In our view, far too many ideas die at the imagination stage. It’s not because people are lazy, we think the primary reason is because many people don’t know where or how to start. So, we connected with some sharp and generous entrepreneurs who’ve agreed to share their stories of how they went from idea to execution.

Farah George

I turned my passion for makeup into a real business by enrolling in cosmetology school and college at the same time, using my savings to invest in both my craft and my knowledge. While learning techniques by day and business strategy by night, I built my brand from the ground up, offering discounted services, creating a portfolio, a website with pricing and photos, and treating every client like my future depended on it (because it did). With consistency, professionalism, and a clear vision, I went from doing makeup in my garage to building a growing business rooted in creativity, confidence, and care. I invested into a luxury kit and a professional director’s chair before more concise technology came about in recent years. Before I knew it, I had all of San Diego’s business and now it’s more competitive but my regulars have fortunately remained faithful with new referrals each time. Read more>>

Lisa Cheney

Honestly, I never imagined I’d be here. I was fully invested in my role as a hospice executive and found a lot of meaning in that work. Aesthetics was not even on my radar. But about ten years ago, my best friend Heather, who has always seen potential in me before I could see it myself, challenged me to try something new. She said, “You should do Botox. You’d be amazing at it.” Read more>>

Ryan Manuel

It was back in 2011 when I held my first pair of clippers. I never knew that holding a pair of clippers would open so many opportunities for me. The only reason why I picked up a pair of clippers was because I was trying to fix my own haircut. I was preparing for a homecoming dance and at the time I didn’t know what local barber to go to, so I looked around until I found one. I went to this barber and they did a decent job, but it was not what I really wanted. I decided to take matters into my own hands and try to fix my haircut myself. I remembered that my dad had these cheap but efficient clippers that he kept at our house. Read more>>

Zack Humphreys

When I first imagined starting a fitness business, like most people, I dreamed of owning a gym. But what many don’t realize is that gyms are extremely difficult to get off the ground — and often not very profitable. So instead of going the traditional route, I started in the fitness industry with LA Fitness and worked my way into the gym environment. I believe I was just 21 years old at the time. Read more>>

Nicholas Rudolf

Rudy and Rich started from our love for photography and a real desire to make people feel seen and cared for. We wanted our clients to be part of the process, not just show up for a photo. So we educated ourselves by learning from some of the best in the industry and planned every detail—from how we shoot to how we deliver images. It wasn’t an overnight thing; it was a step-by-step process built on intention, care, and a deep respect for the craft. Read more>>

Yan Wang

The idea often begins as a spark—sometimes a simple yet powerful concept, a spatial gesture that defines a unique experience, or an innovation in function and program. Once this idea takes hold, it lingers in my mind for days, running in the background like an unfolding dialogue. During this phase, related concepts emerge organically, expanding like a growing bubble, connecting to broader design narratives. Read more>>

Warren Sellers

Songwriting wise : I entered and did very well in some songwriting competitions which took me to Nashville for the finals. That turned into meetings with publishers that turned into new songwriting sessions (co-writes) and more meetings over several months. I ended up being offered my first publishing deal as a paid staff songwriter and got to work there in Nashville every couple months and here in So Cal where I live. I began to write with some artists as well and started to get “cuts” which are songs recorded by other artists – mostly up & coming indie artists. Over the years I’ve had 50 songs recorded, been on a few charts, fallen off some big records and had some songs in film/tv spots. Read more>>

Timothy Young

So, the idea of starting my piano studio honestly goes all the way back to college in the early ’90s. I was at Shenandoah University taking an arts management class, and my professor talked about how you could start a music studio out of your home and make a decent living from it. That really stuck with me—even though I didn’t act on it right away, it planted the seed. Fast forward a bit—I finished grad school, joined the US Army Jazz Ambassadors in 1998, and after about seven or eight years of traveling and performing, I decided to start giving private lessons out of my home in Columbia, Maryland. At first, it was just word of mouth—co-workers, friends of friends, that sort of thing. Read more>>

Jenae Berg

I’ve been an interior designer for 17 years, but for the past four, I’ve been running my own business. The idea of going out on my own wasn’t some sudden revelation—it was more of a slow burn. I had spent years working for boutique firms, pouring everything I had into each project. I wasn’t just designing—I was managing full-scale projects, hiring and training team members, and being the sole point of contact for clients, vendors, and trades. At some point, I realized I was essentially running entire projects independently. That gave me the confidence I needed: I knew I had it in me. Read more>>

Hector Miray

I think authenticity is a critical component to creation. Something you authentically feel, believe, or enjoy. For me a big component in becoming an author was being in a culture where I was looking for something I felt and desired, but never saw. I spent 3 years as an attendee to one of the largest comic cons on the east coast. Out of thousands of vendors and artists, I didn’t see anyone exploring spiritual themes in pop culture in any medium, so I decided to do it myself. I learned what it would take to be an artist at this event, and planned out the next year to execute the process. I began writing a book, having never formally written or published in that capacity. I wrote as much as I could as long as I felt momentum or inspiration, and I’d stop and revisit when I needed. Read more>>

Joyan Calhoun

Last year the idea came to me. The theme was easy to come up with as dinosaurs are a very marketable concept for business.

