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.

Krysta Corona

I was a stay at home mother for 4.5 years and decided I wanted to make money and have a purpose while my children were in school. I started working at Geico and felt great! Then started coming to school activities for my children that I did not want to miss and would have to see if I had enough vacation or sick time. Read more>>

Craig Tortorici | Owner & CEO

Well, it was a culmination of years of experience, a strong sense of responsibility, and a burning desire to make a positive impact. After spending over two decades in the construction industry, I saw firsthand the challenges clients faced when dealing with contractors. Read more>>

Bill Prinzivalli | CEO, Author, Speaker, Mentor

I never intended to have my own business. My original goal out of college was to get a good paying engineering job, move up within the company, build a solid 401K, and retire comfortably. But life had a different plan for me! I was managing a team of computer programmers when we all got laid off.  Read more>>

Brittany Powell | Chaplain Educator, Motivator Speaker and Consultant

My thought process started with the foundation of my youth. My family has consisted of hard workers and creators. I have always been encourage to create and think out of the box. The very first business I owned was a cleaning business and the second business I owned was a T-shirt business. Read more>>

Deana Moyal | As a healthcare staffing recruiter and small business owner, I have successfully navigated the intricate worlds of talent acquisition and entrepreneurship. In addition, I have dedicated three years serving as the chairperson for our high school baseball booster, actively supporting the growth and development of young athletes in our community. These roles, coupled with being a mother to four boys, have imbued me with a strong sense of determination and purpose across all facets of my life.

My journey into entrepreneurship was guided by a profound sense of civic duty and a relentless pursuit to improve the lives of individuals within my community. Every initiative I undertake is fueled by the belief in creating opportunities for others and empowering them to embrace their self-worth. Read more>>

DIOR DARCO

DIOR DARCO is a band that combines Alternative Rock, Pop, Metalcore and Indie with electronic and industrial elements. We’re a weird, hybrid, cross-genre band that takes our influences from so many bands and artists that it’s just too many to list. Read more>>

Jim Smith | Designer/Musician/1/2 Owner of Geek&Chic

My wife and I began on a journey to pursue our shared passion by starting our own brand. Together, we are known as Geek&Chic. During the day, I work as an Associate Creative Director for an Ad Agency, but by night, I write synthesizer music as a TEEEL. Read more>>

Lupe Flores | Single Mother and Entrepreneur

I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I’ve always loved flowers because it has a special meaning since my last name Flores, means flowers – I wanted to continue to bring honor to my parents. I came across a video in social media while I accidentally locked myself out of my apartment while moving and needed to wait over an hour for someone to arrive. Read more>>

Naria Le Mire | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

When I launched my virtual nutrition coaching program, my primary goal was to address the root causes of digestive health issues. Understanding the profound impact of the human gut microbiome on overall health, I became confident that focusing on gut microbes was key to achieving this. Read more>>

Austin Win | Registered Dietitian & Physical Therapist

Starting my own business was a blend of ambition, family values, and a desire for personal fulfillment. In 2012, while still completing my last year of undergrad, I embarked on two entrepreneurial journeys: opening a sushi and Thai restaurant with my family and launching my own personal training business. Read more>>

Caymin Ellspermann | Founder & Owner of Ellspo Eco- A sustainable packaging company

It all started with a big realization. Like many of us, I saw the shocking amount of plastic waste overflowing landfills and polluting our oceans. It became clear that traditional packaging just wasn’t sustainable, and that sparked a fire in me. At the age of 19 I founded Ellspo Eco, I knew I had to take action. Read more>>

Jenny blackham | Founder and CEO of MDL Notebooks

I felt stuck. The idea for MDL came after my first startup failed. I had just returned to the US from Portugal, where I had tried to launch an eco-friendly fashion and home decor brand. While unpacking after a lot of work travel, I noticed I had four notebooks and journals: a mindset journal, a professional notebook, an ideas notebook, and a manifesting journal. Read more>>

Johana Gutierrez | SMP Artist

Starting my own business was a mix of excitement and worry. I love helping people feel confident with Scalp micropigmentation. I wanted to do it on my own but I also had doubts. I thought about if I was going to get enough money or if people would even come to me. I took a chance and did it. It wasn’t easy and there has been challenges. Read more>>

Maya Balan | Content Creator & Blogger

Growing up, I was always a big foodie. Every time my family and I would go to a restaurant together, I had to order something unique on the menu, something I had never tried or tasted before. The presentation and plating techniques always fascinated me and I always felt incredibly lucky to try such beautiful and delicious meals(dishes). Read more>> 

Krystalynn Williams | Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

I had taken some time after having my second child to stay home and take care of my two kids and once my youngest turned one I felt ready to return to working outside the home. I wanted to start my own practice so that I can have a balance between being a wife, mother and therapist as well as homeschooling my 5 year old. Read more>>

Betsy J Green | Author & historian

I basically write the kind of books that I would like to read myself. Since no one else was writing them, I decided to write them myself. I like to watch silent movies. For me, silent movies are a form of time travel. I can see how the world looked in the past, how people dressed, what their homes looked like on the inside, how they lived their lives. Read more>>

Parisa Malekzadeh | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), MA

I have worked in the mental health field since 2008 and I knew going into graduate school at the University of San Diego that I wanted to own my own practice. I wanted to be my own boss, manage my own schedule and make a difference because of all my experience both personally and professionally. Read more>>

Liam Haskett | Founder of LPH Media – Digital Marketing Agency

Coming out of high school, I planned on playing Division 3 basketball in LA. My family had an emergency that summer, and I wanted to stay close to home. So, I transferred back to USD in San Diego and had to take a gap semester before I started. During that gap semester, I quickly learned I do not enjoy working for others. Read more>>

Angela & Nii Okunor | Certified Rapid Transformational Therapists

Our thought process behind working for ourselves and having our own business started around the idea of having the freedom and flexibility to make our own schedule; especially as parents of two children. Read more>>