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.

Paulette Morales | UGC Creator & Social Media Manager

Honestly, starting my own business wasn’t something I planned from the beginning—it just came together naturally. During the pandemic, I became more focused on social media strategy as I saw how many brands and businesses struggled to build engagement when they were forced to rapidly transition to digital platforms. While working towards my Marketing degree at UC Riverside and taking courses like Marketing Research, Digital Marketing, and Consumer Behavior, I found myself constantly thinking of ways I could help these businesses strengthen their digital presence, storytelling, and content creation. Read more>>

Yan Petris | Branding Designer & Visual Artist

Honestly, it was more of a natural progression than a big, planned decision. I’ve always been drawn to creating and exploring ideas visually, and working for myself just felt like the best way to have that freedom. With A PROJECT BY, it started as a space where I could experiment with branding and design without the limits of someone else’s vision. Over time, it grew into a way for me to collaborate with clients who shared similar values and wanted thoughtful, creative solutions. Read more>>

Brooke Delong | Head of Social Media and Content

The thought process behind starting my own business was deeply personal and tied to my college experience. I got the name BDL while working at hockey, and it became more than just a nickname—it became a part of my identity. By the end of my senior year, I had grown so used to being called BDL that I almost forgot my actual name was Brooke. It felt right to carry that name forward as a brand because it represents not only my time in college but all the people, experiences, and memories I’ve collected along the way. Read more>>

Bair Bell | Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor

My decision to start my own business was driven by a combination of personal experiences and a deep passion for helping others. Throughout my husband’s military career, we moved quite frequently, which gave me a firsthand understanding of the challenges that come with relocating like finding the right home for my family and adjusting to new communities. I wanted to create a space where I could simplify that process for others, no matter their situation. Whether it’s first-time homebuyers, families relocating, or clients dealing with more complex situations, I strive to ensure they feel confident, supported, and well-cared for throughout the entire process. Read more>>

Jefferson Schildgen | Jefferson Schildgen | Crooner, Band Leader, & Business Owner

I wanted to perform with other musicians at local venues on a professional level. Owning a business in entertainment provided the legal and financial protection I needed when working with venues, clients, and musicians. Knowing that the business is liable for any incidentals gives me the confidence and peace of mind I need. Owning a business also provides a more professional first impression for future partners by allowing me to create a website, estimates, invoices, contracts, and social media accounts including Yelp and Google for customer testimonies. Read more>>

Jenna Gumto | Owner I Caravan Culture

The thought process behind starting my own business came to me one day. It was in the middle of the pandemic and I was doing creative things and spending a lot of time reflecting on my life. I had recently been working at a children’s boutique in South Park, called So Childish. I loved working there for the 6 years I had been there. I became close friends with the owner and got to do a lot of decision making about merchandise. I accompanied the owner to Vegas a few times to go on buying trips. We always had a great time and I loved seeing all of the options out there for kids. My taste in merchandise was always slightly different from the owner’s, although I loved what she brought in, as well. She always let me pick some things to sprinkle into her mix of product. I always liked more edgy things and gravitated towards music, culture, inclusivity and sustainability. Even though we always had a little a great selection, that also included some of these things, we were really a more traditional children’s shop that was geared for grandparents, new parents and newborns to 1st birthdays. After the owner sold in 2020, a new owner kept the store going for a year. I stayed on and continued to manage the merchandising of products and social media accounts. Read more>>

Stephanie Brislin | Certified Alcohol Freedom Coach

redefining my life. It was the key to unlocking a life of passion and purpose, where I could help others reclaim their freedom and joy, just as I once did. For years, I was trapped in a vicious cycle, convincing myself that wine was my only comfort, the only thing that held my life together. Yet, I was haunted by the guilt, the shame, and the overwhelming sense that I was going to lose everything, even as I clung to the very thing that was robbing me of any possibility of peace or joy. This is what cognitive dissonance feels like the unbearable tension of a crumbling relationship – with yourself. It’s the pain of being at war with yourself, your own beliefs clashing violently with your actions. I lived in that battle for far too long. But through a journey of self-discovery and healing, I uncovered the unconscious beliefs that had bound me. And in that process, I rewired my desires, stripping away alcohol’s grip on my life. Without the desire, there was no temptation. Without temptation, I finally found the freedom I’d been searching for. Read more>>

Lorena Angenault | Creative Director, founder of Villa Capri

The journey into starting Villa Capri felt organic rather than intentional. Initially, I didn’t view it as a business at all—it began as a heartfelt hobby, a way to support my artist friends by giving them greater visibility. I launched an online art gallery to showcase and sell their unique pieces, driven by a genuine passion for celebrating their creativity. Later, life brought me to the beautiful island of Mallorca. Immersed in its stunning natural surroundings, I felt a deep desire to share the transformative power of connecting with nature. This led me to create creative retreats set in nature, where participants could fully immerse themselves in their senses, drawing inspiration from both their inner and outer landscapes. My intention has always been to create spaces for reflection, creativity, and connection. Read more>>

