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.

Dee Dee Reed | Entrepreneur /Artist/YouTuber/Content Creator

Every Business I have started was Because I had a passion for it or enjoyed doing it. If you dont enjoy your job then you need to find what you Love because you are more successful if you do something that you Love . Enjoy or are passionate about. Read more>>

Dr. Brittany Clayborne | Psychologist & Organ Transplant Advocate

I started my own business because the space was empty. There was no one building spaces for critical illness evolution, and that’s what I needed as I was navigating my critical illness. I needed to be empowered to thrive through it and I thought other could use the same encouragement. Read more>>

Aimee | Lifelong Angeleno & Yelp Elite

In January 2020, before the pandemic really got going, I launched an Instagram page @seeaimeeyelp to highlight food, drinks, and experiences I had while living in the Southern California region. When everything shut down, I realized how important it was to amplify local vendors in my own community and neighborhood, many of whom suffered from the closures. Read more>>

Cynthia Steiger | Small Business Entrepreneur

At this point in my life, I have been self-employed for the majority of my work life. I like the concept of creating something from scratch. In starting this business, I evaluated the market, the space, the financial commitment and came to the conclusion that I could make it successful. At 74, I am not a youngster but that also means I have lots of experience under my belt. My first job was at 15 and I have been working ever since. My husband, children and other family members were supportive, although a little surprised at first. Plus my husband is still working so it was not like we were giving up traveling the globe together. Small business is a large component of the American spirit. Read more>>

Michael Hughes | Movement Longevity Specialist & Educator

My journey to founding Gymnazo was driven by a passion for transformative health and fitness combined with a vision to revolutionize how we approach physical training. From a young age, I was captivated by the power of intentional, multidimensional movement and its profound impact on long-term health and functionality. This passion was further fueled by my personal experiences and challenges, including multiple unsuccessful attempts to enter Physical Therapy graduate programs. Each rejection, though disheartening at the time, redirected my path and deepened my resolve. Read more>>

Lialie Ibrahim | Food Nostalgia Fairy

The thought process behind starting my own business began when I moved to San Diego in 2011. I thought and hoped it would involve coffee. My very first job was at a cafe. While gathering over cups of great coffee will always be important to me, sharing the food I grew up with has so much more meaning. I ate Arabic food all over San Diego and sought after food that tasted like my childhood visiting and living in Palestine. I was a full-time educator and started a side endeavor of sharing authentic Arabic food with the community in 2017. I shared food made from my mom and aunts recipes with friends and family. I took in their feedback and continued to develop the food that I would later share at popups, farmers markets, run clubs and through catering. Read more>> 

Bruce Imig | Profesional Fpv Drone Pilot

My thoughts process behind starting my FPV drone business was to make some extra money on the side from my current profession as a journeyman plumber. I also really enjoy the work I do in the business so the money aspect is always a bonus to doing what I already enjoy. Also its a fun challenge to see if I can build a profitable business. Read more>>

Charles Steynberg | Owner of Toastique Los Angeles

Although I started out studying electrical engineering, I quickly realized my true passion was in the hospitality industry. I got my first taste of it working at country clubs in Florida and New York, and eventually owned and managed several businesses back home in South Africa. Read more>>