We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Sadie Enke | Founder of Petal and Bark & Nurse

I’ve always known that I have an entrepreneurial spirit, it just took a while to discover which product or service I would enjoy providing. My mother is a second generation florist, and once she showed me how to make wreaths and arrange flowers, it really just clicked! Read more>>

Alex Zarek | Director & Cinematographer

For me, it didn’t start as something specific that I was looking to do. Originally, I didn’t see it as something that could/would become a full-time endeavor but I knew I wanted to keep my work under the umbrella of my name / Alex Zarek Art & Design. You could say it really ‘started’ with the creation of the Facebook page and later the website. Read more>>

Amari Jade | Artist

The start of my business came pretty suddenly when I ended up unexpectedly leaving my job as an inventory manager at a dispensary. It’s always been my goal to become an entrepreneur so once the door closed on being a full time employee, I knew it was time to take that leap of faith. Read more>>

Charlotte Becerra | Owner, Charlotte’s of Santa Ynez

I have been in retail since I was very young. My mother had cookware stores when I was a child so I opened a “toy corner” in one of her locations when I was 12 and expanded to a second location a year later. Read more>>

Cliff Endsley | Photographer, Filmmaker, Entrepreneur

Staying in constant pursuit of learning keeps me inspired. When starting your own business you learn something new every day, if you’re not I’d be concerned. Creating your own brand or business gives you the opportunity to share what you’ve learned and experienced throughout your life and bring that to life for others, in the form of a service or product. Read more>>

Kelly Clark | Registered Dietitian, Food Prep Specialist & Lifestyle Enhancement Coach

As a dietitian for almost 30 years, working in community and clinical settings, my greatest gift has always been teaching classes and motivating others that living a healthy lifestyle can be fun, creative, delicious and easy. During the lockdown, I started doing digital cooking classes and education through social media. Read more>>

Lindsey Willliams | San Diego Realtor

Ever since I was a child, I was very independent- I always wanted to do what I wanted, when I wanted, and I didn’t “need” anyone giving me permission to do it. That mindset definitely stayed with me, and grew as I did. After graduating high school and beginning college at San Diego Miramar college, I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career, Read more>>

Omar Garcia | Food aficionado, sports person & traveler enthusiast.

I really enjoyed working in the restaurant industry as server/bartender for many years. This industry became like my second nature, it was easy to learn about different cuisines, cooking styles and food presentation. Although I did not have any cooking experience, it was time to take the next step and open my own restaurant so I can eventually find financial independence. Read more>>

Crystal Morales | Bakery Owner & Cookie Artist

I spent my entire adult life, from age 18-38, working for the same corporation in a very technical role. I loved the company, the people, and the stability it provided. I was good at my job, but my creative side was always left unfulfilled. I tried several hobbies and side hustles during that time. Read more>>

Ruben Martinez | The Crazy Soccer Dad-Parent & Former Soccer Coach

The thought process behind creating The Crazy Soccer Dad. I was sitting on the sidelines watching my son grow and get into soccer. I was watching the struggle of parents and players as they try to navigate the world of soccer. Some questions were extremely basic, Read more>>

Jennifer Rey Garcia | Event Coordinator/Planner & Baker

It’s pretty funny actually, my vision did not start off as one day I am going to have my own business, it just happened with encouragement from my family. So I did, little by little the word started getting out and the ideas started flowing. I started baking when I was around sixteen years old. Read more>>

Melissa LeEllen | CEO & Founder of Creative Global Entertainment, INC.

Starting a business is not an easy feat. There’s a lot of work with trial and error. I moved out on my own when I was 15 years old and was paying bills just like all the adults. I worked in “corporate America” until I realized that I had more to give than what was presented in front of me. Read more>>

Devon Bailey | Artist & Longshore woman

Honestly I didn’t really set out to start my own business, I just love painting and as my audience grew organically and I was selling more paintings I realized there was a demand for my work so I created a website and started selling prints. Read more>>

Kierra Heinly | Hot Yoga Instructor & Personal Trainer

The moment I began my personal fitness journey in 2015, my entire world transformed. I was no longer someone who was merely “alive” on this planet, I was living IN it. I developed a newfound sense of control within my own mind, which positively impacted my day-to-day life in relationships, work, and anything I was pursuing at that time. Read more>>

Elaine Harman | Executive coach and corporate skills specialist

I realised the only way I could truly align with my personal values was by offering my services to challenge and transform corporate culture. I had remained within the system for too long, a system where my voice was suppressed by internal power silos and as a young woman I was unseen. Read more>>

Gail Siller | Photographer

As a child, I always loved looking at photos. I have fond memories of sitting on my grandmother’s bed looking through her photo album of past generations. A photo is like a time capsule, taking you back in time, sparking a memory, telling a story, and giving you a feeling. When I had children of my own, it led me to pick up a camera, Read more>>

Debbie Cochran | Founder and Co Owner

To create products to help others with pain that are all natural. Read more>>

Gloria Moeller | Nature Photographer

Since I have a passion for wandering in nature and taking photographs I decided it was important to get my photographs off my computer and out into the public, so others could enjoy the places I have discovered to experience the serenity of nature. Read more>>

Keri Bougie | Entrepreneur

My thought process in starting my own business was that skincare was a subject that I had become very passionate about, especially as I entered my 40’s . . . Eek! In doing quite a bit of research, I discovered and fell in love with the culture behind Asian skincare, specifically Korean skincare. Read more>>