Jose Rivas | Director of Operations

My thought process behind starting my coffee and dog pastry shop was deeply rooted in my family’s love for coffee and dogs. We started our family-owned and operated business back in 2013, where we created a unique space for everyone. Unfortunately, we had to close due to the challenges posed by COVID-19, but we never lost our passion for bringing people and their furry companions together. Now, we have decided to reopen in the heart of National City, and we’re excited to create a welcoming environment where pet owners can enjoy high-quality coffee while their dogs indulge in delicious, safe treats made just for them. We saw a great opportunity in this community to offer something special— a place where people can relax, socialize, and enjoy quality time with their pets. Read more>>

Brian Jenkins | Digital Artist

Through the journey of starting my own business I wanted to make it my duty to make sure I bring my clients visions to life through videos , photos etc Read more>>

Julie Vance | Founder Sundance Farms Equine Rescue Boutique

It was really a very spontaneous decision. I had been doing lessons, summer camps etc with the rescue horses. After several years I was really getting burned out and the horses were as well. I have a strong retail background. I have worked with Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and an upscale specialty store. So I decided to combine my love of horses and the equestrian lifestyle and my mobile boutique came to life. I started with a 10×10 pop up and have expanded to a 10×40 in 4 years! The equestrian community has been incredibly supportive. All proceeds from the boutique directly benefit my 501c3 non profit equine horse rescue. I’ve never been happier! Read more>>

Dustin Abrams | Par Partner – Owner

I was about to play my first round of golf in a year or so and I realized I had not cleaned my clubs in what looked like forever. I looked up the best way to clean clubs on the internet and found that an old toothbrush was rated top of the list accompanied with some warm water and soap. After I was done cleaning half of my clubs I realized the toothbrush had worn down to the plastic and the bristles that were left were bent sideways. I thought about what else I could use to finish the job and all of a sudden I decided to use the same tool I had cleaned my dogs teeth with earlier that day. It was then that I realized I may be onto something since the silicone was extremely tough and durable yet nonabrasive. After many months of finding the right manufacturer and many more months of R&D, Groove Partner, the functional, nonabrasive easy to use tool, that fits on your thumb and conveniently clips to your belt loop so its ready when you need it was ready for the course! Read more>>

Nicole Ruiz-lemmo | Bilingual-Inspired Apparel & Accessories Creator/Curator and Mom

The creation of Keep Dreaming for All was inspired by my multi-cultural family, including my Hispanic husband and Hispanic-American children. Since starting a family with my husband, I have become more exposed to both the Hispanic immigrant community as well as Hispanic culture. After we had our 2 children, I wanted to create something for my children that embodied both mine and my husband’s childhoods and cultures (Caucasian and Mexican) as well as the combined experiences that our children are experiencing as they grow up. Think, having an Abuela and a Grandma; think making both Tamales and Christmas Cookies as Christmas traditions; think being asked do you want tacos or pizza for dinner. I realized that growing up in San Diego and being so close to the Mexican border, these experiences are shared by many people who may be from any ethnicity. While some of my designs resonate more specifically with Hispanic-Americans, there are plenty of bilingual-inspired designs that resonate with many different cultures. Read more>>

Joel Arledge | Elite Fish Processing owner

I would say the main thing for me was that I was tired of trading my time for money. All my life I always worked for somebody else. I was always looking for something different, a different way to build a life for my family which also afforded me some more time to spend with my family. I had some different ideas but I was always too nervous to take the risk of quitting the 9 to 5:00 to throw caution to the wind and start something on my own not knowing if it would work out. Eventually I got to the point where I knew I had a skill that not to many have to the degree where people that do what I do do and there was a high demand. So I had an old bass boat that I sold to get up some funds to throw towards this idea along with some additional funding I got together and I just made up my mind that this was happening, I was going to dive in head first and whatever happens…well happens. You never know unless you try so, here we go. Read more>>

Daniel Knighton | Photographer/Journalist

I had always loved photography, but as a teen, “doing math” to achieve it intimidated me. I bought my first Point and Shoot digital camera in 2003 to take photos of my kids, and at the urging of friends who liked the photos I did, I purchased my first DSLR semi-pro camera and a couple lenses in 2005 at the age of 47. I spent the next year reading almost every book and magazine on photography I could get my hands on, as well as hundreds of hours of YouTube videos on photography and editing techniques. Read more>>

Mj | EFT Tapping & Breathwork Facilitator

During my Yoga Teacher Training, there was a small group of women that met three times a week. We discussed everything that was going on in our lives, we cried together, laughed together, and it opened me up immensely. I was also nervous to speak in groups, and especially nervous to cry in front of others, and this training broke me wide open. And this time together made me realize how powerful it can be when women come together and support one another. Read more>>

