Are you thinking about starting a business? If so, we think you’ll enjoy reading about how these seasoned entrepreneurs thought about the question when they were in your shoes.

Niki Manoogian | Founder

My thought process behind starting my own business, 79 Fine, was influenced by multiple factors: being an entrepreneur, a mom, and a jewelry enthusiast, as well as my background in corporate sales and marketing. Having worked in corporate sales and marketing for 15 years, I gained valuable experience and insights into various industries. Read more>>

Brendan Gail | San Diego Realtor

The real reason deep down in my soul is that I didn’t want to look back on my life and say ‘what if’. My Mom started and ran her own business. My Dad works in commercial real estate (100% commission). Inherently there’s always been this spark of entrepreneurial spirit in me. If I succeeded or failed, it was going to be on me. I always thought I could run a business but I didn’t want to let my fear keep me from trying. I knew the only thing I would regret looking back was if I never tried to do it. Read more>>

Nema Causey | Business owner & Candy Enthusiast

I grew up working with my mother and father who started a candy distribution business in the late 70s. While working in the warehouse and hearing from customers how they wish there were more locations like my parents warehouse, I had the idea to open a retail location of selling candy in bulk which never existed in San Diego at the time. I made sure to color coordinate the aisles for an easy shopping experience and also brought in a few party supplies that customers needed in order to build a candy buffet. Read more>>

Allie Wester | Published Author & Professional Wedding Planner

I have such a passion for weddings, but the process behind starting my own business was a combination of passion and necessity. I was just freshly separated from a very toxic marriage with two small children. No family, no finances, no help. I had a dream of being a wedding planner, but thought my only outlet was to work the 9 to 5 cubicle job to put food on the table for my children. As I was out searching for a job, I passed a bridal shop.  Read more>>

Kuhteeuh | DJ / Producer/ Entrepreneur

I’ve always wanted to start my own business, ever since I remember. When I was little, I knew that I wanted to be a business owner, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Since I did gymnastics for a really long time I thought I would open up my own gymnastics place. When I got out of high school, I never thought about opening a gymnastics place again just because I didn’t even do the sport anymore. I went to college at San Francisco State University, and I got my degree in communications and marketing. Read more>>

Robert Cooper | Owner / CEO

Working for other companies, I’ve found that they are more concerned about profit and not so much the employees or the Customer. At A.S.A.P. Plumbing we focus on both. We don’t pressure our Service Technicians to sale, sale, sale. We promote, providing a service that the customer needs and filling that need. Read more>>

Courtney Kleinhenz | Owner & Travel Advisor at Runaway Today

I needed to get out of the food business. That was the ultimate driving force behind starting my travel agency. I was sick of working in a pizza shop and really needed to take a new direction. A 9-5 wasn’t gonna cut my sleeping schedule and mental capacity for face to face interaction. I finally came into a time in life where I started to understand my limits and driving forces better, I needed a change and I needed it fast. I started a business in a rash decision! Read more>>

Marie Brandalise | Co-founder, Casahara Bazaar

I had just moved to Switzerland when I visited an old friend, Kristy, an hour away, when we were soaking up the last of summer’s sunshine, and starting talking about places we wanted to travel to. We decided to book a trip to Instanbul, Turkey 2 weeks later. It was during that trip where we were so inspired bring them magic to homes around the world and Casahara Bazaar was born! Read more>>

Shareef Clayton | Trumpeter & Founder of Harlem Music Studios

I’m the founder of Harlem Music Studios in New York. I wanted to open a studio in the uptown area. There are a lot of musicians/artist that live uptown but there is nowhere to rehearse. Read more>>

Valerie Maksym | Personal Trainer

When I divorced for the second time at the age of 44 I had been a stay at home mom of 4. I looked into finding a job and all the jobs I qualified for would not have even paid my monthly rent not after working all month. So I knew I had to do something else. I started my personal training business. Read more>>

Carla Daniela | Wedding Dress Tailor

As a child I had the dream of opening my own atelier where I could create and help clients’ visions come to life and create unique and customized gowns and garments. Very early in life I started trading toys for the fabrics that would be left from my Grandma Albertina’s sewing. I would transform them into specialty gowns, evening gowns and two-piece dresses. I guess I was very fortunate at an early age to have my grandmother Albertina show me the importance of tailoring, sewing, and people’s interest in looking good and feeling their best. Read more>>

Anthony Taylor-Weber | Founder & CEO

Outdoor Office, Inc was truly started out of necessity, not because of a business or money opportunity. The company was really created before we knew there was a business. After working from a kitchen table since 2014, we knew we needed a solution to our space needs and traditional means were out of the question due to cost, time, and inconvenience to our daily life. Read more>>