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.

Kylie Gillaim | Certified Gardenary Consultant

When I made the decision to start my own business I knew that helping others feel the same passion for growing their own food, in their own beautiful garden, with my guidance, was the direction I wanted to take my life. I couldn’t think of anything else I would rather do. Some people go to nursing school, some study technology, and some pay for trade schools or even collage. Read more>>

Scott Browning | PCH Hot Dogs Owner

I grew up in the Valley where I would go to Pink’s Hot Dogs every Friday with my uncle after we went surfing. I moved to Southern California and there was not a place that sold hot dogs. I wanted to keep the tradition alive with my uncle and bring that family feeling to other people through food. Besides hot dogs being my favorite food it was also a staple for creating family. Read more>>

Regilyn Catanyag | Owner of Café DOCHI

My thought process started all the way in high school, so for about 6 years now? It all started from a dream I always had of starting a business of my own, because I love the idea of building and creating a community for those like-minded and to spread the culture and love for the Philippines. A lot of my baked goods are heavily inspired by Filipino desserts and staples such as the “Mango Float” and Milo powder. Read more>>

Kiana Fong | Student & Small Business Owner

In the summer of my fifth-grade year, I started making little clay figures for fun. I figured that I might be able to sell them to others and earn some money doing so. Over time, I started selling more, creating more products, and attending more business fairs and pitches. It is really neat that I could turn my hobbies of arts & crafts into a business. Read more>>

Eleanor McCall | Teacher, Writer, & Free Woman

“If I can do this, anyone can” Let me explain – First of all, achieving the feat of walking across a slackline, doing the seemingly impossible when I had completely doubted myself, was one thing. At the time I considered myself to be a fairly clumsy individual. (Trust me, I had the shin bruises to prove it). Never in a million years would I have considered slacklining if my brother didn’t suggest it. Read more>>

Timmie Brann | Lifestyle Coach

I couldn’t find the gym for me so I decided to create my own. I’ve definitely always been a risk taker. Leap and the net will appear mentality for sure. So when I found myself in my 30s, wanting to still train like an athlete, I couldn’t find anything. The closest idea at the time was CrossFit but it didn’t interest me. So how in my 30s could I still train like a High School athlete? Then came the birth of Hybrid House. Read more>>

Bao Tran | Physician CEO & Founder

I wanted to pursue my passion while having more flexibility and autonomy. I wanted to make an impact and provide full continuity of care. Read more>>

Jane Lindsay | Artist and owner of Maggie Jane’s Farm best little hemp farm in West Texas

For me it was fairly simple when I decided to start a business, I was a 60-year-old autistic woman, and artist, living in rural West Texas. I had to quit my job during COVID and I knew I would have to make my own job to survive. So I decided to create a job I love and started a hemp farm called Maggie Jane’s Farm. It started as a vision, with no money but the vision manifested despite my poverty. Read more>>

Bryan Chang | Executive Director and Founder of Dance Music Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

We had already been operating as an informal charity driven collective focused on music education. We figured that starting a nonprofit would open more doors for us and further legitimize our mission. Read more>>

Stacy Shubunka | Animal Behavior Specialist

Starting my own business meant I could have the flexibility in my career that created a balance between my passion and my family. After years of working with a variety of animals, I knew I could take that knowledge and experience to help owners and their pets. Read more>>

Tammy Ha | Plant Collector – Plant Shop Owner

Starting my own plant shop business was a result of a combination of factors. Firstly, I have always had a deep passion for plants and gardening. It has been a hobby of mine for years, and I wanted to turn my passion into a full-fledged business. Read more>>

Daniela Kratz | Founder & Owner of Farmhouse Lab

I launched Farmhouse Lab in 2016, shifting from a sustainability leadership role with a large global corporation to focus on what inspires me most — building a sustainability-driven company that is directly helping individuals make healthier, more locally-driven and sustainable food choices. Read more>>

Brandon Rufino | Tattooer

Being in control of my own path is what turned me on into being a tattooer. The idea of being in control of my own path stemmed from my experience in the “real” work place. Read more>>