I got the website from ISSA after getting my personal trainer certification from them. Then the journey truly started and it has been a crazy journey.

Coming up with prices for example was a challenge. You don’t want to charge too much and you don’t want to charge too little or you need way too many clients for a profit. I’d say now they are in a great middle ground. Read more>>

Elissa Barber

I started writing as I became a fan of Pride and Prejudice Variations. Like many people before me I thought I could do that. I signed up for a writing class through San Diego College of Continuing Education – Emeritus 55+. This led to a class on children’s writing. I was never going to actually write a children’s book but it was free and near home. Now I have written 2 books including bilingual editions and the adult novel is still sitting on my computer. Read more>>

Alan Snyder

Having been in the alternative asset space for years,i believed that there had to ba a better way for investors to participate in this high growth ,multi trillion dollar asset class.I wanted to democratize the ownership so a broader audience could participate,enjoy true market pricing,control over the sale when desired and have liquidity when sought.The looooong journey began to create a unique auction system,to seek SEC approval for regulatory oversight to offer a common stock.Building the technology execution to an institutional grade level with full regulatory compliance and navigate the SEC took a month of sundays e.g. 24X7 for 2 years.Then conduct two sales successfully proven it all worked. Read more>>

Ida Mitchell

I paint wherever I can—usually in small corners of my home, where canvases stacked up and brushes shared space with everyday life. This is how I work, I get up often in the middle of early mornings to return to a painting. This is a private part of my work and it’s in my home. When I started selling my originals, people would come inside and I would have to make arrangements around the living room. It was not comfortable having people come into my house. Read more>>

Autumn Cromer

I’ve always had the idea that I wanted my own custom tailor-made clothing store since I was a child. More over being on the runway showing my collection at New York Fashion Week. By the time time my children were of age, I was 38, I was able to begin to re-think the idea of having such a space. I used my earnings from being a hair stylist to start part of the process. I had to figure out what type of designer I was and who would I market my clothing to. I took business classes to learn more about business and becoming an entrepreneur. Practice and education were the key elements in helping me perfect the design concepts no matter which area of fashion I was in. It took about 3 or 4 years before I had my first Fashion show. Read more>>

Jordan Bilby

It really started while I was working for another DJ company. I spent four years there, and over time, I realized I wanted to build something of my own. I had the talent, I had the drive—I just needed to figure out what that would actually look like. At first, it was just a collection of small ideas: what kind of gear I’d want if I had full control, what my dream setup would be. I started jotting down a wish list of equipment, and from there, things started to get real. Read more>>

Michael Tonsmeire

Brewing delicious beer requires iteration. It’s really the “craft” part of Craft Beer. Writing a novel recipe requires inspiration and artistry, but great beer usually results from a cycle of creation, evaluation, and adjustment. Changing the salt profile of the water to round out the mouthfeel, tweaking the timing of hop additions to get the right bitterness, reducing oxygen exposure, finding the perfect brand of Pilsner malt, adjusting the temperature of the fermentation to create more fruity esters, and a hundred other subtle things. Read more>>

Fiati Adadevoh

It all started in 2014 while I was preparing for my own wedding, which was set for October 17, 2015. Like any groom-to-be, I was looking for the perfect suit, something that was not just formal but personal. I wanted a suit that would represent me: my style, my personality, my story. I visited several custom suit stores, hoping to find something unique, well-stitched, and made from intricate, high-quality fabrics. But I kept hitting the same wall, everything I loved was priced at $5,000 or more. And even then, the designs felt basic: standard fused suits with minor variations like notch, shawl, or peak lapels. There was no real originality or soul behind them, just expensive price tags. Read more>>

Anne Giebel

I picked up a camera first when I was in college. I’d always loved visual arts and growing up, I’d experienced my mom (who is an artist) make beautiful things and take them to art shows across the state. I realized quickly that photography was much more complex than knowing how to click the shutter button. So I became fully invested in learning all I could about photography and working a camera. I don’t judge anyone for how they got to being a photographer, because I know first-hand the pros and cons of all avenues; from going to school for it, to getting a certificate, to being self-taught. I personally learn best by doing, so while it took me upwards of 5 years, I’m proud to talk about my journey in being self-taught in the craft. Read more>>

