It takes a lot more than an idea to build a business, but there can’t be a business without the idea. So we asked folks who’ve built wonderful businesses to tell us about how they came up with the idea in the first place.

Lexi Zao | Owner | Founder

Wild & Bloom doesn’t sound like your typical beauty salon. I started my business under the name Lash Lair San Diego – it was my second time trying to start my business after my first failed attempt, and I was nervous to put too much thought into the name in case I failed again. Read more>>

Angie Monic Barba | Esthetician & Owner of In the Nude Skincare

When the world shut down during the pandemic, it allowed me to slow down and reflect on the things I always wanted to pursue. As a young adult, I struggled with cystic acne that made me feel insecure and too embarrassed to leave the house. After multiple dermatologist visits, I only became more frustrated when no improvements were made. Read more>>

Risa Luksa | Founder & President, Goldman Marketing Group

In truth, I didn’t set out to start a business. I was in between jobs when one of my colleagues asked if I could help with her dermatology practice marketing, and I agreed to come on board to see what I could do. I figured I had worked in every other avenue of the dermatology industry, I grew up working in my father’s dermatology practice, and I had a marketing background, so taking on this new challenge was exciting! Read more>>

VALERIA RIVERA PAULINA KALOYAN | CO-FOUNDERS

Our story started on a pandemic Sunday morning, Paulina and Valeria were having a long talk about life. We were talking about how we wanted to chart a path outside the corporate business and a fun fact was that we were eating wafer cookies from our competitors in Mexico. Read more>>