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.

Damon Ho

When I first got into the nail industry, I didn’t have money, connections, or even a full understanding of what I was stepping into. My goal was simple: survival. But as I kept showing up, learning, and growing, I started to see a bigger picture—this wasn’t just a job, it was a career, and more than that, it was a path to freedom. Read More>>

Adrian Cortez Perez

I am a husband and soon-to-be father, an entrepreneur, and a practicing Catholic dedicated to making a positive impact in my community. I live by a model rooted in faith; I believe that anything is possible with God’s guidance.
Early on in life I was taught that nothing in life is simply handed to you; you must work hard and earn your success. My journey led me to pursue higher education at GCU and graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in business management, which opened doors and the opportunity to work for two extraordinary companies (Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Carvana). There, I learned valuable lessons about company culture and how it impacts both customers and employees. While I am grateful for those experiences, I soon realized that the corporate life wasn’t for me. I found sitting behind a desk and working on a computer for 10 hours a day, was unfulfilling. Read More>>

Matt Murray

I started my business because I had personally experienced the incredible mental health benefits of cold plunges and sauna therapy. After years of incorporating these practices into my life and seeing how profoundly they improved my well-being, I felt called to share that gift with others. I wanted to create a space where people could experience the same healing and clarity I had found. Read More>>

Tom Fay

I didn’t sit down with a business plan and a five year forecast. It started with frustration, honestly. After years in and around treatment, I saw the same pattern on repeat—people leaving detox or residential with no real structure, no accountability, and no community to plug into. Just a pamphlet and good luck.
I wanted to break that revolving door, the one that somehow gets normalized, even promoted, in parts of the recovery industry. The idea that relapse is just part of the package, or that bouncing from program to program is acceptable as long as it’s billable. That never sat right with me. Read More>>

Adam O’Connor

After having worked in the wine and spirits business for 3 years I realized how prevalent alcohol options were in every social setting and how it’s such a huge part of society. I thought to myself, “Why aren’t there any options for people that want something ultra-light in alcohol and calories?” With the rise of non-alcoholic options like Athletic Brewing and mocktails, I scoured the market for the lowest alcohol by volume (abv) options in my local grocery and liquor stores. The results were shocking. There were plenty of options in the 4-5% abv range, only a few in the 3-4% range, and virtually below 3%. Those that were under 3% didn’t make it obvious enough that they were this low in alcohol and calories and they were part of a larger company conglomerate that makes dozens of other products. Read More>>