The first step to starting a business is deciding to start a business. They say the first step is the hardest and in our experience this is especially true when it comes to starting a business. Getting over the mental roadblocks can be tough, often harder to overcome than the challenges you’ll face once you actually start the business. Fellow entrepreneurs share their thoughts below.

Annie Brierre | Rescue Co-founder & Adoptions Coordinator

I started Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue with two other co-founders after we met volunteering with another rescue. I think a lot of rescues are created because once you start volunteering, you can see there is such a need, and inevitably there are things you would like to do differently. The previous rescue took in mostly owner surrenders, from individuals who purchased them and no longer wanted them. We really wanted to focus on the guinea pigs in our city and county shelters, we felt they were the most at-risk and needed the most help. When we began working to create our rescue three years ago, it was an achievable goal. There were never more than a couple guinea pigs at each location. Unfortunately, the overpopulation problem has reached unprecedented crisis levels. Read more>>

Ms. Cindy Q. Roo | Bambini Montessori Founder

Being a 25-year-old Mexican mother who is also a widow, the head of the family, and someone who has high goals but faces many obstacles, I can understand how important it is to create an environment where we can have a positive impact on a child’s life. Since I started the Bambini Montessori Preschool in 2011 based on a passion for education and a desire to positively influence young minds, I have learned about the children’s strengths and how to help them develop a healthy sense of self-worth in addition to the Montessori philosophy and the Spanish immersion method. I acknowledged the children’s emotions, assisted with their mental health, and encouraged their strong sense of self-development. Read more>>

Daisy Hartmann | Fashion Designer, Tailor & Chainstitcher

I started my first business (a lingerie and swimwear line) within a month of graduating from college, along with a friend of mine from my class. We were coming out of school in 2011 when job prospects still weren’t looking great after the market crash of 2008 and neither myself nor my business partner at the time wanted to go into the fashion industry as it was, working for some big machine. We wanted to be designers in our own right; and we preferred hustling and working multiple jobs in order to pursue our dreams, rather than do the 9 to 5 grind. Although, at times I certainly yearned for the security and benefits that those jobs had to offer. I worked a corporate job for a few years after moving to California, but after the pandemic hit and I was furloughed, I decided to launch my own venture. Read more>>

Marjhani BellaMorte | Inland Empire Goth – Owner

I wanted to do more for the Gothic community so I started Inland Empire Goth. I knew a lot of Goths would go to Los Angeles and Orange County but there wasn’t anything to bring those of us in the IE together. So I set out to rebuild our local community after the pandemic. Read more>>

Mark Lowe | Film Producer

I’ve always been a bit of a self-starter, and I get excited about pushing things forward in my own way. That’s gotten me into trouble at times when working for others. Read more>>

Kristi Skutvik | Chief Vibe Officer and Human Resources Consultant

After years of cultivating experience and passion in the field of Human Resources, I realized my approach to HR was different as I always was seeking to understand the business goal and then integrated HR into the business. Not the other way around. Skutvik Consulting was born out of a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of HR and a commitment to revolutionize the way organizations approach their people strategies. The decision to embark on this entrepreneurial journey was fueled by a desire to make a meaningful impact on organizations by doing HR differently. In my years working in various HR capacities, I’ve come to understand that people are at the heart of every successful organization. However, the traditional HR models often fall short in recognizing the dynamic and evolving nature of the modern workplace. Read more>>

Darlene Hawley | Executive Leadership & Business Coach

I was 17-year-old, pregnant, and navigating senior year in high school. My future seemed uncertain, but one thing was crystal clear – I was determined to provide an amazing life for my son. With unwavering support from my family and a hefty dose of focus, I embraced the challenges of single motherhood, growing up alongside my son. Together, we faced the struggles and discovered the strength within us, shaping me into the woman and leader I never knew I could be. I dove into the world of big-box retail, climbing the management ladder. While I found joy in helping my team flourish, the 60+ hour work weeks left me yearning for flexibility and family time. Health concerns and overwhelming mom guilt fueled the need for balance. Read more>>

Ingrid Mourey | Product Developer, Finger Shields by Baby Brezza – The No Mess, Less Waste Diaper Ointment Applicator

I have always been the creative type, exploring career options and embarking on various business ventures. I prefer to be self-employed and to work independently. This gave me the necessary flexibility when my kids were young and now as a grandmother, I treasure my flexible schedule as it give me time to spend with my grandkids. Developing and licensing Finger Shields was may latest career endeavor. I had been educating myself on how to develop and license a product for several years before I came up with the concept for Finger Shields. I was inspired to develop Finger Shields after changing my grandson’s diaper and getting diaper ointment under my nails one to many times. Read more>>

Anthony Gose | Portrait Artist & CEO

My decision to start my own photography business was rooted in a combination of passion and opportunity. From a young age, I’ve always had a deep love for photography, seeing it not just as a hobby, but as a powerful means of storytelling and expression. As I honed my skills and gained experience, I realized that photography wasn’t just something I enjoyed; it was something I wanted to build a career around. The idea of starting my own business came when I recognized the potential to turn my passion into a sustainable livelihood. I saw a gap in the market for a photography service that focused on capturing those small, candid moments that are impossible to artificially recreate. Read more>>