Deciding to start a business is an unusual decision. It’s often considered irrational and yet for many it’s the best decision they’ve ever made. So we asked folks to think back to when they were starting their businesses and to tell us about their decision making process.

Dominique Lloyd | Forensic Psychologist

During the beginning of the Pandemic, I was working as a substance abuse counselor at a methadone clinic. I was able to see not only our clients but other unhoused individuals being affected by many of the resources they relied on for food, clothing, and other necessities closed. I realized a lot of people and organizations that would volunteer stopped providing resources as well because of the highly contagious virus. I took the initiative of providing clothing, hygiene products, and food to unhoused individuals in Downtown Los Angeles and San Fernando. Read more>>

Amy & Elion Prodani | Restaurateur

My husband and I had always dreamt of working together and creating a lasting legacy for our children. We both came from different career paths and we wanted to create something unique and special using both of our skill sets. Read more>>

Porsche Stubblefield | Female Dj

I was tired of not filling fulfilled. I knew music had always been a passion of mine, but I never really saw myself making a career out of it. During the pandemic, I started really pondering on what would really make me happy? Something I would do even if I didn’t get paid and just feel free and light. Music hit me, but I narrowed down a few avenues I could take. I started off with a podcast, but the podcast eventually led to me DJ’n. I wanted to be in the room with my listeners when they heard my musical selections and embrace their emotions as the beat dropped. This sparked an immediate fire within me and ever since 2021, I’ve been working on perfecting my craft as a dj. Read more>>