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.

Marielle Viola | Online Personal Trainer/Coach

I just trusted my gut. This was something I have always wanted to do and I took the emotion of fear and welcomed it. I knew I was gonna have failures in the beginning but I knew I could do it because I am so incredibly passionate about helping others and fitness. Read more>>

Aesha Tahir | Exercise Physiologist , Wellness Consultant, Author, and Speaker

I founded my wellness enterprise with the sole purpose of helping others. As someone who has always been a bit of a health nut, I realized that my sedentary and stressful lifestyle was costing my health; when I experienced lower back pain and sciatica. In my search for a holistic approach to healing my body, I discovered various ways to improve our lives through simple changes in our workstyle and diet. Read more>>

Ishmael Meza | Musician, Actor, Singer, Producer, Writer, Composer, Music Tutor & Figure Drawing Model

My thought process behind starting my own business is simple; I know what I love doing, so I’m going to do it…and make it so I get paid to do it. I love being an artist, a producer, a musician, a singer, a writer, a tutor, an actor and a figure drawing model. I love to perform music and sing to an audience on stage. There’s no greater feeling than a positive roar of the crowd. I enjoy acting on stage too, but I’ve had much more success acting in front of a camera. Read more>>

Kailey Breazeale | Founder/CEO of Central Coast Conscious Community

The inspiration behind my decision to start a business was rooted in my strong desire to make a positive impact and contribute to my community. I have always been deeply passionate about serving others, and I actively dedicate my time, energy, and expertise to various community-based service projects. This innate entrepreneurial spirit within me has continually fueled my drive to create something meaningful. Read more>>

Maurice Gibson & Leonardo Orozco | Co-Owners of Chow Time & Active Duty Military

Maurice: The thought process behind starting Chow Time was developing an idea and seeing it to fruition. Leo and myself we’re active duty military (Navy) so we understand the everyday grind, we understand steadily having to evolve, having to adapt to your environment and climate, having to pivot at a seconds notice, these are all things that we take from the military side and incorporate into the business world. Read more>>

Maddy Vonhoff | Co-Founder, Foulplay Games

While we started hosting monthly murder mystery games from other companies, interest grew in writing our own murder mystery games with unique themes, tailored characters and settings, and more gender inclusivity. We wrote a few games of our own in college and helped other students do so as well. Read more>>

Gemma Matsuyama | Pastry Chef

Kimochi was born in 2021, during the COVID-19 Pandemic when tensions were high in our society. I felt the need to share my Asian heritage by representing my Japanese roots in my work to spread awareness. Working in the restaurant industry for the past 16 years, using social media was a different perspective of connecting people with culture through food. Read more>>

Kyle Fisch | Finish Carpenter & General Contractor

I have always enjoyed building, creative expression, and creating something from scratch. I wanted to have more control over the projects I contribute to, and try and incorporate some of my creative ideas towards improving the community I am a part of. In the home improvement industry not all projects are glamorous, but professionally I felt a lot of my talent was not properly utilized while I was previously employed. Read more>>

Millie Thompson | Master Loctician and Braider

Well, it started when I was a little girl at the age of 8 yes old. I watched my mother braid my other siblings hair and I took an interest in it and made sure I had baby dolls and barbie dolls to practice on. I taught myself how to braid and I became the braider in high school. A close friend of mine back in high school, we had everyone’s hair braided. Read more>>

The Purp Studio | Recording Studio

The Purp Studio was created to bridge the gap between music and creatives. The Purp Studio is a space that offers services like: audio engineering, music production, mixing and mastering, songwriting, etc. Beyond our services, we like to create a safe environment that invites artists and musicians to work on their craft and to help provide the resources to do so. Read more>>

Christiana Cardoso | Professional Organizer

I couldn’t ignore the need for organizing services in my community, fueled by my genuine passion for creating order and helping others. Armed with expertise in organizing methods and a strategic approach, I’m excited to transform spaces, reduce stress, and improve lives. Building a strong brand, connecting with clients, and staying ahead through continuous learning are at the core of my journey as a professional organizer.” Read more>>

Alexis Medall | Bohemian Clothing + Jewelry Designer

I wanted to work for myself and create my own schedule. I began my business in 2022 with my grandma after getting divorced and turned to what always made me feel good growing up which was clothing. My intention was to create a line that was not only cute but comfy. Read more>>