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.

Jim Hamerly | Entrepreneur, educator, forester

I’ve done many startups, each for a different reason. Sometimes, it was because I had insight into a great problem solution, sometimes to control my destiny, and sometimes to give back to the community. Read more>>

Michelle Pagaran Headley | Founder of Mint Value Media / Photographer, Digital Marketer, & Journalist

I launched Mint Value Media during the pandemic, as a way to support the hospitality industry to better connect with their audiences online. I combined my background in food, travel, and lifestyle journalism, and social media management to help curate brands’ online presence. Read more>>

Charlotte Sargent-Jaramillo | Horse Trainer + Showjumping Instructor

I really wanted to create a program for both horses and riders that focused on positive reinforcement and natural horsemanship. I’m in the showjumping industry and I see a lot of old-school training methods that are both harsh and unkind. Read more>>

Michael Williams | Director

I always wanted to operate my own business. So, it was a pretty easy decision for me. I obtained my MBA (University of San Diego – Class of 2009) and the experience prepared me for the challenge, focusing on a key concept that I learned- servant leadership. Read more>>

Sky Eats | Alyssa Yam, Samantha Low, Kristen Chan

We started our food blog during quarantine to share our love for food with others in our community and promote various cuisines and small restaurants. Initially, we posted our eats casually, but as we gained a following and noticed that people were enjoying our posts, we began to post more consistently, expanded to reels, and even potentially to TikTok. Read more>>

Kevin Brannon | Filmmaker and Educator

Being a documentary film maker and educator on TV like Reading Rainbow, Krats Creatures and PBS style of California Fishing and whats in our backyard Read more>>

Allie Sarnataro | Executive Director

This is a direct quote from Katie, one of the other co-founders. “When we opened RAD, I don’t think Allie, Wayne or I knew exactly what to expect it to grow into. We had plans, we had ideas but none of us knew how to run a business. We mainly wanted the freedom to do things our way. Read more>>

Gina Souza | Baker & Entrepreneur

I’ve always had a passion for baking ever since I was a little girl baking with my Mom. After creating desserts to go with my kids birthday themes and my sisters baby shower, family and friends would always tell me how amazing I did and how I should start a dessert business. Read more>>

Lisa Padilla | Realtor/Founder of Ritual Realty & Breathwork Facilitator

I’ve been a realtor in San Diego for over 23 years and have seen the industry and local market change over the years. What I found is that there was a void in the industry in regards to mindfulness and thoughtful intention. Read more>>

Jasmine Sawhne | Board Certified Psychiatrist

The decision to start my own practice stemmed from a culmination of different experiences throughout my career. As I progressed through my training and worked in various clinical settings, I couldn’t help but notice the significant gaps in mental health care, particularly in providing individualized, patient-centered treatment. Read more>>

Kay Sibson | Business Consultant & CEO

Launching my own business was driven by a clear need for alignment with my values and a vision for a more fulfilling professional life. In my previous role, I recognized a gap between what I was doing and what I knew I could offer—my skills and strengths were underutilized, and I felt boxed into a role that didn’t fully embrace my potential. Read more>>

Michael Cockroft | Executive Director & Owner

Starting my own business in 2012 was a decision driven by the desire for security and flexibility, both for myself and my family. Being part of the sports industry, I was well aware of the demands it placed on my time, often requiring me to work unsociable hours. With the knowledge that I was about to embark on starting a family, I recognized the importance of having a more flexible schedule. Read more>>