Ashley Medina & Kamila Carr | Nature Preservation Artists

We were two friends who loved our kids and exploring the great outdoors with them. When we decided to send our kiddos to school full time, we were searching for a way to fulfill our love of nature and creative sides that had previously been so focused on our kids. We craved some flexibility in our schedules and wanted a creative outlet to dive into. One day, Ashley started using her pressed flowers to craft beautiful serving boards, and they turned out amazing! Everyone loved them, and it sparked an idea. We (Ashley and Kamila) teamed up to see if we could turn this creative endeavor into something marketable. We decided to do a trial run by gifting and selling some boards to friends and family, and their excitement made it clear—we were onto something special! Read more>>

Omar Henry | Personal Chef

The idea to start my own business came from the desire to create something uniquely my own. I wanted a space where I could fully express my passion for cooking and showcase my creativity. For me, cooking is a form of personal expression and an opportunity to share a part of myself with others. By launching my own business, I envisioned a platform where I could experiment with new flavors, share my vision of food and connect with people in a meaningful way. Read more>>

Alexandria Florez | Mother & Business Pioneer using ASMR techniques

partum with my 2nd child. I took my knowledge from 2020-2022 in my wellness journey to truly craft a wellness business that didn’t quite exist yet (though there are a handful of ASMR spas around the country) and I realized it was something I needed to do! Lets rewind to the Covid-era, which was the catalyst to shaping this vision. I realized I was able to connect with my son watching ASMR on YouTube as we navigated the concept of lock-down, to help us relax and sleep during this uncertain time. Navigating through that time of COVID dramatically changed my well-being. By my 3rd stress related Urgent Care visit, I realized I wanted to disrupt how stress effected me rather than endure it. Stress truly was taking the biggest toll on me and effecting my son. So, in pursuing change from 2020-2022 I really dived deep into tackling my stressors’ and started my wellness journey. With the joy of my 2nd child; I realized I no longer wanted to be the mother who was failing to cope with stress and working a job 6 days a week. I want to develop enough change in myself to make a positive difference and I want my children to see what it means to have and provide support for their family and community. Read more>>

Lysa And Karl Topham | Vintage enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and designers

We have always, since we were kids, loved vintage and more than that, the hunt for cool stuff. Art, design and fashion are things we enjoy and has been our passion. Opening a shop to share the the things we love with others was something we’ve always wanted to do. It’s a way for us to continue to hunt, which is the addiction. We needed an outlet, a place where our treasures could be displayed, appreciated and ultimately find a new home. Read more>>

Eric Inigo Inigo | Sip Social San Diego Owner

Starting Sip Social San Diego is rooted in my personal growth and a desire to make a meaningful contribution to my family and community. I’ve always been passionate about learning and pushing my limits, and this was an opportunity to embark on a completely new journey—starting a business. I wanted to build something that I could truly call my own, a legacy for my family, and something my kids could look at and say, “That’s what taking risks and dedication can achieve.” Read more>>

Joey Bergandi | Real Estate Broker and Owner.

I was in Real Estate for 4 years and working for another Broker. I understood the in’s and out of running a Real Estate Business from being in it. My parents were in Business and I had an incredible support system with my Wife, my family, and my friends. I was blessed to have the knowledge and the backing so I start Velocity Realty. I knew that if I continued my success of helping my clients, the business would grow organically. The last part of the equation was myself. I knew that I would not quit, so I would not fail. Read more>>

Tracie Renee Aguilar | Holistic health/Massage practitioner

In 1996, inspired by a desire to help those suffering from back pain, I completed a 1000-hour holistic health program and opened my office in East County. The local news featured my services, leading to an influx of phone calls. By 1999, I began working directly with clients, building a strong reputation as a private practitioner. As my practice grew, I developed a keen interest in workplace massage therapy, recognizing the significant impact of prolonged sitting on health. This led to the establishment of my business focused on this area. I spent many years as an independent contractor for a dynamic company in San Diego, which is no longer operating. Read more>>

Travis Walters | Director Cinematographer

Ever since high school, I’ve known that producing videos was what i needed to do. It was the one class that truly captured my interest, sparking a passion for the entire process—pre-production, production, and post-production. Back then, I had no idea how to run a business or what it would entail, but I knew one thing: I loved creating. Read more>>

Jeremiah Marshall | Introspective Breathwork Therapist®

This is a Journal entry I’ve written I feel comfortable for you guys to use as material. Some parts may repeat but rephrased. I’ve completed my 12 Week Personal Journey with the One Breath Institute. Reflecting on those 12 weeks and my Self-Actualization journey as a whole that started in 2021 on Thursday May 13th at 10:14 PM. After my first experience with a psychedelic called DMT. DMT revealed to me a plethora of things that I was convinced wasn’t possible for me to experience or feel. One feeling being, in total and complete relief from my chronic pain. My chronic pain the one sensation I’ve never not once EVER! been able to fully unburden myself from and make nonexistent. In that moment I was cured of anything that had ever caused me anguish or misery or despair. The clarity I experienced in that moment being absolutely free of my chronic pain and limitations of my disabled disfigured body. It felt like 20 years of therapy in 10 minutes. Read more>>