Category: Business Owner Stories

John Jameson is the owner of MayanRental, a brokerage that helps owners of timeshares at the Mayan resorts in Mexico rent out their weeks. He claims he and his wife Linda Jameson make the perfect pair when it comes to managing the business, “I’m the problem-solver and the person who figures things out. But if I didn’t have Linda to do the detailed things like the bookings and fixing all my mistakes, we’d be doomed!” Website traffic is a major… Read More

Kathleen Snyder is a designer who creates PowerPoint templates and tools for businesses so they can work faster and give presentations that project a professional image that is “on brand.” She also consults with companies to create custom presentations for events. According to Snyder, “A lot of clients rely on me to take the big mess of stuff that’s thrown onto a PowerPoint slide and turn it into something beautiful.” Snyder enjoys the freedom and control she’s gained from self-employment.… Read More

It’s hard to believe, but along a desolate stretch of old Route 66, Jim Nakano’s The Donut Man has become synonymous with the best donut creations in California. In fact, for more than 4 decades, Jim and his wife Miyoko have created such a niche in the donut business, that customer’s line up for three city blocks to taste a luscious treat from The Donut Man. Like all good businesses, Jim and Miyoko’s business was grown through hours of hard… Read More

While the traditional taxi industry is being changed overnight by companies like Uber, the private chauffeured limousine and sedan industry still hold a competitive advantage over technology application companies improving the ride service business model. One of these advantages is the first class feeling of being picked up in a shiny, black automobile with an attentive, professional driver behind the wheel. In addition, many of the independent drivers being dispatched with smart phone driven apps, may not be as familiar… Read More

Tim Tam owns a particularly stylish collection of men's shoes, all designed and produced by himself. In 2006 he had no experience designing shoes, but he knew how to establish a company, so he founded Carrucci Shoes. His shoes have since been sold at major outlets such as Nordstrom, DSW, and Off Broadway. Tim continues to design shoes and see them through to the market, always with quality in mind. The Start How did you get started with your business?… Read More