Starting and growing a business is hard, but often deciding to start the business in the first place is even harder. We asked some successful entrepreneurs from around the community to open up to us about how they thought about starting a business.

Magda & Christian Flores

When we started Sweet and Spicy, we honestly had no idea it would grow into what it is today. We didn’t set out expecting to build a brand or make something big—we just knew we wanted to start something of our own. It was a risk. We took a leap without knowing what would come of it, but we believed in the idea and in ourselves. And somehow… it worked. It grew. People connected with it. And now we’re here, still doing what we love and growing more than we ever imagined Read More>> 

Thomas Rivera

I created Quasar Studio as a concept.

I wanted to create an opportunity for myself to be involved in multiple forms of art and conceptualizing, and not be restricted to just photography.
I want to assist clients as much as possible without being restricted to any specific medium. Had i gone under “Visuals by Thomas,” I don’t think it would have the same impact as a “studio”. Read More>> 

Simone Ressner

When I started my acupuncture practice in San Diego ten years ago, my primary motivation was to make high-quality, personalized acupuncture care accessible to more people. I saw a gap in the existing models—community acupuncture clinics were more affordable, but often lacked the depth of personalized care that I believe is essential for long-term healing due to time constraints. On the other hand, private clinics offered that level of care, but at a price point that was simply out of reach for many individuals or kept people coming in inconsistently without getting the results. Read More>>

Arielle Kantor

When I started my business, Hercules Krav Maga, my main goal was to create the kind of environment I wish had existed when I first started training. Krav Maga self-defense changed my life, but I noticed that a lot of spaces didn’t feel welcoming to everyone—especially women and non-male students. I wanted to build something different: a place where people of all genders could come in, feel safe, and know that this training was for them. For me, it’s not just about teaching self-defense techniques; it’s about helping people trust themselves, feel powerful in their bodies, and know they deserve to take up space. Read More>> 

Rossan Banner

Honestly, it all started with seeing a real gap in the wedding industry. So many couples would pour their hearts into planning this once-in-a-lifetime day, and yet the little, in-between moments—the ones that felt the most real—were getting lost. I wanted to change that. Read More>> 

Klyn Elsbury

It came down to two things: seeing the same patterns in sales teams everywhere—and facing my own mortality at 24 due to cystic fibrosis.

I noticed that most salespeople weren’t lacking talent; they were lacking structure, support, or scripts that actually felt human. And after being told I might not have much time left, I got clear fast: I wanted to spend my life helping others find their voice, close with confidence, and build sales cultures that actually work. Read More>>