We love grabbing drinks with our entrepreneur friends because they always have the craziest stories. Sometimes it’s a big, unexpected win. Other times it’s a problem that came out of nowhere and couldn’t possibly have been foreseen. There is so much to learn from these stories and so we asked some of the brightest entrepreneurs and creatives in the community to share some of those stories below.

Jia Caruso

I think what people often forget is how financially and emotionally charged running a rescue can be. Beyond the material donations, the success of a rescue is really dependent on how stable the nonprofit is in receiving consistent funding and support from the community, and since OC Pom Rescue is still new, we don’t qualify or have access to grants that many longstanding rescues have. Read more>>

Samantha Dormio

One of my main goals for my business is to help the environment and bring awareness to important issues in wildlife conservation through art. Every quarter, I select a non-profit wildlife conservation organization to donate 10% of my profits to. I usually have to seek out these organizations through extensive research – I like to donate to regional, lesser-known organizations with admirable goals. However, one day, an incredible organization found me! Read more>>

JB N/A

One of the craziest stories I’ve ever experienced as business owner started November 17th during a business trip to Denver. I had gone to Denver to meet with my current business partner to attend an EDM Event for business. The event took place over the course of 3 days at mission ballroom. During our stay we were focused on community relations with the culture as well as marketing for the company. Read more>>

Marieme Diagne

After attending Aveda in Florida for 6 months for my full specialists esthetician license, I moved back home to NYC. Moving back to NYC I knew the requirements for the esthetician program would be the same as Florida’s. After settling into back into NYC, I didn’t think it would take MONTHS for me to obtain my license in NY especially being that I’m certified in FL. Read more>>

Dianna Ippolito

I remember the first time I stepped onto a Hollywood lot to take a meeting about a script I had written. I remember seeing the iconic Hollywood Sign shimmering in the distance as I got out of the car, and took it as a good omen. As I made my way past actors and crew making their way to set, I couldn’t help but feel like a character in one of the films I had grown up watching. Read more>>

CORY LEWIS

In the Beverage game, I never knew how cut throat. Bang, & Redbull really are. The craziest thing I’ve experienced is when I had a meeting Bang energy only 2 months into my business and they told me, they me they wanted to crush my business and saw me as a early competitor. Read more>>