Going from idea to execution isn’t easy. Part of the difficulty is that often there is no playbook to follow and while we can’t offer a playbook either, we wanted to create a space where aspiring entrepreneurs could read the stories of how some very smart, very thoughtful entrepreneurs form the community got started.

Jacqueline O’donnell

It was the spring of my second year of teaching and I was a geometry teacher at a rural school district over 60 miles away from my home. I would come home from work and need to tutor students so I could afford the gas to drive back to my teaching job the next day, which felt like -and is- a very broken and backwards system. I knew I had to change something in this equation, whether it be the school that I worked at or to find another career in the education field with a more sustainable salary and work/life balance. The thought of working 9-5 at an education company would mean that I would give up working directly with students, which was disappointing to me because I genuinely loved working with them. I felt that tutoring was where I was able to make the most impact with students and it didn’t involve grades, administration, or behavioral problems, all of which drain teachers’ energy in schools and contribute to teacher burnout. I explored working as a tutor for other companies but discovered how big of a cut they take from the session fee, leaving tutors with wages comparable to minimum wage. I was also surprised to learn that many companies don’t screen their tutors or students and there’s little oversight in the student acquisition process – so much so that scammers use this industry frequently to have tutors return all or part of a payment after writing a fake check. (This is from personal experience and customer service said it happens all the time and would not refund my membership over it.) Read more>>

Lynne Pearson

Working in the library of a middle school was a job that fed my passion for reading. Whether I was selecting books for students, reading or talking about them, books were my life. I was invited to a neighborhood book group where a local writer would be present. I enjoyed her book and signed up for her newsletter. She sent out a chapter of a book she was working on, and I spotted inconsistencies that didn’t fit the story’s time period. I had no way to get hold of her and thought about contacting her publisher to see if they wanted someone to read books and report errors before books were published.  I remember being in the school parking lot when the idea hit me that there’s a paying job for that: editing. So, I took a yearlong certificate course in editing at the University of Washington in Seattle.  Read more>>

Cheyenne Johnson

2015, my junior year in high school, I attended my very first culinary class and that was when the passion in me grew, the gift began to brighten and the dream began to take form, The name of my business came to me around that time! Of course, I had to do some research to make sure the name I wanted originally wasn’t already taken, and it was but I immediately came up with A Taste of Exquisitry. Fast forward to 2017, I was in college for my baking and pastry diploma, I decided to attend school because I didn’t want to be another baker and own a bakery. I wanted more for myself and wanted my business to be something different, not your average, everyday thing. The college went in depth into the difference between a baked good and a pastry and before attending I assumed a good dessert just looked good and tasted good but to be a Pastry Chef there was alot more to it. The beauty and intricate design of a pastry and the flow of erotic flavor combos is what drew me to this profession, learning about the European take on desserts roped me in. Not to mention, my desserts are heavily influenced by the European technique and style. While in college we had to “create” a business that needed a website, business cards and with having to create those things I needed to know colors, font, theme, and I wanted a slogan. Read more>>

Casey Morris

I was approached by a business owner for social media advertising. Her Facebook and Instagram pages were fairly new and with low follower counts, as she had only been in business for about 10 months at this point.

I spent the next several months testing and implementing new advertising strategies. I also coached the client remotely on social media strategy and content creation. Read more>>

Dorothy Rausa

It all started with a passion for travel and photography, and a growing desire to share those experiences with others. I had always been the go-to person among friends and family for travel advice, tips, and inspiration, but the idea of turning that into something more—a blog and an Instagram presence—began to take shape while I was planning a trip to Europe. I remember sitting in a café in Paris, thinking, Why not share these moments with the world? The next step was research. I spent hours reading travel blogs, researching content creation, and learning about the travel influencer space. I had to figure out how people were monetizing their content, building communities, and standing out in a crowded field. I learned about affiliate marketing and realized that partnering with companies like Amazon and Rock Porch could help fund my travels if I built a loyal audience. Read more>>

Brittany Valera

Throughout the years as a multipotentialite, I have had multiple creative endeavors while attending school and gaining professional experience–most of which involved training others. There has always been a duality of life: do I pursue singing, pursue art, or pursue climbing the corporate ladder for learning and development? I answered myself with trying everything and seeing what sticks. It takes a lot of balance, pondering, and research, but it has lead to a lot of discovery. In summation, I have multiple small businesses: I am the managing owner of an original band, a communication company, and a makeup and hairstyle service. Read more>>

Erica Annet

When Erica and her family first discovered the Temecula Hilltop property for sale in early 2018, they instantly knew it was the perfect spot for a cozy retreat in Temecula Wine Country. With breathtaking views of the vineyards and valley, and recognizing the need for more accommodations in the area, they decided to completely renovate the interior and revamp the landscaping. They even added a private pickleball court and a putting green! Every detail of the home was tailored to provide couples and families with a secluded, comfortable getaway in Wine Country. Since opening in Fall 2018, Temecula Hilltop has become a beloved destination for many, with some guests returning for their fourth and fifth stays! Erica’s exceptional hospitality has earned her the Superhost title multiple times on Airbnb and other platforms. In addition, a few years ago, the Annet Family became co-owners of the nearby Altisima Winery, located just below Temecula Hilltop. Now, guests can easily enjoy exquisite food, wine, and entertainment during their stay at this charming retreat. Read more>>