Starting a business is a commitment and requires dedication, resources and sacrifice. We asked some of the rising stars in our community how they thought through the idea of starting their own businesses.

Kelly O’Shea | Singer & Performing Arts School Owner and Director

I started performing when I was very young and was blessed for it to blossom into a career that allows me to do what I love and what I am passionate about as my job. I am lucky enough to travel the world, make life-long mentors and friends, and sing and perform some of the best music ever written. I started my business because I wanted to give the kids in the community the same opportunities I had when I was young and whether they decide for it to be a hobby or a career, we all still get the amazing opportunity to come together and make music and art! Read more>>

Michelle Guillen | Founder, Little Love

The idea originally came to me in early 2020. We had our first born, Adrian, December 2019. I was never one for loud colors and prints – neutral colored clothing in the softest textiles was of the utmost importance to me. Our son was born in the 99th percentile for height and weight — from there he continued to grow at the speed of light. Read more>>

Sheryl Srivastava | Gallery Owner/ Gallerist

Starting my own business which is now two fine art galleries came very natural to me. I was always working form my clients although now in this case I had more leverage and options to serve them better. I was responsible for finding specific choices and offering options that keep them satisfied and educated enough to always want to return. Read more>>

Tiffany Tesauro | Businesswoman

Starting a business for me was a little bit more than just making the difficult decision of leaving my automotive career but it was a complete lifestyle change. I had lost my father to cancer in 2019 and realized life is short and wasn’t worth wasting in a career that no longer made me happy. I took note of all I learned and all that I loved and now I get to implement all of it in my daily life. Read more>>

Cristian Garcia Director de Monster Design | Diseñador gráfico, Ilustrador

I come from a small family that was supported by my mother’s work, and I always saw her strength in creating her own business, I took her example and since I graduated as a graphic designer, I decided to have my personal design firm. For this reason, from a very young age I did painting, graffiti art competitions and even sold drawings to my classmates in elementary school to have my own business or graphic design workshop in the future. Read more>>