focuses on creating the highest quality live music possible at any venue. Starting out, we played at a myriad of venues from dive bars to weddings. Every live performance we viewed as an opportunity for honing our sound and promoting our brand. Eventually word got out about our hard work and we now enjoy a busy schedule of work as live performers! Read more>>

Lotus Banks | DJ

Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. I wanted to show people that regardless of your gender, having a talent and being able to break through a male dominating industry can be accomplished. My time is extremely important to me, after all it’s the one thing we can never get more of. Read more>>