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.

Carli Gastineau

I started EmpowerConnect Services because I knew what it felt like to face overwhelming systems without enough support. As someone deeply connected to the disability community, I saw families struggling to find resources, navigate complicated processes, and feel truly included. Those experiences lit a fire in me—I wanted to change that. My thought process was simple: if I could use my lived experience, my skills, and my passion to build bridges, then families wouldn’t have to walk this journey alone. I envisioned a space where advocacy meets compassion, where resources are accessible, and where community connection is at the heart of everything. Read More>>

 Kim Miller

After tearing my ACL for the third time last year, I was forced to slow down in a way I hadn’t in years. That downtime gave me space to reflect on what I really wanted out of life and my career.

I had spent years in the corporate world, and while I learned a lot, I was feeling burned out. I realized I was putting so much energy into work that I wasn’t truly passionate about. I wanted to build something of my own, something that aligned with my values and allowed me to make a meaningful impact in my community. Read More>>

Christinea & Vic Ruiz

1982 Candle Co. began in the most humble way possible—right in our home kitchen. In 2020, during a time when the world had slowed down, Tinea and I (Vic) were looking for a creative outlet that brought a sense of comfort and connection into our home. We started hand-pouring candles together, experimenting with scents and learning the craft one batch at a time. Read More>>

Ryan Mooney

I noticed a lack of traditional martial arts (specifically karate) in Long Beach. With my experience I felt that I could help bring that back to our city. Read More>>

Devin Stone

My decision to start HGH for Children came from seeing a significant gap in care for families concerned about their child’s growth and development. Throughout my career as a naturopathic doctor, I worked with many parents who felt frustrated by long wait times, limited access to specialists, and uncertainty about whether their child’s growth concerns were being taken seriously. Read More>>

Ozan Uzunsimsek

My journey into entrepreneurship was shaped by years of working as a multidisciplinary visual designer. Throughout my career, I worked across branding, graphic design, and digital product design, helping businesses communicate their ideas and create better experiences. Over time, I realized that design is much more than aesthetics. It’s about understanding people, identifying problems, and building solutions that create real value. Read More>> 

Dan Shaikh

My thought process started way before I launched anything. When I was around 19, I read an article on Reddit about regret. People in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond were all sharing what they wished they had done differently. And I thought, this is the roadmap to life. So I dedicated myself to looking for passion and purpose. Read More>>

Katrina Murphy-Cicero

My thought process started with wanting freedom. I always knew I wasn’t built for a traditional 9–5… which is funny because now I work 24/7, so the joke is definitely on me. But truly, I wanted to build something creative and meaningful. Read More>>

Francesco Amendola

The idea behind Sweetaly was actually pretty simple. I grew up in Italy, where gelato is just part of everyday life. When I moved to the United States, I noticed that whenever people talked about visiting Italy, one of the first things they mentioned was the gelato. It always seemed to be one of the memories they brought home with them. Read More>>

Mark Ritter

Well it was the convergence of several things. One, I was at the end of my career of full-time teaching. Two, I’ve had a gift for photography and I thought instead of just shooting pictures maybe I could shoot pictures and make a little money as well. Read More>>

Lisa Peranzo

When I first entered the fitness industry in 2008, owning my own business wasn’t even on my radar. Not even a little. My goal was simple: do something I loved as a side hustle and have something fun to look forward to after a long day at work. Read More>>

Stephanie Amaya

When I started my photography business, I found myself struggling to balance a traditional job with the creative work that truly fulfilled me. My passions have always been photography and coaching pole and dance, but pursuing them required a level of flexibility that a conventional schedule couldn’t provide. Read More>>