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.

Susan Hannifin-MacNab | Social Worker, Educator and Author

Starting my own business happened quite by accident. Literally. At the age of 41, I was an educator, social worker, wife and mother- until my husband was killed in a car accident and I became a traumatized professional, a grieving widow and a solo parent to our 5 year old son. That day, I was thrown into an unknown world and eventually propelled to uncover every possible tool and resource in San Diego County that would help me restore, renew, and rebuild a new life. Read more>>

Emily Wilkinson |

Nonprofit specialist, lawyer, entrepreneur. Read more>>

Anastasia Ovanessoff | Owner of Simply Stazi

Both of my parents were small business owners, so growing up I had a lot of inspiration around me to be a small business owner myself. They included me in their work often, helping me understand the foundations needed to be a successful small business owner. I knew that I needed to be strong willed, motivated, educated, adaptable and hard working. Considering I was the child that often dreamt about her wedding day and finding my prince charming. Read more>>

Kathleen Lisson | Board Certified Massage Therapist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist

I am a massage therapist and learned during school that if I was an employee, I would make $16/hr plus tips for giving a $100/hr. massage at a chain but if I was a business owner I would be able to charge that same $100/hr., set my own schedule and keep the net profit. Being in control of my own brand meant I could use all my skills to promote my services and invest in myself. Read more>>

Jacqueline Herrera | Esthetician

Starting my own business has always been a dream of mine but I could never truly wrap my mind around doing it. My husband who is an entrepreneur really started to change my mindset seven years ago when we first started dating. I never knew exactly what I wanted to do or how I wanted to do it but I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I started assuming the costs and the work that would go behind it all and time and time again quit with any ideas I had, and went back to a typical 9-5. Read more>>