Many books on startups and business talk about how there are right and wrong reasons for starting a business. So, we asked a handful of successful founders about their reasons and the thought-process behind starting their business.

Maggie Hayes | Somatic Coach

My business and my offerings are really an extension of my own life experience. After various experiences in my childhood, I found myself feeling anxious, insecure and confused throughout my 20s. It was then that I found yoga and meditation – and really felt the clear body-mind connection for the first time. I knew it was something that I had to share, so I started teaching while maintaining my own practice. Through this, I discovered a few things: Read more>>

Simone Glad | Music Producer & DJ

There wasn’t much thought behind it, it was more of a calling than a choice. It’s what I love to do. It started as a passion and slowly morphed into a job. Read more>>

Trudy Kranz Whitney | Global and Local Real Estate Advisor

I have had an entrepreneur mindset since my early days in college. I was the President of my chocolate company Pandora’s Confections when I was in my late thirties. Now I am the CEO of my own Real Estate Company, Trudy’s Coastal Properties. It was a natural progression and one that I am so happy about. San Diego is where I was born and raised. Read more>>

Kelsey Smith | Registered Veterinary Technician, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, Certified Canine Fitness Trainer

I had been working in the Veterinary field for many years and developed a passion for helping dogs and cats go through physical therapy. I kept seeing dogs come in because they injured themselves, had to have surgery, and now needed to get back to their “normal” activities. I wanted to help those dogs in order to prevent injuries and major surgeries. I always worked for a company, under someone. I went with this idea to the owner, but it was shot down. It was at that moment that I realized I wanted to work for myself and be able to make a difference where I wanted to make a difference. Read more>>

Kat Reichmuth | Home Alchemist & Coach

I was 25, working as an insurance agent, miserable, and the fluorescent lights office lights were soul-sucking. I knew I wouldn’t last and had been dreaming of opening my own business. Coworkers were always coming to me, asking me to organize their files because I had a knack for organizing. Clean Sweep and Clean House were popular shows at the time, and with a quick google search, it all came together. The National Association of Professional Organizers was a thing and this could be a real business. Read more>>

Patrick Cardillo | Owner / Artist STRNGBK DESIGN CO.

There is a long rooted history between US Navy sailors and the styles and cultures of the south pacific island life. As an active duty veteran, I saw an intrest for Hawaiian styled button down shirts (or Camp shirts) that would also represent certain communities and jobs within the Navy. It is a well practiced tradition to have a Hawaiian shirt ready for Friday afternoons to welcome in the weekend and what better city to start this company in than the warm and sunny San Diego. Our shirts all incorporate insignias and artwork of communities within the Navy to make our designs that much more personal to our audience. Read more>>

Saúl Bacilio | Social Etrepreneur.

When starting a project as an entrepreneur, one of the questions that I must solve at the beginning is the reason for the project. I have always thought that being an entrepreneur is one of the noble ways to help an environment and a community. I firmly believe that the world needs more people who invest their respective time in helping people through a project. Each project must be capable of promoting community work, offering an opportunity to those that society itself submerges into oblivion. Read more>>