Category: Business Owner Stories

Americans spend more than $58 billion on their pets, making the pet industry one of the United States’ fastest growing economic sectors. One of the fastest growing subsectors of this industry includes canine daycare and boarding. More than 15 years ago, Charlotte Bell left her well-paying job at a Beverly Hills bank and opened Yellow Brick Road, one of Southern California’s first cage free doggy daycare centers and overnight boarding houses. By following her passion for dogs and taking the… Read More

When Chano Zavala asked his former boss for a raise and was denied, he decided to look for other options. He had a small family to take care of, and wanted to control his own destiny. He decided to save up his money and open his own business, Peninsula Party. They do balloon décor and have a full line of concession rentals and staging rentals. This is their story. How we got started I worked as product manager at SF… Read More

Imagine that you’re expecting your first child when you get laid off from your job. That’s exactly what happened to Dan and Robin Moreno. With no job and a new family on the way, they seemed to be in a precarious situation. While it was a horrifying experience, they took advantage of the situation and turned it into an opportunity to pursue a lifelong passion. Despite having no prior business experience, the couple decided to open a surf shop. They… Read More