Karen Larkin

It all started with a simple desire to make my own home feel better without spending a lot of money. During the height of the pandemic, I found myself rearranging furniture, repurposing what I already had, and getting creative with what was available. I started sharing these DIY makeovers on social media—just for fun, as a creative outlet. I wasn’t thinking business, career, or calling. I just knew that transforming my space helped me breathe a little deeper and feel more at peace. I had no formal training, no vision for what it could become. It was just something I loved doing, a side hustle at best—or so I thought. Read more>>

Lindsey Strong

Much of my building phase was quite fast! I had become an established practitioner with another brand, using their wholesale operation as the primary toolkit for my coaching practice and even training program when I learned that they’d be closing this part of their operation. I knew that I’d come too far to pivot, so I furiously started reaching out to various vendors and eventually found a software developer to partner with. Over the course of about one calendar year, it all took shape! I had to start from scratch with everything from sourcing kit components to building the actual reporting program. It was quite the whirlwind! Read more>>

Rell Holman

I own two businesses—a detailing company and a nonprofit—along with a third venture focused on personal finance coaching. For this discussion, I’ll delve into our nonprofit, Bigger Than Us Inc (BTU).

The journey began with a casual conversation among friends who were eager to make an impact. Recognizing our potential, we initially decided to host parties during our college days, thinking it would be a fun venture. However, we soon realized that this wasn’t the path we wanted to take, leading us to launch BTU instead. Read more>>

ALEXANDER GANDIA

At Gandia’s Catering, we specialize in turning every event into a culinary showcase—an experience that engages the senses, satisfies discerning palates, and ensures a memorable impact. Founded by award-winning Chef Alexander Gandia, our catering service excels in providing high-level dining experiences across various settings, including weddings, social soirées, corporate functions, and exclusive private gatherings. Read more>>

Dennis & Jody Wood

When we first met in 2002 we were both closing out previous business chapters, Jody selling his coffee and juice shop, Dennis stepping away from 12 years managing an art production and gallery company. Jody had decided to work toward his contractor’s license, while developing his drafting and design skills. Dennis, after working alongside Jody for a few months, continued to grow the business alongside Jody. Together we became Carey Construction and Design, offering design and construction projects to residential clients. As time progressed, we met some ardent volunteers in our City Heights (San Diego) neighborhood and began supporting and guiding restoration and cleanup events around the city. Read more>>

Riley Pope

Amber Ridge Productions started with three college friends who just knew we wanted to build something creative together. I was a photo/video major, and my two co-founders were business majors—so we had this blend of artistic vision and entrepreneurial spirit. The idea itself—and even the name—came to life during a backpacking trip through the Appalachian Mountains. Something about being out in nature, disconnected from the noise, made the vision clear. Read more>>

Taylor Golub

I always knew I enjoyed cooking, and it was something that came naturally to me. Family and friends would always tell me that I should start a food blog, but of course that voice in my head said to me, “Why would anyone outside my family and friends even care.” My husband Brett always motivated me and consistently told me to start posting on Instagram and to just do it! Well, in 2018 I finally posted a photo and a recipe, along with announcing the launch of my food Instagram account. I remember feeling incredibly vulnerable and that imposter syndrome voice was telling me that I don’t know what I’m doing. From that first post, I knew that I had to continue. But it was like ripping off the band-aid effect and just putting yourself out there – it was quite freeing, actually.  Read more>>

Jody

When people think about starting a business, they often get stuck in what’s commonly known as paralysis by analysis. It’s that all-too-familiar state where the more you research, the more overwhelmed you become—until you’re frozen, unsure of where to even begin. I’ve seen it happen often, and I’ve felt it myself. Read more>>

Tiffany Cogdell

After joining myEcon, a personal financial success company, I had a dream that sparked a deep desire to help others with their finances. I began sharing my journey with family, friends, and coworkers, both in person and on social media. This led to my first clients, where I helped them with budgeting and debt elimination. Seven years ago, on my birthday, I launched That Makes Cent$, LLC, and it was incredibly rewarding to see my clients making significant strides toward their goals. Read more>>

Anastasia Fox

I always dreamed of AnaFoxBeauty. After nearly 20 years in the beauty industry, and years working as a nurse, I knew I was ready to create something of my own. A space where I could bring together clinical experience, healing energy, and beauty that truly makes women feel empowered from the inside out. Read more>>