Thinking through whether to start a business – whether to take the risk, whether to go out on your own – isn’t easy. So we asked some entrepreneurs we admire to tell us about how they thought through the process of starting a business.

Rain Pollocl | Music Teacher

I’ve always had a creative, entrepreneurial mind. I started and organized several groups throughout school and started fake businesses for fun. When I was out of high school, I had so many ideas for little businesses and projects to start, I luckily knew a handful of people who ran their own businesses so I asked around for advice and help. Starting a business is a great way to make one feel like you have your own identity and feel like you have a greater purpose in life. Read more>>

Alex Triener | Tech entrepreneur, engineer, inventor, and soon-to-be published author.

I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but never had the courage and the knowledge to take the first step. And although my 2x immigrant past prepared me for some challenges, I didn’t feel confident because of lack of knowledge. So, I decided to take a baby step and signed up for a weekend MBA program with emphasis on entrepreneurship at the UCSD Rady School of Management. I started learning the ropes, and a class assignment turned into a startup that I later sold to Nestle Purina. Read more>>

Jessica Cvetic | Physician Associate and Owner of Citrus Aesthetics

I started Citrus Aesthetics med spa in Mission Valley with a mission to redefine the approach to aesthetic medicine. I wanted to create a space where clients feel empowered and educated about their treatment options. By dedicating extended appointment times to education, I ensure that Citrus clients are able to make informed and comfortable decisions about their aesthetic journey that is always in their best interest. Additionally at Citrus, I focus on creating a relaxing, rejuvenating, and client-centered experience that prioritizes the individual needs of each client. Each person’s face and goals are unique, so I intricately combine the art of aesthetic medicine with my competence as a highly trained PA with a Masters Degree in medicine to give personalized and natural results. By continually investing in international training with leading aesthetic injectors, as a solo provider med spa I can deliver the most natural, efficacious, and safe results possible. Ultimately, by starting Citrus Aesthetics I have achieved my mission of providing a transformative experience through world-class aesthetic treatments that helps clients build confidence and allows them to look and feel their absolute best, while building true and genuine client relationships. My passion is making people happy and I’m so grateful to do that every day at Citrus! Read more>>

John William Law | Writer and Author

I’m a writer and after having spent a number of years in journalism, writing for newspapers and magazines, I wanted to branch out and write longer stories in book form. So, while I have written books and provided research for books by others and corporate efforts, the books I do on my own are the most rewarding because I can select my subjects and spend the time I need to in order to research and tell the story the way I want to. Read more>>

Samantha Reilly | Master Stylist & Owner of Mane Beauty Lounge

I believe my vision started to form when I realized I had to be in control. I was constantly giving someone else all of my ideas and watching them come to fruition but not for me. Mane Beauty Lounge is a product from 20 years of continuing education, product knowledge, business experience as I built a business with my husband as well, and a love for my clients. Read more>>

Claudia Sinnott | Owner & Creative Director

If you know me, you know my children and husband are my world. From day one the purpose of deciding to work for myself was to be fully available to our children. I love the idea of being with them to see their achievements and being fully present in their upbringing. Read more>>

Mark Pereyra | Mark Pereyra | Photographer, Creative Strategist, Marketing Consultant

My thought process for starting my photography and videography business began as a friendship. My friends and I loved traveling the world and taking photos of beautiful locations. We fell in love with the process of capturing moments, and as emotional beings, we wanted to get our foot in the door of the wedding industry. Read more>>

Glenn Dubock | Photographer

After a very rewarding 40 year career in Marketing and Editorial photography, I decided to change it up a bit by opening my own online gallery, dubockgallery.com. I just felt like I needed to share with the world the images that came from my creative process – not the ones that I was directed to take by clients and publications. A scary proposition – to bust out there and try to sell the images sang out to me! Read more>>